How ordinary people lived in ancient Egypt. The life of the ancient Egyptians

When it comes to Ancient Egypt, most people think of pharaohs, pyramids, mummies and gold artifacts. And at the same time, the overwhelming majority does not have the slightest idea of \u200b\u200bhow the most ordinary people lived in this country.

1. Board games

After a hard day's work, ordinary people in Ancient Egypt also sought to rest. Board games were the most popular way of spending leisure time. Two or several players could play at once, and if there were no game boards, then the field for the game was drawn right on the ground. The favorite game was "Seine". The field was divided into 30 squares - in 3 rows of 10, in some squares they drew symbols that meant something good or, on the contrary, bad.

The winner was the one whose chips entered the "afterlife" first, bypassing the cells of failure. The Seine was deeply intertwined with religion. The victor was allegedly guarded by the gods, and tombs were often painted on the board to protect the deceased during the transition to the afterlife.

In Aseb's game, there were 20 squares on the field. To free a token from the home square, it was necessary to roll four or six on the die. If a piece was placed on a square held by the enemy, it was sent back to the home square. The rules of "mehen" and another game of "hounds and jackals" are unknown. The mehen board looked like a twisted snake.

2. Sense of humor

Today, little is known about ancient Egyptian humor, but that does not mean that the ancients lacked it. So, in Thebes around 2000 BC, a carver on the wall of the tomb created an image of the deceased vizier of the pharaoh. He was a very important person during his lifetime and, most likely, should have been depicted with a noble face.

But the artist gave the vizier a dejected look with a raised eyebrow, as if Dougie was surprised he was dead. Carvings made during the reign of Amenhotep III (1389-1349 BC) show a scribe and a baboon (this animal was associated with Thoth, the god of writing). The baboon has very funny eyebrows.

The artists did not restrain sarcasm when they portrayed the enemies of Egypt. An ivory plaque shows a captive Assyrian prince with a goofy look and bulging eyes. The tensions with the Nubians likely led the artist to make a relief showing a Nubian with exaggerated and ridiculous features.

3. Arthritis

When researchers recently examined the remains of those who created and decorated the famous Valley of the Kings, they found something strange. Around 3,500 years ago, most of the carvers and painters who decorated the tombs of the pharaohs were from the village of Deir el Medina. Usually artists develop problems with their hands over time. Osteoarthritis among the male remains examined was much more common in the ankles and knees.

After studying the ancient records of this village, the reason was revealed. Despite the hard work in the necropolis, people did not want to spend the night "on the bones" and every day they went to spend the night in another place. During the week they lived in huts near the royal tombs, and the road to them led through a steep hill, which had to be climbed and descended twice a day.

At the end of the week, the craftsmen went to Deir el-Medina, to which it was necessary to get 2 kilometers through the hills. On Monday they returned to the necropolis again. This went on for years, and for some people, decades. In all likelihood, such long transitions have led to the appearance of a disease that is not characteristic of this profession.

4. Diet

Probably no one will ever know about the culinary recipes of the ancient Egyptians. No records have been found, but you can find out about what the Egyptians ate from the works of art of that time. Some ingredients were consumed by all classes, but a number of products were forbidden to commoners. For example, fish smoking was strictly the lot of the priests. But the daily food of all strata of society was beer and bread.

The bread was fermented in water, resulting in a cloudy drink that was an essential part of the diet of the lower classes. In addition to grains such as porridge, the diet included meat, honey, dates, fruits, and wild vegetables. The workers only ate twice a day.

For breakfast, they had bread, beer, and sometimes onions. For lunch, cooked vegetables and meat were added to this. The priests and pharaohs ate incomparably better. In the tombs, images of banquets were found, where tables were laden with wine, gazelles baked in honey, fried poultry, fruits and desserts.

5. Teeth

The Egyptians suffered from enamel decay, as sand was constantly present in their food. The problem was really huge. A study conducted on 4,800 teeth from Egyptian tombs showed that 90 percent of the teeth were very worn out.

This has led to conditions such as cysts, multiple abscesses and osteoarthritis of the jaw. Needless to say, chronic toothache was an everyday part and parcel of life in Ancient Egypt. Despite the Egyptians' famous love of cleanliness, there is no evidence that the ancient Egyptians developed dentistry.

6. Grain

Trade in Ancient Egypt.

