Tuesday was a big day in Cairo!! As I'm sure most of you have heard on the news, there were huge protests/riots from people here that want to overthrow Mubarak and reinstate a new government inspired by Tunisia. To be honest, I didn't know anything was happening! Except that everyone knew this was going to happen, so I had heard about it. This was planned to be on Police Day. The riots were downtown in Tahrir Square mostly, about 30 minutes from where I live.
Tomorrow, there are supposedly going to be more riots. The police are already shutting down major streets and preparing. I plan on staying home! I just wanted to update my blog and let everyone know that I'm fine. I know my mom is freaking out! I'm pretty isolated in my little neighborhood... the only time you should wonder "hmm... I wonder if Sara's okay" is if you hear anything about Maadi. That's where I live.
I'm also watching what I post on my blog. I'm actually surprised I'm still able to access it because the government has disabled facebook. But I say... Go Egyptians!! It's about time you stand up for yourselves!! I'm sure the media in the US is twisting the story, but the Egyptians started a peaceful protest (just as Hilary Clinton requested!) before it turned ugly. But isn't that how it always happens? We'll see what comes of this, but if anything it's a good chance for the rest of the world to know what is really happening to the Egyptian people and how Mubarak's government is really run.
There, now if I end up in secret prison, we know why. I'm carrying my American passport with me. So there's no need to worry (mom) everything is still fine and normal as far as I can see. Except that there are many more police officers on the streets. But I smile and wave, say "Misa alkeir!" and they smile and wave back. So life is pretty much normal.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Top 10... Cairo
Is anyone surprised that I have neglected to update my blog since my return? My dad even told me (as one of the last things he said to me at the airport) that I HAVE to update it more. And so far, I fail. But here it is!!
The Top 10 Best Things About Living In Cairo...
10. Cost of living. Let's just say, I'm rich here. And I'm very far from rich. In fact, I get paid a lot less than I would in the US. But everything is a lot cheaper here. I get a pedicure every other week. A cab anywhere in Maadi doesn't cost me more than 5-7 LE (about $1). Please don't hate me.
9. Scarves. I love scarves and they are everywhere here and really cheap! Just ask any of my friends who got one for Christmas. I have about a million so far, and I still buy them all the time! And alabaster. It's beautiful.
8. www.otlob.com. The US is behind on this amazing invention. You login, order food from virtually any restaurant (I'm talking McDonald's, Chinese, Pizza Hut) and it's delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less. I might be waiting for some Pizza Hut as I'm writing this. The delivery of everything here is awesome. You can get your groceries delivered, any food, your alcohol... you name it, it delivers.
7. Having a bowab. The bowab is kind of like the doorman. If you have a car, he washes it every morning, you set your trash outside of your door and he gets rid of it for you, he will buy your groceries for you if you give him a list, he'll go pay your bills for you. He can also fix simple things around your apartment. It's pretty amazing. I don't use mine much, but I say good morning to him every morning, and I give him a tip at the end of every month.
6. Having a cleaning lady. This goes along with everything in Egypt being much cheaper. A lot of people hate me for having a cleaning lady. But in Egypt, it's weird if you DON'T have a cleaning lady. Seriously. Everyone has one. I didn't have one for a few months, but I finally gave in and it's the best thing to ever happen to me. She comes once a week, and cleans everything. For 100 LE. And I'm overpaying her.
5. Overall friendliness of people. Generally speaking, people are very friendly to foreigners (sometimes TOO friendly). They remember you, and want to help you out. I love talking to the shopkeepers because (once again, generally speaking) they are very happy people and have an uplifting spirit.
4. I learn something new everyday. This is true living anywhere new, but I love that I am challenged, surprised, and learning everyday. I learn a little Arabic everyday, more about the Egyptian and Muslim culture, more about how people in other places live, etc. And it's one of the best things about living somewhere completely different.
3. History. Egypt has a ton of history and there's so much to learn about civilization here. I have seen the pyramids so many times already that it's almost getting old (isn't that awful?!), the Nile is the foundation of life here, and there are many other historic sites that I haven't even visited yet.
2. Amazing knockoffs. I bought a Burberry purse for 150 LE that had original lining and I'm positive fell off the truck. The other day, I saw a Burberry and Louis Vuitton bags that were original (I'm positive) for 50 LE. That's like $10. I just don't question how they ended up being so cheap. So if anyone wants knockoff designer scarves or bags... let me know. I can totally hook you up.
