Welcome to the Desert
My first 5 events are in Egypt, which means I will be spending nearly 6 weeks in the desert. I had little idea what to expect beyond the little snip bits of information I have accumulated through history class and the news over the years.
After arriving and spending a couple of days, my first impressions can be expressed through my google searches.
Is the water safe to drink in Cairo?
Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Cairo?
Does Chlorine boil out of water?
Why are there so many abandoned buildings in Cairo?
What is the minimum wage in Cairo?
How much does it cost to ski at the mall of Egypt?
The two main queries that have captivated me are simply just how bad is the water in Cairo and why is there so an abundance of partially built living quarters when it appears most of them are abandoned.
While I can’t help but relate to the Geico commercials teaching you to not be like your parents, it’s impossible to not at least think about the infrastructure issues. It is so incredibly different from what I am used to in the states that it simply has provoked a weird amount of curiosity.
Driving from the airport to the hotel was an experience on its own. Every quarter of a mile was a structure that would undoubtedly be a historical monument in the States. Surrounding such buildings were structures that seemed to have partially collapsed decades ago. The contrast between extravagant and what many would consider unlivable was quite harsh and eye-opening. The sights beyond the road were captivating but not nearly as much as the style and manner in which the locals of Cairo navigate the roads. While painted lanes were few and far between, their presence is merely a suggestion. By the time you realize there is space for your vehicle, it has already been filed by someone who already decided to take initiative. If you are the agreeable type and courteous to fellow drivers, your car would be constantly idle and the commute would last forever. It seems the strategy is to just keep shuffling forward and use your horn as a form of signal to others of your presence. It’s very much a “just keep swimming” mentality.
The way in which drivers tend to drive is also the impression I have received in the hospitality sense. While the tour in which I am playing has put us up at a fairly nice Hilton a little west of Cairo, the hospitality is far from that of what you would come to expect in the states. People are simply there to do their job and their job is not necessarily to make you happy. It would be more of a “service your needs,” mentality. That being said, because of my inability to communicate and lack of optimism in the fact that someone would help if I needed it, I have yet to venture outside the hotel.
I think saying that the locals are rude would be a very western/American opinion, for it’s not that they are being rude, they “just keep swimming.” While that is my first impression, I am open to having my opinion changed and would love the opportunity to tell the manner for why.
Other than that, I decided it was a good idea to pack for my entire 6 month trip in a carry-on. the minimalist ways seemed to be a sensible solution on many different fronts. However, as I near closer and closer to already having to do laundry on the 3rd day, it is seeming to be of possible concern. I will keep you all updated on this front.
That is all I have.
Until next time,
Bryan