The monetary system of Ancient Egypt is not fully understood. It used to be thought that it was based on barter without any form of currency. But this conclusion was drawn solely from the surviving images showing the exchange of goods. While trade certainly existed, it could not support a state's commercial system so vast.

One of the main commodities was grain, which was grown on a mass scale. The surplus grain was stored in silo networks throughout Egypt and used to pay workers who worked on large community projects. But, for example, what was to be done if someone wanted to buy a house.

Indeed, in this case, you cannot manage with a sack of grain. The ancient Egyptians worked with a unit of value called a shat. This currency standard existed in the Old Kingdom (2750-2150 BC), but today no one knows what it was. It is only known that one shat costs 7.5 grams of gold.

7. Family

In Ancient Egypt, a traditional family with many children was welcomed. Girls usually got married in their early teens. While examples of love marriage did occur, marriage was primarily a way of mutual help in existence for a man and a woman. The man was considered imperfect until he got married.

The frescoes traditionally depict men as dark from outdoor work and women as pale as they were only housekeeping. Egyptian wives gave birth a lot and often, so they constantly faced the dangers that they faced with childbirth. There was no effective contraception, and there was nothing that midwives could do if something “went wrong” during labor.

Infants were breastfed for up to three years. Boys were taught early in blue-collar jobs, while girls were taught childcare, cooking and sewing. It was expected that the eldest son (and if he was not, then the daughter) would take care of his elderly parents, and when the time came, he would bury them with dignity.

8. Gender equality

Egyptian women did not only do household chores, they could work and own property if they wanted. If in ancient Rome women were not even considered citizens, then in Egypt women could live even without a male guardian. They could initiate a divorce and go to court.

Women were not forced to marry; they could draft and sign legal documents and build their careers. However, most of the higher professions were dominated by men. Only a small percentage of women became honorary priestesses, scribes, healers and pharaohs. In fact, the first region to empower women was Ancient Egypt, not the West as many believe.

9. Disabled

In the ancient world, there was simply no question of full-fledged medical care. And mental illness was considered so shameful that Chinese families hid their feeble-minded family members from the public. In Greece, they were left to fend for themselves, and they roamed the streets. In ancient Egypt, such people had a completely different attitude.

Local moral scriptures taught respect for those with disabilities. Dwarfs were not considered disabled and often worked as assistants, overseers, guardians, painters and entertainers. Among the skeletons of Deir el-Medina (the village of artists in the Valley of the Kings) were found the remains of a young man who was born with an atrophied leg. As the examination of his remains showed, this man was by no means an outcast, but lived well and held a high position. With regard to mental illness, the Egyptians, instead of blaming or blaming such patients, tried to adapt them to society.

10. Violence

Many works of art from this period have documented scenes from everyday life. And although they look very idealistic and legal equality did take place in ancient Egyptian society, violence against women and children remained a reality. Horrific cases have become known to scientists. For example, a 2,000-year-old skeleton of a toddler in the Dakhleh oasis had fractures of the back, pelvis, ribs and arms. Some were older than others and their bones healed, a classic sign of long-term physical abuse.

A 4,000-year-old victim has been discovered in the ancient city of Abydos. The woman was about 35 years old when she was fatally wounded in the back. Examination of her bones revealed that the woman had been physically abused all her life. She had old and new fractures, which clearly indicate that the unfortunate woman was repeatedly kicked or beaten in the ribs. Her arms were also injured, possibly from trying to defend herself. Since her abuser had clearly been with the woman for a very long time, he could be her husband.

Farmers and artisans were the main labor force in ancient Egypt, but at the same time they were considered the lower class, which was obliged to feed the pharaoh, his soldiers and a large army of servants and officials. They paid numerous taxes and had to work from morning to evening to feed their families.

Life and everyday life of farmers

In general, the work of the people who cultivated the land was considered respectable, but very hard. The peasant had to get up very early in almost any season of the year: for example, by July it was necessary to dig canals to retain water after the Nile flood. In November, plowing began, where wheat and barley were planted. During the growth period, the fields had to be watered, which was incredibly difficult. In March-April, they were harvesting, which also required a lot of effort.

Figure: 1. Egyptian farmer.

Gardening was also very developed: the Egyptians grew a variety of vegetables, fruits, grapes in a wide variety of varieties. But the farmers in Ancient Egypt still lived in poverty, since most of the cultivation was given to the treasury.

The life and life of artisans

Crafts in this state of the Ancient World were very developed. The Egyptians processed stone and wood, as well as metals, they had very developed architecture and shipbuilding, the delicate arts of making glass and papyrus.

