Bedouin friends
January 28th 2010 16:39
The young Bedouin girls walk around trying to sell bracelets to everyone. They are like mini-adults as at the young age of 10 they seem as independent as I am at 22. I have so many bracelets, some in which I’ve made myself, and they still try to rope me in.
Shara and Hannah seem to me my closest Bedouin girls and they always invite me to their parties and tell me the ongoing happenings of Dahab. Shara said to me one day, ‘I will show you how to make a bracelet, we can make it together.’ This is a moment in time that will be remembered and that memory will last with the bracelet now on my wrist.
More Bedouin-
Shara and Hannah are my favorite little Bedouin girls. I now have 7 bracelets, 2 in which I made myself and one that a present. Their livelihood depends on how much money they can make from selling homemade bracelets to the tourists. Sometimes I give them money to buy food and other times I will buy those presents like chocolate. When I bought them kinder surprises you should have seen their faces when I opened the packets. Comparing these girls to a spoilt little brat in Sydney I love to see the small things in life are still treats.
Shara invited me to her sisters wedding party but when it came to the day they couldn’t find me as of course phones are not a valid form of communication. It would have been a great experience for me to see them all dressed up in traditional clothing and see the traditional activities take place. Of course the girls wear scarves covering their hair and usually have long trousers, and long tops. I feel I should cover up at times as it’s not necessary to show off your body against traditions. In Cairo I received looks and stares at my appearance and it really made me realize just how different I am to them.
They followed me around as if I was famous and constantly wanted photos of the beautiful girl. After a while the crowds are intimidating and it is quite a strange sensation of worth amongst these people who are but strangers. Even when you walk down the street they say hello to you, remember your name if you have said it before and are always welcoming. I mean of course they want you to come to their restaurants, shops or offer you a taxi but at least there is openness and willingness to open their hearts to others. I have made ten times the amount of friends I did in London where I spent more time.
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Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Anna Cameron
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Real World Stories
An Aussie in Egypt
I do need to fit into a place to feel like it is home, therefore I am careful with what I wear. No matter what I always remember I am in their country!