EGYPT: It’s in the mail...
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
My first letter arrived.
It was beautiful, not the content itself, it was from an insurance company, but just the fact that it got here. I have been living in Cairo for two months. And until yesterday, I was mail-less. The first few weeks I thought, perhaps, I’m not as close to family and friends as I should be. I longed for even junk mail, a flyer, a brochure with my name and address typed on the outside. Or even occupant. Something to say I am here. Nothing.
I know things had been sent to me. But they never arrived, vanished into the maelstrom of the Egyptian postal service.
Living overseas one gets accustomed to the idiosyncrasies of a new country. The Germans have strict rules for crossing the street; the Italians have no rules for crossing the street, or for much else. But I got mail in Berlin. And, honestly, I got it in Italy too. Now I’m in Egypt wondering how many packages and letters have gone astray? Did I win $1 million in a sweepstakes I never entered? Is Ahmed’s Muffler Repair running a special? Is someone offering to steam clean my couch? Such questions torment.
Then my elusive postman — I have yet to encounter him face to face — made a delivery to my small box, the one with the ill-fitting door and broken hinges. It was from my insurance company, but it gave me the joy one gets from a love letter. I am here. I exist on this street, in this flat. I am confident more letters will follow; I have found my way into the crowded Egyptian system.
If you happen to be a bill collector or someone else I may owe money to, please know that the check is in the mail.
— Jeffrey Fleishman in Cairo
