Week 1 in Review:

I’ve decided to write a section at the end of each week and express some of things I’ve noticed and my thoughts on the subject. I’ll also use this to explain and elaborate on things I don’t think I’ve explained well.

Fashion: Fashion in Egypt is very different that the USA. I’d say the style here is very similar to European dress. The men wear jeans or khakis year round and long sleeved shirts are more common that short sleeves. In an attempt to better blend in Evan and I have been doing similar. I don’t know how they do it! Its sooooo hot and jeans aren’t helping.

On the other end of the spectrum is the men who wear the galabia which is a full length robe. I’d say a fourth of the people wear them when you get into the residential areas. Similarly the women Egyptian women are always covering their bodies. Some more than others. I’d say most cover their hair and some their entire face. It’s interesting because it’s such a different culture from ours here in America.

Food: I didn’t expect the food to be bad; however, I never expected to like it so much. For example the liver that I had today was excellent! The sandwiches are good in any variety and the fool is equally as good. I can’t wait to try more rare dishes.

Poverty: In America it is not uncommon to see homeless every so often. Those in La Jolla know what I’m talking about. However, the level of destitution there is nothing like it is here. Women on the street practically forcing a small Kleenex pack into your hand so that you’ll give them 1 LE. 1 LE!! They will sit on the street all day trying to make their living off of Kleenex sales because they have no job and desperately need the money. The difference between the rich and the poor here is simply astounding. I feel horrible being so blessed and seeing so many people that are not. Many sleep on the street because they nowhere else to go.

I found out today that the average salary in Cairo is 600 LE a month. To put that in perspective that’s 120 dollars a month, an amount that I with my on campus job could make in less than twelve hours. It’s crazy to see the transformation in the city as you take the bus to the campus in New Cairo. You drive from downtown which is middle class through a ghetto where the buildings are dilapidated and falling apart and end up in New Cairo, which is filled with mansions and golf resorts.

My heart breaks to see the people who live in such conditions and yet smile and greet you so warmly on the street. I was happy to see some clubs on campus that provide outreach to the needy in Cairo. Time permitting I am hoping to get involved with one of those.

Pollution: With all the cars in the city it is no surprise that the cities air is heavily smoggy. However, without having visited Cairo I expected there to be basic sanitation such as trash cans on the street. This however is not the case. There are very few trashcans and they are very rarely used. The common practice is to throw your trash into the street or onto the sidewalk. For a native it doesn’t even faze them. For a clean freak American I was shocked. The result is piles of trash around the city. Store fronts are kept clean but in the back alleys one could find small mounds. Just one difference that caught me by surprise.

Final thoughts: It is amazing that I have been here such a short time and yet feel so enchanted with this city. There are many obvious flaws; such as greedy business men and pollution. However, I cannot help but find myself loving the simplicity of the people here. The average Egyptian enjoys the simple things in life so much more than the American. They can sit in a café or on the street for hours and talk to strangers and enjoy life in the moment. Not always looking ahead and worrying about the future. I find it strange that after one week I can truly say I will be torn when I leave. One part of me wants to see my friends and family and get back to the daily grind. The other part loves the beauty of simplicity and the kind hearted Egyptians who live it every day.