Financial crisis arrives or not?

It feels like a strange, way too peacefull vacuum. I am opening Egyptian newspapers, who are praising pages long, that Egypt's banks are completely secured against any risk of bankruptcy, that the strong decline in the stock market will not have any influence on the economy, as it represens such a small share of the financial market and that the great laws and reforms in the recent past made Egypt resilient against global influences.

Then afterwards, I am opening an international newspaper, and read about the bankruptcy of Iceland, about the threat of bankruptcy of so many banks in Europe, and crash after crash of the Japanese stock market, which necessarily will lead the country into recession. Some are even starting to compare the crisis with 1923 and that 16 years later we had a full fledged war going on...

So as a consequence I, as the end user, became suspicious and converted my money into Euro and took it out of the bank... exagerated decision? Lets see. But at least I can hold the money in my hands and dont just look at its digital form on my PC screen. Gives a re-assuring feeling after watching this viedo: http://www.eco-tube.com/v/KNOW/Money_Is_Debt.aspx

Now, only inflation, a natural disaster or humanity can destroy my life security....

Irony in the summer heat

Yes still in Cairo, or at least during the week, as the weekends have been always reserved for activities escaping a bit the heat and smog of the capital.

I want to talk a bit about the new traffic law that has been introduced in Egypt on August 01. Harsh penalties have been implemented for so many things that were normal here before. Driving into a one-way street, driving by night without light, parking in the second, third, or fourth row, not stopping on a red light and not having a first-aid kit - all these things are history now. It seems - on paper - pretty easy to end up in jail for one month, but in reality as everybody confirmed, they have actually only just increased the amount of bribe money you have to pay to the police officer, who stops you.

It sounds all so simple, just go around bribing people, and you have an easy live in Egypt. Me, however, I have not been able to give money to any traffic police so far, and am running for the 6th time after my lost driving license. So how does it work? When do they take it, and when not? Maybe bribing is not allowed for foreigners, maybe there is some kind of unwritten rule about that? Well, maybe I should defend myself now, and say that I find the system wrong, and I should not support it, and be an example. But then, who am I to judge when something is good or wrong in a country? This is not my home country, there are many voices emphasizing that foreigners are supposed to adapt to the new culture and "Do, when in Rome, as the Romans do". And not be the eternal colonialists!

Fine, but then, WHY is nobody accepting my bribe????

One disaster follows the next

Life in Cairo never gets boring. Currently its disaster time. After 2 weeks of intensive rain, the city drowns in water, traffic jams convert the city into one single car park and a thick mud layer covers the streets and pathwalks. I remember three days ago I needed to duplicate a key. The shop being only approximately 7oom away, it seemed like an exciting adventure tour. Jumping over filthy water holes, squeezing around muddy cars and fleeing from the black cold shower by the approaching high speed bus, I finally arrived at the shop. It was was completely encircled by water and I felt like Robinson Crusoe, having reached an island.

Then, since yesterday the underwater communication cable to Egypt is dammaged, which means that internet is down in the whole country. Only priority lines are maintained via another smaller cable and satellite, but it is very slow and now again I am not able to get any emails on my Outlook.

What else. Oh yeah, my cat suddenly starts exploring her territory and comes scaringly close to the street, but well, unless she gets killed its not yet a disaster I guess.

And last but not least, its freaking freezing cold. I have already isolated all windows, bought thick socks and pullovers, but I am still shivering all day. (Imagine, they still switch on the AC in the office!!!) Luckily I am subscribed to a Health Club that provides a 24/7 HOT jaccuzi bath. Now, I should maybe get a water resistant PC and phone and then you know where to find me:)...