In the cities, there were entire streets where potters, coppersmiths and weavers settled, who had their own tiny workshops, where they made and sold products. The most skilled craftsmen worked at temples, where they were supervised by overseers.

According to written sources, the work of an artisan was considered harder than a peasant, because these people often could not even go out and breathe air and were forced to work not only during daylight hours, but often even at night.

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Figure: 2. Carpenter in Ancient Egypt.

A privileged position was occupied by those who made luxury goods - jewelers, sculptors, those who worked with wood. Often they could even take an honorable position in society, so it was very expensive to send a child as an apprentice to such a master.

Debt slavery

If initially only people taken prisoner during the war were slaves of the Egyptians (therefore, conscription into the army was considered a blessing: a man could bring slaves-helpers to the house), then over time the inhabitants of the country also became them. Both peasants and artisans who did not have enough funds to feed their families fell into slavery: then they borrowed something they needed from a rich man, and if they could not give it back on time, then they became slaves.

Figure: 3. Craftsman-slave.

What have we learned?

We learned how the farmers and artisans lived in Egypt: they worked hard, growing food and making the necessary items for life. At the same time, they were forced to pay very high taxes to feed the pharaoh and aristocrats, as well as the army. Both a craftsman and a farmer could fall into slavery if he borrowed from a rich man, but was unable to repay the debt. The artisans who made luxury items were in a special position and could even become wealthy people.

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To the question How did the ancient Egyptians live? What did you eat? What did you drink? Who were they hunting? etc. specified by the author Polina Evgrafova the best answer is The main occupation of the Egyptians during this period was agriculture. Great strides have been made in the development of irrigation systems.
The ancient Egyptians were also engaged in cattle breeding (bulls, donkeys, rams, goats). In lower Egypt, agriculture was less developed than in upper Egypt, but there were great successes in horticulture, horticulture and viticulture.
Also, the Egyptians were engaged in fishing, flax growing, hunting and breeding waterfowl. The Egyptians mined copper, gold, wood, various types of stone.
Weaving, papyrus production and pottery were widespread among the crafts. The Egyptians were engaged in trade - in particular, during the excavations, dishes were found that were made on the islands of the Aegean Sea.
Due to the peculiarities of the geographical position of Egypt of this period, the Nile served as the main route of communication, therefore river ships and boats were of great importance.
Palaces and wealthy houses were built of wood, reed and mud bricks and were often surrounded by brick walls. The houses of ordinary Egyptians were built of reeds and clay. The tombs of the noble Egyptians (the rooted name is mastabs (Arabic)) were built of brick and stone and had above-ground and underground parts. Civil structures of the early kingdom are practically unknown to us.
Many small and a small number of large early Egyptian sculptures of people and animals have survived to our time. Individual sculptures are striking in their skill and precision of details, but in general, sculptures of this period are often distinguished by the disparity of individual body parts. Some successes were achieved in painting (flat images were knocked out on stone). The literature of the early kingdom is practically unknown to us.
The Egyptians had a written language, they used the decimal system of counting. Some advances have been made in astronomy, mathematics and geometry. The level of the Nile spill was measured annually.

Answer from 22 answers[guru]

Hey! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: How did the ancient Egyptians live? What did you eat? What did you drink? Who were they hunted for? etc.

