Egypt has been my dream trip ever since I was a little girl and fell in love with the movie Prince of Egypt. For years I tried to convince many friends to come with me, but I was never successful. This year, I decided that I won’t wait for anyone to fulfill my dreams. It should only depend on me. However, I was apprehensive the whole time.
Solo traveling can be challenging, especially if you are a woman in an arabic country. It can be scary to face all the looks and comments, even when dressing very conservatively. Despite that, I felt safe for my entire trip and everything worked out quite well. I met wonderful people throughout my journey and I definitely grew, as a person and as a woman.
Egypt is a wonderful country, full of history, temples, beautiful buildings and colorful coral reefs. But this amazing country covers an immense poverty that is only visible to the ones that have the courage to see it. I not only saw it, but felt it, while wandering in the poor Cairo slums and being stopped by non-schooled kids in the Luxor streets. For many, these images can be ugly, dirty, dangerous… For me, they represent one thing only: gratitude. Gratitude for everything that I have back home. Even knowing there are so many things to improve, we are privileged to live the way we do.
These days were full of mixed feelings, deep reflexions and an huge sense of emancipation and freedom. I am proud and happy that I decided to go in this adventure by myself.
I am sure you will see me again out there soon. And in case you are also questioning, don’t wait anymore and just go.