(screech) Mr. Adam (screech)

Little men, cruising through the heavy Cairo traffic on their mopeds.  No, this isn’t an unfamiliar scene to anyone who has been in Europe, or even some congested American cities.  What is unique is what they have on the back of their moped.  No, not a family of five (although you can catch that on a regular moped), but a metal box with an advertisement attached, displaying a five-digit number to, what else, but McDonald’s.  Or Pizza Hut.  Or Euro Deli.  Or Fuddruckers. 

One aspect of Western culture that is evident all over Cairo is the advent of the food delivery service.  Western food in particular is a sign of social status and in a place where a Radio Shak can employ ten people at any given time or a sports restaurant can support two dozen employees, restaurants galore offer delivery service all over Cairo.  For a small fee (less than $1 usually) or no fee at all, most establishments offer quick delivery to your door, regardless of how far away you live. 

One website, however, that I didn’t learn about until about a month ago, was otlob.com.  Check it out if you like.  It is the ultimate food delivery website in Cairo.  You pick your neighborhood, it comes up with several dozen restaurants that deliver to your area, and you pick from thousands of items on the menu.  Since a delivery surcharge is usually added, a tip is not required.  Thus far, I have ordered Little Caesars Pizza, Fuddruckers, Hardees and Euro Deli (two of which are within three blocks of where I live), but I still don’t feel like getting out of my pajama pants and walking.   

But clearly the best part is when the delivery boys arrive at the dorms.  They tell the person at the front desk who ordered and the attendant shouts into the microphone (which echoes around the entire first floor common area): (screech) “Mr. Adam” (screech).