I have been completing neglecting the blog since we have returned to Canada for the summer months. We have been back in Canada since the end of June and have been having an awesome time connecting with those that we love and care about.
I was going to do an, "Egypt, Year in Review" type blog, but changed my mind. Instead, I am going to write about the most common questions we have gotten since we have returned. They range from culture adaptation, to food, to dress, to the school and our general way of life. I will begin with the most commonly asked question.
#1 - Are you safe there?
Yes, we are most certainly safe in Egypt. We live in a quiet suburb about 45 minutes from downtown. It is just like living anywhere else in the world. You learn where not to go and when to not go there. There was never any moment that we felt we were unsafe.
#2 - What about the Muslim Brotherhood? Will that change your way of life?
The reality is, we do not know the answer to these questions. The presidential elect was only announced a couple days before we left Egypt to return to Canada. We do not know what he has in store for Egypt. We are not concerned about Mr. Morsi being name president and we are not concerned (yet) about the Muslim Brotherhood have political power over Egypt. The reality is that the military is still playing a large role in the governing of the country. For right now, we believe that President Morsi will be good for Egypt. I am not expecting any drastic changes in the way I will be expected to dress or behave.
#3 - Is it hot there?
Yes, it is hot. But, temperatures vary throughout the year. Summer months are hot and dry. You do not feel like you are melting, but, you do feel very hot. It is nice not to have to deal with the humidity. In winter, it cools off, only 19 Celsius during the day. But, it is a nice change from the heat. But, by March, it begins to warm up. Only a few "cooler" months.
#4 - How do you have to dress there?
The reality is that this varies depending on who you ask. Men can wear anything they want really, but hubby usually opts for shorts and a golf shirt. The kids can get away with anything they want too. As for me, I aim for modesty. I always have my knees and shoulders covered. I try not to attract any unnecessary attention upon myself. I do not wear a head scarf (hijab). But, I do carry a scarf with me if I feel I need to be more modest. After spending 10 months in a country where women are very modestly dressed, it was hard to enter into a society where short shorts and spaghetti straps are acceptable. The amount of skin was overwhelming at first, but, it did not take that long to adjust. It has shifted my personal perspectives on modesty, however. That is a blog post in and of itself.
#5 - What is the school like?
We love teaching at the school. We enjoy our students and enjoy our work. We feel like we encounter many opportunities for success each day that we are with our students. We like that the school is still relatively new and that we have the chance to share our opinions and ideas freely. We enjoy our teaching assignments (I will be teaching grade 7 again and hubby will be teaching gr. 9-12 Business) in the 2012-2013 school year.
#6 - Are you going back?
Yup, we are!
#7 - How much more time is on your contract?
One more year. Then, we will have to decide if we want to stay longer, or, if our time in Egypt has come to an end.
I think that covers the major questions. I will see if I come up with any others in the next little while. The reality is...we really enjoy Egypt and we like our simple way of life. However, right now, we are really enjoying our time here with friends and family. It is going by way too fast!
I was going to do an, "Egypt, Year in Review" type blog, but changed my mind. Instead, I am going to write about the most common questions we have gotten since we have returned. They range from culture adaptation, to food, to dress, to the school and our general way of life. I will begin with the most commonly asked question.
#1 - Are you safe there?
Yes, we are most certainly safe in Egypt. We live in a quiet suburb about 45 minutes from downtown. It is just like living anywhere else in the world. You learn where not to go and when to not go there. There was never any moment that we felt we were unsafe.
#2 - What about the Muslim Brotherhood? Will that change your way of life?
The reality is, we do not know the answer to these questions. The presidential elect was only announced a couple days before we left Egypt to return to Canada. We do not know what he has in store for Egypt. We are not concerned about Mr. Morsi being name president and we are not concerned (yet) about the Muslim Brotherhood have political power over Egypt. The reality is that the military is still playing a large role in the governing of the country. For right now, we believe that President Morsi will be good for Egypt. I am not expecting any drastic changes in the way I will be expected to dress or behave.
#3 - Is it hot there?
Yes, it is hot. But, temperatures vary throughout the year. Summer months are hot and dry. You do not feel like you are melting, but, you do feel very hot. It is nice not to have to deal with the humidity. In winter, it cools off, only 19 Celsius during the day. But, it is a nice change from the heat. But, by March, it begins to warm up. Only a few "cooler" months.
#4 - How do you have to dress there?
The reality is that this varies depending on who you ask. Men can wear anything they want really, but hubby usually opts for shorts and a golf shirt. The kids can get away with anything they want too. As for me, I aim for modesty. I always have my knees and shoulders covered. I try not to attract any unnecessary attention upon myself. I do not wear a head scarf (hijab). But, I do carry a scarf with me if I feel I need to be more modest. After spending 10 months in a country where women are very modestly dressed, it was hard to enter into a society where short shorts and spaghetti straps are acceptable. The amount of skin was overwhelming at first, but, it did not take that long to adjust. It has shifted my personal perspectives on modesty, however. That is a blog post in and of itself.
#5 - What is the school like?
We love teaching at the school. We enjoy our students and enjoy our work. We feel like we encounter many opportunities for success each day that we are with our students. We like that the school is still relatively new and that we have the chance to share our opinions and ideas freely. We enjoy our teaching assignments (I will be teaching grade 7 again and hubby will be teaching gr. 9-12 Business) in the 2012-2013 school year.
#6 - Are you going back?
Yup, we are!
#7 - How much more time is on your contract?
One more year. Then, we will have to decide if we want to stay longer, or, if our time in Egypt has come to an end.
I think that covers the major questions. I will see if I come up with any others in the next little while. The reality is...we really enjoy Egypt and we like our simple way of life. However, right now, we are really enjoying our time here with friends and family. It is going by way too fast!
