3ayzeen walaa3! (We need coal!)

    The Egyptian ahwa (cafe) is a completely unique experience; it is a relaxing and cosy atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy company with friends to the max.
  You will learn to see tea and coffee as completely different concepts. The tea we know is from a tea bag, with moderate sugar and maybe some milk, served in a medium or large mug. Egyptian tea, however, is loose tea in the bottom of a small cup with quite a lot of sugar. If you want tea with milk, the Egyptian will boil loose tea in milk and then strain. Our coffee is weak-medium, usually with milk and a bit of sugar. Egyptian coffee is very strong- maybe a teaspoon of coffee powder (flavoured with cardamom) is boiled with just enough water to fill the tiny cup it is serve in, lots of sugar again. You can also have coffee with milk, its called "ahwa fransawy" (French coffee) which is the coffee simmered in milk.

English tea with milk.

 Shay koshary khamseen (Egyptian tea)

  Western Coffee

Ahwa (Egyptian coffee)

Haatlee akl ba2a!! (Get me food, already!!)

   Street food in Egypt is generally healthy, filling and nourishing :) They are usually cooked in portable grills, stoves and ovens and served fresh. You will never have a fear of going hungry in Egypt :) These snacks are also very cheap!

Snacks

Tirmis (Lupin beans)

Full of protein and vitamins and low in calories, every dieter's dream :P Tirmis is usually boiled then served in cups or foam plates and drizzled with a spicy lemon juice for flavour.

Hummus (Garbanzo beans):

Also high in protein, fibre and vitamins. Hummus is usually served whole, in a salty, spicy soup. It is commonly served in winter as a way to warm up in the evenings. :)

Dorra mashwy+ Dorra Helwa (Grilled corn + sweet corn)

Two varieties of corn are served: the sweet corn which is ripe corn, boiled and served with salty butter, or unripe corn which is chargrilled. I love both varieties. :) P.S. Its hard to ignore the guy selling it shouting: "Dorra mashwaayyyyy!!!" hehehe

Batata (Sweet Potato)

Again served in winter, which is the season for sweet potato. They are roasted in their skins and served plain, piping hot. :)

Zalabia (mini doughnuts!)

We've now gone over to the dark side, bring on the junk food! Zalabia are small round doughnuts served with a topping of your choice (powdered sugar, sugar syrup or chocolate sauce- though not in all places). They are crispy on the outside and light and soft on the inside. A very yummy treat. :)

Meals:

Breakfasts: The humble ful cart.

Many local men who wake up early for work often head to the ful carts first thing in the morning for their breakfasts. They serve ful (Fava beans), eggs, falafel, vegetables, salad and pickles. They also do sandwiches for an on-the-go breakfast. :)

Koshary:

    Koshary is a cheap, filling and delicious meal. It's also vegetarian! It consists of rice, pasta, lentils, garbanzo beans and tomato sauce, all topped with crispy fried onions. Nommm. It is also served with "shatta" (hot sauce), "da2a" (a garlic/lemon dressing), extra tomato sauce and extra fried onions. :) Some places also offer onion fried bread on the side.

Hawawshi:

This is a delicious meat sandwich; it is bread stuffed with spiced minced meat, brushed with oil or ghee and grilled in foil. Delicious,
but I have to warn- it is a bit fatty!

I hope you're all now drooling. Get yourselves over here to Egypt and try them!! At some point I will post some recipes though, so just hang in there. ;)

Some Basic Egyptian Arabic

  Hi everyone :) Today I would like to share some simple Arabic phrases which make adventuring around Cairo a little easier.

Pronounciation Code (numbers are commonly used to represent the Arabic letters which aren't present in the English language):

          Hamza= 2= a sudden stop between letters, like when we say "uh oh" imagine uh2oh"
          Ain=  3 = a strong sound in the back of your throat, like you're saying "aaa" for the dentist.
          Ha= H or 7= a strong H, imagine you are blowing steam onto the window.
          Kha= Kh or 5= imagine you have phlegm in the back of your throat and you're gathering it to spit (an awful description, but I cant think of anything else.)
          Gh= imagine you're gargling water in the back of your throat.

