It rained in Cairo yesterday! This is very rare. My class got out early and my professor had these words to say, “Rainy days in Egypt are kind of like snow days everywhere else. Get out of here.”
The best part of this elemental oddity was the way it cleared the pollution out of the sky. It was like in Evil Dead when Bruce Cambell finally burns the book of the dead and the last zombie melts.
it looked like this.
This morning I weaved my way through the Mogamma to renew my visa. It had expired by a month (yeesh!) but instead of a firm telling off, the woman at the desk laughed and laughed and then made me pay 150LE. Consider me chastised!
Also, if you’re keeping abreast of Egyptian politics, this is important: Woman Wins Landmark Sexual Harassment Case. I haven’t had too much trouble in this area yet, but I have certainly heard plenty of stories. The worst I’ve gotten are some unnecessary comments, and what may have been a misplaced hand in the Khan el-Khalili souks.
Cairo is the safest city I’ve ever been in. You might get bamboozled into overpaying for things, but your wallet will stay secure in your back pocket and walking feels safe at any hour. This makes it even more frustrating to get rude comments or gestures. My favorite is when I walk past a man arm-in-arm with a lady and he takes a moment as we pass each other to mutter, “beautiful girl.” It’s like, thank you, but don’t you think there’s a better way to make friends? I’m just glad to learn that Egyptian women are every bit as fiery as they seem. The woman in this case rode on the top of the harasser’s car in order to get some help. What a lady!
In other news, me and Cairo are getting along great, I’m jonesin daily for Obama, and my parents get here in two weeks! How are you?
hi becca,
i came across your blog by chance and wanted to tell you that i really enjoy reading it! i’m a recent college grad living in nyc- but i’m moving to alexandria in a couple of months to try my hand at teaching english and living abroad. i have been getting anxious about my comfort and safety as a solo female traveler, and your blog has definitely helped allay my concerns! so keep up the good work and if you have any tips about egyptian life (things i should definitely bring, look out for, and so on…) please email me at instantnoelle@yahoo.com. i would love to hear them!
noelle
Thanks for the pictures of Cairo after the rain.
Raindays and enjoying them seems like a just reward for the long dry spells.