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Published: December 24th 2012
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Jeremy left me safely planted at the entrance of the Cairo Museum in Tahrir Square.
"I'm going to drop the camera off and I'll be back in ten minutes," he informed me. "Do NOT wander off, got it?"
I sat obediently on the wooden bench watching the influx of locals streaming into the museum getting their bags x-rayed by security guards.
One guard turned to me. "Miss, are you alone?" he asked.
"Oh, no. I'm waiting on my husband. He'll be back in a few minutes," I said.
"So do you like Cairo?" he asked.
Good! Somebody to talk to! Things had seemingly calmed down in Egypt while we were there in September. The Tahrir Square I'd seen on CNN in 2011 with burning cars, flame engulfed buildings and rioters with bleeding and bludgeoned faces was now back to business as usual. You could certainly see the scorched remnants but no one seemed to pay it much attention.
"Yeah, I like Cairo so far," I told him. "Hey, where were you when all the rioting was happening here? Were you scared?" I asked. I was getting excited at the idea of getting an insiders
point of view on recent events here.
"It's ok here," he said shrugging off my question then added, "You have really beautiful eyes. I could get lost in those eyes."
I laughed nervously. "Well, I guess that new mascara I'm wearing is working," I replied. "Anyway, are you concerned with what could happen to the government?"
"I don't worry about those things," was his answer. "Your hair is just lovely," he added.
"Yeah right," I said, "you're only saying that because you can actually
see it. Anyway, what do you think a more democratic Egypt would be like?"
"Your husband is so lucky," was his response.
"Ha!" I laughed out loud. "I don't think that's the word I'd use."
Jeremy returned at that point. "So I see you found somebody to talk to without even wandering off. What did you guys talk about?"
My reply? "Absolutely nothing."
As women travelers, we have a different experience than men do in places like this. We know how important modesty is to the culture so we take appropriate measures. As much as we try to not draw attention to ourselves it still seems as
though there's a glaring beacon shining over our heads.
The thing I found unique about Egypt is how overly flattering the men were. Their romantic overtures were reminiscent of the renaissance era.
By the second day in Cairo I had gotten used to all the unusual remarks. "Miss, come look in my shop! I have the perfect scarf to compliment your beautiful eyes."
"I'm sure you do, but I just don't need another scarf," I'd say as I kept walking.
"Miss! Don't leave! I love you! I'll wait here forever for you!"
Talk about some unusual customer service.
"Ok, well, you wait and maybe I'll come back," I'd say with a grin.
By the time I left town I'd stopped asking people their feelings on the revolution and found myself walking into shops and greeting the clerk with, "Hi, my name's Andrea. I have beautiful eyes. I know you love me and you'll wait forever. Now what's your best price for your papyrus bookmarks?"
They'd stand there stunned. Speechless. I would let them endure the awkward silence for a few seconds before busting out laughing. They'd look relieved and then laugh with
me.
Cairo has its fair share of bullies in the market place but for the most part wandering the streets and alleys was a pure delight. People with open arms and big smiles abounded.
There's always that section in travel guides written specifically to warn us women of the precautions we should take and areas to avoid. On the other hand, being female also makes us more approachable and people feel comfortable letting us photograph their children or engage in friendly conversation.
Egypt was no exception to this.
For that reason, I may go back.
And, no, they won't have to wait forever.
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liliram
liliram
What an enjoyable read!
Been to Egypt but it's been years! Everything you said rings true. Overly flattering. Yeah. I have a friend whose Asian features drew much attention and awe. She nearly cried out of al the attention she felt she didn't need(she only wanted to shop!).