Semana Santa in... Egypt?

I know, I know. Semana Santa was how long ago? Well my post about it turned into a book so I  decided to scrap it and highlight some snippets of the strange and wonderful about my trip in Egypt.

Sarah, Kelly, and I showing some UVA love at the pyramids

First things first; Cairo is dirty. There’s no getting around it. Being so lucky to be built right to a desert, dust covers everything. When we first drove in, I thought that all the buildings were just painted brown or made from brown materials. NOPE. I realized I was mistaken when I eventually saw some rare streaks of blue and orange paint peaking through its top coat layers of dust. Also it’s dirty in the sense that trash pick-up doesn't seem to be a priority, so there’s liter in the street. However sanitation wasn't a huge culture shock considering I live in a country where dogs freely defecate in streets without any pick up. And of course, I never step into puddles.

Ladies only optional metro car

Traffic is CRAY. So there’s all this cheap public transportation, from taxis, to metros, and microbuses. The metro actually has segregated cars on the metro just for women, which was surprising reassuring to only be with women. Microbuses are exactly that: Mini tiny buses that fit 8 people but manage to fit into back alleys and tight spots. But real kickers are pedestrians. Crosswalks are practically non-existent because when travelling by foot you walked straight into 4 LANES OF MOVING TRAFFIC to cross to the other side. Seriously it’s just NBD, you don’t run and you don’t hesitate. It’s kind of amazing how nonchalant and fluid pedestrians can become walking amidst the cars.  However the microbuses will take you down, so we had to watch out for those.

Cat-calling/male attention: I dressed conservatively (long sleeves in high 80s) to respect the culture and admittedly to avoid attention. However even if I had worn a burqa, as long as I didn't have a man escorting me, I was fair game. (Interestingly enough a reporter dressed up as woman for an experiment in street harassment.) In Spain we have piropos but they are nowhere near the extent of Egypt. Thankfully for me I didn't understand most of what was being called out, but I did get called sugar and brown eyes. I didn't feel threatened and most of it rolled off my back, but I can completely understand how oppressive all the unwanted and unasked attention could surmount to be.

These girls asked to take pictures with us at the citadel.
They were hilarious. 

4.Vendors. Due to the revolution, political unrest, and overall media image of Egypt, tourists seem to have chosen to vacation elsewhere. Therefore as a tourist it felt like I had a big 'ol sign over my head that said, “Please Harass Me. When I say 'No,' I’m just playing hard to get.” False.  I realize that I am a probable source of income when I’m walking through the market, but the more someone tries to coerce me the more I just want to leave.  Funny thing about the 

Khan el-Khalili (one of the major markets) is almost everything that was being sold there I could get in Moorish markets behind Plaza Bibramblas in Granada.

Camel Market

Anyways despite these little blurbs, I had a fantastic time. For me my trip was less about being a tourist and more about spending time with my friends. I hadn't seen most of them since graduation last May and it was so good to see familiar faces. However because of their schedules I didn't get to hang out with the seven of them all together too much, but I did spend get lots of one-on-one quality time aka my love language. Kelly and Sarah did an amazing job of showing me around and letting me experience their life with them. Going to see them was such a good decision. I felt completely refreshed and encouraged coming back to Spain, even if it only took a day for my kids to start driving me crazy again.