Moving to Egypt

So, I'm back to blogging by popular demand. I'm also back in Africa after a 6-7wk lovely stint in the States. Except this time, I'm on the other side of the continent in Cairo, Egypt.

This has been an amazingly smooth transition. Through a friend of a friend of a friend I have been soo warmly received by complete strangers! They have opened the doors to their flats, their kitchens and their knowledge of Cairo and living in Egypt. It makes everything so much incredibly easier when you have someone to help you with the little ins and outs of life!

Here are some things I've learned, felt or noticed in these first couple of days:
- I really like meeting people on long plane rides. If both parties are willing, there is really a lot to talk about when faced with only a seat back in front of you;
- You can buy a visa at the Cairo airport for $15USD. Why USD I don’t know. It’s really only a sticker. Does that mean it’s only a moneymaker?
- The neighborhood Doqqi is pronounced like, “Doh e”
- Despite the heat and symptoms of dehydration I do feel guilty drinking water in public. Is it guilt or respect?
- The streets are empty during prayer time but especially during Iftar—the breaking of the fast at sundown.
- You can find Chiles, TGIFridays, Starbucks, McDonalds, KFC and all that stuff in Cairo. It kind of disappoints me after living in Dakar w/o any of it. Though the H&M does not disappoint me!
- “shukran” means “thanks” in Arabic.
- There are separate metro cars for females which are much more empty than ‘male only’ cars.
- Despite harsh legal consequences, homosexual is not uncommon (yes, that's a double negative!);
- Respectful Muslim girls like to pole dance in private…;
- A box of Raisin Bran cost between $6-7USD;
- Egyptian beer is called Stella or Sakara and Egyptians cannot buy it during Ramadan. One must carry passport at all times;
- Its really difficult to navigate the streets of Cairo by myself when I don’t read numbers in Arabic;
- Arabic numbers are very easy to learn;
- I drank the water right away and didn’t get sick…at least I don’t think so…there goes my detox diet!;
- There are no begger kids on the streets like in Dakar;
- Traffic is crazy like in Dakar but instead of annoyed honks followed by a slew of insults in Wolof, Cairiens let out more of a ‘yooohoo, comin’ through” honk.
- While the street might have 3 painted lanes, Cairiens can fit at least 5 cars!
- I have no idea how people lived abroad without internet and cell phones!
- Peaches and figs are in season!! Ohhh soo good! Watermelon is definitely not!
- Cairiens hang skinned, headless animals in the street like in Dakar. My friend mentioned as walking down the street: “buy the meat w/ all the flies on it bc the one w/o flies is covered in RAID”
- small bills and change is once again hard to come by and I must once again start to horde;
- there is a hoodie hanging by the door to slip on when the delievery man comes bc females must always cover the shoulders;
- While a bit overwhelming, its fun to look at the different style of apts in all parts of the city and see the horrendous Egyptian style furniture!
- I’m really liking it!