Just like that, the lights went out

In Hurghada, electricity and everything related to it requires special attention.

First of all, power cuts are quite frequent and unexpected. There are local, district and city-wide blackouts. Duration from several minutes to several hours. When the temperature is less than 30, you can tolerate, but at higher temperatures you begin to boil, as many people have comfort provided by air conditioners. Egyptians themselves are more likely to use fans. However, both are "electric-powered". For those working on "removal", internet blackouts should be considered. The reason for this is the long district and city-wide shutdowns.

Secondly, there is no earthing in Hurghada, so surprises are possible. When electrical appliances malfunction, you can feel them with your body. Egyptians are probably used to this and do not pay much attention to their safety. It is quite common to see lampposts with dangling covers on the streets. Well, and behind them there are wires with voltage.

In - third, the specifics of electricity consumption metering in Hurghada. Progressive tariffication is used: the increase in the cost per square meter per hour from the consumption of electricity. Metering devices are of 2 types: "pozometers" and with pre-payment (as on the photo). In the second option, after the card balance is paid, it is placed in the meter. Funds are debited up to a certain limit, after which the "lights go out".

Be especially careful and control the balance of funds on the card. With the first method of electricity metering you will often get surprises in the form of: lack of charges for the previous month or exorbitantly high bills. The reason is the same - carelessness and slackness of the "meter reader".

Or one of the ways to push for the replacement of meters with prepaid card.