Jordan and I are enjoying our time in Egypt. It is a beautiful city full of history and interesting people. I love that it is so different from anywhere I have been. Sometimes it reminds me of a mix of Peru and China, but much more international and 22 million people more than the cities I have been to in other countries. There are more people that speak English here (except for the Taxi drivers)
The first thing an American woman will notice when traveling in Cairo is that the dress code for women is fairly strict and international women really do need to be careful how they dress. The women wear skirts down to their ankles or pants and they wear long sleeve shirts even in the hottest times of the year. I felt akward just wearing a fitted t-shirt that would be considered modest in the states. I immediately went shopping for scarves to use to cover my arms and my neck. The women cover their heads, but it is understood that I wouldn't because foreigners in Egypt just don't cover their heads. It would actually be offensive if I did because then I would be expected to follow their customs of praying during the call to prayer.
Let me just say, the call to prayer is beautiful to hear, but at 4:30am it is no fun to wake up to arabic singing through the loudest speakers EVER!
I am taking advantage of being a tourist. I have plans to take a cruise on the nile, visit the pyramids and muesums, and take pictures in the tower in Garden City. There is a lot to do here and a suprisingly vast amount of modern restaurants and cafes. Jordan and I enjoy Maadi because of it's international feel and comforts. It has some amazing restaurants, shops, spas, and neighborhoods. We drove by the ambassador of Mexico's villa in Maadi. It is the only suburb in Cairo that has trees.
I will update and post pics soon. Ma-salaama!
The first thing an American woman will notice when traveling in Cairo is that the dress code for women is fairly strict and international women really do need to be careful how they dress. The women wear skirts down to their ankles or pants and they wear long sleeve shirts even in the hottest times of the year. I felt akward just wearing a fitted t-shirt that would be considered modest in the states. I immediately went shopping for scarves to use to cover my arms and my neck. The women cover their heads, but it is understood that I wouldn't because foreigners in Egypt just don't cover their heads. It would actually be offensive if I did because then I would be expected to follow their customs of praying during the call to prayer.
Let me just say, the call to prayer is beautiful to hear, but at 4:30am it is no fun to wake up to arabic singing through the loudest speakers EVER!
I am taking advantage of being a tourist. I have plans to take a cruise on the nile, visit the pyramids and muesums, and take pictures in the tower in Garden City. There is a lot to do here and a suprisingly vast amount of modern restaurants and cafes. Jordan and I enjoy Maadi because of it's international feel and comforts. It has some amazing restaurants, shops, spas, and neighborhoods. We drove by the ambassador of Mexico's villa in Maadi. It is the only suburb in Cairo that has trees.
I will update and post pics soon. Ma-salaama!
