Familiarity breeds reassurance

As an antidote to feeling like an alien, I decided I needed a dose of British-ness. So the thing to do was to go to Marks and Spencer, obviously! You can't get much more British than that. Prior to moving here I had worked out that there was an M&S somewhere in Cairo, and sure enough, there are actually three according to the M&S Egypt website. I asked my husband (who, henceforth, shall be called A) to get me a driver, and off I went to Cairo Fesitval City Mall. 

Well, I might just as well have been in the Trafford Centre. I could have been anywhere, it was completely anonymous and about as unlike the Cairo I know and love as you could get. As I came out of the car park, there was Starbuck's right in front of me. Failing entirely to change the habits of a long time, I went straight in and bought a coffee. It was the first decent coffee I've had since I got here (I realise 'decent' is an entirely subjective word in this context and one of my close friends will be shrieking in horror now) and I enjoyed it immensely. I also enjoyed the biggest croissant I have ever seen in my life.

I went to find M&S, and wandered round it for ages thinking that it was just like M&S in the UK, although I can't imagine why it wouldn't be. Having done M&S I then found, amongst others, Debenham's, Accessorize, The Body Shop, Claire's Accessories, and Virgin Megastore. There's also a huge IKEA. It all turned out to be extremely important for me, as a reminder that I don't actually like shopping. For me, it's just as life sapping in Cairo Festival City Mall as it is in the Trafford Centre. I had agreed with the driver that he would pick me up in two hours, but after the M&S trip and some boring purchases (sheets), I'd had enough. Still 45 minutes until the driver comes. Now what?

Luckily, I found a Carrefour hypermarket. Well, what an incredible shop. It's got everything, including Cadbury's chocolate and Head and Shoulders shampoo (I don't have dandruff, just healthy, shiny hair...) and Maltezers. Any time I feel like I need something British, this French hypermarket will be just the place to go.

With the exception of Carrefour for maltezers, I can't see me visiting the mall all that much, because, as I mentioned, I don't like shopping. I also don't want to be the kind of expat who completely fails to integrate into the culture and society and only shops in British shops. I have to say though that in these early days, it is strangely reassuring to find shops that I hardly ever went to in the UK. Well, apart from M&S which I did go to now and again. I suppose it's a bit like a security blanket.      

I also know where to go if I need a dose of bland, homogenous Western commercialism.

* Message to Nicky Oliver, my hairdresser - I promise not to use Head and Shoulders.....