Getting ready for Cairo ...

24 years after my first trip to Cairo (before the birth of both of my daughters, who are themselves my own "Queens of the Nile"), I am almost as excited for this Summer's program as I was then ... this year, I will lead my largest group ever: 35 students, 2 other professors, one amazing co-leader/Coordinator, and - at one point or another - those "2 Queens" ;-)    We have a great program of Arabic language, Community Service/Service-Learning, plus an Engineering course offered for the first time.   In addition to our time in Cairo, we will cover the full length of the Nile, from Aswan (and Luxor) to Alexandria (with most time spent in Cairo).   After bidding "ma'a salaama" to our Engineering friends, I will escort the Arabic language students to Siwa Oasis and the Mediterranean Sea for a few days of "R&R"/reflection & relaxation, as well as reading and "renewal" ... because we will then return to Cairo to plan for ... Abu Dhabi!   It seems that our "dialogue" reputation has traveled far and wide ... for it has landed us an invitation to Abu Dhabi to continue dialogue with Arab students from 15 different countries.   That Dialogue is sponsored by the Arab Women's Organization, an organization affiliated with the League of Arab States, headquartered in Cairo.

My next posting - insha'Allah - will be once we have arrived in 'Umm ad-Dunya ... Egypt, "Mother of the World."