Believe it or not!

The weather has turned really hot now.

Yesterday was a terrible 41degrees and I was wilting, standing in the hot sun, outside the Turkish consulate, when this old gentleman walked up to me, and, asked, in his broken English, if I would like to sit in his air conditioned car instead of the sun.

My first instinct was to whack him or respond with a really rude, biting retort, when he suddenly said oh! and put up his hands in mock horror and started nattering in Arabic with his hands gesturing his conversation.

I think, my look of complete puzzlement, stopped him short, or we would have continued this one way conversation for a significant amount of time. We stood eyeing each other for a while, me glaring, and, he looking most hapless (Oh, oh! Shouldn't I be the one looking hapless, I thought? The man was trying to proposition me!). I had heard so many stories about men harrassing women here, that I was ready to chop the man down if he moved as much as a foot - he was an old man, I could take him any time!

After much shaking of his head, and, wringing of his hands, in his broken English, he explained that his wife, and, daughter were also in the car, I was like his daughter, he meant me no harm, and that I would be ok, mesh mushkil...

Just then, the Turkisk Consulate door opened, and, they called me in.

I am very intrigued. I shall never know whether the man was genuinely trying to help, or would I have got into trouble if I had taken up the guy's offer.

I'd like to beileve the former, and, in the fact that there are still good people around.

Do we know how to appreciate our heritage?

Hi! On one of the groups that I am a member, one of the members had circulated a message from a lady who wanted to do something to improve the status of monuments, and, the impression it creates on vistors when they come to Egypt.

I thought it was a great idea, not so much for what the vistors to Egypt think of it, but more on account of what visitors to Egypt do to it.

On my visit to the Valley of Kings, the tour guide specifically asked us not to speak in the tombs as the moisture ruins the frescos on the walls. To my shock, the tourists continued to chat and have discussions inside with little or no concern for the heritage that they were destroying.

Here we were, talking in sign language to our 6 year old son, who seemed to have no problem in understanding that he was NOT supposed to speak, and, there were full blown adults nattering away, obviously discussing some life threatening crises in the middle of the tombs (what else could make them ignore the guide's rather clear instructions?), and, guffawing at a joke that someone had just cracked!! Honestly, it was appalling!

The pyramids & the tombs etc are a heritage for all of us and not just the Egyptians, and, no one has the right to fritter it away.

I beileve it would take some concerned and like minded citizens to do something about it.

There is something similar that was done in India for our financial capital Bombay. Bombay, as a city, has a similar problem as the pyramids - a huge influx of people who come in to work or seek their fortunes.

Plus being the financial centre, it attracts a lot of overseas visitors as well and the city's infrastructure could not keep pace.

A group of concerned high profile citizens got together and formed a citizen's action force called Bombay First, which has over the years made some difference to the landscape.

It drew members from some of the biggest business in the city on account of the fact

a/ Business leaders have visibility and a political voice (to some extent) as they contribute to the income / employment being generated in a state

b/ As a part of their corporate social responsibility they have the ability to contribute funds

I don't know but destroying what nature has preserved for so many years really bothers me, and, I, very strongly, feel that one must do something about this.

Of Turkish delight & frustrating times

In the last 7-10 days, I think I must have lost considerable weight and hair, not to mention my temper. The hours of standing in the hot sun have considereably dimished my natural (non-existent) glow.

Hubby, and, I decided to visit Turkey (they've been tempting me with visit Turkey in my Inbox ever since I googled some Turkey tourism websites) in the summer break before we headed home (there is something very similar about homing pigeons and expats in the Cairo summer - they all head back home!!!).

So I marched into Thomas Cook's Mohandisiene office (the Maadi one is a disaster, don't ever venture there - they appear to take time off by rotation, except that the rotation seems to be every alternate day - maybe some new cost saving measures adopted by Thomas Cook), booked ourselves tickets to Istanbul and a Hotel, and, then handed the passports to the lady for the visa.

That's when she dropped the bombshell - travel agents don't do visas for foreigners, no matter that they are residents (after what I have been through, I am not surprised, even I wo'nt do visas for myself in Cairo!!)

Ok, what's the big deal, I'll do it myself... Little did I know that it was a big deal...

