Flat Hunting!

So Ahmed has accepted a position as a Ski Instructor for Ski Egypt which is pretty exciting because how many people can say they have skied in Egypt before? lol It's owned by a company called Al-Futtaim they are a large conglomerate based out of Dubai and they build mega malls. The first ski location they built is Ski Dubai that is the sister to Ski Egypt so in a week or two Ahmed will be flying to Dubai and training for two months to get his certification from NZSIA (New Zealand Snowsports Instructors' Alliance) they will fly an instructor in to teach them. Exciting for him! boring for me :p

I will stay in Cairo while hes away and hopefully finalize everything for our new flat. We are moving to 6th October City so we can be closer to his work. The area we are looking at is a two minute drive to the mall and a 15 minute bike ride so convenience is key! if we stayed where we are living he would spend a minimum two hours in hot miserable traffic so its a logical move. I'm super super excited because I like 6th October its a newer city and there's good restaurants and shops also it has a great desert breeze so it's not stuffy like other parts of Cairo.

Yesterday we headed to his cousins flat in Giza (8 minutes from the pyramids!!!) and broke fast with him. The food was delicious kofta, grilled chicken, rice, cucumber tomato salad, hummus and a few other things I'm not sure the name of lol afterwards we headed to 6th October to go check out some flats. We saw 4 in total but oh my was I worn out, Three of the four are 4th floor walk ups!!! ahhh now I know the price of living in New York!

In total we've seen 6 and Ahmed is leaning towards he first one we saw because it has a great open view.

I do love the view for sure but we would have to paint the rooms. I can't live in a pink bedroom. I am definitely leaning towards one style of flat we've seen because it has a larger bathroom and that's highly important to me. Ideally I'd like a bathtub. Flat rental here is way different VS America. Here flats come as basic as they can get, no stove, no fridge, no washer/dryer, no a'c and sometimes no light fixtures. You are allowed to paint and personalize it as you see fit. For example if we get a flat with only a shower stall and no tub there's a 90% chance we can simply install a tub. You have way more autonomy with your place and of course when you move you take it all back with you (minus the bathtub)
I forgot to mention these four flats we visited were at around 9pm. Where else can you find that level of convenience in the world? lol after we visited the flats we headed out with his cousin to the main area of 6th October to a hookah lounge, he and Ahmed (a rare treat, Ahmed hasn't done it in 10 years) enjoyed watermelon shisha, I had a lovely lemonade and took in the environment around me. While we were there no less then 8 street vendors came around selling goods from blow up animal balloons (the kind you see at the Fair), perfume, socks, small drums etc. That aspect always fascinates me. 

            

                     

We left and enjoyed cheese kunafa and then drove to hole in the wall locals resturant and had suhoor (last meal before fasting resumes) the food was amazing most of which I don't remember the names of but there was definitely falafel, cucumber salad, aubergines, ful and other assorted goodies then we headed back to our home and preceded to pass out lol It was a lovely full day.
I really hope we find our flat soon. I'd like one with minimal work but we will see if the price is right I'm open. That's all for now because I need to head out to Giza!

peace.

Public Transit guide for an adventurer

One of the most puzzling things for a Westerner is the traffic system. We come from countries that are structured, ordered, routinized and easily understood...so be prepared to throw those notions out of the window. The best way to describe it, is simply a dance. Tuk tuks cars, microbuses, trucks, carro's (donkey pulled wagons), people and motorcycles weaving between all of the above. At first glance the chaos cannot be read but given time you can begin to understand how they make it work. The use of the horn is one of the must rattling ways that explains this dance. You will hear a constant array of horns some cute musical ones to police sirens to obnoxiously direct fog horn styles. The reason for these is not merely for driver frustration but as an alert system on the road. If a person is driving fast (which is almost everyone lol) they will begin to beep as they pass you as a means of alert to say "hey don't accidentally merge in front of me as I pass you so we can avoid an accident." Its also used in a similar manner to pedestrians as jay walking is not merely a way of life but a form of art. As far as the actual driving, it not so much who was at the stop sign first but who has the opportunity to go first. You must not take these things as a personal insult as we would in the west, here it's easy.

