178 CultureShock! Egypt
only places in central Cairo that are reasonably quiet are
some of the interior rooms in the large five-star hotels. Even
then, traffic noise may filter through the walls.
What kinds of sounds can you expect? Well, I have already
alluded to the traffic sounds—horns, cars, trucks, donkey
carts. Even without these urban noises, Egypt is alive with
sound. Beginning before sunrise, there are the calls to prayer
that echo from the minarets of mosques all over the country
five times a day. The first time the 4:30 am call to prayer
startles you from a sound sleep, you may shake your head
trying to figure out what is happening. After a few days, the
calls to prayer promote a peaceful and stabilising feeling,
letting you know that all is right in the world.
Another aspect of Egyptian culture is the seeming need
to have music all the time. Every shop and café, especially
in the tourist areas, has music playing constantly. And it is
loud! At first, Egyptian music sounds sharp to the Western
ear because it is a quarter tone out from Western music.
Eventually Egyptian music weaves its magic of romance,
often soulfully singing of unrequited love. Lively belly dancing
songs incite movement in the most sedate guests.
The noises of Egypt may be disruptive for the first couple
of weeks but in no time, it will feel normal. After you
have been there for a while, you will only notice when the
sounds are out of the ordinary. At this point, silence may
become deafening.Colours of Egypt
Egypt is a country of stark colour contrasts. It is almost
inconceivable—until you have seen it—to visualise the drastic
contrast between the desert and the ‘green’. The ‘green’
refers to the areas irrigated from the Nile throughout the
country. Green areas tend to be a mile wide or less along
either side of the river. Literally, where the irrigation stops,
the desert begins. The ‘green’ is often very tropically lush
with much shade and waving palms. The desert is stark with
few immediately visible lifeforms.
Except for small areas along the Nile and parks, Cairo is
a palette in monochrome. Buildings made of native stone or