St. Olaf College

Global Semester

1978-1979

Itinerary

Program

Reunion 1  Reunion 2

Group

"Cairo...Cairo"

"India...mmm"

"All Around the World,

Plate Tectonics"

"So Long Ago"

Well, I walked out on the streets of Cairo one night, and I heard the noise thru the dust,

There were perfume salesmen, and horns a honking, and people everywhere.

Oh there was a crowded bus with its people packed in and car drivers running wild,

Looking to the west at the Hilton on the Nile, with its air-conditioned style,

Looking with wide eyes, as bright as Evian, towards a month long odyssey.

Well we checked into our rooms at the Cosmo, with the Ali Babas asking "Baksheesh",

We fell back with the bugs in our beds, and we itched ourselves to sleep.

When we awoke it was sunny and hot; it was fine, it was good.

With marmalade, cold toast, and a cup of hot tea, our day begins the same...Bon Apetit.

Waiting for our tour on a shiny new bus, counting out 30 numbers, and we're off with a rush.

It was the very most important tour of the day, and our guide said, "Listen to me",

Here is the zoo, several mosques and the Nile, pyramids lined 1,2,3.

Oh, the East Bank means life, and the West means death, where the Pharaohs lay mummified,

It would all sound fine; it would all look good, if only our bowels were solidified.

A Lomotil with a Pepto chaser for good luck, a quick trip to the toitie, and we're out to spend a buck.

Alex was fine, and we all got burnt, we drank the water and we at the food.

We didn't know what the side effects would be -- a little nausea and maybe some diaree.

Oh, then we woofed and we spewed, and we all jogged a lot, sometimes in a bathtub, and, of course, the pot.

So sure that we were dying and lost to the world, then came blessed solidity!

Back on our feet, and back at AUC, with our profs all pleading, "Listen to me!"

The we hit the bazaars, and the shops full of brass, or was it gold -- we couldn't see,

Ivory, and silver cartouches, and a galabeya made just for me.

And they said "Welcome to Cairo", and "Come and see my shop", and "my grandfather's factory".

It will only take a moment, you'll be very satisfied,

I've got many friends in Californee.

He said "50 pounds for you my friend", I said "I'll give you 5"; "How 'bout 20?"  "OK. 10."

"Its a genuine, authentic straight from the tomb, one of kind hyrogliphee.

Oh, its the original papyrus that was used by King Tut, Amenhotep, and Ramasee.

You really lucked out, you know you really got a steal, would you like a few more -- how about, say...50?"

Oh, Luxor was hot and the pool was green and cool, with two discussions thrown in for free,

A ferry boat ride with people coming out the side, sound and light, buggies with a horsie.

Oh, the clickety-clack of the train cars on the track, made the ride there near miseree.

With just a few more hours, left until we fly, lets live it up and then we'll all say "bye-bye".

Just one more night in the Cosmo Hotel, and we're on to a new destinee.

Now we've see the pyramids and we've climbed to the top, and we've eaten tammia and ful,

We've ridden on camels, felucca boats, and put ten people in Izat's Audi.

And we've uncorked our last Stela, had a final lemonade, Amy's finished with her vegetables.

It's goodbye to Anwar and Farouk Shalaby, and, of course, our good friend -- Mohammed Ali.

Our story is now over, our time is all gone, goodbye to Egypt and the friends we've won.

No more baksheesh, and "What time is it now", our piastres are all spent -- we make a final bow.

This was a very most important song about a town named Cairo...Cairo.