Lesson 1: No travel agency does overseas visas for foreigners. They all know how nightmarish it can be!!

Lesson 2: No expat does overseas visas in Cairo. They go home for summer and get it done there. At least they know how to deal with the blokes back home. (I'm kidding, ok?)

After 5 days of trying to get the elusive Mr Rami (who seem to carry the burden of the consulate on his shoulders and was unable to spare 2 mins to tell a harried soul what was needed to get a visa), I barged into the consulate one afternoon. I think just to get me off their back, they responded to me, even though it was after consulate hours.

After trekking to Downtown at 6.30 a.m. in the morning (yes, you need to submit docs at an unearthly 7 a.m - what is about consulates and early morning obsession), imagine my shock, when they shook their head and returned my papers. Why? They needed a certificate from my son's school certifying that he is a bonafide student registered with them!!

That really stumped me - now how did they know my son could be a terror? Even if he was an adorable terror, asking for a character certificate was a bit too much.

The next day, I went again, only to be told that since we have not been resident in Cairo for 6 months, we cannot get the visa. What bladderash! He didn't figure this out the last time he went through the papers?

Lesson 3: Expect to do multiple trips to get a visa issued. If you manage in one, either the country is not visited often enough, and, they are desperate or the guy is just nice or he likes you.

Finally, one very kind soul, took pity on my hapless state, went through my papers, and promised to get my visa done if I could submit all the docs that he had asked for by tomorrow morning, which I am going to do. Mr Shaheen, you're a good man!!

Inshaaallah, visa bukra, otherwise maalish!

Handwriting Personality Analysis Test

Was looking at head hunters' websites in Egypt when I came across the website of a company called Recruit Egypt.

They have a very interesting "Handwriting Analysis Test".

http://www.recruitegypt.net/vacancies.php#
(its on the right hand corner)

I tried it, and, they seem to have a lot to say about me , much of which is very accurate!!

So go ahead, and, try it...

Arabic names of some vegetables & fruits

I struggle everyday when I ask my porter to go buy vegetables and fruits. He doesn't speak English and I don't speak Arabic - the story of my life! You would've thought that I would have made an effort to learn the language, but I never seem to find a teacher whom I like. Inshallah, we shall overcome one day, oh deep in my heart I do belive ....

In the interim, to help me at least get my groceries right, I managed to get together a list of the names of some of the common fuits and vegetables.

BREAKFAST ITEMS

Bread Aish
Butter ZIBDA
Cheese GIBNA
Jam MIRABBA
Yoghurt ZABAADI
Sugar SUKKAR
Eggs BEID
Beans FOUL
Bean patties TAMEYAH

VEGETABLES

Potato BATAATIS
Onion BASAL
Tomatoes TAMAATIM
Beetroot BANGAR
Cabbage KURUMB
Cauliflower ARNABEET
Carrot GAZAR
Aubergine BITINGAAN
Cucumber KHIYAR
Lettuce KHAAS
Mushrooms AYSHGHURAB
Onion BASAL
Peas BISILLA
Spinach SABAANIKH
Zucchini KOOSA
Garlic TOUM
Leeks KURAT
Asparagus KISHKALMAAZ
String Beans FASULYA

FRUITS

Banana MOOZ
Strawberry FARAWLA
Avacado AVACADO
Melon SHAMAAM
Apricots MISHMISH
Grapes EINAB
Mangoes MANGA
Guava GAWAAFA
Dates BALAH
Pears KUMMITRA
Apples TUFFAAH
Peaches KHOUKH

Now to try my newly acquired knowledge on my porter tomorrow!!

Edited on June 3, 2007: My friend Soumaia corrected some of the words which I had got wrong, these are highlighted in red. Thanks Soumaia.

New Driver

Dropped dad to the airport today.

New driver appears to know shortcuts to just about every place. His English is a lot better than my previous one. Hope he lasts!!

He used to drive a tour operator's car - goody, hopefully, I'll get to see a lot more of Cairo now.

Hurghada - the Red Sea resort city

While Sharm or Sharm-el-Sheikh is a destination that every local / resident expat will wax eloquent about, I have heard fewer people talk about Hurghada. So when hubby mentioned that he was going to Hurghada for work, I decided to tag along. It was going to be a short two day trip, hubby warned me, but it seemed worthwhile to go check it out and to figure out whether I wanted to go re-visit it at leisure!

