tha hood

One of the most unexpected blessings of this whole relocation experience has been our wonderful living arrangements! In mulling the pros and cons of Heliopolis vs. Maadi in my housing decision, the more authentic "Egyptian experience" of Heliopolis eventually won me over.

I was very much aware, however, that a vote for Heliopolis meant residence in an urban, noisy, concrete jungle, lacking vegetation and greenery. I wasn't thrilled about this, but prepared. Thus, an unexpected blessing when I arrived in my new neighborhood was the extent to which our street is tranquil and green! It might be the most verdant street in Heliopolis! And I have received every bit the "Egyptian experience" I so desired. Overwhelmingly so. I leave work each day and never see another Westerner, save for our school cohorts.

Speaking of those school colleagues...before I arrived, I imagined that all the foreign-hire teachers would live in proximal apartment buildings. In actuality, teachers are spread throughout the city. Some are fairly isolated, living away from others in outskirts of the city. We are quite fortunate in that there are eight of us in our particular neighborhood. Two Canadians live in the apartment directly ours and two other couples live down the street and around the corner.

In addition, the location is fantastic. A few of the amenities: a Christian grocery store around the corner ("Christian" means bacon and beer are available) and Magic Alley down the street (cheap local shops, eg: 60 cents for a sack of pitas). A delightful little "park" sits behind our street, though one may confuse it for a landfill or SPCA. We are walking distance to a bank branch, On the Run (American candy), City Stars mall, and Korba...just the bare necessities, of course.


Here are a few peeks of our neighborhood:



your local mosque


Egyptian foreclosure.


love the patio