Schutz American School
51 Schutz Street
Alexandria, Egypt 21111
Phone: (20) (3) 576-2205
Fax: (20) (3) 576-0229
| Living in Alexandria.... |
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The purpose of this site is to provide you with information about living in Alexandria, Egypt. There is information about places to visit, shopping and useful contacts and people that we have found helpful. You will be challenged by life in this city of 6+ million people on the northern coast of Africa, but you will experience the richness of it also.
This is by no means the definitive guide to Egypt. The information here is just to get you started. This site will help you explore the city of Alexandria, the country of Egypt as well as its Mediterranean and African neighbors and the easily accessible countries of Europe and East Asia. You are only limited by your own imagination and spirit of adventure!
As guests in Egypt it is recommended that you try to understand that what is allowed in the West may not be accepted here. At the same time, residents of Alexandria are used to seeing foreigners and understand Western ways somewhat. Since you will be living here, it is to your benefit to adapt to Egyptian ways as much as possible. Express your sense of humor, show patience and keep your standards high.
The work week in Egypt is Sunday through Thursday. Friday is the holy day when many Moslems attend mosque. Christian churches meet on Friday morning or in the evenings on Saturday or Sunday. A local English speaking protestant church meets at Schutz on Friday mornings (10:30am) in the auditorium.
Egypt has a rich cultural heritage and you will be fascinated by the many feast days. The month-long observance of Ramadan cannot be fully explained until you experience it. Stores will be closed during the day, but stay open until very late at night. Also, be aware that everything shuts down at exactly sunset (including taxis and trams) during this month and an eerie quiet fills the city while everyone feasts.
Some Basics
Living in Egypt: Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Domino’s Pizza, and Chili's all line the Corniche in Alexandria, and they deliver to Schutz. However, this is the Middle East and customs here are very different from the western world.
Dress: It is recommended that you dress conservatively. Shorts, miniskirts (women) and tank tops (women) should not be worn off campus. Save those for the campus or visits to resorts and private beaches such as Agamy. Be sure to bring a variety of clothing such as a light jacket, sweaters, umbrella, and warm socks as well as summer clothing. For more information on the weather and climate conditions for Alexandria, visit Weather Underground.
Baksheesh: These are small tips, sometimes after a service. It is suggested that you tip 1 to 3 LE for small services such as parking a car, washing car windows, etc. Bathroom attendants will expect 1 LE for handing out toilet paper and cleaning up. At most restaurants, a service charge and tip are added to the bill. However it is customary in Egypt to still leave a small tip for the waiter if he has done a good job.
Greetings: In the West it is common to just say "hi" or smile when you come into work. However, greetings are very important here. Please remember to greet workers and colleagues especially in the mornings when you come to work. In social situations women generally greet other women with kisses to both cheeks and handshakes for men. Egyptian men greet other men with handshakes, hugs and /or kisses to both cheeks. Men should refrain from greeting women other than relatives with kisses, unless initiated by the woman.
Useful Addresses: The US Embassy in Cairo has Consular Information Sheets, which can provide additional information about living in Egypt. The US Embassy is located on Lazoughli Street, Garden City, near the SemiRamis Hotel in downtown Cairo.
American Embassy Cairo
8 Kamal El Din Salah Street, Cairo
Tel 02 355 7371
Consular Section Tel 02 357 2201, Fax 02 357 2472
American Cultural Center
3 Pharana Street
Alexandria
Tel 482-1009
Canadian Embassy, Cultural Center
5 El Saraya El Kobra Sq.
Garden City, Cairo
Tel 02 354 3110
British Council
9 Batalsa St.
Azarita, Alexandria
Tel 482 0199
Spanish Cultural Center
101 Horreya St
Alexandria
Tel 492 0214
Health: During the first few weeks of being in Egypt, everyone goes through some physical adjustments. Drink plenty of bottled water, wash fresh fruits and vegetables, get enough sleep and avoid being out in the extreme heat.
The school nurse has a list of primary care, specialists, dentists, and optometrists that have been trained in Europe or the US. Some staff members continue to use their doctor at home for regular exams and others use the Egyptian system for all their needs. In general, the cost for medical treatment is much less in Egypt than in the US.
In general, the hospitals in Egypt are good. Many of the doctors are trained in the West and they have modern medical equipment. If there are any serious problems or surgery needed that is not considered an emergency, but cannot be handled in Egypt, you will be transported to a hospital in Europe, which is covered, in your medical insurance.
