MIA

I know, I know...so many of you are wondering where we are and what's happening. Let's just say that Internet in Egypt is a whole different circumstance. Think about the Internet in the states from 20 years ago, dial up speed. Well, that's Egyptian internet. Our house internet hasn't been working for the last week to two weeks. I will update and post pictures when it seems our internet is more reliable and "fixed." Hopefully any day now.

Days 9-13

We are quickly feeling at home here in Cairo. We've made a few slight adjustments in the apartment since we can't do anything dramatic. Some of the furniture pieces have moved a little bit. A few of the rugs have been rolled up and stored in the Guest Room. Little by little, the wall colors are growing on us.

The Living Room

Kitchen (The washer is hidden in the first cabinet)

Kitchen

View of apartment upon entry

Bathroom

Bathroom

Guest Room

Guest Room (right outside that window are our lines to hang our laundry)

We're finding more things about the culture that's unique. For example, Egyptians are night owls. No joke. We get home from work one day only to find the neighboring round-a-bout (called a midan here) is crowded with mostly men. That was only about 7pm. That's when the evening is just beginning.

Another thing is how things are built or fixed. Egypt surely doesn't have the strict building codes like the US. Dereck and I often have to close our eyes and pretend we didn't see what we just did. Especially after just doing our own remodel back in the states. The other day when I left work, there was a leak coming from the ceiling. The next day, I come to see it fixed like this.

Yep, I'm pretty sure that's duct tape.

The teachers here are a whole different breed of teachers. Most of them have been teaching overseas for many years. With that, they have tons of experience and stories to share. I also feel like I'm surrounded by the best of the best. Whereas before, I felt like I was surrounded by a few of the best teachers. Nothing against where I've worked previously because I know there's a massive teacher shortage in Arizona so it's extremely hard to find many great teachers.  Dereck and I have quickly made friends with many of them and enjoy getting to know them.

As part of the social events offered by the school, we got to go visit the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphynx of Giza. Here's a few photos to make you squirm and wish you were here with us.

We got to climb the inside of the biggest pyramid here. There wasn't much to see inside but you had to hunch over the whole way of climbing up. I was so sweaty this day. You can see how wet my hair is from sweat.

On another location, we saw hieroglyphics. 

Inside this building is a boat built the way it would have been in those days with no nails.

These rocks are huge when you're up close. Almost as tall as me.

Cairo is in the background there on the left.

The group of teachers and their families who went on the trip. (This is probably only 1/2 of the new teachers)

After returning from the pyramids, we were so exhausted and worn out. 5 of us couples decided to stop at a yummy Chinese restaurant. We might be different in age but we get along so easily.

Often times, I do think of our pets and miss them tremendously. Aunt Jane sent me a picture of Whisper on my birthday and told me she's doing well and adjusting to her new home.

Whisper (who apparently isn't living up to her name during the photo)

My niece, Kaila (who's becoming an incredible photographer), took this lovely photo of Janie. She definitely seems happy. From what I hear, Willy and Janie are enjoying going on walks with my nephew, Bailey.

Janie

Till next time everyone! Be safe!

Day 8: Testing, Testing (Monday)

Day 2 of Orientation is simple: Bank forms, basic policy information, Work Visa related items including a blood sample for HIV testing (required testing in order to receive the work visa). The fascinating part is with a married couple only one person has to provide a blood sample. It just depended on if your name was on the list or not. I won the lottery, my name wasn't on the list. Dereck had to provide the blood sample. SORRY HONEY!!

The rest of the time was spent working on the classroom.

After work, many of us took a bus to go check out one of the local clubs that is geared towards expats (requires membership except for attending today with the school). It was great to sit down and socialize with our new friends.

This city has quickly become home. We're adjusting well, so far. Give us another month or two for the real answer. I'm grateful I at least have my husband here with me as a few of the teachers had to leave their spouse in their home country until the work visa is finished to allow a spouse visa. Everyday is an adventure.

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?