Day 7: Back to Work (Sunday)

It is strange getting up, getting ready, and going to work on a Sunday especially the sense of how Sunday isn't the Holy Day of the week here (Friday is).

We caught the staff bus about a 10 minute walk from our apartment.

Orientation wasn't like any normal orientation I've been to. It lasted about 3 hours and focused more on Egyptian culture. A few important things I learned:

• Don't stick your hand out for a hand shake unless the other person initiates it
• As women, don't give men eye contact while you're walking on the street
• If going to Downtown Cairo, women must dress even more conservatively than here in our location

The most incredible part of the day was lunch provided by the school. The school cafeteria has 2 local restaurants/kitchens that sell food. Think of it like this: Your cafeteria has 2 food options from your local mall's food court.

Approximately 50 new staff members are sitting around eating when the school director (the guy we had our interview with and hired us) begins saying something like this, "I hope you're enjoying your lunch. While we're all down here I'm going to start singing and if you happen to know this tune, I would like you to join in." He starts singing.....make a guess....what do you think? Happy Birthday. I think my face became as red as a cherry. Him and his wife had even purchased two different kinds of birthday cake.

I couldn't believe how kind they were to do this. It completely made Saturday's disaster nothing. I'm blown away! This staff has been so welcoming and genuine about anything we need.

The rest of the day was given as time to work in our classroom. Sweet! I'm not used to having so much time in the classroom already.

Day 6: My Birthday - Change of Plans (Saturday)

A night of little sleep, because I chose to stay up way too late, started the day on the wrong foot. Totally my fault.

After having an afternoon and evening to clean out and inventory what's in the apartment, we quickly realized we needed some essentials right away. Without having a vehicle or knowing where the appropriate shops are located, we got a Taxi and took it to a Carrefour that's on the outskirts of our town. Entering the store, it was a madhouse, literally. I felt like it was Walmart times 10 based on how crowded it was (no more shopping there on Saturday). We spent nearly 3 hours there trying to go through each aisle & section to find our items. By the end, I was ready for a nap (as you would know, I'm cranky when I need to sleep). Dereck was having a hard time finding what he needed. This didn't bode well. Somehow we got out of there and back home with some of our necessities.

Tonight was a planned school social event for anyone who wanted to join. Of course, being my birthday, a new location, country, and a Felucca on a Nile, I was all in. We located the meeting spot on a map. Planned our route to walk there and began the journey. Lo and behold, we can't believe the location given to us on Google Map or Apple Map. It was the wrong location. It was already the meeting up time. We asked about 5 different taxis if they knew how to get to our meeting spot. None of them had a clue what I was talking about. That's when we realized we wouldn't be going on a Felucca on the Nile on my birthday. I was broken hearted. This was the first day in Egypt I wasn't happy. Being in tears, Dereck tried everything he could to cheer me up. I wasn't having it. So instead of going on this fun event, here I was eating an Auntie Anne's pretzel.

We walking the major road and explored all the shops and tried to go with the flow. Of course, we arrived home and I felt so mad at myself for just assuming that map would be correct. We learned our lesson....don't believe the map every time.

For now, I'll make sure to get a good night's sleep and tomorrow is a new day.

Day 5: Crisis Diverted (Friday)

Crisis diverted - We are no longer wondering when we're moving in to an apartment.

We moved in!! (Well, technically speaking, all it took to "move in" was bring over our luggage. It's the making this apartment a home that will take a little shopping.)

Our day has been busy dealing with getting the lock changed (standard procedure here in Egypt this way we can't blame the landlord, boab, or anyone else for breaking into our apartment). Also, it is the "holy day" here in Egypt. Egyptians' Friday is the Americans' Sunday. The weekend is Friday and Saturday here.

Internet was hooked up in the apartment.

We went to IKEA  (yes, they have one here in Cairo!!) and Carrefour (a popular shopping center that is kind of like a Walmart). Got our cell phone plans changed to local plans. Cleaned out the kitchen of our apartment and organized it (it was a mess - Just imagine random things stuffed into all the cupboards and drawers). Cleaned the bathroom.