Pharmacies: Many medications are available in Egypt at reasonable prices without a prescription. Most pharmacists speak English and sell everything from Retin A, Valium, blood pressure or cholesterol medications, and antibiotics to baby food and herbal tea. There is a pharmacy right across the street from the school as well as one less than two blocks away on Schutz Street in the direction of the tram. There is also a 24 hr. pharmacy in Roushdy. Pharmacies are also a good place to go if you are out exploring the city and happen to get lost. You will usually find someone who speaks English and will help guide you back to the campus.
Getting Around Alex
Taxis: Taxis (yellow and black Russian made Lada's) are very common around Alexandria. You can find one on almost any street in Alex. Drivers commonly will honk or slow down when they see you if they think you might need a cab. Once you are inside the cab, give the driver the address or the location. In most cases, direct them to the nearest landmark like a hotel, train station or major street. Learn the Arabic phrase for "right", "left", and "straight ahead", as these will make giving directions easier. These cabs do not have working meters but 5-20 LE ($1-5 USD) should get you to anywhere in Alexandria.
There is a company called "Fast Call" that you may also call for taxi service. The cars are much newer and usually have air conditioning. They do have working meters and the prices are set. You may reach them at (03) 421-0111 or 0800 9999999.
Tram: A tram station is located at the end Schutz Street. The cost is 25 piestres (5 cents) and you can ride to most central locations in Alex. The first car is designated just for women. Both men and women can ride in the other cars. At nearly all tram stops, there will be a large sign showing all of the stops along the route both in Arabic and English. There are many people who are anxious to help you if you are unsure about where to get off.
Car: A few hearty souls on staff have their driver’s licenses and you may be able to arrange a ride with them when they go out. School drivers are also available if you schedule your trip in advance. You may also want to arrange to get your Egyptian drivers license. Driving in Alexandria is unlike any place else; there are few signs or lights, horns honk constantly, headlights are seldom used and traffic lanes are just a suggestion. However, it seems to work without too many problems. The school has a few vehicles available for use by staff at a small per km charge.
Entertainment
Movies: There are many movie theaters in Alexandria and Cairo. Tickets are issued with seat numbers (you select your seat while purchasing - different prices depending on location). Show times never change (except at Ramadan). Most main theaters will have a few English speaking movies (if movie posters advertise in English, the movies are in English). Prices are very reasonable (15 to 20 LE for the 4 PM show and 25 to 30 LE in the evening) and the popcorn is great! Our phone operators have the numbers and can tell you what is playing.
Bowling, Billiards and Darts:
The main resident hall, Roy Hall, has a pool table, kept in good repair. There is also:
- Falcon Fun Center in Montazah
- Strikes in Fathalla Center in Smouha
- Karamantas in Green Plaza
Sporting Club: This club has golf, tennis, squash, two pools, horseback riding and gym. There is a small fee for a for a one-day pass. Memberships are also available.
Smouha Club: This club is similar to the Sporting Club but has no golf course. There is a small fee for the tennis courts.
Schutz School: We have a tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, field hockey, soccer pitch, and swimming pool available for staff and student use. All of these facilities are lit for night use. There is also a workout gym with free weights, a stationary bike, a tread mill, and an elliptical machine.
Shopping: Some stores in Alex close on Sundays and during prayer time on Fridays. Be aware that hours of operation are only guidelines and may change from day to day. You can find everything from clothes to iron beds, bedspreads, furniture and leather coats -- all hand made in Egypt.
San Stefano, City Center and Green Plaza: are large modern air conditioned malls with most things found in Western malls. Worldwide franchises like Starbucks, Cinnibon, Levi, and Guess are found in these malls. All three have large food courts with many establishments found in the West. City Center has Carrefour, a French version of Walmart and a recently opened home furnishings store, as well as Radio Shack. Also in City Center is a Fudrucker's Restaurant. San Stefano is a 5 star hotel, Four Seasons, with a multi-level mall accessed by escalator. San Stefano is a 15 minute walk from school and has a Starbucks with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Wataneya Shopping Center: is within walking distance from Schutz between Horreya and the red tram line. There are several clothing stores, Brands for Less, kitchen products and a few cafes found there.
Paper Market and Suk: are just a taxi ride down the Corniche in an area known as Manchaya. Stationary and school supplies can be purchased at a very low rate. Bulk paper, bookmarks, sharpie pens, and stickers are readily available here.
