When I try to find the words to describe exactly what it’s like living in Egypt … I fail. No words, or combination of words, really do the experience justice. I would say Cairo is an acquired taste. You either hate it or love it. Many find living here a stressful experience. Then there are those like me. I fell in love with Cairo during my first visit and now, I can’t get enough of it.

Cairo is a huge city and it gets bigger by the day. Literally. Desert surrounds the city and, instead of establishing new communities, Cairo keeps increasing in size. In fact, the job I have accepted is working with a multi-national company that has taken on a three year project that involves the construction of a huge retail and residential site in what is now considered “New Cairo.” It’s practically a desert in the middle of nowhere now but in three years, Tagamo El Khamis will be the place to be! In fact, American University in Cairo will open their new campus in September in this area.

Cairo isn’t exactly the cleanest place on Earth. Apparently “going green” hasn’t made its way to Egypt yet. However, in some twisted fashion, I find beauty in all the trash here. The reds, greens, oranges, and yellows in the trash help paint the city. Cairo just wouldn’t be the same without the garbage lining the streets. While I don’t necessarily like to contribute to littering, I also do not like to judge the country because their values aren’t exactly aligned with the values of Americans. It’s different for sure, but different doesn’t necessarily mean bad.

I’ve seen a few donkeys and horses, but many would be surprised to learn that the most prevalent mode of transportation is via an automobile. There certainly are a limited few who use donkeys and horses as a means of transportation but they are far and few between. Donkeys and horses are usually found in the poorer neighborhoods and are used by people who are just trying to get by in life by whatever means that are available to them. Camels however are not a popular form of transportation, not even in the poor neighborhoods. Hate to ruin that image for you.

It’s incredibly crowded here. It doesn’t matter where you are or what time of the day it is (except for maybe exceptionally early in the morning), there will always be people around. Houses aren’t common here. Most people live in flats, or apartments. There are the occasional villas here and there which are delegated to the higher class individuals, but for the most part, it’s building after building, after building of apartments lining the streets. Cairo isn’t a huge desert. There are too many people and buildings for that to be true. It’s an actual city here!

Cops are everywhere. They are found near every corner doing their part in community policing. In the summer they wear white uniforms (my favorite). In winter their uniforms are black. Cops are more abundant in those areas that cater to foreigners (i.e. downtown, the pyramids, the Citadel, etc.). Egypt definitely relies on the tourism industry as that is how many people make their living and therefore they like to keep all tourists safe. Whenever traveling and going through checkpoints I use my Egyptian ID rather than my American passport. When foreigners travel from place to place (not within the city but say to the beach or to Upper Egypt), a police escort is preferred (to keep them safe). To avoid the hassle, I use my Egyptian ID instead to get through the checkpoints quicker.

I could go on and on about the different aspects of Cairo. It’s such a huge city filled with so many different things and people that a thorough description is impossible for me to give. Like I said, my words don’t do the city justice. Pictures are a better way to depict life in Cairo but the best way is to experience it yourself. All you have to do is come with an open mind and know that different doesn’t necessarily mean bad.

Karema Eldahan is a Middlesboro native living in Egypt. She shares this experience through her weekly column. Contact her via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.