See video below :) Focus on the sounds being used. Those are the ones I'm talking about. You will hear how to pronounce it properly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPOA0sGx9Zo

(In the above picture):

Love: Hob
Life: Hayaa
Peace: Salaam
Wisdom: Hikma

Misc:

No: La2
Yes: Aywa / Na3m
Maybe: Momken
Stop: Bas
Go away: Imshy
Thankyou: Shokran
You're welcome: 3afwan


Greetings:

Hello!: Ahlan!
Goodbye: Ma3 salaama

Peace be upon you (the common greeting here): Assalaamu 3alaykom
Reply by saying "and upon you be peace": w 3alaykom salam


How are you? Ezayak? (m)
                       Ezayek? (f)
                       Ezayuku (pl)

More commonly used version of how are you:

                       3amel eh? (m)
                       3amla eh? (f)
                       3amleen eh? (pl)

I am good: Ana kwayes (m)
                 Ana kwayes (f)
                Ihna kwayeseen (pl)- We're good.

And you?: Wenta 3amel eh? (m)
                  Wenty 3amla eh? (f)

What is your news?: Eh akhbarak? (m)
                                  Eh akhbarek? (f)
                                  Eh akhbarku?

Everything is fine: kol Haga tamam

Most people say "thank God" after saying they're good and everything is fine: alHamdulillah

Getting help:

Excuse me: Ba3d eznak

Please: Law SamaHt

Please could you help me?: Momken tisa3dni? (m)
                                            Momken tisa3dini? (f)
                                            Momken tisadooni? (pl)

I want to go to___: Ana 3ayz arooH (m)
                                Ana 3ayza arooH (f)

Any: Ayy

Restaurant: MaTa3m
Supermarket: Supermarket
Kiosk (snack stall): Koshk
Park: Genena
Shopping centre: Mall (pronounced mool).
Pharmacy: SayDalia
Bus station: Maw'af
Underground railway: Metro


I want to get____: Ana 3ayz ageeb (m)
                              Ana 3ayza ageeb (f)

Tissues: Manadeel
Medicine: Dawa
Soap: Sapona



I want to buy____: Ana 3ayz ashtiri (m)
                               Ana 3ayza ashtiri (f)



I want to call someone: Ana 3ayz aTaSal bi Had (m)
                                      Ana 3ayza aTaSal bi Had (f)

I'm sick: Ana 3ayaan (m)
              Ana 3ayaana (f)

I want to go to hospital: Ana 3ayz arooH al mustashfa (m)
                                       Ana 3ayza arooH al mustashfa (f)

I have allergies: Ana 3andi Hasaseya
                       
Nuts: mukasaraat
Fruit: Fak'ha
Milk: Laban
Eggs: Bayd

I am dizzy: Ana daykha

Theif!!: Haraaamii!!

Help me!!!: Isa3dooni!!

Other activities:

I want to eat___: Ana 3ayz aakol_____ (m)
                            Ana 3ayza aakol_____ (f)

Breakfast: Fitaar
Lunch: Ghada
Dinner: 3ishaa

Meal: Wagba.
Chicken: Fraakh
Meat: LaHma
Fish: Samak
Salad: Salata
Grilled vegetables: Khodar mashwy


Example: Ana 3ayz aakol wagba fraakh (I want to eat a chicken meal)- which would include rice and vegetables.


I want to play: Ana 3ayz/a ala3b

Playstation: Playstation
Football: Kora
Gym: Gym
A game: La3ba

Example: Ana 3ayz/a ala3b kora. (I want to play football)

I want to sleep: Ana 3ayz/a anaam
I am tired: Ana ta3baan/a
Good night: TisbaH/i 3ala khayr
Reply: Wenta/i bi khayr.
            Wenta/i min ahlo


Here is a picture of the Arabic alphabet if anyone would like to attempt it. :D

That's all for today :) Let me know what other words/ vocab you would like to know! :) Have a great day.

