One of the things about Egypt is that nothing is as easy as it should be/would be in America. For example, setting up our internet has taken 2 phone calls, a trip to the embassy, a short and a long visit to the Etisalat store and we still don’t have internet at the house. (I have internet because the first day we were here, Josh bought this cool USB drive that provides internet to the device that it is plugged into and you can recharge it – kind of like a pay as you go phone).
So the first time he tried to order internet service, the company told him that in order to begin service, he would have to have the name and cell phone number of the last person to have service in our apartment so he could “take over the account.” The last date they had service listed was in 2006. Um, OK. Next! So he tried a different company. This one needed a copy of our lease agreement and they could proceed. So Josh goes to the embassy, gets a letter verifying that we are authorized occupants of the apartment and is ready to go get internet. Or not.
When he gets to the store, they decide they don’t like the letter from the embassy, they want the actual copy of the lease agreement. The letter even states that the embassy will not provide that info for security purposes. *sigh* After a 5 minute “discussion,” they agree to accept Josh’s paperwork.
Oops, it turns out that they can’t provide service to our phone number, even though when he was there 2 days ago they said they could provide service. Something about their circuits being full – or not, since after several back and forths with the manager, they agree to proceed.
Next, long, long time inputting info in the computer. Thankfully, I was not there. I was punching and kicking my heart out at NT while Josh had all the kids with him, running a “quick” errand. Camille was not happy that I was not there and screamed her heart out the entire time, but I won’t blame that on the Egyptians.
When they finally got all of the info processed and Josh went to pay, their card swiper wasn’t working. After many attempts, Josh gave up and hiked to an ATM . . . that didn’t work. So he hiked to a different one and returned with cash. Now we’re waiting for a phone call or a visit from someone who is supposedly going to install it sometime in the next two weeks. “Insha Allah.”
** ( it means God willing – basically the Egyptian equivalent of “we’ll see.” )
4 comments:
Life is definitely different outside the good old US of A. But that's what makes the adventure so exciting. So glad you conquered all.
Unbelievable. So is Calvin teaching the Serenity Prayer to the whole family? Was Josh using Arabic? "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." Romans 5:3-5
Cannot believe Josh went to the Internet store and hiked to 2 ATMS with the 3 boys and an unhappy Camille. I would have abandoned it after they said they wouldn't accept the embassy letter. Clearly he's a man with a lot of patience. Glad you missed out on the "adventure."
-Carrie
yes, he does have a lot of patience. They kept passing the baby around and taking turns walking her outside and everyone kept looking at them like, "who's the crazy guy with the screaming baby?"
Of course the moment they finished and he put her in the car seat, she crashed and fell asleep. You know how that goes!
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