We have landed! After so much time thinking about and preparing to leave for Cairo, it seems surreal to actually be here.
Air Egypt was very good to us. No one looked twice at our massive carry-on luggage and one poor flight attendant even survived lifting it above his head to get it into the overhead bin. Jade and I together had massively failed to do the same!
I cursed at myself a few times as I tried to manage the luggage cart leaving the airport.. 5 huge bags leaning off to the side as I maneuvred the cart through sand, dirt, potholes, cars honking to get me moving faster which of course, made me falter and begin to drop said bags onto the ground.
Sweaty and tired, Jade and I managed to find our way onto the school van, pleasantly pleased with ourselves to have finished stage 1 of moving. As we glanced at the terrain from the airport to our new home in New Cairo, we both thought of Morocco. Hot (like heat wave hot, like “I forgot to turn the oven off on the hottest day in Canada” hot), sandy, slightly windy, dusty and yes, dirty at times, was what it looked like from the van’s windows. All this was immediately confirmed in minutes when we arrived at our flat.
Glancing up at the building, I reminisced of places lived in the world. Other than my home in South Africa, I haven’t lived in such a grand looking building. Elaborately designed and coloured to melt into its surroundings, homes seem to be one colour in our neighborhood…a light brown that makes home and earth look like one.
Trudging up the stairs to the second level was a work out. Second level being a misnomer as it feels much more like 5th level. If I decide to “cheap it out” and not join a gym, I think I could leave my flat and return to it various times through out the day and call it “even”.
As Jade and I entered, we were slightly blown away. Appearances wise, the flat appears decadent, spacious and cool. Air con will do that! Marble floors, huge oversized furniture, deluxe heavy curtains reminiscent of castles in Europe make our flat far from any hardship posting I might have encountered in my past!
Our landlord seems “hands on” in a good way. Available when you need him and with the added bonus, of being able to speak English. Immediately Jade and I collapsed onto our beds in a sweaty heap. Nothing elegant about how we felt or looked by this point.
After a few hours of sleep, we ventured out to do some shopping in a loopy kind of comatose state. Struggling with the currency (never my strong point), we found some basic items (plastic containers for our food to set parameters for any future insects who desire to eat their way through our home, adapters that didn’t work, and plastic cups because one can never have too many plastic cups!) Satisfied, I ate my first Egyptian veggie burger with some other teachers and enjoyed our first dancing water fountain that came complete with Michael Jackson tunes.
So far our suburb doesn’t come with camels, too much noise or too much chaos. In fact, it seems safe, quieter than expected and very manageable. The mosque is next door but because our building resembles a castle with fortress walls, we can only vaguely hear the call to prayer. The dogs are much louder but then again, dogs in the countries that I travel to, always are!
Contemplating going outside to take a picture of our building, I realize that I have to go through 3 sets of locked doors and the “which key is it?” as well as the numerous stairs…uhmmm…we will see.
Ciao from Cairo! I know Italian seems strange but it is short and I know how to spell it as opposed to my Arabic which consists of 1 word at the moment! Yes… it is on my To Do list 🙂
This is amazing!! I’m currently living and working in Seoul, South Korea, but Egypt has always been on my list of places to visit and explore!! And I’m currently looking at a few schools in Egypt, as I’m applying to international schools! Can’t wait to hear more!
https://mimisw0rld.wordpress.com/
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Thanks Mimi for dropping by. The internet is a bit dicey here so I haven’t posted as much as I usually do and school has been very busy as well. I also lived in Korea. Egypt is a world away but shopping is still important here as it is in Seoul!
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Looking forward to hearing more about your experience 🙂
mimisw0rld.wordpress.com
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I know I’m reading your posts out of order, but it is nice to hear that your first impression of your new home was a positive one. Hope all your new experiences are turning out to be good ones!
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Thanks Joanne. That is ok – the out of order reading – as my life is completely out of order at the moment as well. With limited to no wifi, it has changed drastically and means everything is a lot more work and nothing quite goes according to plan! Hope all is well with you too.
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We tend to take so much for granted, then have huge reality checks when we travel. Adjustment to limited/no wifi was a huge one for me this summer on vacation … and I had to endure it for only 2 days!!