1. Beaches/Red Sea. Technically the Red Sea isn't in Cairo, but it's only a 7 hour bus trip or a 1 1/2 hour plane trip away. And it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Granted, I'm from Wisconsin and we don't see a lot of beaches. But it also has some of the world's most famous dive sites (which I've snorkeled!) and I have swam with clown fish. That's a lot of excitement for a mid-westerner.
I hope my list has made Cairo sound exciting. I need some visitors soon! So if the cheap scarves, knockoff purses, and history didn't persuade you, I don't know what else to say. My pizza has just arrived... but I swear I have more exciting stories. Let's just say I might have said "Go f--k yourself" 3 times this weekend to ogling men. They were being inappropriate, not me!! Stay tuned for the whole story.
The Top 10 Best Things About Living In Cairo...
10. Cost of living. Let's just say, I'm rich here. And I'm very far from rich. In fact, I get paid a lot less than I would in the US. But everything is a lot cheaper here. I get a pedicure every other week. A cab anywhere in Maadi doesn't cost me more than 5-7 LE (about $1). Please don't hate me.
9. Scarves. I love scarves and they are everywhere here and really cheap! Just ask any of my friends who got one for Christmas. I have about a million so far, and I still buy them all the time! And alabaster. It's beautiful.
8. www.otlob.com. The US is behind on this amazing invention. You login, order food from virtually any restaurant (I'm talking McDonald's, Chinese, Pizza Hut) and it's delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less. I might be waiting for some Pizza Hut as I'm writing this. The delivery of everything here is awesome. You can get your groceries delivered, any food, your alcohol... you name it, it delivers.
7. Having a bowab. The bowab is kind of like the doorman. If you have a car, he washes it every morning, you set your trash outside of your door and he gets rid of it for you, he will buy your groceries for you if you give him a list, he'll go pay your bills for you. He can also fix simple things around your apartment. It's pretty amazing. I don't use mine much, but I say good morning to him every morning, and I give him a tip at the end of every month.
6. Having a cleaning lady. This goes along with everything in Egypt being much cheaper. A lot of people hate me for having a cleaning lady. But in Egypt, it's weird if you DON'T have a cleaning lady. Seriously. Everyone has one. I didn't have one for a few months, but I finally gave in and it's the best thing to ever happen to me. She comes once a week, and cleans everything. For 100 LE. And I'm overpaying her.
5. Overall friendliness of people. Generally speaking, people are very friendly to foreigners (sometimes TOO friendly). They remember you, and want to help you out. I love talking to the shopkeepers because (once again, generally speaking) they are very happy people and have an uplifting spirit.
4. I learn something new everyday. This is true living anywhere new, but I love that I am challenged, surprised, and learning everyday. I learn a little Arabic everyday, more about the Egyptian and Muslim culture, more about how people in other places live, etc. And it's one of the best things about living somewhere completely different.
3. History. Egypt has a ton of history and there's so much to learn about civilization here. I have seen the pyramids so many times already that it's almost getting old (isn't that awful?!), the Nile is the foundation of life here, and there are many other historic sites that I haven't even visited yet.
2. Amazing knockoffs. I bought a Burberry purse for 150 LE that had original lining and I'm positive fell off the truck. The other day, I saw a Burberry and Louis Vuitton bags that were original (I'm positive) for 50 LE. That's like $10. I just don't question how they ended up being so cheap. So if anyone wants knockoff designer scarves or bags... let me know. I can totally hook you up.
1. Beaches/Red Sea. Technically the Red Sea isn't in Cairo, but it's only a 7 hour bus trip or a 1 1/2 hour plane trip away. And it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Granted, I'm from Wisconsin and we don't see a lot of beaches. But it also has some of the world's most famous dive sites (which I've snorkeled!) and I have swam with clown fish. That's a lot of excitement for a mid-westerner.
I hope my list has made Cairo sound exciting. I need some visitors soon! So if the cheap scarves, knockoff purses, and history didn't persuade you, I don't know what else to say. My pizza has just arrived... but I swear I have more exciting stories. Let's just say I might have said "Go f--k yourself" 3 times this weekend to ogling men. They were being inappropriate, not me!! Stay tuned for the whole story.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Top 10... US
In lieu of my very recent trip back to Wisconsin for the holidays, I decided to make a top 10 list about the best things in the United States. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to get back to Cairo. I can't wait to see my friends, get back to school, and start living a more "adventurous" lifestyle. But I realized that I had been taking some things for granted during my 24 years living in the United States. And you know what? I think a lot of people do. So sometimes it's nice to look around, breathe in the clean air (oops, that was going to be one of them), and appreciate what you have. I will also make a top 10 list about the best things in Egypt when I return.
