Feeling a little racist?

What's the difference between an expat in Cairo and a racist?

6 months.


ok, so i decided to delete this post. It was a little over the top. Since this is now a public blog, I don't want to get arrested. Egypt doesn't exactly have free speech. Basically what it said was how I was really frustrated with Egyptians. There are some really nice Egyptians who I have met, but most of the men I come in contact with daily(i.e. walking down the street, on the subway, etc.) are disgusting and grope western women every chance they get. It's becoming a big problem. Cairo is very safe other than that.

Cinco de Mayo

Huge party for Cinco de Mayo. All you can eat Mexican buffet and margaritas. Real margaritas! My favorite part of the night was when Kristy randomly shows up wearing a massive sombrero. She, of course, has no idea where she got it. Also, LOVED the live band! We danced the night away....me gusta, me gusta!

blog like an egyptian

Sorry for the lack of updates... but my school blocked this website. Again. And the only time I'm bored enough to write on this is at work...hmmm... maybe I'm becoming more Egyptian than I want to admit.

Things that keep me from blogging at home:

1. Not getting home until 10:30pm after going to the gym in Maadi.
2. Owen downloaded every season of Seinfield. There's alot to watch.
3. Weekly Office episodes with the Hams.
4. There are so many good books to read. Just finished "Kite Runner".
5. John downloaded 3000 movies last week. Just watched "Singing in the Rain".
6. Eating out. Dinner takes a min. of 3 hours in this country.
7. Traveling.
8. Expedia.
9. There are more exciting things to do?

How to 'fight' swine flu- kill the pigs?

Nothing about this surprises me about Egypt. Watch the video. The only people in this country who eat pork? Christians. The only people who own pigs in this country? The Christians who live in Garbage City (the worst slum I've ever seen). The pigs help them by eating the garbage that they sort and recycle. I hope no one gets killed over this.

Easter with the Pope

Last weekend I went to Italy (country #24) and Vatican City (country #25?). This is why I count that as a country. But some of you might argue that it's not a country. Just read that article first before you decide. I don't have a stamp in my passport from the Vatican. But I also don't have a stamp from Israel or Cuba. So are they not countries? Just saying... The Vatican at Easter? Yes, it was crowded but we bought a prepaid ticket that put us to the front of the 2-3 hour line and we had a tour guide who actually enjoyed her job. Other than the airport being crowded, the rest of Rome wasn't bad at all. Not compared to Cairo on a daily basis. I really could have stayed in Rome for a week and in Italy for a lifetime. I definitely plan on going back to Italy. Maybe next fall to visit Sarah when she moves to a small coastal Italian town.

Cairo is the new Vegas

Thursday night went out for some Thai food with one of my newly wed friends. Funny story. Apparently, their marriage license got lost in the mail in Canada. They were married in Vancouver over Christmas. So as Peter asked me to pass the rice, he added "and would you sign our marriage license as a witness?" What?? We made sure to clean the table so that the Pad Thai wouldn't get all over the documents. Kinda cool. I'll forever be their witness! Love it! I love how random it was too...

I promise

I promise to update more for those of you who don't use facebook anymore (quitters). I just figured out how to get to blogger at work and how to bypass the page that appears in Arabic.

Egypt doesn't make sense.

This doesn't surprise me about Egypt at all.

Where I will be for Easter....

Tunisia- Country # 23

Pretty amazing place. We saw pretty much the entire country. I'll post pics on facebook as soon as it decides to start working for me. Renting a car was a good decision even though none of us had really driven a standard transmission and that's all they have to rent. We made it out alive with only a slightly frightening situation down an extremely small alley that was blocked by a pile of rocks. Luckily, some Tunisians decided to help us. Lots of Lightsaber battles occurred at the Star Wars locations. Of course, we had to decide who was each character. Luckily I beat Sarah out of being Princess Lea. She had to be Chubaaka. Between the 4 of us we had a combined maturity of about age 8. No ewoks were found, but we did discover Ewok food. Or that's at least what we named the unusual rock-like sculptures that we kept seeing everywhere. Like a video game, we had to dodge wild camels crossing the road. The rest of the trip will be posted in pics with comments on facebook. I know you can't wait!

Culture Shock: A day in the life of being in America

I'm here in the States!! (Finally after a long flight to NYC and then the delay of the snow storm.) I think I'm having a little culture shock. Here are the things I'm having trouble adjusting to:

1. Clothing/Fashion: I couldn't believe what girls MY AGE were wearing at the airport. Leggings! Just leggings!! No pants!! And the high-heeled boots just looked ridiculous. When did hooker/chic come into style?

2. Public restrooms: I think I went in 12 times to the JFK bathroom. There were a couple times I just went in to flush the toilet and look at the toilet paper. I even stole some just out of habit.

3. Driving the first day was insane. I kept going waaay over the speed limit. I didn't realized how fast they drive in Egypt! Reba says that I am a waaay more aggressive driver now. Why does everyone stay in lanes and drive slow?

4. Target: I had to restrain myself. It was over-stimulation. I wanted to buy everything. Instead I only purchased 3 deodorants, unnecessary cute shoes, and a sweater. Oh! And this really nice lady gave me a coupon for free underwear! I love America!! But then someone stole my basket and the coupon. What is America coming to? Are we stealing coupons now to deal with the recession?

5. The Mall: OMG. I actually like the clothing they sell. And EVERYTHING is on sale!!! I only purchased VS undies b/c I had a $10 off coupon. We're going to the outlets on Friday to hit those after Christmas sales. It's a little weird adjusting to prices. Also, weird that no one was pushing. I actually stood in line and no one elbowed me to get ahead of me in line. We just waited our turn.

