This of course isn't the case in Egypt. To no one's surprise, snow just does not happen here. While I wouldn't necessarily use the phrase, "winter wonderland," to describe Egypt in her winter months, winter is definitely present.
A gross stereotype of Egypt is that it is hot, hot, and hot - always! While this is probably true a good eighty percent of the year, Egypt does tend to get cold in the winter. Really, unbearably, painfully cold. Like now, I'm freezing. This is particularly true once the sun sets and night begins to fall. This is when I tend to load up with several layers of clothing and curl myself tightly underneath my cozy, comforter. With three layers of pants, three layers of shirts, two pair of socks, a scarf, my jacket, and a large comforter, I still find myself shivering the night away. Mornings are especially uncomfortable, as I make my way to the shower and attempt preparing myself for the day without catching pneumonia. So far I've been successful but have a cold that I haven't been able to shake for a couple of weeks.
I'm not arguing that Egypt is cooler than Kentucky in the winter; this is probably not the case, but the cool here is definitely more noticeable. While temperatures never reach freezing, or below freezing, it is the accommodations, or the lack thereof, that seem to make winter more noticeable here.
Because not all homes are equipped with air conditioners (and even those that are lack central heat and air), apartments are constructed in a manner that is best at keeping heat outside of the home. While this is helpful during the painfully hot summer months, it's not very advantageous during the winter. While not all homes are equipped with air conditioners, even fewer homes are equipped with heaters or heating systems of any kind. Fortunately, my office is equipped with an air conditioning unit that has both air condition to keep me from dying of a heat stroke in the summer, and heat to keep me from suffering of hypothermia during the winter. However, unfortunately, my coworkers are superstitious Egyptians.
One common belief in Egypt (and whether or not it is backed by medical findings is unknown to me, but my personal belief is opposite the universal theory here, and I'm stubborn so it's the only theory in my mind) is that using heaters will make you sick. Apparently going from a warm room into a cooler atmosphere will instantly knock one out with a cold, flu, or other illness of the sort. While utilizing the heating instrument placed on the wall behind and above my desk, I was thoroughly enjoying the heated room and for once, not shivering. My coworker, who was visiting me in my office for a work related purpose, stood in front of my desk and without commenting on the heating unit he left my office, went to his desk to retrieve a remote control to the unit (regrettably all of the units in the office are the same and his remote works to control my unit), returned and turned off my unit. "This will make you sick," he said as he exited my office. Hm, thanks for the favor? Needless to say, the heating unit went back on.
Just like I don't understand how many Egyptians are able to walk down the street in the summer months without a bead of sweat dripping down their foreheads (especially those who choose to wear the veil), I also do not understand how Egyptians are able to tolerate the winter cool. Sure, they wear winter jackets, perhaps layer their clothing, and scarves adorn their necks… I do the same, and I still think it's not enough. I find it incredibly interesting how others are able to adapt to their environment. I've adapted somewhat to my new home, but am still trying.
Karema Eldahan is a Middlesboro native living in Egypt. She shares this experience through her monthly Middlesboro Daily News column. Contact her via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.
Post a Comment
