The Oddities of Different Countries

Its that time again, another week has flown by and another world wind week I am sure is to come. We are now in the heart of the project with AAA meetings every day or at least every week, which means great potential but as well I am getting to start meeting some really interesting people.

Life is good all the way around. And I have really no complaints a few prayer requests for friends and family but all in all life is good. I thought that this blog should be about interesting events or occurrences that have been happening in my life. Once I completed my Semester at Sea I really wished that I had kept a book just on the interesting or oddities of each country. So here are a few that are happening in Egypt with a few side notes on maybe why they are happening.

First off through out the Middle East rally do restaurants give you napkins (only in the fanciest of restaurants) Instead on every table there is a box of clenex for you to use instead.

There is a man (who I assume lives near the building) how has made his own job as a street attendant right in front of my apartment building. Here is there every night and has a whistle and almost every car that goes by which is constantly he blows his whistle and waves them to go past. Also if anyone stops for a minute or tries to park he politely waits for in Egypt we call baksheesh (or tip, nothing big just about 20 cents or so). So it is very funny every time I walk by or especially if I am ever waiting to get a taxi he stops all of the traffic and get my a taxi and of course opens the door. After talking to my driver about this interesting man. I found out that in fact this is common all over, in Egypt and I have now started noticing them. Some are even licensee by the government and have little plastic license looking things that they wear on their shirt.

Last night I was cooking, I was making hot sauce because my driver had invited me over to dinner at his house with his family. And I thought that it would be nice to bring something from home. Anyways my maid comes over and insists on helping me cut and mix all of the ingredients together. (Which it actually turned out quit nice) anyways there were a few ingredients left over and I had bought some zip lock bags to put the extra in. Anyways I hand her the box not watching what she was doing. Anyways she proceeds to pull one out but can’t figure out how to open it. So finally I show her and proceed with what I am doing. Later I am in the fridge and notice that she had put two or three different ones in there but didn’t zip any of them close. Making me realize that she had never seen or used a zip lock bag, something so common place to us Americans.

What else….I guess the last one I would point out is the riot military police/army. You see everyone man in the country has to serve in the military or police for at least one year up to three depending on how much education they have or are getting. Anyways throughout the city 24 hours a day in three shifts there are armored buses that kind of look like an American trash truck that park two or three together that have 50 or so army guards sitting in them. With two guards one at the front and one at the back with the full riot uniform and protection on standing next to each vehicle. Apparently Egyptians like to protest for any number of reasons starting with Politics and the fact that many do not think that there have been fair elections here since the same president has been in power for the last two decades and many think his son will be the next one. Anyhow there they are throughout the city keeping order or scaring the people into making sure order is held.

I guess that’s all I know I will come up with more. Besides that I have finally booked my plane ticket to India so I leave to go to Bombay in three weeks and we will also go to Goa so I am extremely excited about that. All for now and talk with you soon.

Chad