Second day in Cairo.

After seeing the apartment we looked at on the first day and being told interesting stories about the travails of finding a decent place to live in Cairo we decided to check out a place (very) close to the centre (less than a 1.5minute walk) even though the rent was out of our price range at 3000LE/month. It was a nice place, 2 bed, lounge, kitchen, bathroom, nice balcony, 3rd floor with elevator (!) – and most importantly relatively clean. After bargaining with the owner we got the price to 2500LE and decided to take it. So within a couple of hours we moved in our stuff – then we discovered the cockroaches in the kitchen (apparently it is completely normal for entire houses to be infested with roaches and we were “fortunate” that they tucked themselves away in one cupboard).

We went back to the centre and completed a little more of the exam before we decided to go to the Mall and buy everything for the house. We discovered that we were collectively broke. I had already changed all my JDs and ended up with very little, and while my flatmate couldn’t access her account (the bank barred it because she didn’t inform them she was travelling to Egypt) I had no money in mine. Anyway, we managed to stretch the JDs to buy all the cleaning stuff (all together A$65 – and we bought a hell of a lot of stuff). We spent the rest of the night (9-1am) cleaning – not that we finished everything. The bathroom alone took 2.5hours, and its tiny!

Third Day.

Went to the centre and completed the exam. Its not that it was hard or even very complicated – in fact it was very simple... But four exams in 1 week is far to many! My brain is fried. After the exam we set out to the bank, picked up some lunch and made our way back to the mall to buy the rest of the stuff we didn’t bother with the day before. Finally home, we finished the cleaning and went to bed to tired to eat.

Which brings me to today – relatively boring.

Went to a near-by mall and picked up a few more things – I am still unable to get over how cheap everything is in Egypt compared to Jordan (except rent – that’s expensive). We bought a good quality iron for A$7 brand new! Then to the centre to find out about our classes. They have put me and my flattie in the same level which is dumb to say the least – she completed the program (1yr) at the centre in Jordan, while I only completed 2 skills levels and three grammar levels... She is far more advanced than I. Even looking at the books we have been allocated, we have covered it all – in level one! We are left wondering if they even looked at the entrance exam we sat, because apparently if you get more than 70% (which we both managed easily) you are in level three or higher – we are in level two!

Anyway, class starts on Sunday...

Thoughts on Egypt – the good the bad and the ugly:

- Super busy/polluted and super crazy traffic at all hours
- The weirdness of the adhan (call to prayer), all the mosques call it at different times (sometimes up to an hour apart) – how the hell am I supposed to know when to pray?
- Taxis not having meters – agreeing a price with you and then changing their minds halfway through the journey ensuring an argument... Annoying to say the least!
- Beds that feel like the mattresses are filled with sand... Every morning brings a new type of agony you have never experienced before!
- Not having internet at home
- The water here has so much chlorine in it you feel like you have accidently swallowed in the pool while brushing your teeth or you are actually in the pool while showering.
- Hearing nasty nasty horror stories from female students about riding taxis – I’m talking drivers pleasuring themselves while trying to engage the sisters in conversation! Eww...
- Most places open 24hours – this city never sleeps!
- Food and household items are super cheap
- Our amazing apartment – especially the elevator... Would not have liked to have to carry the shopping up three floors... Oh and the swing on the balcony – beautiful in the morning sun.
- Fresh fruit juices – I’m sure when I find them they’ll be excellent!

Hope everyong is enjoying the holidays. Photos of the new place will probably go up on Sunday.

Much love and Ma'a salama