Walk Like An Eygptian...

Me and my Erasmus friends.

I went to Cairo last month to visit some friends from Erasmus, to see how they live and to have a holiday of course. It was an experience I can tell you! The first culture shock was before I even landed in Egypt, it was in Heathrow airport. I was in terminal 3 and this is where all the Far East and African flights depart from. I felt like the only white person in the airport. The staff and the other travelers were all foreign or of foreign origin. I could not believe it. There were people walking around in completely different clothes covered from top to toe, something I would not see often in Ireland. One thing I noticed was the huge amount of baggage they all carried as well it looked like they were bringing everything they owned abroad. Anyway I went through security and I was not the only white girl anymore.

When I arrived at Cairo airport I forgot I was not in Europe anymore and tried to walk through departures without a visa, luckily I was stopped or I may have been in some major trouble trying to get home! I was collected by my friends and now the next culture shock was about to begin. There are no rules of the road in Cairo. It was Midnight there and the roads were covered in cars, mini buses, vans and taxis bumper to bumper traffic with every car trying to get past the other. We eventually got to a road with less cars and it was 'get down the road as fast as you can!' as far as I could tell. I was hanging onto the seat for dear life- this seemed normal to my friends. It is very corrupt there, bribes are accepted for everything. The police do not enforce any laws even drink driving. It even seems acceptable to the people as they are so laid back when it comes to things outside of their religion. Islam sets the law.

Check out the crazy traffic in Cairo.

Speaking of religion the call to prayer is also spoken across the country 5 times a day but I did not see anyone actually praying while I was there. But they do follow their beliefs strictly and even the way you act in public has to be appropriate. This applied to me even though I was foreign it was clear I would go by their rules.

At night time the streets of Cairo are still busy but there is not a woman to be seen. There are thousands and thousands of men sitting outside cafes smoking Shisha and drinking Egyptian tea. This is like some sort of ritual they do everyday. Women do not go out after 11 p.m as it is dangerous and also seen as disrespectful to their families and to God. It seems discriminating to me but this is their culture I suppose. I stayed with my friends at all times at night because it would be dangerous for me being a foreigner there.

I discovered within the first few days that I had brought entirely the wrong wardrobe and could not wear most of my clothes as they were too revealing compared to the Muslim women who wear something called a Hegab. These cover every part of their body except their eyes. Initially it is quite scary looking but I was used to seeing women like this by the end of my trip. It was 40 degrees and I had to cover most of my body- not what an Irish person is used to in hot weather that is for sure! Another thing that surprised me was that the people looked so old fashioned and traditional but used the latest technology. Women would be dressed in a Hegab but have an iPhone 4 in their hand or a Blackberry.

Obviously I'm taller than the Pyramids! 

Egyptians all shout at each other (in Arabic) and speak to everyone this way. It seemed really rude to me but this is their way. It frightened me sometimes when they would do that because I thought they were getting into a fight and a few minutes later they would be laughing?! Strange. They also talk to anyone and make friends with someone nearly everywhere they go. They are by far the friendliest people I have ever met (even though it is said Irish people are the friendliest you will ever meet). The streets are crowded and filthy with cats running around everywhere and there are huge sky scrapers all over the city. It is not beautiful in the city but I saw a lot of beautiful places there including the famous Pyramids, completely breath taking you must see it to believe it!

Egypt was strange but the most amazing place I have ever seen. I would not go there without knowing some Egyptian people. Although they are extremely friendly they will rip you off in every way possible!