It may not sound like a lot was accomplished but when you don't have a vehicle and you either have to walk, take a taxi, or meet up with the school provided bus when it's scheduled for an opportunity to go to IKEA, it takes up time. I'd have to say, I've probably sweated and walked off so many stinkin' calories.

I do believe I can stay in Cairo now. They have my favorite flavor.

There is even a Coldstone's, Auntie Anne's, McDonald's and many other familiar places but those can wait.

Now the night is getting late but for Egyptians, the night is young (they easily stay up till 3am going out and about) but for this gal, my bedtime has arrived. Good night and we'll see what day 6 brings.

Day 4: Speed Bump (Thursday)

We woke up excited to sign for an apartment and live in the same building as another couple. Perfect location, street is beautiful, green shrubs on the grounds, close proximity to another couple working from our school, has a balcony, and a great price.

The four of us go in together with our school volunteer, Pat (she is AMAZING), our local realtor, and Ramadan (also AMAZING) to meet the landlord to sign the lease. Things at first seemed good but then price was being explained for the rent and boab (your building assistant) fee. But then he added on an outrageous maintenance fee. Our school volunteer was immediately fighting for us because no one in our town pays a maintenance fee. Even the realtor had said this fee isn't normal here in Egypt. Pat went to battle for us to try to get that fee taken off or even cut in half (we were already getting a good deal for the rent) but unfortunately, the landlord got upset and after relooking at the apartments, he immediately decided that we had no deal and that "he had them rented" now by someone else.

BAM! We fell frustrated at first but realized, it happened for a good reason because he showed his true colors. We started back at square one. Back to apartment hunting. Meanwhile, most of the other staff members had already signed their apartment lease. We're feeling a little behind even though school leaders kept reassuring us that we have all the time we need.

Luckily the next apartment we looked at was the perfect one for the couple we were searching with. They fell in love with it. Meanwhile, Dereck and I recontemplated our previous "contendors" and struck out the ones in terrible locations and decided on one that would work. The only downside, it looks extremely girly with pink, pink, and more pink. The good parts: Great location, perfect size for us, the kitchen was US style such that it has an open concept. So, we started negotiating a price. Got it down a little bit. Perfect! Now to seal the deal. The owner was kind of a pain (lives abroad but our realtor kept speaking with him on the phone) about particulars. Such as the 2nd bedroom is composed of so many Winnie the Pooh items that we can't touch/change. He plans on living in the place again and since his wife designed the whole apartment, we can't paint the walls, take down the Winnie the Pooh wallpaper or other modifications. This frustrated us in the process but have since become okay with it because the place is the right size, location, amazing looking kitchen and has more modern furniture (instead of the Gody looking furniture in most other apartments).

Oh, and by the way, guess who called our realtor when we were signing our lease? The landlord from this morning who said we had no deal. Ha ha! He kept asking if we were coming back (Hmmmm, what happened to having it rented for a higher price, you said??). Our realtor told him that both couples signed a lease for a different place already. We all had a good laugh about how he's feeling what we felt earlier.

Without further ado, here are pictures for your to imagine our Pepto Bismol apartment based on first sight.

The Entrance to the complex

Stairway entrance to apartments - Based on the 30 apartments we had seen in the last 3 days, this stairwell is really clean comparatively speaking although in the US, it probably wouldn't be.

Here's a little bit of Egyptian information. Back in the states what is considered the 1st floor is considered the Ground Floor here. Thus what is considered the 2nd floor in the states is where the Egyptians start the 1st floor then 2nd floor and so on.

Front door entrance view - shoe cupboard on the left, dining and kitchen

Extremely nice looking kitchen compared to most apartments we saw

Living Room

Bathroom - looks extremely nice compared to many we saw

Master Bedroom

2nd Bedroom - Winnie the Pooh room will also be our Guest room and office

Do you see now what I mean by lots of pink Pepto Bismol that we're not allowed to paint or change too much?

Day 3: Apartment Hunting continued (Wednesday)

Our group was formed of 5 married couples with no children or no children traveling with them (adult children). One couple had a place lined up before arriving and had moved in yesterday. Another couple signed on a place that we had seen yesterday. A third couple decided to go more on a private touring of possible rentals with a real estate agent. That left one other couple and us.

