The horn is the most important part of the car. You’ll you know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever been in a big city I suppose. More on this in a post, hopefully soon to come, on the traffic here.
2) Just about everything, so it seems, is broken in one way or another but somehow it still works, as it probably always has.
3) It’s really dirty here. The streets are littered with trash. The sea is foaming at the mouth with it. Anything resembling a receptacle able to contain liquids or solids becomes a trash can. Basically you just throw your trash on the street and keep on walking. The environmentally conscious of us seem to hold onto their plastic bags or bottles until the pretty rare phenomenon of a trash can is sighted.
4) There is no recycling. At least not that I have seen. My roommate and I have collected so far 8 empty plastic bottles (most of them 1.5 litres large) on the dining-room table because we just don’t know what else to do with them. Additionally, just about the only water safe for drinking for non-Egyptians is bottled. Catch 22? And even then one needs to be careful that the bottle hasn’t just been refilled from tap water or the such.
5) Taxis are a dime a dozen. As are the microbuses which are cheaper, but more crowded, and not as exact about your destination.
6) If you’re a foreigner, suck it up, you’re going to get ripped off. An Egyptian friend is probably the best asset you can have in this city.
7) The city comes alive at night. Going to be bed at 1 or 2am might be considered a little early. So far, I’ve been going to bed way early.
8) Asking for directions is always a bit fun. Alexandrians are very friendly and want to help. They’ll give you directions even when they’re not sure of the exact location. Asking more than one person is a good idea. Though, often times, the directions are right on.
No comments:
Post a Comment