Answer from cunning[guru]
They ate snakes, drank honey, hunted Jews

Answer from European[newbie]
In the era preceding the formation of the state, Egypt consisted of separate regions, as a result of their unification, two kingdoms arose - Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. After a long war, the Upper Egyptian kingdom won, and both parts merged. The exact date of this event is unknown, but it can be assumed that around 3000 BC. e. a single state already existed in the Nile Valley.
Stele of King Hora Uaji
Stele of King Horus Uaji of Abydos. I dynasty.
The beginning of the chronicle Egyptian tradition is associated with the name of King Min (Greek Menes) - the founder of the 1st dynasty, which is probably identical with Horu Aha. According to the legend preserved by Herodotus, Ming founded the capital of the united kingdom at the junction of Upper and Lower Egypt, erecting a dam to protect the city from flooding. From here it was convenient to control both the south and north of the country. The Greeks later called this city Memphis.
Earlier kingdom
In the era of the Early Kingdom (XXX-XXVIII centuries BC), Egypt was ruled by two dynasties, which originated from the Upper Egyptian city of Tina (near Abydos). Already under the kings of the 1st dynasty, the Egyptians began to move beyond their country: to the south - to Nubia, to the west - to Libya, to the east - to the Sinai Peninsula. Pharaoh II of the Hasekhem dynasty finally united the country into a centralized state, suppressing the unrest in the north of Egypt.
One of the important functions of the royal power was to organize the irrigation system in the Nile Valley and keep it in order. Already for Egypt, the Early Kingdom was characterized by high agricultural productivity. Numerous wine jars found in Lower Egypt testify to the flourishing of the art of grape cultivation. Egypt was a country of highly developed cattle breeding. Weaving has made significant progress. The production of papyrus for writing began. His invention was of exceptional importance. Contributing to the wide spread of writing, it survived the ancient Egyptian civilization for a long time, influencing the culture of later eras and becoming famous in the Greco-Roman world and in medieval Europe.
The ancient kingdom
Map of Egypt, the Old Kingdom period
Egypt map. The ancient kingdom.
During the period of the Old Kingdom (XXVIII-XXIII centuries BC), Egypt was a large centralized state that extended its influence to the regions of the Sinai Peninsula, southern Palestine and Nubia.
The kings waged constant wars. It is known, for example, that during the campaign in Nubia of the founder of the IV dynasty Sneferu (XXVIII century BC) 7 thousand prisoners and 200 thousand heads of cattle were taken away, and during the campaign against the Libyans - 1100 people. During the reign of the IV dynasty, Egypt became the sovereign owner of the region of copper mines on the Sinai Peninsula. Trade expeditions were equipped to Nubia for building stone, ivory, acacia and ebony (it was brought to Nubia from the deep regions of Africa), for precious stones, incense, panther skins and exotic animals. Fragrant resins and "light gold" were brought from Punta. From the Phoenician Byblos to Egypt there was a timber - a cedar tree.

Board games

Sense of humor

Today, little is known about ancient Egyptian humor, but that does not mean that the ancients lacked it. So, in Thebes around 2000 BC, a carver on the wall of the tomb created an image of the deceased vizier of the pharaoh. He was a very important person during his lifetime and most likely should have been depicted with a noble face.

But the artist gave the vizier a dejected look with a raised eyebrow, as if Dougie was surprised he was dead. A carving made during the reign of Amenhotep III (1389-1349 BC) shows a scribe and a baboon (this animal was associated with Thoth, the god of writing). The baboon has very funny eyebrows.

Arthritis

When researchers recently examined the remains of those who created and decorated the famous Valley of the Kings, they found something strange. Around 3,500 years ago, most of the carvers and painters who decorated the tombs of the pharaohs were from the village of Deir el-Medina. Usually artists develop problems with their hands over time. Osteoarthritis among the male remains examined was much more common in the ankles and knees.

At the end of the week, the craftsmen went to Deir el-Medina, to which it was necessary to get 2 kilometers through the hills. On Monday they returned to the necropolis again. This went on for years, and for some people, decades. In all likelihood, such long transitions led to the appearance of a disease that is not characteristic of this profession.

The diet

For breakfast they had bread, beer, and sometimes onions. For lunch, cooked vegetables and meat were added to this. The priests and pharaohs ate incomparably better. In the tombs, images of banquets were found, where tables were laden with wine, gazelles baked in honey, fried poultry, fruits and desserts.

Teeth

Corn

Trade in Ancient Egypt.

One of the main commodities was grain, which was grown on a mass scale. The surplus grain was stored in silo networks throughout Egypt and used to pay workers who worked on large public projects. But, for example, what was to be done if someone wanted to buy a house.

Indeed, in this case, you cannot manage with a bag of grain. The ancient Egyptians worked with a unit of value called a shat. This currency standard existed in the Old Kingdom (2750-2150 BC), but today no one knows what it was. It is only known that one shat costs 7.5 grams of gold.

A family

In Ancient Egypt, a traditional family with a large number of children was welcomed. Girls usually got married in their early teens. While examples of love marriage did occur, marriage was primarily a way of mutual help in existence for a man and a woman. The man was considered imperfect until he got married.

The frescoes traditionally depict men as dark from outdoor work and women as pale as they were only housekeeping. Egyptian wives gave birth a lot and often, so they constantly faced the dangers that they faced with childbirth. There was no effective contraception, and midwives could do nothing if something “went wrong” during childbirth.

