Ahmed Najeeb has changed his relationship status with Saudi Arabia to ‘It’s Complicated.’

Living there in peak morality police era against a backdrop of negative stereotypes about Egyptians, it’s no wonder young Najeeb was dying to come back to Egypt. When he did come back, he faced two very different culture shocks: life in Mansoura and life in Cairo.

In this episode, Najeeb reflects on how his parents tried their best to minimize the damage of life in Saudi by befriending like-minded people, switching school systems, and instilling his love for photography. Then, shifting the conversation to his transition to Egypt, Najeeb shares his stunned reactions to street fights, Cairenes’ satisfaction with subpar food, and the mere ability to casually exist outside his home past 11 PM.

Naj shoots people for a living and shares it on Instagram @najpictures.

While you’re there, follow The Foreign Local (@theforeignlocal) for more stories connecting the Egyptian diaspora with everyday life in Om el Donya.