h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've decided I have good animal Karma. Whenever I do something nice for an animal, I get repaid in spades. From babysitting my friends pets in Akron and letting them pull me out of depression, to taking in a betta and finding it knows how to dance, to volunteering for a rescue and getting a career boost, I've benefitted way more than I should have from every try.

Anyway, back to this beagle rescue I'm working with. I mentioned to the operator that I was a geoscience student, and we got into a bit of a conversation about that. He asked me if I did GIS, and when I said yes, he wanted to introduce me to his wife, a professor in art history who was doing some archaeology and needed someone to do some work on data in Egypt. I said OK, I could use some funding for next semester anyway- a little work on the side never hurt anyone.

Fast forward to today at 3 PM. I'm sitting in her office, and she's explaining a little about the project- they're trying to preserve a fort and a temple in Hierakonpolis that's being threatened by hypersaline groundwater seeps. It's the home of the first king of Egypt, and has been pretty important ever since. There's a bunch of data from the area that hasn't been processed yet, and they need someone who knows GIS to help. I'm no expert- I can't build something from the ground up- but given enough time I can make the maps dance.

Then, I listen a little longer- she's not just asking me to do GIS for her.

She's asking me to come to Egypt.

My first impulse was "Oh holy crap!" I mean, this would be a dream come true! I'd get to run around in the desert and play Indiana Jones, Daniel Jackson, Lara Croft, what have you! This is something I'd wanted to do since I could pronounce the word "Egypt!"

My second impulse was also, "Oh holy crap!" This might not be such a great idea. She wants me to go in January, and I don't know if I can be where I need to be with my thesis by then. Plus, with everything going on, this isn't a good time to be an American in a primarily Muslim country. With my personality, I'd probably get deported or shot within the first week.

I haven't even told my mom about it. You'd be able to see the mushroom cloud from Ireland if I did. I just mentioned to her that I might have a way to get funding next semester (which wasn't a lie- I can get it without going to Egypt), but I'd have to talk to people about it.

I walked out with my head spinning- this would look great on my resume, it's something I've always wanted to do, and the field site is just an absolute mystery! I mean, we kind of know what happened there on a vast regional scale, but as for local stuff? Pfft! There's hydrology, geomorph, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochemistry, geophysics... I mean, we don't have the answers to very many questions there. We don't even have enough info to know if we're even asking them all!

But then, this is the first time I've been genuinely scared about going somewhere. And that by itself makes me worry.

What do you think?

I say go, I've been to Egypt 13 years ago admittedly but the Egyptian people are wonderful and some of the more liberal of the Muslim people. It's a once in a life time opportunity, GO and play Daniel Jackson

I say GOOOOOOOOO tinker, Go and have the time of your life, Travel is the best thing, for a young person to experance, and don't worry! GO!

RJR

Very dear Scandrea,

What a wonderful opportunity. I agree with both RJR and your first respondent.
Whilst I was reading it I thought to myself

"Good Heavens, if there is saline water seeping in surely the land is being flooded under the desert!" (Simple me!!)

So it seems a wonderful opportunity.
In any case, if you both manage to solve the problem, think of what a wonderful fillip it would be for American-Egyptian relations.

I am so thrilled for you. Do hope that you can convince your mother to come around to accepting what a great honour it is to be invited.

Very sincerely,

Christiane AR1

I'd say go for it, it's far too good an opportunity to miss!

When I started my working career the first posting I was given was Belfast Northern Ireland. This was still the time of "the Troubles", where soldiers were on the streets and bombs and tit-for-tat shootings were a regular occurrence. On average, over 100 people were dying each year as a result of paramilitary violence. People in the south of Ireland were generally quite scared to go up north, and my initial instinct was to say no.

But I went anyway, stayed for 3 years and I had a great time. It was the most wonderful, pleasent, beautiful place, full of warm-hearted and sincere people, and I quickly realised that the bad things were not half as worrying as what I had been lead to believe by the media reports. So long as you knew where to go, and used a bit of common sense, you would be ok.

No matter where you go, I think, you quickly realise that the vast majority of people just want to get on, and half much the same interests as we do where we come from. Also, the people you are with will have your interests at heart, and they will know where you should go and should not go.

If your heart is telling you that this is a huge opportunity for you to really develop your knowledge and that it possibly might be a major milestone in your career, then you should listen to it. You have a good head on your shoulders, you have a very global outlook and I expect you will treat the people you are going to with respect, so there is very little to worry about it.

Think about it. Every day you wake up there you will learn something different. You will have some basic assumptions challenged. You will meet people from a very different background to you. That's a remarkable thing for anyone to experience, and in the end all we have are our experiences in life.

What a wonderful letter Wood-piegon.

So full of generosity and sound common sense.

Regards

ChristianeAR1

It's a chance of a lifetime - GO!

GO, GO, quick, quick, GO.


Remember just do your throughour resurch (cus your that type of person) and wayhey your on your way!


RJR again wishing he could tag along on the journy to the Egypt thingy!

You get to be Daniel Jackson and Indiana Jones! No fair!!! I've always wanted to go to Egypt I say go! It sounds like a really neat oppertunity!

I hope whichever decision you make will make you happy

*gack* *<--chokes is shock and fear*

Bright Sunlight and excessive heat!!!!!!!! Don't do it Scan for sunlight is evil and there's lots of it in Egypt

Hung over much?

Well, you've convinced me! I'll go, but not this January. There's just too much on my plate right now, and I wouldn't be able to keep up with my thesis, and get everything together in time. Besides, I'm still holding out hope that the world will be a safer place this time next year.

Plus, I've just sent my resume in for the funding proposal- they want to add me as a junior scientist! I won't have to live on student wages anymore!

ahhhah well done that girl..... junior scientist!

I don't get hungover...I just don't like brite lights and sunlight's pretty bright

I'm a bit late in to this conversation but I would endorse everything Woodpigeon said.

As a Mum, I feel for your Mum, but still go! It is a brilliant opportunity, and you will always regret it if you don't. My other half was out there in the early 60s and loved it. There is no guarantee that it will be any safer next year, so fo gor it!

It could be a life changing experience, and as you said it would look great on your CV.



Websailor

<<so fo gor it!<< Well, Go For It! would be better still.

Websailor

Very cool.

Egypt is not so dangerous especially away from the major tourist traps.

Yeah right, try telling that to Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.

What do I think?

If I was you Scandrea - I'd go. I had dreams once, and if you don't take up the opportunities before life gets in the way, then you never will.

I'm a Mom too, and I have always encouraged my children, as much as she loves you your Mom needs to slacken the apron strings a little and do some nest-pushing herself then it won't hurt so bad. She just needs to know you'll be safe then she'll be fine. Whatever you do, don't fight and don't leave under a cloud. You'll both end up with regrets.

and be sure to let us know (somehow) how you're getting on.

Hiya!

Just joining the congratulations - this is incredible!
Egypt should be fascinating. I've only been to the Sinai Peninsula, a couple of times, but have always wanted to see more.

Anyway, if (when) you do this, you should really come visit. Drop me a note, I'll show you around.