The Egyptian Way :: The Morning of #June30

My view of #Cairo on this ominous #June30. #sunrise #Zamalek



via the ohradiogirl Tumblr 

Cairo Life :: Ahlo?

It's so common to see people everywhere on their mobile phones. Cairo is no different. The phone greeting in Egyptian Arabic is "Ahlo." Almost like "hello," but just different enough. Taken Oct., 2011.

~kim
The power of positive thinking.

The Egyptian Way :: The Lift

The Egyptian Way :: The Lift

I live on the seventh floor. My building has two elevators or as it's call in Egypt (and many other parts of the world) - the lift. Actually, there are four elevators in the building, but two are directly accessible for me.

Unfortunately since early January, there has only been one working elevator. Unfortunately, the one working elevator only works 'sometimes'. This was quite the bane of my existence (and my protest partners) during the Egyptian revolution in late January and early February. After being out at Tahrir Square all day, we'd take the hour long walk home only to find that elevator didn't work ... we'd mumble and grumble and curse up the entire seven/nine flights of stairs.

Well, after the revolution ended, the only working elevator continued to work sporadically. One day I got fed up and sent an extensive email to everyone who had something to do w/the elevators. The short story of their response was that both elevators will be functional in August, 2011. I already have a short list of who's not happy about that, but in August, 2011, there'd better be two working elevators.

I say all that to say this: Today was a teaching day for me - I leave home at 7:30 a.m. and I get home usually around 7:30 or 8 p.m. I'm usually exhausted. Today was no different. When I arrived at the only working 'lift' the doors were open and there was a man visibly working on it. I stood there - exasperated. I began to think of ways to get to the seventh floor: I could take the stairs, no, I can walk to the other side of the building and take the girls elevator to the sixth floor (that's as high as it goes) ... no, just take the stairs, they're right there ... I'm thinking real fast because I'm also hungry.

Here's 'the lift' on the seventh floor. That box on the left is the other lift that's being repaired. (Mar., 2011).

But then the man fixing the elevator, who I've seen around and whose name is Mohamed says ... "Gowwa, gowwa." I'm confused. "Gowwa" means inside in Arabic, but what's he trying to say? The next thing I know, the elevator doors close. Now, I'm certain that I'll have to take the stairs ... but then the doors open back up - in seconds - and the elevator is there like it's always been there and ready for me to get in and ride up - it's like it's a magic trick, but I'm suspect. I walk closer and Mohamed encourages me to get in. What? His voice alone startles me. I look up and there he is. I say, "La. La." That's "No" in Arabic, but he's insistent. So, reluctantly I walk in the elevator. I glance up. He can see me and points for me to select a floor. I hit the button for the seventh floor and I immediately think, "Well, he'll be okay since there are several floors above seven; at least he won't get smashed." I know, forget the fact that he could get electrocuted or whatever else. Not only that, but I failed to think that "I'm in an elevator that, just seconds ago, was being repaired." Wtw?

When I hit seven, the elevator didn't move. But Mohamed starts to rustle around and eventually we're going upward. All the while I'm thinking "What kinda ish is this?" Luckily, the ride is over before I can repeat that phrase too many times. When the doors open on my floor, I get out of the elevator and begin to walk toward my flat, but Mohamed is trying to tell me something ... he wants me to send the elevator back down ... huh?

I push the ground floor and as I walk away I say to myself, "What the hell just happened?" I know that me and the residents of the building have complained loudly about the sometimes working lift, but I've never experienced something quite like that before, nor do I want to do it again. I mean, if there's going to be a man operating the elevator, I'd rather he be in the elevator than on top of it.

I'd love to get a picture of 'the man inside the elevator' (you know, like 'the man behind the curtain' in "The Wizard of Oz"), but I can't imagine calling 'the lift' again and also wondering if it will come? And/or if it does come, will Mohamed be there ... ?

