Trip to the Romanian Embassy in Cairo

I finally managed to go to the Romanian Embassy in Cairo; it is located somwhere in Zamalek on El Kamil Mohammed street - quite a narrow street, with no parking places (except for the diplomats).
Anyway, it was good to speak Romanian again and meet some new people.
I've been having problems with my visa (as always), so i tought i will go there and they might have some advice for me. Well, it turned out that they cannot. I was told that even them, as diplomats, should get a 4 year visa, and they dont - they get only 1 year.
Then, they told me stories about students who have come here through programmes and agreements between the Romanian and Egyptian government and they were all given different visas, although they were all on the same programme, the same course, for the same period of time.
I have learnt that Egypt has no system at all - there are no rules that conduct this country; everything works as the wind blows, as we say in Romanian.
Now, i am loosing my hopes of being able to stay in this country... but i guess i should let myself carried by the wind... this is another Romanian saying (i am feeling wise today!... NOT!)

The postman ate my chocolate!!!!

So, you thought the USA was the land of all opportunities!! Now, here is another story from Egypt, the land of all possibilities!
My dear friend Leen from Belgium sent me a little parcel some time ago.
The postman came to my door last Thursday with it but i was not there and he did not want to leave it with Elin (my room mate). He said i shud be there to receive it. Well, he never came back again, so i went to the post office yesterday around 4 pm. After many gestures and arms up in the air, and me trying to speak 5 words of Arabic and tell them i need my parcel, another man came (who spoke more English). He said: "you need to come back tomorrow, between 8 am- 3 pm". He couldnt tell me why...
I went back today - a different lady - i tell her the situation, she says my parcel is in Ramses - at the main post office in Cairo; i try to tell her that the postman had it last Thrusday, therefore my parcel is in Maadi; why would it go back to Ramses?? She doesnt quite understand me ... i dropped it, as i had the driver waiting for me outside (illegally parked - as if it matters, anyway!)
I left very disapointed ... i dont know what is in the parcel - might be some Belgian chocolate; i hate the thought of the postman eating my chocolate!! Just try and picture a postman eating my chocolate right now!! :(( :X

Friends from work said the Egyptian mail service is quite good and that they've received most of the parcels they were sent from abroad - even money in a card!!! (u shud've seen my shocked face when i heard that!).
i hope he didnt eat all of it, and i will be able to track it!

10 things to do while you are single (??!)

I was reading an article the other day about things to do while you're single. I pasted them here. My only question is: what do you do when you've done them all?

1.Travel alone to develop your independence.
2.Wallow in a broken heart. This gives you time to heal from any previous relationship problems.
3. Spend a weekend with a married couple your age. You will see marriage is not the ideal state you might imagine it to be.
4. Don't stay home all night. Live a little and enjoy your single status.
5. Stand up for a cause you care about. People are attracted to others who are passionate about the things they love.
6. Learn to fly a plane, surf some big waves, or start your own business. This can also help to nurture your self-reliance.
7. Learn how to take care of yourself. You'll be better suited to a wider range of partners.
8. Buy something hugely impractical just because you love it. It's a good idea to treat yourself every once in a while.
9. Develop a hobby. More skills and interests can make you more attractive.
10. Be completely, utterly, wholly single for at least three months.

Spring has come to Maadi

There is nothing more exciting for a teacher during this time of the year than Easter break! This break was so longed for!!! I had friends visiting from Belgium (more details on that in another post) and i loved having them around.
I have never thought Egypt has any seasons; i have to admit that before coming i thought it is hot all the time. Well, to my surprise, we did have a winter - rather cold (of course, nothing compared to our snowy winters back home), but when you dont have heating in your apartment, it does feel cold! I was walking in Maadi yesterday and this morning as well and i stopped to have a look at the trees - thye look much greener and most of them have beautiful flowers. There is one next to our house that has purple flowers - it is absolutely beautiful!!
Today was rather hot - summer is definitely gaining ground. I am so looking forward to go home this summer, far from the heat!