One of my best friends, Ashvin, was recently in the market for a new laptop. I wholeheartedly recommended the Macbook for him – you see, he is going to China and will undoubtedly looking to use the computer for 5 things: music, movies, photos, communicating back home, and porn.
There is not computer on the market today that does all of the above as well as a Mac. I was disheartened to hear that he was leaning towards a Sony Vaio. A PC…really? His rationale? “Shan, for the same price as Macbook, I can get a fully-loaded Sony Vaio with all the trimmings.” Fair argument – but to that – I have one comment…
A Porsche costs $80-100 thousand dollars. Imagine you bought a Honda Civic for $20 thousand and then dropped another $60 thousand into it? On paper the Civic would blow the Porsche’s numbers out of the water (horsepower, GPS, sound system, brakes, etc, etc). BUT, at the end of the day, the Civic will never be a Porsche.
Enjoy the PC buddy!
I don’t mind blatantly promoting the Apple product – after all these guys really have the most superior customer experience in the personal computer industry. What other company allows you access to their ‘geeks’ for free? What other company has welcoming stores that immerse you into the Apple culture. I didn’t get it, until I bought a Mac. I love my laptop – it is the most consistent and reliable piece of electronics that I have ever bought.
Okay enough head to Apple. Let’s talk about something else…
Ramadan in Egypt. It is an experience alright! Even the famous cabbies are friendly during Ramadan. I happened to be in a cab during Iftar (around 630pm, when the Muslims can break their fast with food) – the cabbie reached into his bag and offered me some dates. Dates are traditionally used to break the fast – something sweet in your mouth after a day of not eating. I was touched J.
People stay up till 4-5 am during Ramadan – they eat their last meal around 4am and then go to sleep for a few hours before heading off to work at 9am in the morning. Some are so strict that they do not brush their teeth when they wake up (believe me, I know). But Ramadan in Egypt is a surreal experience…the days seem a little more hotter, a little more Arabic, a little more authentic. For the first time, I feel like I’m in a different culture. Even the stray cats are quieter and more timid. It is a very friendly, good-natured time here. Almost akin to how people become really nice around Christmas.
Looking back at my time in Cairo – I am happy to have come. I’ve met amazing people who have really embraced me into their way of life. I watch movies with some of the people I work with – go to eat with them – smoke sheesha…the Egyptians just welcome you into their fold and you feel at home.
I love the feeling of dust in my shoes when I walk around the city. I love the way the top of my forehead begins to bead with sweat after stepping out into the hot sun. It makes you feel real. It makes you feel human.
I love the way I have to walk around garbage on the street, as the putrid fumes pollute my lungs. Its disgusting – but its evidence that real people live here. In Cairo, you can bump into someone and not flinch – people just go about their business. Try bumping into someone in Toronto…cold stares pierce you for invading personal space.
It’s a good place here. A real place.
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