Gold Market-Suk el Dahab: is located on Faransa Street in Manchaya. Look for cartouches made to order and other high quality gold items. There are many silver shops with wonderful silver items for the home or jewelry in this area too.
There are many streets that wind here and there in Alexandria that are crowded with locals late into the night. They are fun to poke around in and you can find most everything. The Bakos area near the school is one such area. Many of the shops in the neighborhood may carry useful items and supplies as well. The local shopkeepers are very friendly and provide excellent service.
Grocery Stores: There is a mix of western style grocery stores and local shops. You can now get many western brands at Metro, Carrefour and Alpha Market. You will pay more for the brands you know and will find that some local equivalents are very good. Most basic products are heavily subsidized so food in general costs half as much as in the West. If there are some special ethnic foods and spices you like to cook with, bring your own until you find it or a substitute. The Schutz kitchen is always open to suggestion and welcomes new recipes to try. If you have favorite recipes, bring them along. There are two large grocery stores within a ten minute walk from Schutz (Metro and Fathalla). Metro offers home delivery for just 3 LE and will often bring the items right to your apartment door.
Dining Out in Alex
There are several good restaurants in the city offering a variety of cuisines. Prices are generally less than one would pay in the West and the service is usually outstanding. Here are some that Schutz staff have enjoyed over the years:
Zephyrion in Abou Kir has a great atmosphere and good seafood. It is located right on the edge of the Mediterranean. The Coffee Roastery is located downtown on Fouad Street. It has great sandwiches, salads, desserts, and a variety of coffee and juices. The Delta is a French restaurant located along the tram line downtown. It has excellent steaks, escargots, and desserts.
The Fish Market is a very good fish restaurant located along the Corniche on the way to Qait Bay. The Fish Market shares the building with another restaurant called Tikka Grill and the Egyptian Sea Scout Base. The Fish Market has excellent mezzes (appetizers) and delicious fish. You choose your fish from the display and pay by weight. Another fine fish restaurant, Le Prince, is located in Montaza. Like the Fish Market, it specializes in fresh fish. Samakmak is another great fish restaurant on the Corniche in Ras Al Tin.
China House at Green Plaza and on the roof of the Cecil Hotel along with the Dragon House near San Steffano Mall are all excellent Chinese and Thai restaurants. The Dragon House delivers and offers a 12% discount on all home deliveries.
There are several more fine restaurants that staff have discovered and will be very willing to provide information about. "Grill Night" is a local tradition for Schutz staff. One of our staff members organizes monthly dining excursions to various restaurants in Alex.
Traveling
Our location makes traveling throughout Egypt, the Middle East and Europe reasonably priced. However, time schedules may not reliable as you may be used to at home. You must call to confirm all flights. In Egypt, they often reserve a seat but do not book it until the last minute due to changes in fare. They often cannot give you prices until a month before the flight leaves. You might be asked to pay for flights in cash. To use a credit card will usually mean an extra small fee. You will usually need your passport when checking into a hotel.
The school currently uses:
Harty Tours
15/17 Mina St, Kafr Abdou, Roushdy, Alexandria
Tel: 5460743 fax: 546 0740
URL: http://www.hartytoursegypt.com/
Lina handles all domestic flights and tour arrangements and hotels inside Egypt. Eman handles international flights. They are very reputable and have been booking Schutz teachers for years.
Weekends in Cairo: Cairo is only 2 ½ hours away on the Terbinie (fast train). Train schedules are posted in the Teachers’ workroom and Raed (the purchaser) can get tickets for you. Cairo is a nice weekend trip from Alexandria. You may be entitled to special rates at certain hotels. In order to get the best rates you should make your hotel reservations through a travel agent.
Most staff have favorite places to stay, eat, shop, and play in Cairo. Check with the staff and /or "Lonely Planet" for suggested restaurants, shops and hotels. Staff members often travel in groups. If you hear of a trip you are interested in, don't hesitate to ask to “tag along”.
The Khan: Once you have shopped at the Khan in Cairo, you will not be the same. Shopping here is an art form. Bargaining is the only way to go. Don’t rush. If there is something you want in particular and don’t know the price, ask someone first so you will have an idea of where to start bargaining. If you are offered tea or a drink accepting does not mean you have to buy. It makes for a pleasant time. Besides, if you don’t buy this time, you might the next time. Take time to look for things you want and praise the merchant for his wonderful goods. You should enjoy yourself in the process. Many of the merchants have sold to ex-pats and Schutz staff for years so make certain that you mention you are from Alexandria and you teach at Schutz while you bargain. If you know any Arabic words, use them. The area around the Khan Khalili is rich in Islamic history. Take the time to enjoy a walk through the mosques, Bab el Zawilah, etc. Clean bathrooms, good food and safe sheeshas are available at Naguib Mahfuous Café in the Khan.
