Gender Issues! Shopping! Nile!

So pictures will be uploaded soon! We have had some interesting interactions regarding gender;

For example: I am adjusting to looking past people, like looking through them rather than drawing attention to myself- its perceived the wrong way to make eye contact with men, it is both confining and empowering - it helps one practice self control and modesty- which is a very valuable skill- I see my power as a woman in a new way- its interesting to work through-



2. Tonight we went to a market- loved the merchants calling out to us- my favorite line tonight was "You have an egyptian woman, so all of this is for free" He called me egyptian (I am the only one in my group with that skin tone of course) so it was an honor, but also hillarious that they mistake me for being sudanese or arab - another line said trying to get us to buy things was "How can I take your money from you- they are great salesmen no joke-

I liked how crowded it was because I could look at more people's faces-

I looked at spices smelled saffron, cardamon, lemon, jasmine, mint teas- the lights and lanterns were hanging throughout the bazaar crowds of people come out at night because it is Ramadan so they fast during the day. Egypt is my kind of town because of the night life. It is like their Christmas season.

3. Tonight we played tourist- some smoked shishassh (hookah) and had a boat cruise down the nile river with egyptian music, pink neon lights, amazing sandwiches and good conversation. moses went down this nile.

4. I am more accustomed to crossing the crazy frogger steets after our scavenger hunt today to get our barrings on the neighborhood
I am more comfortable and used to seeing people with head scarves= while it is modesty, it is also cultural, and fashionable, I could see why they are liked- they are beautiful.

I love it- though I am nervous for academics lol - never enough free time to write in depth- will share more later- forgive my spelling errors....