Talk like an Egyptian

Speaking to people in the US was never a problem for me.  Usually if they didn't speak English, Spanish would do.  That is not the case here.  It is exhausting trying to speak to people.  Not being able to communicate the most basic things can be very stressful.  I say some words and act out the rest.  Sometimes they get it, most of the time they don't.  Sometimes I just want to cry...

I wish I would have paid more attention in French class in high school.  Alot of people here speak French, more than they speak English.  

In the US, people make a big deal out of immigrants speaking English.  Well I'm starting to think that maybe they don't learn English because it's not so easy.  I have been learning the Egyptian dialect which is called Aameya.  It is Egyptian Arabic.  I know alot of words but they don't always come out when I need them or at the right time.  It is better than when I first arrived.  Now at least I have an idea of what people are saying...

We got a new bowaab.  This one has 2 kids.  A girl named Basma who is 13 and a boy named Hamaad who is 11.  The bowaab's name might be Najib but I'm not sure, he said alot of things.  The wife was also very friendly.  They seem like a nice family.  They were very excited to meet us (I'm not kidding)  and had alot to say.  I didn't understand most of it.  I think they wanted us to drink some tea but we said not thank you.  I might mention that here people offer you drinks from their cup.  They expect you to drink and then they drink too.  It's really very sweet but not the way we are used to.  I wish I could get over that whole germ phobia that I have.  They are Muslims and we shouldn't fear to drink after them, but it is one thing to say it and another to do it, especially with strangers.