Good luck with all the adjustments in your life right now 🙂
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Hi Joanne! The limited wifi or the very expensive packages that come to so many restrictions are such a challenge. My blog has come to a standstill in only the 3rd week of being here! At unbelievable moments like now when it works, I can’t believe it! Yes…tons of adjustments, everyday. And I think I need the good luck!
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Congrats to a great start – apartment sounds amazing!
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Thanks. We are off to a great, albeit very very hot sweaty start!
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So happy to see you’ve made it and are settling in! Loving this vicarious ride – thank you for sharing with all of us!!
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Thank you Paula for following along. It makes the ride more fun for me as well!
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Congrats on your safe arrival! Your Cairo home looks mighty fine. I can’t wait to hear your Cairo tales. Cheers!
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Thanks Elen. Hope you are having a good end of the summer in Ontario!
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That is a very, very nice apartment! Goodness it’s a far cry from what we’ve got over here, and our place is considered pretty swanky for foreigners’ accommodations!
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Thanks. We were very pleasantly surprised. It is very cool (temp wise) thank goodness which is of the upmost importance due to the heat right now!
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I admit, I’m more than a little jealous. There’s some serious character in your new place! 🙂
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Ha Ha! Thanks so much. Yes, it does seem to ooze Egyptian character.
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Hi Cheryl, I started to follow your blog a little time ago. I will be moving abroad too in some weeks. My husband got the job but I will be the first one to jump on the plane to Nairobi. I do recognise myself in your writings. So much to discover, just like you! Looking forward to your next adventure!
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Thanks so much. Glad you stopped by and commented. I look forward to reading of your adventures in Kenya as well. We look forward to travelling there as well. Cheryl
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Hi Cheryl! I hope you read a bit of French then! 😃
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I do. I have a degree in French literature that I should put to use sometime before I forget every word of it.
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Alors c’est super! A très vite!
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How exciting – you made it in one piece. I like your new digs, very swank. You guys are going on the Nile? Wow – wow!!! I went to the Pet Store (how exciting is that?)
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You are too funny. Yes, the Nile was fun but seriously had to keep reminding ourselves that it was the Nile as it is set in an urban area and in my imagination, I picture the Nile as it goes through the countryside. Will have to wait until I see that version 🙂
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I was imagining the countryside version too, but still, any being on any part of the Nile is still really exciting!
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I agree 🙂 We will take it even if it is in the city.
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Day 1 over with, maybe it will get easier from here on in? Oh and good luck learning Arabic! It’s difficult! 😛
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Thanks. Will need it. Aiming for some taxi Arabic at the moment!
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Nice place !!!! glad all went well !! the Nile!!! how exciting / Enjoy!!!
uncle gerry
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Thanks Ger! It has been a busy beginning getting settled in, buying water every day and a few odds and ends for the flat… and a lot of visits to the phone company to try to get our phones working! After 4 visits, Jade’s is still not working. The heat is incredible – like a thick fog of heat that totally encompasses us. Tomorrow I go to school to check it out so I am excited for that. Saw a bit of the school today and it was fun 🙂
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Maşallah, glad you arrived safe and sound!
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Thank you. How are you doing and where are you?
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good luck with your next chapter, you seem well prepared for what life will throw at you and the apartment looks pretty decent for Cairo!
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Thanks Keri. It was furnished so that helps… now for the bits and pieces to add to it and make it “our’s”. Off to Ikea maybe today to be overwhelmed by choices 🙂
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So exciting! Can’t wait to hear more!
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Thank you!
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Glad to know you arrived safely and that your new home already looks like a home! The worst part of moving is the living out of boxes while you slowly find a place for all your stuff.
Looking forward to sharing your Egyptian adventures!
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Thank you. We were fortunate to find a furnished flat while in Canada so it was immediately to the flat after the airport. Made for a very easy move.
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Yay! You made it! So happy to hear you arrived safely. Your flat looks like a lovely place to call home after a hectic day out and about. Be well 🙂
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Thank you. Hope you are doing well too. My husband said it was hot yesterday (34) but I am afraid we outdid him with our 43!
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Ouch! Yeah you win, haha. We took the kids to the park around 5:30 pm yesterday and we were all sweating and reaching for water – it was brutal.
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Yes, water is our lives too at the moment and still not drinking enough probably!
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Looking forward to reading more about your life in Cairo!
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Can’t wait to read your updates & adventures in Cairo!
