A white dress

I go to Arabic class with Tom approximately twice every week. What is good that we not only learn the language here but also a lot about the culture. Whenever we have some questions, concerns about Egypt, our teacher Amir is happy to explain his point of view. He is one of the most deeply devoted Muslims I have constant contact and conversations with so these moments are always very enlightening.

He is very surprised when I and Tom get excited about loud protests that take place on the street during our Arabic class. The protests here are normal incidents but for us it’s harder to concentrate on the class when a group of highly energetic people are actively repeating some demand on the street and the riot police are trying to get them in one corner and arrest the activists. Those demonstrations here are a nice background for the classes. By the way based on my previous Estonian experience protest there is a group of old people standing in front of the parliament house with some stands and posters requiring higher pension.

Another incident worth to mention took place yesterday in our last class this year. We were wishing Happy Holidays and other nice stuff when he came up with a warmest and most kind wish ever. “I wish you were married by that time next year,” he said.

Wow! What a shock! Nobody has ever wished me something like this. Simply marriage is something I don’t relate myself to on this period of time. The teacher was very surprised about my unexpected reaction because most Egyptian girls by the age of 23 are dreaming about getting married soon or are already married. He was still suspicious if I am a healthy normal person after I explained him that calming and settling down is not something I am looking forward to now. I believe there will always be a huge barrier between us called Cultural Difference and neither of us is willing to give it up.

Going home for Christmas

Probably the most intense and confusing 8 days. I am preparing for a culture shock and hereby would like to share very superficially my mental and physical state with fellow Estonians who might have contact with me during these days. Just for you to understand me better. Believe me, I am doing my best not to piss you off.

Traffic. My driving style is more aggressive then before. Only stronger and braver ones in Cairo survive and I have adapted some of these characteristics. Also you might find my street-crossing style suicidal. So please while sitting in my car please fasten your seatbelt; while crossing the street with me please hold me back.

Language. I have adapted some random Arabic slang and swearwords and I am not afraid to use them. I might be loud, protective, verbally attack people and fight for my rights. I don’t mean harm by any means.

Behavior. Coming from a country where miniskirt, blond hair, public pornography (making out on the street for example) are almost taboo I will for sure stare mentioned people and situations and maybe comment on them. I do my best not to have “But in Egypt we…” in every other sentence. I also try to change my stare-of-death look to a friendly smile as much as I can.

Can’t wait to go home!

Survivor

I had a memorable weekend.
Two of the main reasons among others:

1. I survived breathing under water

Egypt is partly surrounded by Red Sea. Red Sea is the paradise for divers. Every Egyptian dives. I am living in Egypt which makes me almost an Egyptian. Logical conclusion is to learn diving. So I went to check out what is under the water that attracts thousands of people around the world to spend money on this expensive hobby. It was amazing and I think I got addicted because I will take the course in near future and learn more about it.

2. I survived a car accident

On the way back from Sharm to Cairo. Saturday early morning 1.30 a.m. Speed around 100 km/h. A sharp curve in the desert. Our car is for some reason not on the right line anymore and we are facing another car that is coming to our direction on full speed. To avoid the crash and sure death the steering wheel is rapidly pulled right by the person sitting next to driver. Loud noise of breaks, our car flips and lands on its wheels again. The longest seconds of my life. Luckily no one of us got hurt. 6 a.m. after hours at site and in the police station we are sleeping in the hotel still in a bit of shock and evaluating what happened. The scary facts speak for themselves: Our car landed on soft sand, the other side of the road is cliff and rocks; my side of the car is more crashed, luckily I laid down couple of minutes before the accident, otherwise…

belly and dancing

Finally I managed to get my Egyptian visa! I have only been illegal for couple of weeks. It seems that Egypt is not yet done with me either because it wants me to learn bellydancing.

Recently I went to my first class. Before Egypt I didn’t have any passion towards this magical dance but now it’s becoming my obsession. I truly admire people who can dance and seems like everybody can dance here! Even these Egyptian women in class meant for beginners who claimed that it’s too difficult. But it’s not fair because they get the move with milk from their mothers unlike some random Estonian who best case gets a vague imagination of `kaerajaan` (one of Estonian national dances which is the opposite of being sexy).

The class itself was really cool. I felt like I am part of a secret sect. Dark curtains keeping away horny looks from outside, veiled women uncovering their hair, sweat and passion in the air while everybody are trying to move their body the most sexy way.

I will go again for sure!

Confession Time

I need to confess something. I need to say it out before I hear it from you too.

Yes. I have put on weight. You can see it from my face, hips and other areas where it attacks first. It’s all because of different eating habits, irregular lunches, late night snacks, fast food, limited physical exercise etc.

I wouldn’t really pay much attention to it myself because I can still fit in my pants but on last weeks there have been some comments around. For example my dear Nigerian friend says that my ass is becoming bigger and it’s all round now. And according to Nigerian standards its nothing but positive. I have also received couple of comments about my cheeks and how well-fed I am now.

I wish I wouldn’t have been brought up with a skinny image of an ideal woman and meanwhile try to keep feeling good about what I am.