The trip to Cairo was not successful - after meandering around for what seemed like forever and not getting to where I wanted to go - I ended up back at home yesterday afternoon - 8.5 hours after I left I was back home. Very frustrated and feeling very much like I do not really belong here. I will try again - not sure when - but needs to be before Oct. 10 - so will talk with Suzanne and see if I can switch my week to spend with them - go to Cairo again next week - even thought about going back today - but thought better of it. So will see if I can rearrange my travel to Mohmadea - and then head to Cairo again next week - hopefully will find my way to where I am going - maps would be a great idea - had a few suggestions about finding one online - so will see if I can do that - then at least I might have a vague idea of where I am going. Got on the ring road and went just about all the way around - ended up at the exit for the Alexandria Agricultural road and opted to head on back - rather than try to find my way around in rush hour traffic. Actually contemplated making a U-turn - but there was a major accident on the way back onto the ring road - and the traffic was backed up at least 2-3 km. - so just headed home.
The adventures of living in a country where one cannot read the road signs and unfortunately not all the signs are bilingual. I have a tough enough time trying to speak the language - let alone reading it. Big SIGH.
9 comments:
Awwwwwwww.........that stinks!!! I know that feeling...have you searching online? Or perhaps in a bookstore? I keep thinking I saw road maps at some point, but I could be wrong.
SIGH! And u know...she was RIGHT there.....but kept missing the exit.....(the exit that had no sign, no number and no other distinguising factor....)
Oh Maureen,
How awful for you. You are soooo brave to have done that on your own. What an adventure. I can't believe you are ready to try it again so soon. Good luck.
Safa should have sent one of her brood out to the exit to flag you down!
LOL! I love Cairogal's sense of humor! Maureen, you amaze me! Just even getting out there and giving it a try is a HUGE accomplishment. I would have been too scared to even try. What an awesome inspiration you are. I hope you are blessed this time with some maps and just good old plain luck.
One thing that this country does not have is a plethora of maps - and I have spent quite some time online trying to find one - to no avail - so will just give it another whirl - not sure when yet - either this coming week or the week after - have to get it in before her dh returns from Canada and mine from Libya - oh wait - I am just going to go anyway even if my dh shows up. Let the adventure continue. I refuse to give up completely. I may pack a picnic lunch next time - LOL.
Not so sure it if is bravery or foolishness that leads me on these adventures - but I figure if I am going to live in this country I want to be able to get around. And since I have nothing keeping me at home - I may as well try to travel about.
Maureen, it would be great if someone could drive it with you at least once...the roads are confusing, there are not always signs, and I know I couldn't read them fast enough if I was driving. You'd need flashcards of the exit signs in Arabic.
I think if it was me--after driving all that way for Alex--I swear I would have just stopped the car in the middle of rush hour traffic and begged (or screamed) for help--in English---hahahahah! They are usually so helpful--and glad to help--"foreigners" there. I sooo admire your determination!
I am sooooo proud of you for even trying to drive to Cairo, I won't even drive to Leptius anymore ! You Got The Power !!!! Arabs seem to really have an aversion to maps don't they ?You can't find them here either , unless you go on google and follow the tiny teeny lines that are supposed to be streets , lol !
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