Girl, interrupted.

I think I might finally be reaching my breaking point. I'm getting frustrated and frazzled really easily and I'm longing for the room at home that I can so easily go into, close the door and just be alone for a while. I need some time where I'm not constantly surrounded by people, but it seems like the only places I can find that solace are places outside the hotel, where we're always advised against going alone.

Yesterday was a nice day. We had the opportunity to sleep in, but I was up at 9am since we left the curtains opened and it was so bright that sleeping was somewhat out of the question. A little after 11am, Bridget, April, Diana and I took a black and white cab over to the CityStars Mall. The taxi ride wasn't as bad as I had expected from some stories I had been told. One of the bellhops at the front desk picked out a cab for us and arranged what we would pay and where we were going and all of that. Our driver was fun. I don't remember whether or not he told us his name, but he was pointing out some of the major landmarks on the way and singing when we passed the opera house. We were on the highway, pretty close to the mall when he opened the door and leaned out as if he was going to jump out of the car. It was funny once we realized he was just joking, but I was preparing to jump into the driver's seat and take the wheel just in case he wasn't. It's definitely a different view of traffic from the front seat of that car to the back of one of the vans we're usually in, and I think I prefer the vans.

We walked around the empty mall for a few hours and met a friend of Diana's who has been living here for a few years. We found a movie theater on the bottom of the mall's seven floors that is a luxury theater. For 75 L.E., you can watch a movie in a La-Z-Boy recliner and have the option of ordering a meal from the Holiday Inn next door. Thinking about it: for $10.50 at home, I can buy a movie ticket in a packed theater, probably with a lot of little kids. Here, for the equivalent of $15, I can buy a ticket to watch a movie in a recliner in a 30-person, maximum, theater with no screaming kids. I think that's a pretty sweet deal for the price.

We took a cab back and got to the Flamenco by 2:45, when the vans were leaving at 3pm for Abduh's and another delicious meal by Hayaam. It was homemade food and some nice quality time with the people I don't really see anymore because they're living in Longchamps. Plus, we finally got into our groups for the service learning projects, so at least we're making a little progress on that. We were given the option of reading to children, but once they realized that everyone would choose that over any other project, it was taken off the table and set aside for something else. I decdided to do the knitting place, only becuse I was impressed by the workmanship and didn't really want to work at the carpet place.

April and I just got back from the McDonald's around the corner, since I would like to try all of the American places that have made their way over here, and I must say, I'm fairly impressed. We only paid 11 L.E. for a meal that would cost at least $4 at home, and it was worth it. It tasted pretty similar and we really did get service with a smile. The guy who served us should go over to McDonald's in America and teach them a lesson or two on friendliness. Now we're watching a Polish version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire since the only English channel is mysteriously on mute. We figured out that our internet access through the hotel has been cancelled so, at this point, it's every man for himself with regards to that. It's frustrating, but manageable.

I'm feeling better now than when I started this blog, but I'm still fairly restless. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.