BaraHa Yasta!! (Slow down, driver!!)

   I think one of the things I love most about Egypt is how easy (and cheap!) it is to get around. I can go from one side of Cairo to another alone, and it only involves one or two transfers. Once you get over the initial shock about what the transportation actually is, it's easy! Here are the main forms of public transportation in Egypt.

Tuk Tuk.

  Tuk tuks are three-wheeled vehicles and are used to get around a small area. For example I used to use them to get around my area (6th October City). These are only easy to use when you know where you're going. Some drivers dont know all of the roads. This form of transport isn't actually very safe, and I have frequently heard about people having accidents in them, though, thank God they weren't serious ones.
   They are cheap, but also not the cheapest option, which is why I stopped using them if I can use the trucks instead. a typical 5 minute journey costs between 5 and 15 EGP. It sounds like nothing for people in Western countries, but if you compare it to the average Egyptian salary, it is a medium price. BUT, I would not advice anyone to use tuk tuks unless you are with an Egyptian, or you have good experience in Arabic AND haggling. All of the times the driver knew that I am British I got into some kind of trouble, whether it was the guy hitting on me, or trying to charge me too much. I'm shit at haggling. I'm lucky because I wear the veil, and since there are a lot of Syrian refugees living in Egypt, most people just think I'm Syrian (they're quite pale- skinned and have blue eyes and blonde hair.) But the funny thing is, people get very confused because I look Syrian, but speak in an Egyptian dialect, so I STILL get asked where I'm from.:D

Truck (not sure of the name, they just call it "3arabya" (car)) 

     This is one of the cheapest ways to get around (1.5 EGP for the trip). But the problem is that they're on set routes. So you can't take it if it doesn't go to where you want to go. The only two times I take this is when I'm going to the bus station in the town centre (Hosary Square), and when I'm going to the local market (souq). You may use this if you're a foreigner, but be prepared for a little harrassment (sexual or otherwise). I once took my European friend who doesn't wear the veil, on one of these, and the driver wouldn't stop going on about how he went to Italy once. He just kept repeating it.. Just make sure you know enough Arabic to ask if they go where you want. I will include this in a "Useful Arabic Phrases" post. 

Microbus. 

    Microbuses are my life. haha. I remember the very first time I got in one of these with my husband, I was terrified! Obviously they don't look legitimate for anyone coming from the West. They look like they will fall apart, they don't have any signs on them, they all look the same, money is just passed around the bus to be paid (which gets extremely confusing) and they are driven so fast and recklessly you are sure you will die.
    However, once you've been a couple of times, it's so easy! You don't need signs on them because the drivers are shouting out where they're heading, and you can always ask anyone which bus to take for your stop (Law SamaHt, 3ayz/a arooH____ (Excuse me,; I want to go to____)). Payment is easy, the driver will say the price, and you just have to pass your money forward and say (WaHed (One)) money and know how much change you need. It is in this circumstance that I find the men here to be such gentlemen! They always make sure I took all of my change :) When people pass money forward, they will say how many people and maybe to where. You just pass the money forward and repeat what they said. Then if you also don't know where you need to get off, you can ask the driver. ( Law samaHt, 3ayz/a anzil 3and_____ momken tet'olly anzil imta? (Excuse me, I want to get off at____ could you tell me when I should get off?)
    This form of transportation is usually fine for Westerners, my European friend used to take them regularly and had no problems. I once took my British friend on one and some guys just practiced their English on us when I asked the price ("two pounds" he said) and also when they wanted to get off ("Excuse me") which I thought was sweet. However, I have been harassed a couple of times on the microbus. The annoying thing also is the way they did it- the first times I doubt myself because they do it so discreetly (like taking up your personal space) but you just have to shove them off. But like I said it only happened twice, and I've been taking these busses a lot over the last two years. 