Infants were breastfed for up to three years. Boys were trained early in blue-collar jobs, and girls were taught childcare, cooking and sewing. It was expected that the eldest son (and if he was not, then the daughter) would take care of his elderly parents, and when the time came, he would bury them with dignity.

Gender equality

Egyptian women did not only do household chores, they could work and own property if they wanted. If in ancient Rome women were not even considered citizens, in Egypt women could live even without a male guardian. They could initiate a divorce and go to court.

Disabled

Local moral scriptures taught respect for those with disabilities. Dwarfs were not seen as disabled and often worked as assistants, overseers, guardians, painters, and entertainers. Among the skeletons of Deir el-Medina (the village of artists in the Valley of the Kings) were found the remains of a young man who was born with an atrophied leg. As the examination of his remains showed, this man was by no means an outcast, but lived well and held a high position. With regard to mental illness, the Egyptians, instead of blaming or blaming such patients, tried to adapt them to society.

Violence

Many works of art from this period have documented scenes from domestic life. And although they look very idealistic and legal equality did take place in ancient Egyptian society, violence against women and children remained a reality. Scientists have become aware of horrific cases. For example, a 2,000-year-old skeleton of a toddler in the Dakhleh oasis had fractures of the back, pelvis, ribs and arms. Some were older than others and their bones healed, a classic sign of long-term physical abuse.

A 4,000-year-old victim has been discovered in the ancient city of Abydos. The woman was about 35 years old when she was fatally wounded in the back. Examination of her bones revealed that the woman had been physically abused all her life. She had old and new fractures, which clearly indicate that the unfortunate woman was repeatedly kicked or beaten in the ribs. Her arms were also injured, possibly from attempts to defend herself. Since her abuser had clearly been with the woman for a very long time, he could be her husband.

Rest and life in Egypt are two big differences. This is when the resort ends and weekdays begin. Everyday life, full of everyday troubles, worries and surprises.
Russian Egyptian Yana will share with the magazine Reconomica experience of immersion in Egyptian realities.

How to save on a flight, where to stay and how to buy housing, about visas, prices and work, transport and medicine, about the local mentality - Yana will tell you in detail and in detail. This is a story about everyday life and everyday issues - this is what interests an ordinary person after relaxing by the pool and contemplating the pyramids. Read the interview - it will be interesting!

Living in Egypt as a Resort: Mission Possible

Hello everyone! My name is Yana Domoradova, I am 33 years old and I live in Egypt, in the city of Sharm El Sheikh.

The reason for my move is my marriage: my husband is an Egyptian. The prospect of moving was pleasing, one moment worried - the city in which we will live. The husband's work allowed not to be attached to a certain place of residence.

I couldn’t imagine life in Cairo even in a nightmare. The choice arose between Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, and we were on the latter. There was only one reason - cleanliness. Egypt is very dirty, and only this city is an exclusively resort.

In Sharm el-Sheikh, mainly tourists and working staff live: there are very few Egyptians, the indigenous population. Sharm often hosts conferences and meetings at the state level, so they diligently monitor cleanliness and safety.

Moving: bride with visa and one suitcase

To live in Egypt legally, I needed a resident visa. First, a bride's visa is issued for 6 months to register a marriage contract. After that, a resident visa is issued for one year, then for 5 years, and only then they offer to obtain citizenship.

More recently, the purchase of real estate is not a reason for obtaining a residence visa. In general, the laws in this country are very loyal.

If you have expired any type of visa, no matter for how long, then upon departure at the airport you need to pay a fine of $ 100. And that's all. You are not in danger of deportation or other sanctions. The cost of a resident visa for a year is within $ 60, for 5 years - about $ 300.

As for the move, we can say this: not difficult, but expensive. We had a lot of suitcases. According to the rules, only one suitcase is allowed per ticket. The rest of the baggage is paid additionally.

If Egypt - then only Sharm el-Sheikh!

We took the tickets for a charter in an agency that sells tickets for charter flights. Conventional travel agencies offer roundtrip tickets. If you find an airline that sells one-way tickets, the price will still be high. Therefore, it is better to contact specialized agencies.

Note: all airlines charge different baggage fees differently.

Some set a fixed amount for a suitcase, some for 1 kg, some have cheaper prices, some more. It happens that there is a discount when booking extra baggage.

Egyptian prose of life

In Sharm El Sheikh, I came across nuances that you do not notice when you come as a tourist. First we rented an apartment. I wanted to live in a house with direct access to the sea and the beach, but this is only possible on the territory of the hotel.

