Sorry its been a dry spell on the blog front. Been way too busy with karaoke, shopping in the bazaar, dealing with the Egyptian press, etc...oh, and playing squash. This afternoon, USA played Italy (again!) and we won 2-1. Claire, my roommate who I have brainwashed into using eucalyptus essential oil to clear her sinuses, played her heart out, but lost a tough 3-2 match. I was so proud of her - she fights soooo hard, runs like a tiger (yes, she went to Princeton!) and at the #2 spot, is a model athlete in every way. Natalie went on and did her business in 3 quick games and then it was my turn. A nervous first game, but I won it, then I hit my stride, taking the second game 9-0 and the third game, jeez, cant remember. All I know is that my match was the deciding one for USA. Yeah, baby! I am thinking of my large Italian gluten free pasta dish in celebration! I will post the picture of me and my opponent later - back at the hotel where I have my USB cord. Internet is free at the squash stadium so I try to use it here then do only what's necessary at the hotel.

So, last night, after dinner, I went back to the hotel to the karaoke machine and sang. I just couldnt stay away, but the karoake machine was malfunctioning. It was Karim's 21st birthday so I sang him an a capella round of HB. Then, this morning, he took me (cuz I was the only one who wanted to go shopping at the bazaar) to the Egyptian marketplace where you can barter for everything. And we did. Karim worked it for me and I picked up a few mementos. What I really want though are Egyptian cotton sheets - like 1200 thread. Didn't find those at the bazaar. Maybe duty-free tomorrow or the next day when I begin coming home.

I think we play Germany tomorrow and I am not sure what the playing order or lineup will be. We are headed out for an early dinner tonight then back to the courts to watch the Egypt vs. Malaysia match. What a treat!

I have occasionally been able to check email yet I cant respond so for those of you that read this, if you hear anyone slamming my name for not returning their email, or anything else, please let them know that I am OOC (out of commission) until Monday.

As for Cairo, the pollution remains nearly unbearable. Almost everyone smokes cigarettes. Taxi drivers should be committed. But, the Egyptian people that we have interfaced with have been out of this world. There is no way I could enjoy Egypt as much if it weren't for the bonds of squash. I am incredibly lucky to see Egypt from this perspective. And, I am grateful to the teams present here because I couldn't learn as much about squash if it weren't for their shining examples. Our time in Cairo is coming to an end and I know I am really glad to have come. Stay tuned! More pics later...