They call Alexandria “3arous el ba7r” and Alexandrians are dubbed “agda3 nas”, but how does that distinct Alexandria from other Egyptian cities?
Here are 21 things you’d relate to if you’ve been raised in Alexandria:
1. Happiness=Gelaty “Azza”
Ice cream “Azza”, better known as “Gelaty Azza”, was every Alexandrian’s favorite childhood treat.
2. El donia bteshty w harooh l sety, tedeeni 3al2a b 3asaya khadra
We all grew up enjoying playing in the rain, and whenever it rained, we had to sing this song. Don’t judge!
3. Plurality identifies us
Whenever we hear someone saying “Nes7o, nenamo, naklo, neshrabo” away from Alexandria, we just know for a fact that they’re Alexandrian. (However, not all Alexandrians pluralize verbs).
4. Ayouuh!
We grew up hearing “Ayouh ya gada3” more than anything.
5. A7eh
If you hear “A7eh” and you don’t freak out nor consider it as a cursing word, then, you’re a true Alexandrian.
6. It’s “falafel”, not “ta3meya”
It has always been “foul w falafel” msh “foul w ta3meya”.
7. “Masteeka”, not “leban”
Yes, we know it’s supposed to be “mastique” as in French, but we always love to add our touch.
8. “Goma”, not “asteeka”
Again, we call the eraser “goma”, adopted from the French word “gomme”. If you say “asteeka”, we most likely won’t get what you mean.
9. Wel morsi abo el abas
-Tab e7lef keda
-Wel morsi abo el abbas it happened!
10. School trips=Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Citadel of Qaitbay
No matter what school you went to, you must have definitely gone on those two trips.
11. The sandy beach is our second home
Is it the weekend? BEACH TIME!
12. Everyday is seafood day
It’s Alexandrians’ favorite meal since day one!
13. El teram (aka: Tramway) is the best means of transportation
Oh! Wel teram el doren da hekaya! wala el teram cafe!
14. The only metro we know is the supermarket
We just envy Cairoens for their metro subway.
15. The microbus= mashroo3
Yes, we say “Mashroo3”.
16. E2roo el fatha l abo el abas iskenderya ya agd3 nas
We all grew up hearing this song and singing it during any trip.
17. Every kid enjoyed fishing with their dad at a very young age
Yep! We’re in love with the sea.
18. Chocolate? No, I want Fresca
Our favorite treat at the beach!
19. We go to “Sahel”, not “Sokhna”
Sahel is our favorite summer destination, sometimes in winter too.
20. Everything here starts with a “Sidi”
You either live in “Sidi Gaber”, “Sidi Beshr”, or have a chalet at “Sidi Krir”, or “Sidi Abdelrahman”.
21. Cheap shopping? Let’s go to Mansheya
Mansheya always has the answer to everything. Walla zan2et el setat, moshkela!