I live and work in Egypt. Yesterday and today I had to go to the immigration ministry for to extend my visa. This is right on Tahrir Square. There are still protesters there, demonstrations in the street that stop traffic but none of it is violent and I felt perfectly at home there. Roaming around amongst the tents (people are still camped out there) and generally just enjoying the vibes of the people around me. Rode the Metro there and back from Maadi and despite the language differences, nothing but nice people, conversation as we could with the language barriers. People talk about a subtle smell in Egypt but that smell is one of freedom. Despite what has happened, you can still do pretty much whatever you want here. Driving is a trip, there doesn't seem to be any traffic laws but more like traffic suggestions. Hash is common, weed less so but it is around. I found a good tattoo artist in Maadi. Life is good.
That sounds really cool. It's weird to hear about that kind of freedom anymore. What are you doing for work there?
Im very jealous that you are in egypt. I studied the pyramids of giza and the sphinx in college and since then i must go and see them. When i was in college i was at a party and met a native from egypt. He was a great guy and everything he told me wanted me to go there even more. Seeing egypt would be amazing, its definitely on the top of my list of places to see while im alive. edit lol studdid
I'm a safety director for an Egyptian company. I finished up 3 years over here on a previous project, got to know and become friends with the upper management and they brought me back for a new series of projects. Looks like I'll be here for awhile. The sense of freedom here is amazing after being in the USA. No looking over your shoulder for police, no worrying about being under surveillance, nice people, lots to do. I have worked in 14 countries, Egypt, by far, as been the best.
The number of things to do here are amazing. The pyramids being just one of them. The museum in Cairo is something to see. You could easily spend 2 weeks in Cairo and not see everything. I have done the Nile cruise thing, say the Valley of the King and Queens. Say King Tuts tomb, etc. We did a 2 day safari in the Western Desert hosted by Bedouins. The White Desert is like being on another planet. If you get this way, give me a shout.:sultan:
Thanks so much for sharing this. I know people who have moved to Egypt from the U.S. and Canada. It is nice to see the bigger picture, knowing for sure the media will not tell the whole story.
Egypt is a great place, I have been there many times, good luck to them and hope they get the life they want and need Inshallah .
I'd be interested to hear a woman's perspective,as I've just read the American female journalist, Natasha Smith's, account of her attack. And of course, there is Lara Logan's story. Their descriptions of Egypt seem to be very real, neither positive nor negative.
That would be a different story I'm sure. In the case of Natasha Smith, mob mentality might have played a role there. Journalist over here that are from the West are viewed with a degree of suspicion. While not sexually assaulted, male journalist have been roughed up also. Generally speaking, foreign women over here on vacation or even business, are left alone. While the Egyptian men may be saying something about them, if they don't understand Arabic, they don't know what they are saying. This is not unique to Egypt, happens all over the world. Modest dress on the streets (it is, afterall an Islamic country) is a good idea. If you wouldn't wear what your wearing into the Vatican, don't wear it here, true for men or women. Now at the resorts, all bets are off. Wear a thong, whatever. Egyptian women here are having a bit more of a difficulity with being assulated, Muslim and Christian alike. The women usually travel in groups or with a male escort (husband, brother, etc) and avoid most of the problems.
The people I know who moved to Egypt were women, though I haven't heard from them in a while, they seemed to like it in the beginning.
Great post! I found the same thing in China. Despite it being a country with so much government oppression, you really felt an incredible sense of freedom and independence. Thank you. I look forward to visiting Egypt one day.
I visited Egypt when I was 12,obviously a long time ago now.My Uncle was there working for Mobil oil. I had a great time,so I have always had an affection for the country.I have been following the news closely.Obviously the new situation with the military as a kind of shadow government is not ideal,but hopefully they will cede some powers to the Muslim Brotherhood,and things will tick along for the people.It's a shame that the radical youth that started the uprising haven't found representation -but that could come in time.
