10 things I like and don't like about living in Egypt (in no particular order)

                                           This was taken in Hurghada, Egypt.  Jan 2011


Language
Like:
Most Egyptians don't speak English and understands even less... so Ive really polished my dumb charades skills. well, atleast they understand my actions!!!
Don't Like
Well, its so frustrating to make them understand what u really want!!! when I was new here, I wanted to buy mutton- I went to this supermarket, Mercato and asked for mutton- they didnt understand..so I said Lamb, well they had no idea... so I said Bakrid (this time I was sure they wud get it, afterall its a muslim country and they do sacrifice lamb on bakrid) they were like Bakrid? well, now what do i do... out of frustration, I did bleeeeee...eeeeet. They laughed and said its not available....AH!!!!

Indians
Like:
There are Indians living in Cairo- Ive not met all of them, but still when I see them ocassionally in a supermarket or a fren's house, its such a relief to speak properly without trying to simplify sentences and doing dumb charades!!!
Don't Like:
I have only very very few friends in Cairo- Ive not gone to any Indian meetings and its so frustrating not being able to talk in ur language to someone, so frustrating when I cant just dial a number and talk for hours...so frustrating when I dont have any1 to visit or anyone visiting me!!

Travel
Like:
Its cheap to travel around Cairo provided you bargain. If you take the white car, they will charge you only the meter reading and you can easily get to nearby hypermarkets for 5 pounds.
Don't Like:
Well, the black cars don't have a meter and if you cant speak their language, they will really take u for a jolly ride!!!

Food
Like:
Egyptian food is cheap. Maybe not as spicy as Indian, but still it is tasty (ok most of it....)
Don't Like:
I crave and crave for Indian food but dont get it here, theres only 1 Indian restaurant but no south Indian food is available and it has a very restricted menu and over priced. Another thing is, no vegetarian food available anywhere. When I was fasting, I went to Mc Donalds and ordered a veg burger... and what do I get...just the bun and a lettuce leaf.... Now that is a veg burger for them!!!!!!!!!! I dont know how vegetarians survive here!!!

Grocery:
Like:
Well, you can run to ur nearest convenient store and pick up ur basic requirements and hypermarkets do have a lot of offers which is very exciting!!!
Don't Like:
Dont get any Indian grocery- No, nothing at all... from mustard to toor dal, Ive to carry everything from India. Being a Keralite, it is very frustrating when I cant add curry leaves to my dishes and sad I cant bring the plant from India.

People:
Like:
They are very friendly and though they cant make out what you are trying to say, they really try to help
Don't like:
If they know you are a tourist visiting for the first time, they will exploit u like anything- literally rob u...!!! so its better to have an Egyptian friend with u always!!!

Apartments:
Like:
We get fairly big and fully furnished apartments in the heart of the city at a reasonable rate unlike Indian metros.
Don't Like:
However big the apartment is, Kitchen is very very small with no kitchen balcony.

Activities
Like:
Well, there is not much activity around here, so we get a lot of time to spend with family and kids
Don't like:
Well, you need some activity to keep yourself sane!! Kids especially find it very difficult with no friends around the area- and nowhere to go and play...so the only activity for them is playing video games and watching TV

Things to see:
Like:
its not a like, I totally love it- so much to see, The Pyramids-its really a wonder, Cairo museum is absolutely something u shudnt miss- I get chills when I see the wonders there...and ofcourse, the beautiful Nile, the wildlife safari, the red sea... Love Sharm-el-sheikh, Suez... Alexandria, Hurghada....Then there is the Mount Zion where God appeared.... well lots and lots more....
Don't like:
Well, wherever you go, its crowded with tourists and again, if you dont speak their language, they will fool u into paying extra everywhere.

Services:
Like:
I can sit at home and pay my current bill, gas bill, cable bill, garbage bill etc- they will come and collect it
Don't like:
Even if I pay 6 months internet bill in advance, they cut it every month saying I have a bill pending- it will be cut for atleast 2 hours till my husband shouts at them asking if the cashier has taken our money home. I guess till then they dont even check!!!! well, if we dont pay in advance, this problem is not there, says one of our friends here.... ok...experience is the best teacher!!!