Would I have ever thought I would find myself in Egypt this year?
No. Not at all!
The invitation came just a month ago, as my cousin announced her engagement and wanted to have some of her friends around. I happily obliged!
We had some wonderful days in Cairo and learned quite a lot! Some lessons I will try to transport in here.
Also, pictures:
Lesson 1: A guide is worth their weight in gold
A foreign country has its traps for us gullible tourists. So it is somewhat vital to have someone to advise you, what to go for and what not to buy or listen to.
We were in such luck, having my cousins fiancé and another guide they knew lead us through the thick of the experience and recommended only the best of souvenirs to us. Such were quite edible, many times.
Lesson 2: Egyptian Time
This phrase we learned when it was time to meet and get in touch with the locals.
It only reflects the laid-back attitude of the people, which we Germans always tend to marvel upon. Life is busy, everyone has their own exciting story to live and so, the next big thing sometimes has to wait up for half an hour.
Lesson 3: Traffic
At first sight: Chaos! Honking, driving up close and virtually no rules to follow.
We Germans are used to obey the firm rules of our streets and it gives us much comfort. So this is new, but can be understood.
I learned: These drivers are all connected. Not by anonymous and ever-controlling rules, no, only by communication.
All honks and sometimes shouts are meant to tell the other what is going on and make all the tight maneuvers possible. And by tight I mean but centimeters!
By foot, you need to be a bit daring to cross a street, but you can trust in the drivers: They see you and you make sure you see them, too!
Not one accident we witnessed those days. And even when the traffic got slow, it still moved through the veins of Cairo.
Lesson 4: Sugarcane Juice! (or: Food!)
Ever since I left Southeast Asia, I missed my favourite drink: Freshly pressed sugarcane juice.
And as I learned that my overly glorified drink is also served around the Nile, I rejoiced and took every opportunity to taste this goodness! And as far as expectations go: It held up quite well and I will continue craving it.
Other than that, we dove into the local cuisine and tasted fresh and hot and puffy and sweet and savoury meals and put those moments into some dear categories in our heads.
In that department, a local guide comes in quite handy, too.
Lesson 5: Go up!
It is fun to be in the streets, but the sight of a huge and thriving city is something else from above!
And what felt out of this world was seeing the iconic pyramids from afar. Even from the plane!
Lesson 6: Shukran
Of a language very different to your native one, you can only learn a few expressions in a short trip.
The most important was „Shukran“, which means Thank you. We witnessed a lot of generosity and love and lived in a less touristy area, so expressing gratitude was an important way to communicate.
Combined with the gesture of putting your right hand to the heart, it felt natural and as if I was a part of a society so different from anything I know.
And gratitude is the common thread in our endeavour, from start to finish!
