Ladies of MENA currently in Egypt?

[Staashi 371]

Just wanted to add, LRH, I know you want to see your loved one. But, I would take IHQ's advice and wait for a while. Go when there's not a potential uprising waiting to happen again. Why go at a time when the proverbial sh!t is ready to hit the fan? Just sayin'.

[Ihavequestions 419]

IHQ, if I recall correctly, you LIVE in Egypt, no?

You're right. I do live and work (legally) here.

You've been there for years now, correct?

Cumulatively, yes, years. This is my second round here. The first time, I lived with my (now) ex-husband. This time, I'm here alone.

Which as many of us know, a 3+ month vacation does not make you a resident, it makes it an extended vacation. Your point of reference is from living there over the duration of years, not a few visits for a few months here and there.

This is true. There's also a marked difference when you've spent enough time here to understand the language enough to know what's going on around you and learned enough about the culture and the political environment to see beyond the mirage.

As I always say, until you're paying utility bills, a year's worth of rent, and have filled out the change of address form with USPS, you are just a visitor. The problems one is exposed to on vacation are different than when you live there. They just are.

This is also true. A few months of a vacation or extended stay with and under the protective shield of a husband and possibly his family does not expose one to the realities of day-to-day life. I've been back since January and I've seen things that astonish me, including gun fights in the street and a knife fight at a government bread distribution site (and I live in a solidly middle class area). The fact is this place is pretty much lawless and anyone who tries to imply differently is either clueless or not being honest, and I mean that. When one of these nay-sayers comes back with a story about her trip outside, alone, at 2:00 in the morning - which used to be possible, I'll eat my words.

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

Thanks, all. I will be waiting at least until after the first of July. I was there in February and things were different, not in a good way either. I usually stay in Zamalek, at a very safe flat with 24 hour security. There used to be a very visible police presence there, but I saw no police in February. The doorman at the building even gave me difficulty, asking for my passport many times (he was told that he had no business with my passport, but he came up to the flat and rang the bell to get it no less than 5 times), which has never happened before. I've stayed in this particular building, with this particular doorman, 3 times before and this is the first time I felt like things were strained. I stayed inside most of the trip, only going out to dinner one night and visiting the market downstairs inside my building.

I've been to Egypt 6 times now, three in the last year... Since the revolution. I was there March 2011 and September 2011, but my February 2012 visit was enough to give me pause. Than you all for your views. I know that my SO tells me it's not safe, but I wasn't sure if he's just overly protective right now. Guess it doesn't matter, really. I'm worried and that means I'll be waiting.

[Staashi 371]

I spent 4 months in Argentina in 2007. Although my in-laws say I lived there, I know the truth - it was an extended visit. I didn't really pay for anything, I was protected and pretty much chaperoned everywhere that I went. It's much different than when you are living there. Oh, I'd also like to add, I speak fluent Spanish and I can understand everything, which to me is key. When you don't need a translator and can function on your own, then you can truly ”live” there.

Edited May 1, 2012 by Staashi

[Ihavequestions 419]

I know that my SO tells me it's not safe, but I wasn't sure if he's just overly protective right now.

There's nothing wrong with being protective, or honest. I'm sure he misses you as much as you miss him, but better safe than sorry.

[Ayman___ 92]

I'm a resident not so hard to become one.Not even the point Egypt's problems has been like this for years.Ask my husband who's been here all his life.

[Ihavequestions 419]