Egypt

FAQs!!

Q: Why did you move to Egypt??

A: My husband accepted an international job offer with his company to work overseas for the next 3-5 years. We decided to make the move for us, and his career opportunity!

Q: Do you have to wear more conservative clothing as a woman?

A: Short answer – not really. Long answer – you should in certain places! The area we live in is called “Old Ma’Adi”. It’s a conservative, old money-type Egyptian neighborhood located up the Nile River. It’s beautiful, and a small community where everyone truly knows everyone! As you can imagine, it’s nice to see people you know everywhere you go, but equally off-putting if you’re not used to it. In these areas, I’ve noticed more conservative clothing for women – regardless of your religious practice. It’s courteous to be respectful and mindful of your cultural surroundings, wherever you are. As a result, I find myself wanting to cover up more in Ma’Adi.

There’s another neighborhood called “New Cairo”, located closer to the airport. This area is all the hustle and bustle of new money. Fancy stores, workout classes, and restaurants occupy this region of Cairo. Here is where nontraditional and less conservative ideals reside! You can certainly look around and see a melting pot of international visitors, residents and wealthy Egyptians. Feel free to get lost in the chaos, wearing whatever clothing suits your fancy.

Q: Is the area “safe”?

A: This question is loaded for me, and honestly makes me sad. There’s so much misinformation – your news feed is literally tailored to what you’re searching for & consuming daily. To me, anything you choose to do could lead to negative consequences, especially if you’re conducting yourself in a way that is simply asking for it.

Choose to be kind. I am aware that I stick out like a sore thumb here – I don’t look even remotely Egyptian! But I am choosing to be kind, and friendly, to everyone I encounter, regardless of who or where they come from. I want to get to know people, especially those I’ll see in my community daily.

There are bowabs (doormen), who are posted outside each building where tenants live in Cairo. They look out and provide security for the residents living in the area. This article can help you gain better insight if you wish to read more on them. If you walk around, you’ll see their familiar faces at every block. I’ve strived to always be friendly and say hi, so they know my face 🙂 They can provide you all the help you wish, or none at all. YOU get to choose! They’re wonderful at reading people!

Q: What are the grocery stores like?

A: Simply, there are way fewer options here. Of everything. No need to research brands, because it’s not like in America where every brand offers the same product.

In the same way, the season of year dictates which produce you are able to buy, because in-season is the only available option!

It’s refreshing in a way, and you’ll never be overwhelmed. However, if you’ve grown accustomed to specific brand-loyalty, and consume specific items (food, non-food, paper goods, etc.) on the daily, you’ll need to bring those over or adjust to what’s available!

Q: What is the one thing you miss the most??

A: In short – my people. All the family and friends that are miles and miles away in the states.

Long answer – it’s complicated! There are simple life things I miss – like driving with the window down blaring music and singing. I also miss the ease of going to one grocery store to get everything I need. I miss Tex Mex (but I did bring my grandma’s tortilla mix so I can make them here!) and getting dressed up. We don’t really have fancy events here (as you can imagine lol), as drawing attention to yourself is absolutely minimized.

There are individuals in Egypt attempting to establish a “little America” and finding it feasible. However, they frequently travel back to the US to obtain essential items like peanut butter, condiments (like Chick-fil-A!), beef/bacon, Amazon orders, and cooking equipment like parchment paper. All items you can’t necessarily find here in Egypt, but you can find something CLOSE. To be brutally honest – if you’re particular about everything, it’s going to be challenging living here for you.

The poverty here makes America’s low-income class look middle-class at best. It’s made me realize the wealth America offers, and that most (88.5%**) Americans are living in it. Sure, America is not perfect, but no place is! Living over here for a month has shown me how detached Americans are from what’s happening in the rest of the world.

**This percentage is based on federal income poverty levels, designated by the poverty level of a family of four yearly salary ($26,496).

The shockingly SIMPLE life here reminds me there’s not much that we need, but the world tries to tell you that you’re missing out on.

It’s easy to become attached to comforts, and the familiar, but the risk is missing out on the opportunity to fully experience and explore the beauty of Egypt.

Although I find myself missing things about my life in America, I’m not willing to sacrifice missing out on my opportunity to experience and embrace all that is Egypt. But when I do go back to the states, I’ll definitely bring back my favorite salad dressing 🙂 xo