In case anyone was wondering, the work week in Muslim countries starts on Sunday! I found out only on Saturday night, after a social gathering of a few friends in connection with the University at my supervisor's house. Kind of a shock, as I am still catching up on my sleep and desperately trying to rehydrate. The good news is our work week ends on Thursday. I did feel like I was clubbed over the head on my first day in, but rehydration packets (with water, they taste nasty), a little nourishment and sleep can do a girl good.
My job: I work at the Rare Books Library, in the University Archives. The University Archives are all records of the university, from its founding to the present, including anywhere from the first president's papers to publications of the University press. (The press publishes all Naguid Mahfouz books, so any down time, which isn't much, I can pull a book off the shelves and do a little reading.)
I am processing the papers of the first president of the univeristy. There are boxes and boxes to be put in working order, clumped together by association: correspondence, administrative papers, etcetera. It's rather interesting stuff, mostly from the 1920s, with regard to missionary work in a Muslim country. In case you are wondering, this University now has no affiliation to its original Presbyterian foundings. It functions, and has functioned for quite a while, as a 4 year liberal arts college with a grad school and a school of continuing adult education.
One of the fascinating parts of the Rare Books Library is the Conservation lab. I got to see original plans of two of the leading Egyptian architects of the 20th century (Wasaf and Fathy), some original watercolors by Fathy, and very cool commercial photographs of Egypt from the early 20th century collected by a guy named Creswell. I will be working with those photographs sometime while I'm here. They methods and means the conservationist uses to put the crumbling plans back together, to mount the watercolors, or to house the photographs is amazing. Lots of science and craftsmanship involved!
I've met some cool folks thus far--former and current interns, people with whom I may take a weekend trip to the Sinai peninsula this weekend. Six hours one way, there will be snorkling and beaches waiting! I have no photographs to post at the moment, but will get some up later today I think. My thoughts to all of you and hope everyone is well!!
Luv,
Jennifer
My job: I work at the Rare Books Library, in the University Archives. The University Archives are all records of the university, from its founding to the present, including anywhere from the first president's papers to publications of the University press. (The press publishes all Naguid Mahfouz books, so any down time, which isn't much, I can pull a book off the shelves and do a little reading.)
I am processing the papers of the first president of the univeristy. There are boxes and boxes to be put in working order, clumped together by association: correspondence, administrative papers, etcetera. It's rather interesting stuff, mostly from the 1920s, with regard to missionary work in a Muslim country. In case you are wondering, this University now has no affiliation to its original Presbyterian foundings. It functions, and has functioned for quite a while, as a 4 year liberal arts college with a grad school and a school of continuing adult education.
One of the fascinating parts of the Rare Books Library is the Conservation lab. I got to see original plans of two of the leading Egyptian architects of the 20th century (Wasaf and Fathy), some original watercolors by Fathy, and very cool commercial photographs of Egypt from the early 20th century collected by a guy named Creswell. I will be working with those photographs sometime while I'm here. They methods and means the conservationist uses to put the crumbling plans back together, to mount the watercolors, or to house the photographs is amazing. Lots of science and craftsmanship involved!
I've met some cool folks thus far--former and current interns, people with whom I may take a weekend trip to the Sinai peninsula this weekend. Six hours one way, there will be snorkling and beaches waiting! I have no photographs to post at the moment, but will get some up later today I think. My thoughts to all of you and hope everyone is well!!
Luv,
Jennifer
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