All of us expats here go through it sooner or later. And often more than once. At certain times, we all hate Egypt for one reason or another. And in fact it's not just limited to expats, Egyptians hate Egypt a lot of the time too. And for good reason. As I peruse the blogs since my Ramadan/Eid break, I see lots of bloggers--Egyptian or living here--seem to be down on Egypt these days. It might have something to do with the attack on women in Cairo overEid--the second attack in a row. Seems a bunch of nasty men were (again) sexually harassing women during the Eid . I wont even get into a discussion about the whys and wherefores--I don't care how bad things are--there's no excuse for being a pig. In fact, I insult pigs. But I digress.
I have seen blog posts on the expenses of Ramadan and Eid, clothes and fashion, crowds, parks, activities, traffic, bad manners...you name it and people in Egypt are complaining about it. Not to mention unchecked corruption and oppression. Seems thebloggers just didn't have much good to say about Egypt of late. I sympathize and join the ranks.
Ramadan was great in the beginning. Everyone was on their best behavior. But towards the end and in Eid, the old selfishness returned. Traffic was disgusting--everyone trying to get there (wherever "there" was) first! Shopping anywhere for anything was a nightmare. Kids as usual were ill-mannered and left to be as obnoxious as they wanted to be. Parents were too busy having there own fun/shopping/whatever to discipline their brats.
If the state of the country can in any way be gaged by the condition of the "shabab"--those in the 18 to 25 range I'm guessing--then Egypt is in some serious doodoo. I was out every night in Eid. I could have been in America or anywhere in Europe. Clothes were tight--apparently the height of fashion this season. Wicked crazy colors and combos of colors. And expensive. Where do they get the money for this??? The girls wear this stupid stretchy thing--be it shirt or jumper--they call "body". This is nothijab folks. This is the tightest thing you can wear--although everything is "covered"--and still manage to get a breath. I imagine it feels like wrapping your body in an ace bandage. And don't even get me started on the bouffanthijab. Cough, gag, barf. And this ridiculous body thing is worn by guys too. More gag and vomit.
Oh I saw some nice sites--I really did. Families together having fun. Some really nice young folks who minded their manners and went out of their way to be nice to/help others around them. I had a lot of laughs and made some wonderful memories with my Egyptian family. But all in all folks, Eid--and Egypt--just ain't what it used to be. My next post will be on what's wrong with Egypt in general. Hehe...more complaining from me. Stay tuned!
7 comments:
you talk like Egypt is a thing and Egyptians are a separated another thing.
when Egyptians hate Egypt this mean they are hate themselves you know why?
cuz Egypt is by Egyptians not by Israeli or Americans.
Egyptians do the harm to themselves then go complain and tell: "oh Egypt is horrible, let's illegally immigrate to south of Europe"
if you love Egypt you should get to the street and start fixing, me too should do this and every good Egyptian sincere in loving Egypt.
I know what you mean! I really am trying NOT to complain these days, really, but about those hijabis UGH - I really want to know what is up with the shiny yellow and emerald green fashion statement!
Ok thats all I will stay, because I havent had much to say good about it, in shaa Allah I hope someone will help me figure THAT one out!
Par for course, E. You'll feel better in another month or so. I work with a lot of people now, who, like me, all lived in Cairo. We all agree: It's a love hate reationship.
The thing about Egypt and the hejab: The sooner you stop equating Egyptian hegab with piety, the sooner you'll let it go. ;) Hegab means so many things in Egypt, but religion is so low on the that list. It took me a long time to come to terms with that idea. I think getting pickpocketed by a niqabi did it for me. For many, it simply is about fitting in, making a statement, landing a husband, letting others know that she's now "off the market". Modesty is so often at the bottom of the list.
Ha UmmTravis, I know what you mean..the yellow and green girls are everywheeerrree.
Amreekia, It's all cool as long as they are properly covered and "body" is not proper, like you said..it's really sad what passes as hijab now. And people look at me like, why so covered?
Hey ! Like this post . It could be about Libya as well , harump !Took you up on the tag . Thought I ought to let you know .http://on-the-edge-of-something.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-was-tagged.html
i don't hate Egypt(or Egyptians if we wanna be accurate) because we do what we do because we are ignorant...
and after all, ignorance is a bliss!
sometimes i would agree, certainly ignorance must be bliss... at least in this life i guess
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