We had discussed last night how we felt most of the places shown to us were overpriced and too big for our budgets. Going into the apartment hunting today, our realtor and school volunteer were quite aware of the budget we wanted to aim for and the approximate size. We were shown many more possible contendors today. I would have to say we viewed about 20 apartments today. That was tiring in the 95 degree heat with humidity. Eventually, the very last place we were shown before meeting back at the hotel had 2 units available. We toured both of them. The location is perfect because it’s in a nicer looking street, near shops and other pertinent places, close to a school bus pick up & drop off point, and the landlord completely reminded us of “The Godfather” minus the suit. The price was set too high and with the help of our school volunteer (who knew the landlord already) and the realtor, they got the price dropped a little bit if both couples moved into the building and take the 2 units available. After leaving we felt like the price was still a little too high and weren’t too sure because the look inside the apartments were okay. Not too bad but not the best we’ve seen. Later this evening, we called the landlord and were able to sweet talk him into lowering the price a little more and he would have both units rented immediately. Lucky for us, he agreed and we’ll be moving in on Friday.

The major things we get: live in the same building as this other couple who works at our school and are quickly becoming great friends, good price, great location, balcony that overlooks a small grassy area (nearly impossible to get in the city), nice looking bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, and decent furniture that’s provided.

The major things we don’t love: the kitchen leaves a lot to be desired but that’s 95% of the kitchens we’ve seen in apartments. On the plus side, we at least have a dishwasher which 50% of them didn't.

Tomorrow, we sign our lease, pay our deposit and first month’s rent.

Prior to moving in, this is what the place looks like:

Living Room (sorry for the dark lighting)

1/2 Bath

Kitchen leaves a bit more to be desired - Oh well, can't get everything here in Egypt

Dining Room

Master Bedroom with Balcony

View from Living & Dining Room Balcony

Main Bathroom - looks good compared to many apartments we had seen

Living Room

No photos of the 2nd bedroom.

Then this evening the school director and his wife hosted a dinner party on their rooftop. It was fabulous to mingle with many of the people in the attendance. I would say there were about 50 staff members in attendance.

I'm LOVING this experience so far. I have not even had a moment to have the "culture shock" hit me. There's one man who's been part of our apartment hunting group who has the same name as my dad, talks like my dad, and looks very similar to my dad's oldest brother, Uncle Bob. I teared up a little this evening listening to him and feeling like I was listening to dad. Even 6 years after my dad's sudden passing, I miss him terribly. That's the only moment I've even shed a tear since I've arrived here in Cairo.

I cannot say enough good things about this adventure.  I'm incredibly grateful I've jumped on board this opportunity as it seems like an almost perfect fit for Dereck and me (after all, most things aren't exactly perfect). The people are so warm and friendly, both the Egyptians and staff members. We're excited for each day's new adventures.

Day 2: Apartment Hunting (Tuesday)

First of all, the school has been amazing with making this big move and change as smooth as possible. I’m truly amazed and grateful for how they’ve treated us and guided us through this process.

We awoke early, 3am early and couldn’t go back to sleep. Jet lag…oh well it could have been worse as a few people literally arrived at the hotel in time for breakfast before boarding the school staff bus to start the apartment search.

There are about 40 of us at the hotel part of this new teacher group. We’ve been split up into about 4 groups to go in search of an apartment. Each group has a school volunteer that’s going with us as well as a local realtor.

Oh man, these drivers are CRAZY! Blinkers don’t matter, it’s all about the horn. If there are even lines on the road, they’re not observed at all. Plus, there is NOT ONE single traffic light in the whole city that I've seen so far. The following photos doesn’t even do it justice but you kind of get the idea.

Going down a 2 way street will often find you in a predicament like this (Our bus drivers are AMAZING. This driver had to back the bus up in such a tight space to make way for other cars).

If the freeway isn't moving, it looks like this, a parking lot. In the upper left hand corner, you can see one of our white and blue school staff buses.