Eating out in Cairo: With a little effort you can find anything in Cairo from Sushi to Indian, Thai, or Japanese. There is a Hard Rock Café and Applebee’s in Cairo if you need a taste of home, or Louise’s on #9 Street in Maadi has a great American and Mexican menu. Deal’s is a very popular bar at 2 El Maahad El Swissri in Zamalek off 26th July Street. La Bodega (Zamalek) has been a favorite of Schutz staff for many years. Ban Kau (Thai) located in Maadi and the Indian restaurant at the Mena House are excellent.
AUC Bookstore: The American University of Cairo has a bookstore on campus. It is easy to get to on the Metro from the train station. It is usually open on Saturdays. They have the best selection of English books in Egypt. They also have great postcards, travel books, plus many specialty books on Middle Eastern history and sights.
Longer Trips: Winter and Spring breaks are opportunities to travel throughout Africa, the Middle East and Europe. There are also 3 or 4-day weekends scheduled in the school calendar for smaller trips inside Egypt or along the Mediterranean.
Sharm-El-Sheikh features excellent diving and snorkeling. It is a relatively inexpensive beach vacation area when you are an Egyptian resident. Sharm caters to westerners. You can also visit Mt. Sinai, St. Catherine's monastery, and other tourist spots such as Dahab and Ras Mohamed while you are on the Sinai Peninsula.
Nile Cruise: Once during your time in Egypt, you should take a Nile Cruise. It is a very relaxed way to view the incredible monuments between Luxor and Aswan.
Siwa is an oasis that is a nine-hour drive from Alex. Siwa has a culture that is part Arabic and part Berber. It is an interesting place to visit to see the many hot springs and date groves. You can also take a 4-wheel drive vehicle out into the desert to see the dunes. Overnight desert camping is also possible.
Talk with other staff who have been here a while. They may offer many good suggestions on places to visit, hotels to stay at and other bits of useful information.
Mail/Packages/Internet
E-Mail: The school has a DSL T-1.5 internet connection on campus. You will get a school sponsored account for school use. It is suggested that you sign up for free e-mail accounts for personal e-mail with gmail, yahoo., etc. The school’s website is www.schutzschool.org.eg. Please contact the technology coordinator if you have further questions.
Packages: Sending packages from Egypt is not recommended. Items are frequently lost and stolen. Please be aware that packages you receive incur a customs fee. Sometimes, this fee can be more than the value of the package. Every package is completely opened and inspected. Frequently, parts are lost when customs officials repack the package. The customs tax for videos and DVD's is steep and censors must view it before you can pick it up. Special electronics like "MagicJacks" and "Vonnage," if shipped will be rejected by customs.
Mail: Typically, it takes from 5 – 15 days to receive a letter via regular mail. Oversize envelopes or envelopes that contain more than just a few sheets of paper tend to take a much longer time. The outgoing Schutz Mailbox is located next to the telephone operator desk. Letters you send will be stamped for you and charged to your personal account.
Photos: Photo developing can be done at Photo 2000 on the tram street across from San Stefano Hotel, at Alex Photo on Syria St in Roushdy, and Carrefour. One-hour service is available at all places.
Survival Arabic
Many teachers live here for years with very limited Arabic. All Egyptians learn some English in school. Knowing some Arabic is useful in using taxis and in understanding the culture. There are several Arabic tutors who will provide inexpensive lessons in your apartment on campus. If enough staff show interest, the school will provide Arabic lessons at no cost. Here is a useful website for learning Arabic: http://arabic.speak7.com/.
Useful Web Sites
- Tour Egypt: http://touregypt.net/
- The City of Alexandria: http://alexandriatour.com/
- Bibliotheca: http://www.bibalex.org/English/index.aspx
- Lonely Planet: Egypt: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/egypt/
Larger View Schutz Street
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Larger View Vegatable Market
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Larger View Fresh Fish Vendor
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Larger View Sunset on the Mediterranean
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Larger View The Sphnix and the Great Pyramid
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Larger View Marsa Matruh
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