I am looking at a 3 year job in Cairo, married status, and I would take my 13 year old daughter. What is living in Cairo like at present? What about international (preferably British system) schools and houses? Is it generally safe?
I have just had 4 years in India, so I think I can handle anything!

I dont think we have anyone in Cairo. But if you evetually have more specific questions I can try to get answers for you from my Egyptian colleagues. My company is HQ'd in Cairo.

also you might have more luck posting in the Rest of the World - Africa thread

Having worked exclusively with egyptians for the last year

1. If they talk they are lying
2. Whatever they tell you, expect the opposite
3. 1&2 happens on a daily basis


Apart from that Cairo absolutely stinks.....

my honest opinion, based on my experience

Otherwise OK?

Yea I agree - most people don't regard Egypt as "Middle East" (even though that nice Mr President is there as part of his Middle East tour).

The "Maghreb" (whatever that means) is Africa........

The Maghreb does not include Egypt.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and sometimes Libya but never Egypt

Blimey - I've been in the 'region' for about 12 of the last 15 years and never knew that........... what's Egypt then? The Horn of Africa?

North Africa but not Maghreb.

Maghreb is Arabic for "West" (literally, the place where the sun sets - perhaps a reference, then, to Inse's nether regions??? Who knows...).

So historically it meant the Western region of the Fatamid and later Ottoman Empire - basically anywhere from the Atlas Mountains to the Med, and also included most of Spain....

Looks to me as if you worked with government

I can confirm that it is also the same for private sector.