Apparently, this is a normal sight to see in Cairo. Yes, that is a car. Or should I say "was?"

Forget the lanes, people drive wherever they want.

I better get used to seeing a donkey pulling a cart because that apparently is a mode of transportation here.

There’s always people standing along the sides of the “freeway/highway.” There’s tons of trash along the roads. Construction seems to just move the piles of dirt and rocks to the edge of the roads. As I’m learning my way around a new way of living, I’m readjusting my level of what’s considered “clean.” Trying my very best to have an open mind.

We saw about 12 different apartments throughout the day. Many of them were at the top/above the school’s allotted housing allowance. Most of the apartments are 3 bedrooms (way more bedrooms than we need) with large common spaces with a small kitchen. It seems to be normal for the washer to be either in the kitchen or bathroom. Apparently 1 bedrooms are not normal here in Cairo so we are trying to find a 2 bedroom apartment.

In America, the staircase areas are generally clean and nice looking. Here in Cairo, it’s not what you see leading up to the apartment you focus on, it’s what’s in the apartment. I’ve come to learn it’s normal to see broken windows, floor or something else while climbing the stairs to the apartment.

We found 2 possible contenders so far but don’t feel like they’re us yet. Each apartment seems to have some “compromise” for it to suit us. Yet that goes along with having an open mind with a different culture. I’m loving this process and don’t feel stressed. Just TIRED with the jet lag.

We made it back to the hotel for dinner and have realized these teachers are like an international teacher community. Dereck and I seem to be one of only a few teachers who are teaching abroad for our first time. Most of these teachers have been abroad for years and to many different countries. They say they have come to love the experiences they’ve had especially with the opportunities to travel. I LOVE learning about them and their experiences. Everyone has been so easy to get along with and welcoming. I can only imagine what the school year will be like with the students.

Day 1 – The Journey Across (Sunday - Monday)

Our day started early by walking our dogs over to the in-laws house for their new home away from home. It was hard but easier than dropping off our cat as our doggies are used to this home away from home. They’ll be well loved.

We were met back at the house with great friends and some family who helped to see us off. Dereck’s brother and niece saw us off at the airport.

Checking in was a challenge as there were some complications with how the airlines made our reservations. We were afraid we wouldn’t make it onto the plane. After 30 minutes with a great problem solver agent, she got the ticket issue resolved and discounted the price of our extra bag in consideration of our patience with the issue. (Yeah!)

Flight 1 of 3: Phoenix to Chicago (~4 hours)

We were coming in for landing into Chicago when the plane did a sudden lift back up scaring most of us passengers. Apparently, an airplane was moving too slow to get off the runway. We literally flew right over the airport as we increased our altitude, turned around, and tried again. Safely landed.

Flight 2 of 3: Chicago to Amman, Jordan (~11 ½ hours)

We got ourselves to the international terminal and went to the ticket agent to see if there was any way to change our seats so that we’re seated next to each other. Good thing we went to the desk because they had to redo our tickets anyways. Got in the massive live for international flights' security. The most fascinating part was observing all the people from many different countries, different languages, dress codes, and passports. With about 40 minutes of waiting to get through security, it was great people watching.

Luckily, for such a long flight it went pretty smoothly. It had about 70 children on the flight. WOW! So many children flying internationally.

Flight 3 of 3: Amman, Jordan to Cairo, Egypt (~1 ½ hours)

The airport literally feels like it’s in the middle of a desert.

At the Amman airport, we walked towards our gate and met up with one of our future coworkers. She recognized my face from the school’s new teacher orientation Facebook group. It was great to wait for our next flight getting to know her.

We landed in Cairo about 7:15pm their time. Waited for about 1 hour to get through customs and was met by a helper, hired by the school, to help us get through customs smoothly. After getting through security and baggage pickup we were met by our school’s director, his wife (also a teacher), and one of the Elementary Assistant Principal’s. We were guided to the school’s staff bus, taken over to the hotel with the Elementary AP and given our welcome packet with all the necessary basics to get through the first few days.

Look at this beautiful view from the hotel.

By the time we arrived in the hotel room, it was about 9:30pm and we crashed.