I still don't recommend driving when new to Egypt. It takes careful observation and time. I know what you're thinking "Ugh! where is the sense of adventure?!" Don't despair I couldn't leave you high and dry :) This is where the Microbus comes into play. Again this is if you have a truly adventurous spirit. It's not for the faint of heart, akin to being on a thrill ride at an amusement part with no safety belt. As soon as you arrive you will notice small buses everywhere, they seat 14 passengers and are white and blue, sometimes solid white. They gather in clusters called Microbus Stations. These areas are unmarked and seemingly at random. The drivers will stand outside and shout the destination of their buses journey "Giza"  "Dokki" "Sheraton" "Madinet Nasr (Nasr City) " This is where knowledge in basic Arabic will be helpful. You must learn the numbers up to 20 and a few basic phrases. let's say you have no time constraints and are willing to be taken to a general area of the city (until you master the system) my advice is not sit in the first row. There are a variety of responsibilities with this row. The seat behind the driver and sometimes middle seat is responsible for collecting all of the money on the bus, counting it and distributing change accordingly from the amount the driver has given back The drivers know the fare plus how many passengers are on the bus and whatever amount is given to to him, he returns the remainder for the people to work it out amongst themselves to get their correct change depending on what they gave in the first place. Make sense? The seat closest to the door is responsible for opening and closing the door with each stop. For a first time person I advice you to sit in any row behind the first or the front seat with the driver is always a good spot. You should ask a fellow passenger "Bikam" (Bic-cam) which means "How much" they will give you the according number,  most fares are not above 10 EGP (1.13 USD) one way. Once seated and with the knowledge of the fare give the exact change to the passenger next to you that is ideally your same gender. This is the kind of travel where the travel is the journey and the destination. Sit back enjoy the view, video tape the experience because its unlike anything in the world. The drivers weave, honk, yell, use unconventional methods to achieve the goal of getting their passengers to the destination swiftly. You have seen a place that you wish to get off at. Simply say in a loud voice "Henna Min Fud Luck" This is the easiest verbiage for disembarking on your journey at this point you must be prepared to leap from the van like you're about to sky dive from a plane. The driver will swerve across the lanes to the right side of the road and you have a 5 to 10 seconds to jump out before you're viewed with annoyance. You will see people jumping off microbuses at the the strangest locations, like the middle and side of a highway...you will see cracks and openings on the highway pylons and people will scurry through them, off to wherever they go!

You will also see small convenience kiosk set up on the median of the highway the kind of place that sells drinks, chips and cookies. You will also see tire kiosks where they are set up on the median selling tires. I saw one the other day and I noticed three or four cars stopped just down the way from them with flat tires,  I couldn't help but wonder if it was a trap? lol either way you need tires you need juice there is a 90% chance you don't have to leave the highway or get out of your car!
I digress, back to the microbus
When you attempt a ride on one remember the key tips don't sit in the front row, carry your cellphone that's equipped with GPS, small bills and coins for exact change, a bottle of water and some snacks! Have fun traveler!

Living abroad

You never realize how much an international move can take a toll on you. It's enjoyable yet disconcerting at the same time. All of the social cultural cues you have grown up with in your home country no longer apply and you are like an infant relearning everything from the beginning. While exciting usually, sometimes it takes a toll on you, especially when you have a day that you crave something familiar, something comforting....

A Reeces pieces chocolate chip cookie for example ;) good luck finding those in Cairo, Egypt...actually cookies outside of English looking biscuits or Oreos is not a part of the culture as it is in America. It's okay though I've found that my Pinterest usage has tripled living here, thank God for the DIY culture of the States. I have enjoyed that aspect of my time here for sure. 

In America everything is paced so quickly that we often opt for convenience vs health and recreation. Before I left I had a busy schedule working around 3 jobs in order to help fund my move. Granted I made time to always cook because I've created a healthy eating/living lifestyle but I didn't have the time I desired to chef it up if you will. 

