Job Discussion Forums

Gallit · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

Oh wow, thanks for the insight on your trip, Minx.

I have since gone back to school to work on my Masters, so I'm afraid Cultural Extremes has been put on the back burner. I just figured it would be better to put that money toward higher education than toward a program with little merit attached to it. And after hearing all you went through, I'm happy to know I've made the right decision.

I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end, though! Smile

So you're still in Egypt, yeah?

EDIT: Horrid grammar on my part!

madhouseminx · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: I am here.

Hey Gallit!

Well, I was the guinea pig! You're better off. However I have no regrets. I just acquired my first private ESL tutoring student so we'll see how that goes. I wouldn't have said yes with out any training at all, I just would not have felt comfortable. Plus, I was ready to get out of the US!Yes, I'm still in Cairo and I was just offered a coaching position at the school, so I plan on staying a few months longer but I do look forward to coming home for Christmas!! Oreos and milk anyone?

-Mad

Gallit · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

That's great! Good for you. Very Happy

So, Cultural Extremes aside, you're liking Egypt? That's what it sounds like. And really, that's all that matters. Smile

madhouseminx · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: I am here.

It's ok. I moved to the 'burbs because I was subjected to CONSTANT harrassment downtown. And yes, I always wore long sleeves and long baggy pants. I got ripped off big time my first day here, but you live and learn. I like my job and the school so that makes up for everything else. Very Happy

Gallit · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

Ick. Yeah, I've read the stories about the unwavering harrassment. Glad you were able to get out of the rut, though.

So you've completely relocated to Egypt, then? Sorry if I'm being nosy; I just think it's great you finally made it over.

madhouseminx · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: I am here.

No, I haven't. Tennis ends in March and I may just go back to the states after that. Or maybe not. Or maybe I'll go somewhere else. We'll just have to see. That's the beauty of it. I can pretty much do what I want. I'm not in the market for a permanent position yet... we'll just have to wait and see! Wink

And you're not being nosey. I'm happy to answer any and all questions!

-Minxy

abdulrahman · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 13 Location: USA

Mad,
How'd you get ripped off?

madhouseminx · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: I am here.

I made the mistake of going to the pyramids my first day....to make a long story short...I did a camel ride for a couple of hours...got pressured into buying some perfume. They told me it was 700LE. I was so shocked, I was prepared to pay about 100LE. I tried to bargain and I only got him down to 600LE. He screamed in my face, "THIS IS FAIR PRICE!" They would not let me leave...I was alone and scared and so I paid it. Since then, my landlord refused to give me back my 1400LE deposit and refused to show me the bills to justify it on top of the fact that they broke the lease agreement. I tried to go to the utilities companies...they refused to show me anything....I went to the real estate agency I got the flat through and they said, "I know this man he won't pay but we will try to reason with him." I was seen as one huge dollar sign. Glad I am out of there. Mad

abdulrahman · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 13 Location: USA

Sure, that happened to me in a lot of places throughout Europe. But I would imagine a place like Alexandria would be kinder to tourists, and foreign nationals working abroad. Cairo, like most large cities, would seem to be the major tourist trap. I'm sorry to hear that happened to you.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

minx...

It is as if in Egypt, you were jinxed!! If I add up all of my friends' bad experiences through the years together, they could not catch up with you. Perhaps the idea of periods of bad 'karma' or whatever in one's life is true. Sorry that it turned out this way, but I know you have some good memories of the time too.

VS

madhouseminx · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: I am here.

I know people that have horror stories that are worse than mine...especially when it comes to landlords. Just one example is a friend who was requirede to pay 4 months in a advance. After a month or so...he had no running water for a WEEK! He had to move out and his landlady refuses to return the unused portion of his rent. Attempts at going to the police have proved unsuccessful. I think I got off easy in comparison. I don't believe I have bad karma because I have never cheated anyone.

-Minx

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I just much have been lucky. I had 5 different landlords in Cairo and they were all great. Why would someone pay 4 months in advance?? I would have walked as soon as they made such a silly demand. There are places like the Emirates where up front rent is the standard, but definitely NOT in Cairo. It can be a tough city for the naive or over-trusting sorts...

But... the world is full of sleazy landlords... and taxi drivers... and etc.

Actually Stephen, Egypt has a very strict rip-off system based on nationality... most things have the Egyptian price... the Egyptian from the Gulf price... the western expat price... the tourist price... and the Gulf Arab price.... a gradually increasing scale. Cool

VS

stoth1972 · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:05 pm Post subject:

I really had to push myself to return to Cairo after the first year. My landlady, and ancient woman who never missed a prayer (when she was in our flat) was cheating us left, right, and centre. Left such a horrible taste in my mouth.

As for the pyramids fiasco Madhouseminx experienced, it's times like those when being alone in Cairo is scary. I relied a lot of returning colleagues for advice on how much to pay for a taxi ride, how to get home w/ minimal Arabic those first few weeks, how to bargain, etc. When a single woman goes to the pyramids, they're like flesh-eating fish. Sometimes the tourist police can be used to bring those guys back in line. Often just the threat of involving the police will bring the price down, but these are lessons learned the hard way.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I must admit that I avoided the pyramids area. It was just too much of a hassle. They are even awful to the local Egyptians there. I have been to Sakkara and Luxor many times and they are so much easier to cope with, but as many times as I have gone back... I never returned to the Giza Plateau except to visit Lehner's excavations back by the stables.

VS