tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post115936732397760213..comments2023-09-10T16:56:55.697+03:00Comments on When in Cairo: American_in_Cairohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14372576948482303159noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-45708952891432222272009-02-15T05:35:00.000+02:002009-02-15T05:35:00.000+02:00Amanda, I picked this old post at random as I was ...Amanda, I picked this old post at random as I was browsing your blog. A few thoughts... yeah, that is just a typical Italian, in fact European (at least based on my experience living in various countries in Europe) washer. In my experience, they wash much better than the American washers -- at least those in public places, lice apartments complexes, or laundromats, which have cycles of merely 25 minutes. In Italy the typical wash is 60 minutes or more.<BR/><BR/>I also found it interesting that in Egypt -- a poor country -- it is common to have a maid. I have found it is the same in many poor countries. At ISU I had a student from Peru -- obviously from a rich family -- and he once said he never had to do any chores at home because "I had a maid". One of my best friends is married to a Colombian and she says everybody has a maid in Colombia! In the US having a maid is almost unaffordable for a university professor, since they charge no less than $30-40 an hour!<BR/><BR/>I also found it interesting that you wrote, in some other post, that Egyptians are generous. Don't you find this is often the case in poor countries? Again, the example of Italy comes to mind. The South of Italy is poorer than the North but it has a reputation for people being generous that the North does not have...<BR/><BR/>And the driving might be a lot like Italy, and again, more like Southern Italy. It's all about latitude and sunshine, I guess...<BR/>FedericaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1160157520355844122006-10-06T19:58:00.000+02:002006-10-06T19:58:00.000+02:00Greetings from UmmJoe/Jazz (couldn't choose or els...Greetings from UmmJoe/Jazz (couldn't choose or else i may have to pay for more therapy when the kids are adults).<BR/><BR/>I have been out of it for awhile - very busy at work and home. I checked in and haven't caught up on all the reading but the pic of the laundry and the launderette caught my eye. The Pink Launderette - that has a ring to it. xo ummj/jAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159637376394130602006-09-30T19:29:00.000+02:002006-09-30T19:29:00.000+02:00Love the pink bathroom!Love the pink bathroom!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159633978008924992006-09-30T18:32:00.000+02:002006-09-30T18:32:00.000+02:00I love it that your plastic clothespins are the pr...I love it that your plastic clothespins are the primary colors.<BR/>Do not feel bad about having a maid. The culture is obviously different, and just like here, there is someone for every job no matter what it is. And it sounds as though in Cairo, being a made to two young americans is a great job to have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159458379652511872006-09-28T17:46:00.000+02:002006-09-28T17:46:00.000+02:00Good question, Bryan. I'm not really sure. But bas...Good question, Bryan. I'm not really sure. But based on reading the Cairo Trilogy, it seemed that one of the main characters, who had five children, was called UmmChild's Name just based on context. So - UmmNadia has a daughter named Nadia who is also a maid for several university types. That's the context - the academics know Nadia, so they know her mother as UmmNadia. I don't know if she has any other kids, though -our pantomiming hasn't gotten that advanced yet. But if she does, she might be known as, for example, UmmFrank if she were talking to one of Frank's teachers. Yeah, and she probably has a real name, but you lose your identity when you become a mother, right? ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159457504154982662006-09-28T17:31:00.000+02:002006-09-28T17:31:00.000+02:00In Korea, it's also traditional to call parents by...In Korea, it's also traditional to call parents by their children's name. Sonja would be AidanOma--but, of course, she's a foreigner, so simply Sonja.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159450187311965332006-09-28T15:29:00.000+02:002006-09-28T15:29:00.000+02:00Wait a second: so what was UmmNadia's name BEFORE...Wait a second: so what was UmmNadia's name BEFORE she had Nadia? And what if she has more than one kid? Which one does she get named after then? If Nadia turns out to be a disappointment, can her mom start calling herself by the name of one of her other kids? Please find out how this system work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159432263691335102006-09-28T10:31:00.000+02:002006-09-28T10:31:00.000+02:00UmmKim, UmmAleana, or UmmJames. Just whatever you ...UmmKim, UmmAleana, or UmmJames. Just whatever you feel like on a given day. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159430625013543872006-09-28T10:03:00.000+02:002006-09-28T10:03:00.000+02:00Oh, Aleana's comment published twice for some reas...Oh, Aleana's comment published twice for some reason, so I deleted it but didn't know it would be a glaring delete as you see below.<BR/><BR/>Before we had the washing machine, we handwashed some things. UmmNadia did too. We also had some clothes that simply ripened for a month. However, you can go to a makwagi, too, who mostly irons but will sometimes wash your clothes for a couple of pounds per item.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159406432073760842006-09-28T03:20:00.000+02:002006-09-28T03:20:00.000+02:00It's nice that you now have 'family' there. It'll...It's nice that you now have 'family' there. It'll make your life so much nicer and easier.<BR/><BR/>And the washer - how did you manage before it? Love the pink.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159404725042989852006-09-28T02:52:00.000+02:002006-09-28T02:52:00.000+02:00ReallyI want to know what was deleted. How did th...Really<BR/>I want to know what was deleted. How did the washer get into that space?????<BR/>Mandy you are a funny girl.<BR/>Does that make me UmmDiana?<BR/>and<BR/>we are all jealous.<BR/>Love<BR/>UmmDxxxxx <BR/>PS I knew that was your laundry, I saw a James sock sighting.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159391544852064672006-09-27T23:12:00.000+02:002006-09-27T23:12:00.000+02:00Oh, my, how embarrassing. I was simply trying to r...Oh, my, how embarrassing. I was simply trying to remove the double comment above (one published twice, for some reason), and now it looks like there was some terrible comment made or something - "This post has been removed..." Disregard that, everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159378643940461702006-09-27T19:37:00.000+02:002006-09-27T19:37:00.000+02:00It definitely holds less than your average America...It definitely holds less than your average American machine. You also have to specifically request a machine that spins the clothes out. This little cutie is an Italian brand! We paid a little more for a door that opened all the way. Once we got it home, we realized that was just silly, as you can see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159377648936404922006-09-27T19:20:00.000+02:002006-09-27T19:20:00.000+02:00also, washer was interesting--looks small?also, washer was interesting--looks small?manda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520946342523015538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32203742.post-1159377514158531932006-09-27T19:18:00.000+02:002006-09-27T19:18:00.000+02:00I find if comforting to know UmmNadia is looking o...I find if comforting to know UmmNadia is looking out for you guys--I may even have to send her a tip.<BR/>Love, UmmAmandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com