An Irish Goodbye: 'You'd be surprised how often you visit the pyramids when you actually live here'

"I first visited Cairo in September 2023 for a friend's birthday and, almost immediately I had the feeling 'I need to live here'. There was something about the city's energy that felt both electric and grounding at the same time. It awakened a sense of calm curiosity in me, the kind of feeling that makes you want to stay and keep discovering."

"I've only experienced that sensation twice before, in Edinburgh and in New York, and both times I eventually moved there."

Caoilfhionn Rose, a creative director originally from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, moved to Cairo in 2024. During a visit in September 2023 for a friend's birthday, Rose experienced an immediate and powerful connection to the city. The energy of Cairo felt simultaneously electric and grounding, creating a sense of calm curiosity that prompted the decision to relocate. Rose identifies this sensation as a significant indicator of belonging, having previously experienced similar feelings in Edinburgh and New York—both cities where Rose eventually moved.

Read at Independent