Lorraine came to Egypt on a Fulbright Fellowship to work on a coral reef monitoring method using foraminifera, and has been granted a six-month extension to continue her work. Lorraine believes that the decline of coral reefs is a global problem that requires global solutions. Through international collaboration, scientists have the ability to bring cultures, and nations, together.

October 27, 2007

A Bedouin tout selling camel rides in front of the "Small" pyramid, Giza, Egypt.

"Don't look! Just keep walking," I whisper to my sister, but I'm fighting against a lifetime of good manners. Instinctively she turns to smile, and I can see the gleam of the Bedouin's grin from the corner of my eye.

We've been hooked — again!

He nudges his camel closer and closer until my sister is trying not to visibly cower. Camels are handsome animals, but they're also tall — taller than a horse, and that can be intimidating up close.

Of course the Bedouin tout knows that, and he uses it to his advantage.

"Don't be frightened — you want camel ride? You know how much for camel ride?"