ADDENDUM: The next morning, when I went to call the elevator, (surprise) it's not working. After walking down the seven flights of stairs, I went to the front desk to tell them that elevator's not working; they look at each other blankly and offer me no sign that they know what I'm talking about; I walk away more frustrated than ever and head to my Arabic lesson. I'm gonna learn this language and use it to give a few people a piece of my mind ... in their language.

Reverb10 :: Achieve (part 2)

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 28 :: December 28, 2010 :: Achieve

• What's the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you image you'll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today. (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)

I did a post on Reverb10 :: Achieve already. But as I began to think about it, I left something out. Since I'm living and working in Cairo, many people ask if I know Arabic. The answer is shiwayya' that means 'a little' in Arabic. I do have a private tutor and we meet twice a week for a total of three hours.

So that's the additional thing that I want to achieve this year - to improve my Arabic.

I was a bit proud of myself when I recently returned to Cairo and how fast I jumped back into responding in Arabic and understanding Egyptians (who speak rather fast).

One of my first Arabic lessons (Oct., 2009)

Getting more time w/my tutor is not really an option for me at this time. However, I will make a concerted effort to review my Arabic material as well as to meet w/some of my Egyptian friends and practice speaking Arabic.

The Egyptian Way :: A Blog Series

After living and working in Cairo for a year, I've decided to write a blog series called "The Egyptian Way". Friends and people who find out that I'm living abroad always want to know what's it like to live in Egypt.

I've posted a few things about my life in Cairo, but overall, I've been rather low key. But some days, things happen and the only explanation is that it's "The Egyptian Way". So it's time for me to exploit the phrase.

Of course I'll tackle the issue of traffic and taxis and crossing the street, but I'll also talk about other lifestyle and social issues and how basic household chores get done. Things are different here, but only occasionally do I stop w/a look of surprise on my face.

I'll try to get in the habit of posting something every Wednesday, but don't get mad if I'm just caught up in "The Egyptian Way" where sometimes deadlines are missed and things just don't get done.

Image: Walking Tour in Islamic Cairo March 2010 (copyright Kim Fox)

Happy Independence Day

The AUC, Egyptian and American flags flying on The American University in Cairo main campus (2010).

African Americans have a history of slavery in the United States. And though we've come a long way since the days of slavery, in some ways, it seems we haven't gone far at all.

Still, I take comfort in the 4th of July in the U.S. Freedom and independence have more value to me now that I live and work in Cairo, Egypt. The difference between the two countries is exponential as it relates to freedom and independence. The fact that Egyptians can not gather freely in public as a result of Egypt's emergency law is astounding to me. I am surprised by the limits of that law because for all of my life I have enjoyed the right to do whatever I want, where ever I want, whenever I want in America as long as it legal.

As a journalist, I have also enjoyed the right to write and published my thoughts and opinions freely and w/out repercussions. You can do this in Egypt, but there might be some backlash as in what might seem like a random pickup by police. Bloggers who speak the truth about government corruption might be detained or jailed anywhere from two hours to two weeks.

I love living and working in Cairo. I love the weather, the constant sunshine. I love my job teaching young Egyptians about working in the media (even w/the restrictions on the press). I like the culture and the spirit of the people. But I live my life there knowing that I am an American citizen AND a university professor. That means I will probably still receive some privilege that is not extended to Egyptians. Keyword: might.

During my time in Egypt I hope to see some changes; small changes really. I like the bravery of Egyptian bloggers as they detail the wrongs of the Egyptian government. I'm proud of the diligent protesters who put their lives on the line for better opportunities for all Egyptians. In some ways, the current climate in Egypt reminds me of the civil rights struggles of the 60s in the States. I'm hopeful that Egyptians will witness the kind of change that African Americans in the U.S. have witnessed in the past few decades. I hope that they'll be able to see the progress, yet know that there's still lots of progress to be made.

Today is Independence Day in the United States and I am proud to be an American.