So here it is...
The Top 10 Best Things About the United States (generally speaking)
10. Wal-Mart. Love it. Hate it. I don't care. You can go to one place and virtually get everything you need. I took many exciting trips to Wal-Mart during my time home.
9. No wild animals on the street. And when I say wild, I mean cats and dogs. Because it's depressing. I want to pet them and love them and give them a home, but... eeew. They probably have rabies and they're so sick looking. It's sad.
8. Men don't stare at you for showing hair or elbows. Even I've become a little more conservative in dress! i couldn't believe how much cleavage was bouncing around on New Years! Come on ladies!
7. Seasons. Again, depending on where you are. But it's not hot, then kind of cooler, then hot. Again, I'm speaking from a Wisconsin standpoint.
6. You understand everything. (Again, this depends on where you are). There's much less questioning of "Why the hell are they doing it this way?" and you understand everything people are saying around you (if they're speaking English). I went out to a restaurant when I first got back, and it was like my ears opened up. I could understand everything pefectly, not just pick out certain words.
5. You stay cleaner. You don't have to shake dust off yourself when you wake up in the morning, or shake the sand out of your pants. I like that.
4. Ease of transportation. Driving or riding in a car is much easier than trying to communicate with a cab driver in Arabic and you can also pretty much assure a complete stranger isn't going to offer to have sex with you. "Just one time?"
3. We have the best makeup and we have Burt's Bees. Enough said.
2. It's not hard to find a drink. There is practically a bar that is calling out to you on every street corner.
1. Freedom of Speech. We can say whatever we want whenever we want. No one is going to judge us if we're not the right religion. Ok, they might... but we don't have to put what religion we are on our i.d. Be thankful. Our freedom is the best gift that our ancestors worked hard to give us. Now I'm being preachy.
Wait!! I have more!! There's no trash on the sidewalk and there is a sidewalk to walk on. This is important. We also have rules when it comes to driving and cars don't honk at you for obscene reasons. So appreciate.
With all that said, I'm stoked to go back! I will be back there tomorrow afternoon. I really do love living there, with as much as I may seem like I'm complaining. I just say it like it is. I hope you enjoyed my Top 10... stay tuned for the top 10 best things about Cairo!
So here it is...
The Top 10 Best Things About the United States (generally speaking)
10. Wal-Mart. Love it. Hate it. I don't care. You can go to one place and virtually get everything you need. I took many exciting trips to Wal-Mart during my time home.
9. No wild animals on the street. And when I say wild, I mean cats and dogs. Because it's depressing. I want to pet them and love them and give them a home, but... eeew. They probably have rabies and they're so sick looking. It's sad.
8. Men don't stare at you for showing hair or elbows. Even I've become a little more conservative in dress! i couldn't believe how much cleavage was bouncing around on New Years! Come on ladies!
7. Seasons. Again, depending on where you are. But it's not hot, then kind of cooler, then hot. Again, I'm speaking from a Wisconsin standpoint.
6. You understand everything. (Again, this depends on where you are). There's much less questioning of "Why the hell are they doing it this way?" and you understand everything people are saying around you (if they're speaking English). I went out to a restaurant when I first got back, and it was like my ears opened up. I could understand everything pefectly, not just pick out certain words.
5. You stay cleaner. You don't have to shake dust off yourself when you wake up in the morning, or shake the sand out of your pants. I like that.
4. Ease of transportation. Driving or riding in a car is much easier than trying to communicate with a cab driver in Arabic and you can also pretty much assure a complete stranger isn't going to offer to have sex with you. "Just one time?"
3. We have the best makeup and we have Burt's Bees. Enough said.
2. It's not hard to find a drink. There is practically a bar that is calling out to you on every street corner.
1. Freedom of Speech. We can say whatever we want whenever we want. No one is going to judge us if we're not the right religion. Ok, they might... but we don't have to put what religion we are on our i.d. Be thankful. Our freedom is the best gift that our ancestors worked hard to give us. Now I'm being preachy.
Wait!! I have more!! There's no trash on the sidewalk and there is a sidewalk to walk on. This is important. We also have rules when it comes to driving and cars don't honk at you for obscene reasons. So appreciate.
With all that said, I'm stoked to go back! I will be back there tomorrow afternoon. I really do love living there, with as much as I may seem like I'm complaining. I just say it like it is. I hope you enjoyed my Top 10... stay tuned for the top 10 best things about Cairo!
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