In 1998 I went to Egypt as part of a team hired to set up an American curriculum school. The opportunity came suddenly, and I had little time to prepare. I didn’t do any reading or study Arabic phrases… it happened fast.
We were incredibly welcomed by the Egyptians, not only in generosity, but in smiles and warmth. We were treated as special guests by the owners and administrators of the school and the parents. The people part was ideal. It was a wonder to all the teachers (from the US and UK) how spirits of the Egyptians were so high when daily life was frustrating.
I don't think what I have written is out of date. I presume that some of problems below intensified as the poor economy got worse. My guess is that people noticed the wealth of their leaders and realized that one solution was having a more responsive government.
