Driving in Egypt

[dave99]

Originally Posted by Flyerman

Hi Georgina,

very good post.

Petrol: 18p per litre - a good reminder that petrol really is super cheap

thanks

Lance

Cheap compared to Europe but the increase over last 6 months is EXTREME for the locals - up over 70% in less than a year.
.
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[wellheld]

Originally Posted by Georgina

Yes, we visited the Italian and German war memorial and the Allied war cemetary. there are photos in the third album. The cemetary was a beautiful place but very moving reading all the inscriptions on the stones.

It is moving isn't it, we went frequently when we lived in Alex and always found fresh flowers on one or two of the graves. I particularly like the respect shown to the unknown soldiers of the inscription Known unto God in the British Cemetery.

[Peter Mitry]

Originally Posted by dave99

Cheap compared to Europe but the increase over last 6 months is EXTREME for the locals - up over 70% in less than a year.
.
.

When I commented in my local filling station that World oil prices were dropping like a stone and asked why I was still paying 1.75 EGP per litre I got the usual response 'Urhh?') and the price stayed where it has been for the past three months - 18p per litre. British drivers would be barricading the streets!

[M Butler]

Originally Posted by GM43

Who knows the exact meaning of this sign?
Till now I have seen 3 in Hurghada, 2 on Sheraton Road, one on the road to Dahar.

After trying to work out the meaning of this sign for a few weeks, we have decided that it means parallel parking to the kerb is allowed as opposed to nose onto the kerb. We have tried it out yesterday and today and so far so good....

Will keep you posted.

Margaret

See Post No. 80

[Huda at pyramids]

Originally Posted by GM43

Who knows the exact meaning of this sign?
Till now I have seen 3 in Hurghada, 2 on Sheraton Road, one on the road to Dahar.

Well, uhm, I'm going to make a guess, how'bout
Parking only in vertical position
or
Parking only in Zebra disguise
or
just Parking behind the striped line.

I would say, it means what you want it to mean, as you wish (in Arabic, Barachtak)

Take it as it suits you, and if somebody actually says something, tell him you don't understand. And excuse yourself a million time and get your car out of there.

Take it easy, life is easy, don't make it more complicated then it is,
This is not Europe. Search the layed back lifestyle not only on the beach!!

Have a wonderfull day and be safe.

Huda

[Georgina]

Originally Posted by Georgina

Went on Saturday and was just sent round in circles and told come back on Monday for sure you will get your license then. Went today even though it is a holiday here and the office was closed. Off on our trip tomorrow.

So it must be five weeks since I started the process of getting an Egyptian driving license. Went back to the office on Monday and they said they are still waiting for the paper from Cairo but come back tomorrow.....

Went back today and still blank faces. Sat waiting for three hours and the paper was found They then said come Saturday to do some more paperwork in the morning and in the afternoon to take your test as there are 41 people waiting to take their test. Why can't we do some more paperwork now? Managed to complete some more paperwork in another office and smiled nicely at the good looking man with stars on his shoulders. He then started to ask why we were there and my friend Diana replied in Arabic that we had come to take the test. We were immediately taken outside and told I would be first Lots of setting up of traffic cones. Everyone had told me this part is so easy. Wasn't looking so easy to me and especially in Diana's big Honda HRV which seemed to be getting bigger by the second.

Very confusingly told to zig zag through about four sets of cones. Am sure they were set out with a mini cooper in mind! Managed to get through and then told to reverse back through them. Got back through until the last set and realised there is no way I am lined up to get through them. Stopped and smiled sweetly and said is that it? A translator said you have failed and must come back next week. Diana in the meantime talks to the guy in Arabic saying no-one explained to me where I should be going and that I didn't understand! OK you have passed he said

Now I have to go back tomorrow morning to do the photo and get my license inshallah!!!! And it was on our way back that our translator told us that they don't like him in the traffic office. GREAT! Will take someone else bukra.

Wish me luck!!!!

Originally Posted by Georgina

So it must be five weeks since I started the process of getting an Egyptian driving license. Went back to the office on Monday and they said they are still waiting for the paper from Cairo but come back tomorrow.....

Went back today and still blank faces. Sat waiting for three hours and the paper was found They then said come Saturday to do some more paperwork in the morning and in the afternoon to take your test as there are 41 people waiting to take their test. Why can't we do some more paperwork now? Managed to complete some more paperwork in another office and smiled nicely at the good looking man with stars on his shoulders. He then started to ask why we were there and my friend Diana replied in Arabic that we had come to take the test. We were immediately taken outside and told I would be first Lots of setting up of traffic cones. Everyone had told me this part is so easy. Wasn't looking so easy to me and especially in Diana's big Honda HRV which seemed to be getting bigger by the second.

Very confusingly told to zig zag through about four sets of cones. Am sure they were set out with a mini cooper in mind! Managed to get through and then told to reverse back through them. Got back through until the last set and realised there is no way I am lined up to get through them. Stopped and smiled sweetly and said is that it? A translator said you have failed and must come back next week. Diana in the meantime talks to the guy in Arabic saying no-one explained to me where I should be going and that I didn't understand! OK you have passed he said

Now I have to go back tomorrow morning to do the photo and get my license inshallah!!!! And it was on our way back that our translator told us that they don't like him in the traffic office. GREAT! Will take someone else bukra.

Wish me luck!!!!

LOL ... rather you than me Georgina, maybe you should have had a couple of gins before you went! Hope you get your licence, I'll be thinking of you

[Georgina]

Originally Posted by georgina

so it must be five weeks since i started the process of getting an egyptian driving license. Went back to the office on monday and they said they are still waiting for the paper from cairo but come back tomorrow.....

Went back today and still blank faces. Sat waiting for three hours and the paper was found they then said come saturday to do some more paperwork in the morning and in the afternoon to take your test as there are 41 people waiting to take their test. Why can't we do some more paperwork now? Managed to complete some more paperwork in another office and smiled nicely at the good looking man with stars on his shoulders. He then started to ask why we were there and my friend diana replied in arabic that we had come to take the test. We were immediately taken outside and told i would be first Lots of setting up of traffic cones. Everyone had told me this part is so easy. Wasn't looking so easy to me and especially in diana's big honda hrv which seemed to be getting bigger by the second.

Very confusingly told to zig zag through about four sets of cones. Am sure they were set out with a mini cooper in mind! Managed to get through and then told to reverse back through them. Got back through until the last set and realised there is no way i am lined up to get through them. Stopped and smiled sweetly and said is that it? A translator said you have failed and must come back next week. Diana in the meantime talks to the guy in arabic saying no-one explained to me where i should be going and that i didn't understand! Ok you have passed he said

now i have to go back tomorrow morning to do the photo and get my license inshallah!!!! And it was on our way back that our translator told us that they don't like him in the traffic office. Great! Will take someone else bukra.

Wish me luck!!!!

i got my egyptian driving license yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Georgina

i got my egyptian driving license yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Yipeeeeeeeeeeee........ Well done Georgina .... Any chance of a lift? LOL

[danny]

Originally Posted by Georgina

i got my egyptian driving license yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Alf Mabrouk