I like Egypt. It is not only getting warm, but soon I will start missing this country, for my contract is coming to end here.Where else does a driver casually stop the bus or taxi and walk to a convenience store to buy a pack of cigarettes, and then continue driving like it was the most natural thing to do.
Where else can you walk into your favourite restaurant and ask them to open the wine bottle for you (if you don't have the corksrew), as in Egypt they are nowhere to be found in shops.
You can also ask the landlord/security of your building to go and buy a prepaid phone card or bring some takeaway food for you.
In hospital you can get past the queue in you know some doctor there, or if you take with you a friend who does.
The landlord/security doesn't allow the Egyptians of the opposite sex come into your apartment, unless there are several, or they are rich and figure a way to pay. Likewise the Europeans are not allowed into most Egyptian's apartments.
In this country they will also do anything to sell you an item. Once I wanted buy a beautiful lilac turtleneck sweater. One knitted string loop had gotten loose in the middle of the front part, and as I mentioned this to the seller in order to get the price down, he got his scissors and cut the loop, which practically ruined the whole sweater.
If the shop owner doesn't have change, he may give you a cookie or candy instead. If you buy something expensive, you'll often get an extra gift.
This list could be continued endlessly. Nowhere else than in Egypt...
