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Visiting the Mosque
The best adventure thus far was going to this mosque called Ibn Tulun (the only mosque I've been inside of) and climbing up this spiral tower to see a good part of the city at sunset. That was more exciting than seeing the pyramids…mostly because most people don't know about it (even some Egyptians).
Working at the Orphanage
I work at an orphanage teaching English to children with special needs, and it is totally rewarding. I'll be sad to leave them!
Gender Roles
It surprised me to learn how Egyptians greet one another. A man and a man will hug and kiss each other on the cheek and a woman and a woman will hug and kiss each other on the cheek, but it is not accepted for a man and a woman to hug and kiss each other on the cheek. Most of the population is Muslim, but women have the choice of covering their hair or face. My host mother explained that women are like diamonds and so they are not for just anyone to see, only for the man that deserves her (aka: her husband).
The Streets of Cairo
Crossing the street is just like playing Frogger -I am not exaggerating. There is this subtle game that people crossing the street play with drivers. They look into a driver's eyes to know whether or not he/she will stop the car or will not. You can buy nearly anything on the street. People will try to sell you tupperware, tissues, bread, etc. while you are sitting in your car! There are fruit stands, bread stands, and little stores on the sides of the road.Other Surprises
Communication
Indirect communication is hard to get used to. Communicating in Arabic makes things easier, but still doesn't always drive home the point. I've learned that after awhile, people will get used to you and will give up on always trying to give you things. For example, my host mother no longer puts 5 plates of food in front of me and expects me to eat it all.
Guys on the street constantly use catcalls to get the attention of women. I've been talked to, whistled at, yelled at, hissed at, etc. It happens every single day. It's a huge part of their culture, but not all Egyptian men act this way. Egyptian women have to deal with this whether they wear a veil or not. Because I'm an American, I seem to attract attention no matter what I'm wearing. I just deal with it by ignoring it. Sometimes people have tried to be nice by telling me "Welcome to Egypt!" but I ignored them because I am just so used to ignoring people. Oops!
Hard Workers
Be Open-Minded
They key to a successful program is to try to keep a good mindset at all times and work hard to learn the language.
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Beautiful story and well written. I have never visited Egypt...but just in case I do, your story has enlightened me about the Egyptians culture and has prepared me for the scenarios mentioned... And I would love to visit this country.
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