My focus so far has been pretty close to home, so I will show you a few of the differences we experience as apartment dwellers in Egypt.
Let's start at the hallway. We have two "doors", one regular and one "gate." Both have keys. You even have to use a key to unlock the metal gate to get out! Obviously air flow is the goal, but we always close our wooden door for privacy and quiet. The kids play in the halls, sometimes at all hours. They are super sweet kids, however. It is just so hot here, that understandably, activity often starts at dusk.
Some things are a bit more "do it yourself." This is a switch to turn the water pump and heater on and off. If you keep the pump on too long you overheat it and the caretaker guy comes up and madly gesticulates...(we did this a few times until we figured it all out.) There are two switches and two pumps; one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom. Oddly, red is "on" and green is "off".
You turn the stove gas on and off with this lever.
Good friends we rely on
...the two AC units that work. Murphy's Law, the one in the bedroom doesn't...
Two sets of doors lead to the two balconies, one louvered to let air circulate, but ensure privacy, and a set of glass ones to let in light but not sand or heat. We are still newcomers who love the warmth, at least I do, so our apartment is the only one we can see with the doors often wide open. On the balcony is the dryer. One hour does it!
A couple more good buddies are purchased; the water dispenser (cold - or hot for instant tea!) and the USB internet connector that works anywhere in Egypt - a great idea!
And we have gone Egyptian, with Leila, who comes and cleans once a week. It is amazing how much sand accumulates.
I'm off to the cafe for a coffee, so I'll do the checks: ACs off, balcony doors closed, water pumps off, key ready to let myself out - ok I am good to go!
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