Lucky to Have Friends Like This

I met Nic at the very beginning of his time at AU- I was his orientation leader. He was the kid who didn't want to participate too much, but went along with it anyways. I remembered him because he was so nice and he was from Alaska, a place that no one else I had met at AU was from.

A year later I had a class with Nic and we struck up a friendship. We both love photography and spoke about it quite often. Soon after class began, we found out we had both signed up for a Spring Break trip to Cherokee Nation, North Carolina, and that his girlfriend Kate was coming too.

We weren't even in the van for an hour before I knew these two were going to be lifelong friends of mine. They are kind, gracious, giving, and so down to earth. As a senior, I was blown away with their maturity level. I will never forget that trip and how much fun we had together. I saw Kate and Nic on a regular basis for the rest of the semester, and then I graduated.

I kept in touch with both of them over the summer, and stumbled across a fantastic flight price to Egypt. Kate told me to get it and I did. I was nervous about coming and intruding on their life, studies, etc., but they have made my time here so fantastic.

Both Kate and Nic are outstanding people. They speak very good Arabic already and aren't afraid to tell cabbies they are being ripped off. I watch them haggle and am in awe!

They have been the most gracious hosts. I never would have imagined how great they would be. They picked me up from the airport, had a room all ready for me, bring me back lunch after they go to class, set up mini tours of Cairo for me (even though they are so sick of the Pyramids!) and are always making sure that I'm having a good time. I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I am.

In the midst of 20 hours of class a week and side jobs, Nic and Kate still run 3-5 miles almost everyday, cook fantastic dinners every night, study Arabic on their breaks between classes, and have great friendships. I don't know how they do it and stay so composed. And all the while I'm here, interrupting their flow, and do not seem to mind or be affected by it.

I am just so proud to have these two as my friends. I know they are going to go so far in life and have amazing stories. They are doing so well here in Egypt, and are really taking care of themselves. I think some days are harder than others, but their strong relationship helps get them through the rough patches of living in an Arab country where no one really wants you there.

Their maturity in not only themselves, but in their relationship with each other is staggering. The other couple that is living here is a bit older and have been dating for over four years- they have nothing on Nic and Kate. Nic and Kate aren't clingy or too far detached- they have just the right balance of "Nic and Kate time", "alone time" and "friend time" ...and for that I give them major points.

These two are very very special, and I'm really proud of them, and to be their friend!

We're off to the Red Sea now for the weekend. (Weekends in Muslim countries are Fridays & Saturdays) I'm looking forward to Sinai and Dahab, and going snorkeling. I get to use my new underwater camera, too!

I hope all is well in the states... I heard you had a few snow days!