Since it was a two-day trip, we decided to fly. Egypt Air runs daily shuttles between Cairo and Hurghada at unearthly (at least for me!) hours. Flights depart from Cairo at 6.15 a.m. (morning) and at 11 p.m. (night) on a daily basis. On Mon, Tue & Fri, it operates an additional flight at 9.15 a.m. in the morning. Since we were traveling on a Saturday, we had to wake up at 3.30 a.m. to bathe, get ready and reach the airport by 5.00 a.m!

Return flights are at equally exotic hours - 7.50 a.m. in the morning (that's ok) and at 12.30 p.m. a night (ouch!). On Mon, Tue & Fri, there is an additional flight from Hurghada to Cairo at 11 a.m. Obviously, Hurghada is a popular destination!

The economy return will cost approx LE 360 while business class return would cost approx LE 850.

On landing at the Hurghada International Airport I discovered the reason for the timings of Egypt Air’s flights! The afternoon / evening hours during the day are reserved for international flights being operated by a number of European airlines (click on airport link to see airlines operating to Hurghada).

Hurghada till very recently was a fishing village with little or no tourism. However, in the last few years, the town has developed rapidly, fuelled by investment from American, European, Arab and Russian investors. As a result, today it’s a leading Red Sea destination, which attracts huge number of tourists from Europe, notably Russians, Germans & Czechs. A testimony to this, is the presence of German resorts, bakeries serving German breads usually not seen anywhere else, and, almost every restaurant having a menu in English, German & Russian. This would perhaps be the only place outside of Russia where you see so much stuff in Russian!

Hurghada is divided into three parts: Downtown (El Dahar) is the old part; Sekalla is the modern part, and El Korra Road is the most modern part. Many restaurants, bars and shops, small pubs and Internet cafes dot the landscape.

We stayed at a huge 5 star German resort called Steigenberger Al Dau which is supposed to be a really luxurious resort, which, despite its size (its huge – some 390 deluxe rooms, 15 Suites etc) during peak seasons runs at full capacity and can be difficult to get reservations at!

Things to remember: Once we checked in, I realised that local Egyptians and resident expats have to only pay 50% of the published / rack rates. I must remember that the next time I take some visitors with me.








The hotel is done up in cream and dark brown wood which adds to the impression of space. Every room has sea view and is furnished in Kenyan Swahili style and has its own balcony. The rooms are equipped with telephone, satellite TV, broadband Internet, safe, mini refrigerator, individually adjustable air-conditioning system, bathroom with bathtub and a separate shower.

The only jarring note (surprisingly) was the absence of a tea / coffee machine in the room and my favourite cloth slippers (the latter made my trips to the pool and beach extremely difficult!)The property has a 400m long private beach, 5000 sqm pool landscape with Lazy River and a 1000 sqm Spa and Wellness Centre.

The town itself is charming with a spectacular marina where hundreds of yachts are docked and azure blue of the sea invitingly beckons you. There are semi submarine operators that for LE 200 will take you out to the sea to view the fish and sea life underwater! Alternately, all the good resorts will rent out glass bottom boats for you to go out to the sea. And believe me the sea life that you see, it’s worth every penny you've paid.

There are tours where the boat takes you out to the sea to watch the sunset. To watch the orange sun set fire to the water with its golden hues before it softly disappears into the water leaving a slowly darkening sky with the gentle sound of water lapping - its breathtaking!

Post sunset, Hurghada turns into the ultimate party city and parties late into the night! Calypso, Papa’s Beach 7 Hard rock Café are some of happening nightclubs. Calypso is especially interesting, as its shaped like the hull of a ship! If you are staying at a resort, almost all resorts have their own evening entertainment programs. If you don't want to do any of these, just sit in any of the many cafes that dot the main street (I loved Da Cappa), and, sip some great coffee...

Before we knew, the weekend was over, and, it was time to head back. More in a separate post on some really nice places that we went to in Hurghada, but for now, we packed our bags, very sure that we'd be back very soon. Inshaallah!