6. Tivo. Greatest gift to mankind.

7. Crackerbarrel. Can you order one of everything on the menu? You can try. Our waitress actually wrote down our order. And she could understand what I said. And she refilled my drinks without me asking. And the food arrived only 10 minutes after we ordered!! And when she brought the check without us asking, I almost fell out of my seat! Our dinner lasted less an hour!! Madness!!

8. "Can I see your driver's license?" When I heard this question, I thought..."Do I have a driver's license? Where is that thing?" No, I wasn't being pulled over.

9. Running. I can run outside. And breathe!! My lungs are so happy right now.

10. Walmart. Ok, this was alot like being back at the Khan in Cairo. Did you know someone DIED in Walmart during a stampede a few weeks ago?? That sounds like something that would happen in Egypt. Walmart is alot like being in a 3rd world country. But I didn't get any "weeeelcome! pretty lady! How much for you?" Oh wait, yes I did. Just from a different ethnic group.

Homma men America.

This is the much anticipated update for my fans (yes, all 3 of you)

Justin and Kim came to play in Egypt. Lots of fun to be had. One day we took a jeep safari out to the desert. We also had lots of fun on a Felucca ride down the Nile which had to be paused for a photo shoot. Just a day in the life of fashion models.

Justin was so excited he peed himself.

A Letter to the Director

Dear Dr. Paul,

I feel the need to bring an important issue to your attention. There seems to be an unfortunate epidemic of narcelepsy amoung the blue workers at our school. Even with hourly doses of coffee the workers are unable to stay awake. A possible solution: falefels laced with Ritalin? Just a suggestion that I think you should seriously consider.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue,

Me

Greece

If you can only take 1 vacation in your entire life, you need to go to Greece. I'd heard wonderful things about it, but I didn't expect it to be so amazing. Maybe because Cairo is so nasty. We flew into Athens and took a ferry to Santorini. Santorini is famous for its sunsets which did not disappoint. The people were fabulous. Food was fantastic. Could not have asked for a better way to spend a week away from Cairo.

Skype

I have it. It works. Kim called me on my computer and I thought that I needed a headset, but no. I have speakerphone or something on here. Awesomeness. So call me or at least add me as a contact if you have skype too.

For the slow....Skype is an internet program that you can download for free and talk to anyone anywhere for free.

The Pyramds

The past 2 weekends we have gone to play on the pyramids. It's been really hot, but still fun. Security is at a minimum so you are free to do whatever you please out there. The first weekend we (Owen, Angela, Norris, and I) went to Giza to see the Sphynx and the more famous pyramids. Then last weekend we (John, Emily, Owen, and I) hired a private driver to drive us around to Sakara and Dashur to see the step pyramid and the bent pyramid. We also were able to climb down inside to the tombs. John, of course, had to throw a little fit about going inside because it's so dark and scary. Owen spent most of the day on top of the pyramid throwing rocks at the security guards. We didn't get kidnapped so I'd say the day was a success.



P.S. It's alot easier to post pics on facebook so check there for the latest pics.

Canadians: Mysterious creatures of the North

Likes:
*documentaries
*Talking about documentaries
*mocking American politics (an obvious blow below the belt)
*documentaries mocking American politics and capitalism
*naming Southern cuisine and promptly asking if we seriously eat something called"Chicken Fried Steak"
*making jokes about Americans’ lack of knowledge of Canadian History
*Southern accents
*American sports

Dislikes:
*Bush administration
*organized religion
*capitalism
*Being compared to eskimos and polar bears

Taxi Cab Rules: Or how to Walk like an Egyptian

Crossing the Street:
First you must enter the street area. Be on your guard at all times. You can and will be hit by taxis. Or you will witness a wreck. Or both. Look to your right and to your left. Cars will be coming from both directions even if this is a one-way street. Also, cars might be speeding on the sidewalk to watch for that too. Try to find any Egyptians. Watch how they cross the street. They will glide through 60 mile/hour traffic like Jesus walking on water. But you cannot cross yet. You must wait for the right time. When the Spirit moves you, cross each lane one at a time. Remember that there are no "real" lanes and cars can be in the left lane and instantly be in the right lane or maybe on the sidewalk or maybe making donuts on the pavement at any given time. I repeat you can and will be hit by taxis.

Getting a cab:
Wave the driver down. Approach the cab and announce your destination. They will approve or disapprove. For example, for me to get home I would say a large area near my house "Sabaa Emirat" (translated: 7 streets). He would then shake his head no and I would try several more taxis. Finally, one will agree. You enter the cab. A man needs to sit up front. If you have no man, then you put the ugliest, fattest girl in your group. Once you are in the cab, you will immediately notice there is no meter. The driver will be rocking out to some Arabic rap, maybe have a few strobe lights, no AC, and will be smoking with the windows rolled up. This is all perfectly normal. You only need minimal amounts of Arabic to dictate your way.
Shamel: left
Yamin: right
Henne: here
Iowa: yes
Shukran: thank you
You must give your driver what you think is the right amount. This might be 5L.E to 20L.E. You guess is as good as mine. If you short-change him then you better sprint out of the area quickly as he will chase you with his Arabic curse words. Do not despair. You will probably never see him again.

Cairo

Ok, So I'm in Cairo. There's so much to say about Cairo. I really feel that pictures will be the best form of communcating what happens. I'll try to take more pictures. Everything is really different. Even ordering a meal is a huge ordeal. Right now I'm at a little cafe (about 5 minutes from my apartment) stuffing my face and using the internet. This is pretty standard behavior. We have a great place and LOVE our neighborhood. There are 2 Canadian guys who work with us and live 1 floor below us. We are the only people in our building so it's very private. Ok, this blog is really lame. No more lame ducks after this. Just trying to get you guys the facts.

What were they thinking???