It has been awhile since we have written so we will try to get caught up. A couple of weeks ago we joined two other couples for an evening out in Aboukir at a unique fish restaurant (Zypherion) on the shores of the Mediterranean. Aboukir is a “suburb” on the eastern side of Alex. Like many western cities, it is hard to tell when Alex ends and when Aboukir begins. There is a bit of a rural area that is well known for their orange groves between the two cities. There were several stands set up along the roadway selling oranges. This is a prime time for oranges and they are very good – more favorable and juicier than we have found in the states. The standard of living in Aboukir is a less than you might typically find in Alex. One very unique difference is the taxis. Most of them are similar to small stagecoaches pulled by horses. The coaches are very decorative with each one having their own unique paint job. Zypherion is a well known local restaurant. When you arrive, they take whoever orders back to the kitchen to pick out your fish. The restaurant specialized in shrimp and sea bass. Both are grilled and very tasty. They bring enough to serve a small army so there is no excuse to leave hungry! Aboukir itself has been the sight of several famous battles in history. Most renowned was fought between the British and the French in the early 1800’s.
We’ve driven a couple of times as well in the past two weeks One time we ventured out with 4 others in one of the vans and yesterday Pat and I took a car. Both trips were to Green Plaza – we feel fairly comfortable with the route there. Traffic is usually bumper to bumper with 3 or 4 lanes of cars on two lanes of street. Lane markings are just a suggestion. There is one large roundabout that we have to take. We’ve driven on a couple in Michigan where our son lives, but those are nothing like the ones here. Cars slide in and out of lanes looking for a place to exit off to or just to “improve” their position. You have to constantly watch all around you car for merging vehicles. Once off, it is almost a relief but you can’t relax because the vehicle in from of you may just suddenly stop. There are also areas where you can make U turns in order to go back – it is not uncommon for two cars side by side to attempt the U turn at the same time. Parking lots at Green Plaza as well as other places are different than one finds in the states. There are usually attendants (though not all seem to be employed by the shopping center) to locate places for you to park and guide traffic. Because parking is at a premium here and there are so many cars it is not unusual to find cars parked parallel behind cars parked at an angle. Drivers usually leave the cars in neutral so they can be pushed out of the way when someone wants to leave. Thus most cars are not locked when they are left in the parking lots and the keys are in the ignition.
While at Green Plaza, Pat got her hair cut again by her stylist, Ahmed. He was very happy to see her come back and wasted no time in working her in. We’ve been told that for both men and women that once you have a “barber” you almost have them for life. It seems to be that way here for her with Ahmed and for me with my “man” Sala. I am anxious to take my brother in law to Sala to get his hair cut when he visits in about a week. Those of you who know me well knows that a hair cut for me is usually a 5 minute job – after all there just isn’t much to cut, but with Sala it takes nearly 45 minutes. Like everything else, it is a social event – one to take your time at and socialize. We have learned not to be in a “hurry” – things will get done “Insha-Allah”.
Alex is a city of nearly 6 million people so you might think there is a certain degree of anonymity here. Pat and I have disagreed at times about this – I say we are easy to spot no matter where we go in Alex and Pat doesn’t think we “stand” out. Yesterday, I think I may have won the argument. We stopped at a clothing store in Green Plaza where Pat had purchased a blouse and pair of slacks at probably 6 weeks ago. The store manager came up to Pat and asked if she remembered being in there 6 weeks ago and told her that they undercharged us 100 LE for the items we had purchased then. The clerk who had waited on us then remembered her and must have told the store manager. He came over to me and said the same thing – Of course we had remembered being there. The clerks didn’t speak any English and so when we purchased the items there was probably some confusion on how much everything cost. When I offered the manager the money to pay for the undercharge – he was very apologetic and didn’t want to take it at the risk of losing us as customers and offending us. He finally did accept it but wanted to be sure we were not upset with him. No doubt the store is owned by someone else and the clerk had to pay the shortfall out of her pocket.
Our headmaster has returned from the states and has filled all 10 of the teaching positions that we have for next year. Many of the new folks coming in are quite a bit younger than we are. Only 4 of the 10 have taught overseas before. We have been told that we will need to take the lead in helping them adjust to life in Alex and here at the school. I am the only one returning who had driven so I may have to be the “driver” next fall for outings unless some others step up. Of the staff that are leaving, the four who sought positions overseas have signed contracts. One couple is going to Korea where both will teach and another couple is headed to Saudi Arabia where the husband is going to teach and the wife will sub for a year. The Saudi school is actually run by a large American oil company and all of the students will be ex-pats. It is a K-9 school and everything is on a compound – including stores, rec areas, apartments, etc. It is like a little city. Travel around Saudi is discouraged. They pay by far the highest of anywhere overseas. The husband signed for $84,000 (housing is furnished). If they stay a long time, the top of the salary schedule is $110,000 for teachers.
My sister and her husband come over next Saturday for a 10 day visit. We will be in school for 4 of those days so they will get a chance to meet staff here and tour Alex. Then we are taking a Nile Cruise to Aswan and Luxor (The Valley of the Kings). When they leave for the states, Pat and I will head to Athens for a 3 day conference and then on to Santorini (a small Greek Island) for the remainder of spring break.
