My first big trip after I was divorced was to Egypt. My whole life I wanted to travel more, so I jumped right in with two feet! You may ask “why Egypt?” – I say, “Why not!” It had everything and going to see such a different culture would be a great experience. I knew if I could do that trip I was good almost anywhere. So before I left I started researching on what I should expect on the trip.
I read and heard a lot about traveling in Egypt as a woman. Most sites recommended having long pants or skirts, longer sleeve shirts and something with you to cover your hair if needed. I didn’t want to stand out and wanted to respect their culture, so I packed about everything but the kitchen sink.
Almost right away I realized things were a little different than back home. After arriving at the airport, we were in the van driving to the hotel (which took a couple of hours with the crazy traffic). I was looking out the window of the van at Cairo, it was truly amazing and nothing like I had ever seen before. As I was being a total tourist, wide-eyed looking at everything, I notice the cars going by had lots of men looking my way. Even being 43 at the time, they all were smiling and waving at me – I laughed to myself thinking, ”It’s not like I am 22”. But being the friendly person I am, of course, I smiled and waved back. At one point while stuck in traffic my friend, Travis, asked if I saw the guys in the car next to us staring at me. I did and after a bit closed the curtains in the van as it started to feel a bit odd.
Never the less, we started on our journey. Most of the time I was there I had crop pants on and a T-shirt and felt very comfortable walking around. There where times I wish I had listened and had something to cover my hair. I felt it the most walking through the markets. I learned quickly that girls are a big hit at them, especially if you look a little different, have your hair showing (lighter especially) or don’t have long sleeves on. Just being myself it was hard for me not to look them in the eye, smile back and engage in conversation. Well that just got me more attention. When men came up to touch my hair I realized I wasn’t in Kansas anymore (or Colorado – lol). At one point my friend and our tour guide had to put me between them just to try and get less attention on me. Maybe to some that would be great – all the men wanting to come up to you, touch you, talk to you – but after a while I wanted to be left alone.
I loved Egypt and the people are very friendly – some more than others. As a woman, especially if you have lighter hair, I would highly recommend bringing a scarf with you, so if you get more attention than you want, you can cover up. I would also wear at least crop pants or skirts covering your knees and have a longer sleeve shirt with you in case you want it. I’m used to making eye contact and smiling, but that definitely gets men’s attention and they will come right over to you. If you like that– great! If not, I recommend having sunglasses with you even at night. That way no one can see you looking right at them, especially if you are like me and feel rude if you don’t look people in the eye and smile.
With these little tips you will have an amazing time in Egypt. To date it is one of my favorite trips and I would go back again if had the opportunity! Just with a little less of me showing 😊
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Great article! I’ve had similar experiences in other counties and it’s fun and flattering at first but quickly changed into annoying and sometimes scary. I wish I’d thought to bring something to cover up my hair; as that was the source of most of the attention. I’ll never travel without at least a baseball cap again!
Thank you so much for the comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I totally agree, I’ll always have a hat with me when I travel. Happy traveling!
Sounds like an amazing trip! I hope to visit Egypt someday. I have heard so many different things about it. I will definitely remember to bring something to cover my hair if go. I think all of the attention would make me feel uncomfortable after awhile.
Thank you so much for the comment! It was an incredible trip and I’d recommend it to anyone who wanted to go! I saw so many amazing things, the people were wonderful and the food was fantastic!
Travelling as a man it’s easy to forget my privileges and how there are so many things I don’t have to think about. It is really interesting (and a little humbling!) to read about your experiences. My wife and I have travelled in parts of North Africa together and she encountered a lot of the same issues.
Great article! 🙂
Hi Alex, thank you so much for the comment! So glad you liked the article. Loved your comments. Happy traveling!
Great tips, I found a similar thing in Turkey and Iran due to my very blonde hair. I even had a man hold his children up to touch my hair. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for the Comment. I’ve had several friends going to the region ask about it. Happy traveling!
I totally understand your situation.Being a woman,it is bit uneasy wandering alone in some places. Sometimes it gets scary too. I an glad you bring back good memories with you from your trip.
Thank you for the comment. Absolutely. I think of you are aware ahead then you know what to do and can have a great time. I did love it there and would go again.
I have experienced the same thing in Morocco and all over Tanzania. You get used to it, but I always have a thin scarf with me when I travel. (Also comes in useful in European churches too!)
Great piece! I must admit I never had trouble before travelling as a single woman, but of course it depends a lot on where you are going. I really appreciate your advices,they are very useful and I am sure I’ll get to use them sometime in this lifetime 😊😊
This sounds like a lifetime experience 🙂 We always wanted to go to Egypt and have it on our bucket list as a priority so thanks for lightening even more our flame, we have to make it there!
Sending good vibes only,
xx
Patricia & Miguel
https://freeoversea.com/blog/our-first-workaway-experience
Hi
It was absolutely a amazing trip. And definitely if you can go, jump on it. 😊
I hope to make it to Egypt some day and the experience you’ve shared makes me feel like I’m better prepared for the experience. So happy you decided go on this adventure for yourself and that it all turned out to be a fabulous experience!
Hey! Yup, this is what it’s like in Egypt. I was in a touristy Hurgada and each evening when I walked the streets with my husband, I got loads of smiles and comments, and my husband also got comments for his wife 😊 And everyday the same… First it was uncomfortable, then it became annoying…
You might just experience the same thing in India. I have light haired friends here from other countries who have similar stories to say. But what matters most is you successfully managed this trip alone. Very inspiring.