Life As I See It - From Egypt

Teresa Takes A Field Trip

Admittedly, I feel somewhat ridiculous making this accounting of my time. Alas, events of significance vary from person to person. My event today was DRIVING THE CAR BY MYSELF ON AN EGYPTIAN HIGHWAY! The car, nor I, was damaged in the process. Although it remains difficult for me to believe, I had not driven on a highway for over a month. Imagine the exhilaration! Truly, what a luxurious freedom. I decided to venture forth to a market, or some such establishment, not far from our hotel. From the moment I drove the car off the highway onto the bumpy, unpaved, crater-ridden lot, all eyes were upon me. Not only was I an uncovered woman in Western dress but, I was driving in a remote area, on the highway and by myself. The scrutiny was overwhelming! Everyone watched me roll and bump through the parking area. Their eyes surveyed my parking abilities and were riveted upon me I walked toward the shopping area. A group of men huddled around a table drinking hot tea from glass cups. They appeared uneasy that I was entering their “domain.” Briefly I pondered whether any of them would dare wait on me. Finally, one of the gentlemen arose. I asked for a Coca-Cola Light and potato chips – two things I recognized without study. I paid my 7LE and then endured the whole gazing routine in reverse. I was sweating by the time I got back to my car! Driving out of the lot felt like an escape. As I continued my drive, every man (you never see women walking about on the highway in the more remote areas) looked, recognized me as a FEMALE driving alone and did a full swivel to stare at the back of the car. If I were 30 years younger I likely would have been flattered and thought they were impressed by what they saw. At my age, only the factor of my apparent boldness was eliciting this overdone response. After this experience I was more than ready to return to Cairo. There is not a perfect equilibrium between the sexes in the city, but it’s a lot more balanced than what I had just lived through!

posted by Teresa @ 8:32 AM