The price for a two-room apartment is about $ 350 per month. By the way, a one-room apartment here is one bedroom and a living room, a two-room apartment has two bedrooms and a living room, three - respectively.

A one-room apartment is enough for a small family.

A villa in Sharm el-Sheikh is good, a compound is cheaper.

If you rent in compounds, the price will be much lower.

It all depends on the compound. In a small one, you can rent a house for $ 120, or for $ 250, if it has a developed infrastructure, a well-equipped territory, there is an additional service.

In any case, these are all residential complexes with swimming pools. To the sea you will need to either walk or drive a little.

There are areas with villas where apartments are rented. I don't really like this option, since all compounds are guarded around the clock. As for the villas, there is practically no security and thefts are frequent.

Despite the safety in the city itself, thefts in apartments are common. If you decide to rent a villa or an apartment in a villa, carefully consider the issue of security.

Housing in Egypt: selection and purchase

After a couple of months, we started buying an apartment. We only considered compounds. Prices depend on the location and arrangement of the territory.

For a two-room apartment, the price ranges from $ 15,000 and above. You can find it for $ 50,000 or more.

The pricing policy is simple: closer to the sea - more expensive, further from the sea - cheaper.

If you want to stay at the resort - live in Sharm El Sheikh!

Apartments in villas are also inexpensive, and most importantly, they are located near the sea. It was important for me that we live in a tidy, well-groomed area, where there are guards, gardeners and other service personnel. But if you consider the villa in its entirety, then this is the best option.

Apartments in villas have their own advantages: for example, a private pool, close access to the beach, with a large terrace and courtyard. The price starts from $ 100,000.

There is also such a moment in Sharm el-Sheikh: real estate bought by a foreigner remains in ownership for a certain amount of time (69-99 years).

Then, probably, you need to reissue the documents. I can’t say for sure, I didn’t recognize it.

Repair in Egypt is a delicate matter

After buying an apartment, problems with repairs began. There are very few good masters here. You cannot leave them alone: \u200b\u200byou need to monitor everything that they do. Even for little things. And be prepared for the fact that you will have to change the master more than once. It is better to search only by recommendations - in order to avoid new costs.

Hotels, villas, compounds - but where to buy furniture?

Furniture is another story. The city is a resort, the competition is small, there is no choice. Therefore, prices bite. There are a couple of good firms, but their prices are high. There are workshops where prices are lower, but the quality and appearance correspond to the price.

I ordered the kitchen from a proven expensive company: the kitchen must be durable. I ordered sleeping beds, wardrobes in the workshops and saved a little. When ordering furniture, you need to stipulate everything that seems obvious to you, otherwise there may be surprises.

Work in Egypt

There are a lot of Russian speakers in Sharm, so you can find employment in any profession.

As for work, it is mainly working in hotels. There are many vacancies, but English is needed everywhere - at least a minimal knowledge of it. And if you know another language, then you can get a job with very high pay.

The famous Old Market in Sharm El Sheikh.

It is easy for our men to find work in the construction industry. As I wrote above, there is a big problem with the masters, and the professionals are in price. Many girls work for themselves: manicurists, hairdressers, beauticians, seamstresses. Services are much more expensive than ours, so you can earn good money. Some even cook Russian cuisine, which is popular with tourists.

Features of the mentality of the Egyptians

The Egyptians themselves do not work for the result. They are not interested in you becoming their regular customer, bringing a steady income. It is important for them here and now to shoot down as many as possible. What will happen tomorrow - they do not think.

Their mentality is not geared towards making money. They have earned today, and tomorrow they may not want to work.

So I tried to find a permanent one. In this city, in this country, it seems to me that it is impossible. Once he delivers it at an adequate price, the next time you call, and he either names a cosmic price, or he just doesn't want to go. And this is the situation in many ways: Egyptians are often highly optional.

Egyptian everyday life: on prices, travel, food and medicine

There are many moments that you will learn when you live in Egypt all the time. If I had read such an article before moving, I would have saved both my nerves and money.

And Sharm El Sheikh at night is beautiful!

At first, I took taxis everywhere. Not knowing the real prices and distances, I paid in full - even tourists are not “bred” like that. Then I switched to minibuses. The difference turned out to be significant.

From one end of the city to the other, a trip by minibus will cost 4 Egyptian pounds, by taxi - 200 pounds.

