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.