티스토리 뷰
Dear my freinds,
I appreciate your kind e-mails that showed concerns for me. I am so sorry for being this late to write back to you.
Now I returned to Egypt again and am in a peaceful daily life, I will tell you what happened to me.
First arrival in Egypt
I arrived in Egypt on 28th of December with seven other volunteers and our training started right away. The training consisted of mostly language lessons - I learned Arabic from 9 to 4 - and there were some other lectures to give us understanding of Egyptian culture. For about a month, I lived in Egypt without any big problem, learning both the language and culture of Egypt. I liked living in Egypt as I was able to get lots of vegetables and fruits at a low price, which made my life as a vegetarian here not so difficult. It was a shame that I didn't have any time to see great monuments in Cairo, such as pyramids, but I thought that I could go there someday after my training since I've got nearly 2 years left.
Begining of Revolution
At the end of January, people started demonstraions being affected by Tunisie and the situation got severer and severer day after day. So at first the embassy asked us to stay at home instead of going out, and around the time that the police clashed with protesters, we were sent back to Korea. I arrived in Incheon airport on 2nd of February, the day before lunar new year's day. Until this time, it was just a uproar, not a revolution and I didn't think Egyptians could throw Mubarak out because he appeared to me so strong. But Egyptians had stronger eager for a better life and they finally made it! Even though I couldn't be in the scenes of demonstrion at Tahrir square as I was told not to go out, I still felt like being in a stream of history at that time. I thought of my parents' generation who made a great effort to realize democracy, and I could just imagine the fear of them when I tried to fall asleep hearing gunfire. Now I feel more grateful to them for all the sacrifices they made in order to get freedom.
About 2 months in Korea
Anyway, when I went back to Korea, the situation was very unsure. I didn't know if I could return to Egypt or not, and this was not the first time that I faced obstacles in my volunteer work. 'I already waited about 2 months when my assigned country was changed and now I have to wait agian! What did I do wrong?' Frankly speaking, I felt very disappointed and frustrated. However, I tried to look on the bright side. Yes, I could spend valuable time with my family, help my cousin to prepare for her college scholastic ability test, get together with my beloved friends and have time to reflect on my life in Egypt. I did all and plus, during this 'unexpected vacation', I decided to support a boy in Ethiopia through 'Save the Children', started knitting small wollen hats for new born babies in Africa and got to know an organization called EWB, Educators Without Borders. I think EWB's visions are pretty much the same as mine, so I'm trying to be in touch with them and find something I can do with them here in Egypt. So, now these 2 months in Korea seem to me not a waste of time at all but a chance to recharge myself.
I appreciate your kind e-mails that showed concerns for me. I am so sorry for being this late to write back to you.
Now I returned to Egypt again and am in a peaceful daily life, I will tell you what happened to me.
First arrival in Egypt
I arrived in Egypt on 28th of December with seven other volunteers and our training started right away. The training consisted of mostly language lessons - I learned Arabic from 9 to 4 - and there were some other lectures to give us understanding of Egyptian culture. For about a month, I lived in Egypt without any big problem, learning both the language and culture of Egypt. I liked living in Egypt as I was able to get lots of vegetables and fruits at a low price, which made my life as a vegetarian here not so difficult. It was a shame that I didn't have any time to see great monuments in Cairo, such as pyramids, but I thought that I could go there someday after my training since I've got nearly 2 years left.
microbuses |
just for women |
in the open market |
I love Egyptian food |
Korean department in university |
Cairo museum |
Begining of Revolution
At the end of January, people started demonstraions being affected by Tunisie and the situation got severer and severer day after day. So at first the embassy asked us to stay at home instead of going out, and around the time that the police clashed with protesters, we were sent back to Korea. I arrived in Incheon airport on 2nd of February, the day before lunar new year's day. Until this time, it was just a uproar, not a revolution and I didn't think Egyptians could throw Mubarak out because he appeared to me so strong. But Egyptians had stronger eager for a better life and they finally made it! Even though I couldn't be in the scenes of demonstrion at Tahrir square as I was told not to go out, I still felt like being in a stream of history at that time. I thought of my parents' generation who made a great effort to realize democracy, and I could just imagine the fear of them when I tried to fall asleep hearing gunfire. Now I feel more grateful to them for all the sacrifices they made in order to get freedom.
Can you see that smoke around Cairo tower?
About 2 months in Korea
Anyway, when I went back to Korea, the situation was very unsure. I didn't know if I could return to Egypt or not, and this was not the first time that I faced obstacles in my volunteer work. 'I already waited about 2 months when my assigned country was changed and now I have to wait agian! What did I do wrong?' Frankly speaking, I felt very disappointed and frustrated. However, I tried to look on the bright side. Yes, I could spend valuable time with my family, help my cousin to prepare for her college scholastic ability test, get together with my beloved friends and have time to reflect on my life in Egypt. I did all and plus, during this 'unexpected vacation', I decided to support a boy in Ethiopia through 'Save the Children', started knitting small wollen hats for new born babies in Africa and got to know an organization called EWB, Educators Without Borders. I think EWB's visions are pretty much the same as mine, so I'm trying to be in touch with them and find something I can do with them here in Egypt. So, now these 2 months in Korea seem to me not a waste of time at all but a chance to recharge myself.
 |
 |
 |
small wollen hats that I made |
my new uculele with a close friend of mine |
Again in Egypt
And now I'm in Egypt again. I came back here on 24th of March and am continuing my training. On this Saturday, I'm going to Luxor for my OJT(on the job training, right?) and in the middle of April my training will be finished. After that, my assignment as a Korean teacher will start, hopefully. I will write you soon again when I get back from Luxor. I'd like to know how you are doing. Please write me back :)
With love,
Eunpah
And now I'm in Egypt again. I came back here on 24th of March and am continuing my training. On this Saturday, I'm going to Luxor for my OJT(on the job training, right?) and in the middle of April my training will be finished. After that, my assignment as a Korean teacher will start, hopefully. I will write you soon again when I get back from Luxor. I'd like to know how you are doing. Please write me back :)
With love,
Eunpah