Saturday, November 08, 2008

An experiment for Arabic speakers who read this blog - MEME

I received a lot of interesting comments on my last post Arabic adventures in Egypt

So I'd like to conduct an experiment/ throw down a challenge for those readers who live in Cairo and speak Arabic (with any degree of fluency)

The challenge is to go around town (no sitting at home) on your regular business - catch a taxi, order lunch, go to the market, deal with clients and customers - whatever it is that you do on a daily business. But the challenge lies in the fact that you can ONLY SPEAK IN ENGLISH. No French, no Arabic, no other language, only English - not even an Aiwa or an alatoul.

When you have done that, you can
1. write a blog post and link to this post.
2. write a blog post & leave me the link to your blog in the comments on this post
3. write down your experience as a comment on this post.

I'd love to see what stories you have to tell at the end of such a day. and it would be interesting for you to see what a non-Arabic speaking foreigner/expat/student goes through in the city.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh no! That would be horrible and I think it would cost a month's budget just for that one day! I think I'd also crack and start screaming at them when they say a taxi from tahrir to zamalek costs 100LE...best of luck to those made of stronger stuff though

Debbie said...

Hi Kim! Thanks for stopping by Blog Around the World. Just wanted to let you know that you are all linked up. Check in daily to see where in the world we are headed next!

Kim said...

Thanks Debbie

amr.m.rezk said...

Hi Kim, this blog is really great, I really like the way you share your ideas, anyway i replied to you on my blog about Egypt and I would appreciate you visiting me there
a guide to egypt , so see you there

Kim said...

Thanks Amr,

I hope more people take up the challenge :)

Unknown said...

Ok, I tried this for 1/2 the day. most understood the basic directions and of course the addresses. At one point I actually had to remember to say pyramids street instead of Haram (Zamalak to pyramids street is a long way) but the driver was actually ok and didn't overly overcharge me (usually can do it for 25LE at most. He wanted 35LE but accepted 30 LE)

My Arabic isn't that good to start with so it wasn't as much of a challenge for me than someone who is more fluent. Taxis are expensive but at least you don't get hassled as much as you do on the buses or the Mickel-buses.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel, names are not supposed to be translated, counting street names,
and about taxis here in cairo, I myself try to make the agreement about how much he wants before riding

Kim said...

Thanks Rachel

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