I learned the city on these minibuses. I began to understand the distance and the real cost of a taxi.

Discount - resident bonus

Absolutely everywhere you need to say that you are a resident (this can be seen from the absence of bracelets on your hands). Hearing this in shops, taxis, cafes, sellers will make a discount. The discount can be symbolic, but to get a real price you need to know the real cost.

I was interested in prices for everything and everywhere. I dropped it to a minimum, and then began to navigate in the real price list. So, for example, fresh mangoes cost 15 pounds in kiosks. In a cafe, you can pay 25-40 pounds for it. In all cafes on the menu with prices for tourists, this fresh is at least 50 pounds.

Say that you live in Sharm - you will be given a 5 pounds discount. But if you insist, you will get his real price at £ 40 maximum. Some establishments have a fixed 20% discount for residents.

The main thing is not to agree to the announced price. Bargain to the last: only in this way you will understand where the final, it is real, price.

I'll return to the minibuses. As a standard, you will be charged at least $ 1 or not given change. Just by saying that you live in this city, you will get a 4-pound fare. But it is possible that the change will have to be reminded more than once.

Making money on a tourist is the international motto of taxi drivers. But you can't make money on a residence.

The first time I paid 5 pounds, and nobody gave me change of 1 pound. I was embarrassed to remind - like not so much. But then she became a witness when the Egyptians made a scandal for half a pound. And then I decided to take my money for myself. So just remind the driver of yourself - don't hesitate.

What is nice is the schedule of minibuses. They run until late at night. Even at 3 o'clock in the morning, you can leave by minibus. There are police posts throughout Sharm El Sheikh, so it is absolutely safe to travel at any time of the day.

About products and prices: how to save

Of course, there are supermarkets with fixed prices. I buy everything there except fruits and vegetables, which are better bought in the markets. There they are fresher and the prices are lower.

Sharm is a tourist city. You need to know where to buy groceries so as not to pay tourist prices. There is a market in the area of \u200b\u200bHadaba and Hainur, in the Old City there are many shops with fruits and vegetables - but prices are unacceptable there. I found only one - "Farana", where there is a good choice and everything is very inexpensive.

In Egypt, it is customary to buy food to go in restaurants, and all have a “Take Away” service. So, for example, no one cooks seafood at home. You order fish, soup and after an hour you just take it with you.

When you are a tourist, you don’t think about where to buy cheaper fish.

The price of the finished dish is the same as for the products: there is no point in cooking at home. And this applies to absolutely any dishes. And while staying in a restaurant, you will have to pay a rather large service tax, which was introduced in Egypt. So it's more profitable to take food from the restaurant with you.

Medical matters: vigilance is the key to health

There are many doctors in Egypt, and so are clinics. With a resident visa, the prices will be the same as for Egyptians. If you have a tourist visa, you will have to look for a private doctor, not a clinic: in the clinic, prices start from $ 100 per appointment.

The state hospital is not popular with our citizens. Doctors are not qualified enough, and salaries do not stimulate good work. There are good specialists in private clinics, but it is still necessary to monitor sterility.

Taking blood tests without gloves is common. You do not need to be ashamed to make a remark - this is your health.

Conclusion. What do I think of Egypt and the Egyptians

Summing up, I will say this: life in Egypt is possible for me only in Sharm El Sheikh. And even here I find it difficult to get used to the careless attitude of the Egyptians to life, health, work, children, the environment.

Throwing garbage outside your apartment is normal. Making an appointment or a visit at 15:00, and arriving at 18:00 is the same: it's still light! Eating an apple you just bought from the store without even rubbing it is as normal as asking for water from your bottle.

Life in Egypt - when the resort ends.

There are many difficult moments for our understanding, but many are also positive. The sea of \u200b\u200bincredible beauty, warm all year round, healthy mild climate. Those who have problems with blood pressure, allergy sufferers - everyone here feels great.

Sharm El Sheikh is considered one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world.

A minimum of cars, no factories and factories - only the sea and mountains. And housing prices are not so high, and some products are even encouraging. So, seasonal fruits and vegetables cost a penny. Mango in the season costs $ 1 per kg. Cucumbers, tomatoes cost about $ 0.50 all year round.

And most importantly, before deciding to move, I strongly advise you to come and live here for two or three months. This is the only way to understand how the local mentality and life in this country suits you. As for me, I managed to live in Egypt and stay at the resort - almost. Therefore, I am glad to move.