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Thanks! Can’t wait to have some that go beyond figuring out how my keys work and where the best grocery store is!
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Glad you arrived safely. I lived in Maadi when I was there. I’ll have to ask my husband which part of the city his mother lives in. His sister lives in Gouna (a nice getaway from Cairo). I hope you settle in and enjoy your new home. So much to do, so much to see, so much to discover!
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We just visited Maadi for our Nile felucca ride. We are living in Katameya where the school is located (right around the corner from us) and it is beginning to be more developed but still not as busy as Maadi is. The bus would have taken us from Maadi to Katameya each day but that can end up being 45 min long or even longer twice a day. This way Jade can walk to school in about 1 minute instead. Maadi looked very nice with lots of action, restaurants, the corniche etc. We will go in to it on the weekends as well as go further into Cairo as well.Super excited… except the heat wave is a tad stifling.
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I love feluccas! We used to go out on them all the time when I was in high school. Maadi wasn’t as developed when I lived there, but that has been a long time now. My mother-in-law lives in Muhandaseen (not spelled correctly). It is a nice area too. I’m not familiar with the area you are in. I will ask my husband though, because he may know it. Yes, the heat can be…exhausting.
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My area is part of New Cairo… which I think is about 10 years old or so but I could easily be wrong! The streets are a bit quieter but the dogs still prevail (chose a different route home from the store today to avoid the pack guarding one street).
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I am all for animal rights, but I have to be honest, I hated the dogs in Cairo.
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I know. I love them too but when I travel and live in certain places, they can be intimidating when left to roam the streets as packs!
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I know!
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Thanks for posting! I was wondering how you and Jade were making out. Sounds so exciting. I love your flat. I admit it is nothing like what I pictured. I hope you continue to enjoy your adventure! Can’t wait o hear more.
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Thanks Nancy. It isn’t what we had pictured in our heads either! But we will take it 🙂 Hope your summer is going well as you head back to the autumn crunch time. Take care. Cheryl and Jade
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Glad to hear you have arrived safely – hope the jet lag doesn’t linger!
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We are gettting there Anabel. Starting to fall asleep now at midnight to 1AM but still waking up a tad too late if I plan on teaching or getting my classroom ready anytime soon!!
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Glad you have arrived safely.
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Thanks Dawn. Appreciate it. Hoping you are having a good end to your summer.
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YEAH! Ciao to you too! The building looks marvellous, looking forward to more photos. But my favourite is the kitchen floor. 🙂 Wishing you a speediest adaptation, especially to heat.
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Thank you so much 🙂 Yes, the kitchen floor is a bit on the busy side 🙂 Just came home at 9pm and was sweating profusely! I will need to adapt!
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You made it! Let the adventure begin!
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Thank you. It has…. getting groceries and buying them is an adventure in itself at the moment. 🙂
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Can’t wait to read about your new adventures! It looks like a beautiful place! 🙂
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Thank you. Hopefully you are all settled in and starting your new job? Best of luck to you!
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Wow! The armoire look massive.
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Yes Dee it is! Unbelievably huge which is fine since the rooms are large so they at least take up some space!
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I am glad to hear you made it safe and sound to Cario! I can’t wait to read about your adventures there!
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Thank you so much. So far it seems adventurous to leave the flat and survive the heat and make it across the street!!!
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Well done on surviving your first day! It’s all pretty overwhelming at the start but sounds like you’re coming really well. Hope you’re enjoying your first Egyptian weekend!!!
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Thanks, I think my first weekend passed with me barely noticing. I think my week has begun today (Sunday)! Hardly know what time or day it is as still feeling the jet lag. Take care yourself as you resettle too.
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Sounds Amazing!!! So excited for you and can’t wait to hear more about your adventures. What a beautiful building! Blessings, vicki
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Thanks Vicki. In an hour we head to the Nile for our first sailboat ride. Hope all is well at your end too!
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Nothing as exciting as a trip down the Nile! Thanks so much for asking- I am preparing for another year of homeschooling and harvesting the summer crops. I will hopefully write about it all this week. Keep telling me about your adventures so I can live vicariously through you!!!!!! hehehe!!!
Blessings, vicki
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Ah you are such a hard worker and dedicated to your passions 🙂 Good luck with the crops and schooling too as I know what kind of work the latter involves which is a lot.
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Thanks!! Enjoy your trip down the Nile!!
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