Everything here moves at a much slower place, I'm still getting comfortable with the notion that if you accomplish one thing a day you're doing spectacular. It's a hard American habit for me to break but logistically it makes sense here. Traffic, the slow pace of life, the redundancies/complications of public government systems and occasionally the person who isn't interested in doing their job because well they don't feel like it at the moment or they don't like your looks/clothing/whatever (YES THIS HAS HAPPENED)

               The Egyptian Ministry of Housing

Aside from the countries idiosyncrasies there is a beauty and a richness to the people here. I have never seen so much ingenuity in my life. So much passion...sometimes passion that could rival any Spanish or Italian stereotype. People here seem to feel so deeply...perhaps its the heat? ;)

                    Creativity at its best

That's enough rambling for today, I must be productive and continue my remote online work search. If anyone knows any reliable company hiring, I'd love a heads up!



-Seville

White/Black Desert & Email

03/06/2016

Last weekend Ahmed,myself and some of his parkour friends went on a camp out in the desert about 4 hours south west of Cairo, roughly 300 miles from Libya. This place was absolutely surreal.  The closest village is a place called Bahariya Oasis, aptly named because that's what it is. The village has a lovely hot spring, trees, green land. 

The deserts outside of the village are called the White and Black desert. Both are of stark contracts to one another. The white looks like the set of a star wars space centered film. The black desert looks like a sci-fi movie involving radioactive ants and giant ant hills haha...my over active brain but really they do look like giant ant hill or volcano's. I was in love. 

The weather was perfect, a light breeze 77 degrees. I couldn't have wished for better. We had two SUV 4x4s our guides were excellent handling the desert with ease and precision...which was great because we were going 70mph. They took us to a beautiful small oasis called Ain Khadra; palm trees, water, figs the whole 9 yards. It was picturesque and serene. 
          

                 

                         The Chick and the Mushroom, White Desert Egypt

                  Zoro climbing White Desert Rocks

                              Handstand

                             <3 <3 <3

                                                              Crystal Mountain

                                                 View from Crystal Mountain
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Seville De La Cruz <sevilledelacruz@gmail.com> to Monica                                                                                                                      April 19

Ahlan (hello in Arabic) :)

I'm so happy to hear from you! Life here is sometimes mystifying to me as a westerner. I'm very happy to be here (official resident now!) its just at times I'm left scratching my head by things...laughing is my favorite activity. We have it so easy in America, its a shame that collectively most take it for granted. The ease and convenience of services and our business codes oh efficiency is ever so beautiful! I attribute this to the British rule which introduced a complicated system of Govt and many redundancies as an attempt to help with unemployment the govt is one of the biggest employers in the country and people have jobs with one singular task as opposed to having a few for efficiency (I.E the guy who answers to a bell the sounds like birds whistling and brings tea...with milk!) its kind of cute in a way too lol so stately and old skool. 
 

I do think perhaps its a fair trade though that by what it sometimes lacks in western business standards the culture more then makes up for in its hospitality and kindness. I have seen things here I've never encountered before. Young men and woman stopping to help the elderly cross the street or assist them up a set of stairs, giving up their seats on the metro, or bus...strangers but with a deep sense of honor and respect to those older then them. Sometimes I brings tears to my eyes. Many people are so eager to be helpful and warm. Inviting you to their homes to break bread with them and feeding you until you burst haha ensuring their guest is nourished, happy and well satisfied, allowing you a glimpse of their lives. Helping one another with car trouble...no look of distrust in their eyes when they pull over, no fear that we sometimes experience in America about helping strangers that are stranded. I love that neighbors here know each other and work together in the community improvements. Its a hugely collective society, honor and respect is the creed.

The Egyptian culture is a kind and humorous one, they also have amazing ingenuity to achieve their needs. I giggle at times but ultimately I respect it. Something I absolutely adore here and wish America would adopt is the delivery culture! Not only does every single restaurant deliver (On adorable little motorbikes) supermarkets (known as hypermarkets) and pharmacies do as well! So at anytime you can simply phone in your order and within a few hours all of your needs are at your doorstep.

