the new pad

Oh I should be shot. I never thought I would feel guilty over not updating my blog.

So here's the deal. I got an apartment. Luli's to be exact. I'm moving into Luli's old place in Dokki, which is literally across the street from my former apartment on Tahrir Street! haha. I can now officially claim to be from Dokki. The rent is approximately the same as my room in the penthouse, albeit this time I get a whole apartment! Finalised everything last week, and on Sunday night I moved all my stuff there. Today is Wednesday, and even though I have unpacked everything, bought groceries, filled my fridge and spice cuboard, I haven't actually stayed the night there yet! I don't have a roomie as yet and I have to admit, am a little scared to be there all alone! (Yes, yes I'm a big baby). Also that I prefer being with my friends, its just so much more fun!

Nevertheless, I am so excited about my new place. Would you believe that this is the very first ever apartment that is MINE MINE MINE? When I had a flat in London, it was sharing with my sis and Bro-in-law — so thats not the same. Other than that I lived in halls. The last apartment in Dokki was sharing with 3 other girls temporarily. This tiny, cosy 2 bedroom place at the moment is all mine. I paid the deposit, I paid the rent, I signed the contract, and I get to make the rules :D It's such a thrill! I cant wait to decorate it all up, and add some color to the walls, and really make it my own.

On Monday night, Kent took me shopping around my neighborhood, and I realised I live on the most amazing street. You can buy anything and everything on my street. From kitchen utensils, to vegetables to pasta to spices to loofahs, I'm all set! I bought a small set of kitchen ware for the first time — I bought my very first KNIFE. And the wierdest purchase, I have to admit, was buying salt and sugar. Like, who the hell buys salt and sugar? Every household always has salt and sugar!

The only bad thing about my flat is that it's on the 6th floor and there's no lift. It's not too bad a climb, good for the thighs, but I have a feeling there will be plenty a time I will be a cursin' — but otherwise, the flat is adorable. I have a HUGE balcony, almost the size of my bloody apartment itself, and I plan to have lots and lots of BBQs. I am going to turn it into a regular boudoir — decked out with shisha, wireless internet and lounge chairs.

Realised something totally awesome on Monday. I bought a whole bag of veges from the street, and it came to like 5 pounds. We then proceeded to cook a really nice vege meal consisting of fried potatoes in south indian-esque coconut curry and rice. It was divine! If you don't buy meat in this country, you can get by on an outrageous budget! And since crashing with friends over the last 3 weeks, I've realised how much I miss cooking at home. Although cooking with friends after you've all returned home from work is a unique pleasure on its own — not the same as cooking daily for one person.