I have lived in Egypt just about three months. Before coming to Egypt I was advised against doing so. "The military is everywhere..." "It is in a state of chaos" "People will steal from you" "You will be raped or sexually assaulted in the street."
That's a lot of scary thing to think about before traveling to a place you've never been to before, especially for a small town Wisconsin girl who has only left the country once-for a week... To go camping in Southern Ontario.... When I was 10 years old.
Many American women living in Egypt were afraid to leave their homes, complaining about the living conditions, and quite frankly trying to prevent me from coming.
When I landed in Cairo and began the three hour drive to Port Fouad on November 28th I was in a state of shock. Yes, there were military check points-and I was scared out of my mind. Getting into Port Said traffic was chaotic. It was a completely different world. Or was it?
I personally have never felt myself above anyone else in this world just because I am American. Americans are not superior to anyone in my opinion. You know what, forget all the cutsie my opinion crap. They're just not.
Since being in Egypt it has dawned on me how many people actually do, though. Maybe they don't even realize it. They feel they have so many freedoms, rights, and America is so great. With the exception of Europe and Japan, the rest of the world is considered developing and behind America in everything.
Open your eyes people.
Egypt is not bad. Not dangerous. Plain and simple.
Yes there are riots. But these riots are not a danger to the general public, or tourists. If you're not Egyptian military or police-you are safe. There are occasional other 'incidents'. Bombings. But considering the population of Egypt, the risk of anything affecting you is quite slim. Similar to being involved in a school or mall shooting in America. Slim to no chance.
I walk in the street alone, almost every day. All the way across Port Fouad. No one has EVER bothered me. Not once. I have rode the metro (subway) in Cairo. I have taken a bus from Port Fouad to Cairo. I have been to Tahrir Square. I have never been insulted, assulted, or raped.
I'm not sure if the people offering this advice are just women who never go out alone, or if their Egyptian husbands are just trying to keep them afraid so they return to the states faster... Which ever the case. It needs to stop.
And furthermore, as for rapes and assaults. Egyptians are nosy people. If someone were to even bother you, you show resistance or shout... You will have dozens of people there trying to help. And if a man touches you.... He's better going to jail than to face the public. Let's leave it at that. Rapes are actually rare because of this. If you lay a hand on a woman and the public gets to you before the police... Well, you'll be dead.
Oh and women's rights. "Women in Egypt are treated poorly." "Don't have the right to education, can't work, are forced to wear hijab and abaya......"
GIVE ME A BREAK!
This is so false. Women work. All over. Women go to college. And there are quite a few hijabless women wearing tight clothing. Women here are no different than anywhere else in the world, with one exception... They're treated better. They're wives, sisters, mothers, future mothers... They are treated with a kind of respect because of this.
"Religious freedom is not allowed in Egypt." This is also not true. There are plenty Christians and Christian churches. No one bothers them, they bother no one. They are people, Egyptians all the same.
Finally, as for the military presence. If you live in a country where people hate your police, outnumber your police 10,000 +/1, and are confined to tight living conditions in limited cities... You would need someone to do policing. The military is just that. Doing the job of the police.
I'll tell you a story. Wael and I were sitting at the Port Fouad beach after dark. Relaxing and talking. We do this a lot. Gives us some time alone. All of a sudden a man knocked on my passenger window. Honestly, I screamed. I didn't know who it was. A smuggler? A bum? Some weirdo? Wael yelled at and insulted the man-who then very quickly identified himself. Military. We turned over our identification and after we checked out the men left.
A woman I used to talk to from the US said I should have reported them to the Embassy, which is funny. Mainly funny because after the encounter the bases commander came and apologized and asked for me not to call my President Obama.
Calling my government didn't even cross my mind. Why? Because they just wanted to know what we were doing. People often go sit at the beach in the dark to smoke hash and commit adultery. Both illegal. They were just doing their job. They didn't know I was American. Am I better than the Egyptians this happens to on a daily basis? Hell no!
Egypt is not dangerous. There is no reason to be concerned. If you feel differently and keep away because of what someone tells you-or keep yourself locked in your flat... Well, you're really missing out on a beautiful country, wonderful people, and happiness.