The land is beautiful and mystical, sometimes it feels like I'm in a dream. Seeing ancient architecture thousands of years old. I can close my eyes and imagine the days of yore. A lot of things still exist from that time like going to the souk for spices, you walk down the pathway smelling rich saffron, hibiscus, rose, vanilla, anise, fenugreek...its lovely for the senses. It's incredibly affordable, I love the cost of living here. I bought a half pound of cumin last night at the souk for .33 cents! It excites my inner bargain shopper lol There is something about spending 20 dollars at the hypermarket and leaving for 5 or 6 hefty bags. Everywhere you go fresh fruits and vegetables are available from the souk to roadside stands to the people who have a carro (a large flat carriage pulled by a horse or donkey) who walk through neighborhoods calling out the produce they have available or ringing a bell "Potatas Potatas! Tomatos Tomatos! Zaytoun Zaytoun (olives) Manga Manga! (mango) Tofeha Tofeha! (apples) Guava Guava!

We took a trip a few weeks ago to an Oasis about 5 hours from Cairo called Bahariya it was sooooo beautiful! they have these strangely shaped homes and lovely hot springs aplenty! this area is also the gateway to two deserts one known as the White desert...an ethereal outerspace like landscaped area and the Black desert reminiscent of mini volcano's or ant hills. I adored it! we camped Bedouin style it was an amazing experience zooming through the desert in land cruisers watching the landscape race by. Stopping at a lush oasis for a delicious freshly made meal. Returning the camp in the night to find large selection of strawberries and oranges for us to snack on as they prepared us an incredible feast. There is something to be said for laying on the bare sand, looking at the billions of twinkling stars and seeing the vastness that exists. It truly strengthens connections with God and is humbling. I loved waking up to climb to the top of of the ridges and watching the sun crest the landscape. It makes me think of Moses and what I imagine Mt Sinai to be like

I really am having a great time.I have my , I love exploring, I've made friends. Its a great life. I'm excited to see where 2016 will take me! I realize I've written you a mini novel! my apologies, there's so much to include!

I hope you have been having a peaceful time in your life, being mindful and content and I hope you husband and girls are doing great and you're planning more trips! I'd love to know how everything is going! I hope the Talbots team is having happiness in their personal and professional lives, going on adventures and finding that which brings them much joy. Please send my love to everyone and tell them to email me sometime.

With love and peace,

Seville <3

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                                                      Black Desert

                     We sunrise hiked from our camp to the top of a nearby mountain and were met with this view <3 <3

 

Footsteps in the sand.

Early Snippets

02/20/2016

Starting a blog has proven to be rather difficult, not in the sense of setting one up but simply that every time I sit down and begin to write many lovely interruptions happen, such as a loud marriage party. The raucous  sounds of car horns blasting in a semblance of a song,I rush to the window to see what is occurring. I find lights flashing, loud music, laughter and a dark car adorned with many flowers and bows. I watch intently as stampede of cars pull into the empty field in front of our house and am in amazement of this bizarre scene of 20+ men leaping from their cars and all proceeding to dance. It was delightfully odd.
 
03/04/2016

Ive been in Egypt 33 days officially. I am an official stamped resident of Egypt! Ive come to realize a few things in my time here. I feel the British system of government organization has severely hindered the Egyptian culture. A system of rules regulations protocols that the Brits use does not truly flow in this culture. Many things here could be much simpler then they are but there is this rule of complication if you will. I feel most Egyptians don't know why they do what they do in this regard merely that its always been done this way. Ive spent a lot of time at different ministries in my few weeks to secure residency and begin to carve out my life. I  never thought I would miss the American system of order lol a que line here is not a straight-line. It is in fact a zig zag, a spiral if you will...it is every shape imaginable. The only way to reach your end destination is to push your way forward (nicely) and know first come first serve means little to nothing.

          What I thought was my official residency Stamp ;)

Unnatural Blogger

I started this blog ages ago, I've even made multiple attempts to post but it just never seems to happen. I started writing snippets down and saving them on my computer, some are half finished haha wow great start right? I decided to start this off I will post the things I wrote about and even include an email or two to begin to explain my journey. 

I moved to Cairo, Egypt to be with my love Zoro. We met via Instagram...who would have thought love could blossom from IG...but it did and two years later here I am. There is no one in the world like him...hence my traveling 9,992 km. I moved here officially at the end of January and have been trying to navigate this chaotic country since. 

2016 has already brought on so many surprises. I can't wait to see where we will go <3


-Seville

                       My DH and myself