I'm baffled to read all those posts about people, mainly non-Egyptians, who actually like living in Egypt. I tend to be an optimistic person, but for some reason I'm unable to put on rosy glasses to view Egypt.

Is it me or are we not surrounded by corruption: a connection-nepotism-bribe-beaurocratic-need-I-say-more culture?
I guess this is what happens when the halo surrounding the pyramids, sphinx and exotic Egypt fades away.

It's not all bad, but the minuses are piling up and I only see a plus sign every blue moon.

Any thoughts? More specifically, I invite you to point out a few more pluses to keep me going.

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Peace,

quote:

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Originally posted by Lamya:
Just a thought,

I'm baffled to read all those posts about people, mainly non-Egyptians, who actually like living in Egypt. I tend to be an optimistic person, but for some reason I'm unable to put on rosy glasses to view Egypt.

Is it me or are we not surrounded by corruption: a connection-nepotism-bribe-beaurocratic-need-I-say-more culture?
I guess this is what happens when the halo surrounding the pyramids, sphinx and exotic Egypt fades away.

It's not all bad, but the minuses are piling up and I only see a plus sign every blue moon.

Any thoughts? More specifically, I invite you to point out a few more pluses to keep me going.

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It is a very interesting post. I have never been or lived in Egypt, and thus it would be very interesting to learn the life besides visiting the places of Ancient Egypt. Could you please expand on “Is it me or are we not surrounded by corruption: a connection-nepotism-bribe-beaurocratic-need-I-say-more culture?” Thanks Kat

Well.. you need connections here to do anything, besides buy grocery. Who you are and who you know make a difference in your job search (ok you can argue that this could be the case in many parts of the world, valid point). There's a compulsive bribing syndrome to get nearly any paper work done. People expect it, demand and give you shabby service, if at all, if you don't grease their palm.

I'm an Egyptian Muslim and it hurts me to see this. Self-criticism is a virtue I believe, but everything here seems so wrong, you don't even know where to start to fix them.

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Peace,

And yet ---- I love Egypt.

1) It has a wondeful river that gives it life and is fascinating to watch.
2)It never rains (in the south), every day is sunny.
3) I am never loney as there is always someone to smile at you.
4) I am never broke as the cost of living is low.
5) If I need a man to help me there will be a hundred volunteers.
6) I can afford a cleaner.
7) I feel that I am at home.
8) I can walk through the streets without fear of being mugged
9) My landlord is wonderful to me as he thinks I might move if he is not.
10) The donkey man who parks outside my door will carry all my shopping up the stairs.

1) my comute is from my bed to my desk instead of 3 hours on a cold and filthy tube winter or hot, airless and seaty tube summer

2) I can get a Dr to come and visit me the day I am ill instead of being given an apoointment in a weeks time

3) I am surronded by heaps of loving relatives as opposed to one who never bothers with me

4) I can get my clothes dry

5) November is a lovely sunny month instead of foggy, horrid, raining, dark

6) There is little commercialism

7) Little Mohammed sees me at the shops and carried my shopping home

8) The supermarket stocks some personal favourites just for me

9) the view from my window is of the Theban hills not another drab 3 bedroom terrace

10) food tastes of something

That is my starter for 10. I could do more easily.

quote:

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Originally posted by Lamya:
Just a thought,

I'm baffled to read all those posts about people, mainly non-Egyptians, who actually like living in Egypt. I tend to be an optimistic person, but for some reason I'm unable to put on rosy glasses to view Egypt.

Is it me or are we not surrounded by corruption: a connection-nepotism-bribe-beaurocratic-need-I-say-more culture?
I guess this is what happens when the halo surrounding the pyramids, sphinx and exotic Egypt fades away.

It's not all bad, but the minuses are piling up and I only see a plus sign every blue moon.

Any thoughts? More specifically, I invite you to point out a few more pluses to keep me going.

---

Very good topic, i have to ask you, why is your English so good?
I'm guessing that you had a better than average education which implies you are middle or upper class and that would make it even more interesting to know whether your views are General or specific to your Experience.