   The prices are cheap, I can get from 6th October to New Cairo area (2 hour trip) for 8.5 EGP. And the price to get to somewhere closer, such as Downtown/Tahrir Square/Zamalek/Mohandiseen (40 min-1 hour trip), is 4.5 EGP.

Government busses.

    These are looking more like something we take in England. :D haha. Similar to microbuses but a little cheaper (usually 2 EGP for the trip) there are many different routes, which is usually written on them, but unless you can read Arabic I would simply ask the driver if they're going to where you want. 

    P.S. These are hell in rush hour. 

Metro

    I don't take the metro much at all, only if I'm going to Maadi or Ain shams. From what I know of it, it is crowded all the time and at worst at rush hour (like everywhere else in the world.) There is a separate carriage for women which decreases likelihood of harassment. There is often people selling various bits and bobs cheaply. I don't like taking the women's carriage because the women basically fly everywhere when we come to a stop or speed up a bit. Not aware of the prices because I've never gone on my own, but I hear the prices are about to go up (like everything else.)

Taxi.

   Don't worry, Egypt isn't medieval :D Taxis are available everywhere. Use them like everywhere else. Just a word of caution; make sure they're running the metre first, and it is also useful to ask a local roughly how much the trip SHOULD cost (because a lot of people get grossly overcharged.) Taxis are SO much cheaper in Egypt than in the West!

Uber/ Careem.

Uber is a great alternative to taxis here to avoid being ripped off and other problems. Careem is a local version of Uber and they also have an App. :) 

If anyone has any questions or suggestions, please comment below. Have a great day. :) 

Ahlan w Sahlan ya Gamaa3a!! (Hello and Welcome Everyone!!) :)

    Hi there :) Let me introduce myself; I am a British expat living in Egypt. I lived here for two years with my family during childhood for my dad's work, and then came back to marry my husband :) I have been here another two years so far.

    I think most people have a love/hate relationship with Egypt, some things drive you crazy: the traffic, the pollution, the rubbish everywhere, some aspects of the culture here and the noise. But then you can't go by without appreciating some of the amazing things about Egypt; the people, the hospitality, the adventures, the sun(!), the activities, the city life, the cafes, the friends you make everywhere, the ancient history (not just the Pyramids!), the old architecture, the art, and most definitely- the safety!! Let me talk for a minute about safety here. I'm sorry to say, but Egypt does not have much of a concept of safety; hardly anyone uses seatbelts, car seats for children, protective gear etc. But none of that is what the media has been on about, the media has decided to make out that Egypt is a no-go zone, and I want to tell you that it's not true. There was a time of curfews and protests, but it is long gone- we know that since nothing happened on 11/11. I get around by myself on the local transport (mini buses) and I have only felt in danger once (more on that in another post ;) ) I have never felt under threat (mostly because I tend to blend in with everyone). For a time, there were only two groups of people under threat: the police and government, and anyone opposing the government (particularly the Muslim brotherhood.) I am for neither.

I have learned a lot by living in Egypt, I have picked up a lot of Arabic, which I intend to include a lot of in my blog, in order to help people to learn :) I have learned about how to cook Egyptian food (not great for diets, but get me maHshy on my cheat day! ;)) I have learned a whole other way of thinking, a whole new culture. I have improved on my social interaction- gone out and made new friends when I used to be the shyest girl in town! I have learned the importance of social interaction, and the importance of making use of time. It has also taught me a lot about life, about responsibility, about family. Keep in mind, guys, that I am only 22! haha, so that's why I'm still learning a lot of things that most people already know. XD I have been blessed to live with my mother in law, who taught me most of how to live in Egypt.

Anyway, my intention with this blog is to give everyone an insight into a new culture, new types of food, another language, another way of thinking, also will include some funny stories! ;)