1) It has a wondeful river that gives it life and is fascinating to watch. (wonderful, polluted?)
2)It never rains (in the south), every day is sunny. (I’m not sure lack of rain is a great thing)
3) I am never lonely as there is always someone to smile at you. (only if you look like a foreigner, otherwise you’re just a commoner)
4) I am never broke as the cost of living is low. (in comparison to what? and for someone with what salary?)
5) If I need a man to help me there will be a hundred volunteers. (ehem)
6) I can afford a cleaner. (look at 4)
7) I feel that I am at home. (that’s relative)
8) I can walk through the streets without fear of being mugged (again relative)
9) My landlord is wonderful to me as he thinks I might move if he is not. (aren’t they all)
10) The donkey man who parks outside my door will carry all my shopping up the stairs. (for free?)
11) I can get a Dr to come and visit me the day I am ill instead of being given an appointment in a weeks time (I’ve had appointments given to me months away and have had people come to my house)
12) There is little commercialism (are we living in the same city?)
13) Little Mohammed sees me at the shops and carried my shopping home (for free?)

As to the last question on my English,I've lived in the Gulf and was exposed throughout my life to an overdose of American popculture, hence I owe my English to elementary British schooling, and American college education and last but not least Hollywood.

My sentiments are an accumulation of my short experience here at Egypt and from observing those around me and reading the daily papers.

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Peace,

You have no idea of commersalism, try catching UK TV in the run up to Xmas.

Honestly normal Egyptians have no idea how blessed they are.

Your problem is probably more complicated because you lived all your life outside Egypt, so you don't have memories here. You don't get that persistent feeling that you want to cry when you hear a certain song that reminds you of something that happened back "home" (which is relative, I know).

My advice is to try to get out of this country. There is no shame in saying you don't like it here, patriotism is passe. Just live where you like living most

quote:

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Originally posted by kimo_the_maniac:

My advice is to try to get out of this country. There is no shame in saying you don't like it here, patriotism is passe. Just live where you like living most

Just don't ask me to explain why I like it here, I just do!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Debbie:
Great advice! I agree 100%. It's exactly what us foreigners did..we are living where we like living most.... and if we aren't being patriotic to our homeland countries.... tough!

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Family's here, can't do that, but I'm a wishful thinker, hoping that Egypt will be a better place for future generations if not for me.

Luxorlover, you're right, I have a dizzying nostalgia for the Gulf. I miss it and I miss driving there (don't have the guts to get behind the wheels here in good'ol Cairo).

Traffic lights work, stripes on the street actually mean something: when vertical you drive either on the left and right and when horizontal and close to one another (usually known as zebra crossings) it means you actually let people cross.

People around me say the Gulf is lifeless and that Egyptian streets are full of life, I beg to differ. I miss walking down the street or in the mall and hearing different dialects and languages around me. Nothing beats the cosmopolitan nature of that area (or the sizzling heat :-)

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Peace,

quote:

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Originally posted by Luxorlover:
I heard it described once as "the place where, when you knock on the door they have to let you in". !!

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Hmm... according to this definition, the Gulf would not fit. They're not too crazy about foreigners now, at least not for white collar jobs.

I do agree with the first part of what you were saying Luxorlover, the part about home being where you want to be. I also think it's all about the people whom you love. That , for me at least, takes precedence over physical locations. Which is why I'm here.

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Peace,

[This message has been edited by Rimo (edited 29 June 2004).]

I personally love the history and I am planing to leave no stone in egypt unturned over my next 12 months. I am preparing for a one month travel to the oasis and western desert, and just the preparation (reading)for the trip is fascinaiting. I did extensive reading about Ancient egyptian history over the last 2 years and I am seriously consediring joining an Egyptology program for few months if there is one that fit my needs.

thanks and good luck with driving,

quote:

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Originally posted by Lamya:
Family's here, can't do that, but I'm a wishful thinker, hoping that Egypt will be a better place for future generations if not for me.

Luxorlover, you're right, I have a dizzying nostalgia for the Gulf. I miss it and I miss driving there (don't have the guts to get behind the wheels here in good'ol Cairo).

Traffic lights work, stripes on the street actually mean something: when vertical you drive either on the left and right and when horizontal and close to one another (usually known as zebra crossings) it means you actually let people cross.

People around me say the Gulf is lifeless and that Egyptian streets are full of life, I beg to differ. I miss walking down the street or in the mall and hearing different dialects and languages around me. Nothing beats the cosmopolitan nature of that area (or the sizzling heat :-)

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