No one would come up to me and start talking to me in Arabic. Everyone always had the same line, "Welcome to Egypt my friend. Where are you from?". I was telling people I was from Canada because I don't think they like the US very much there (I also wasn't telling anyone I was Jewish...go figure). Every time they would reply with "Canada Dry. Never Die". All they know about this nation of thirty million people, is that they make Ginger Ale.
My tour guide had a pretty good routine of taking me to different stores where they would convince me to buy stuff I didn't need (I assume he got kick backs on that...how Jewish of him....too soon? OK I'm done with that joke). One of the places he took me was to a rug making school. Although this was called a "school", it seemed more like a sweatshop to me. They had kids starting at the age of ten come and "learn" the art of making rugs by hand. I felt quite bourgeoisie (Big word) walking around surveying the children's work, contemplating whether to buy something or not. In the end I did end up buying a rug (But only for the sake of the children...I swear).
The whole experience there really made me realize how lucky I am to be born in America. It is virtually impossible for their entire lower class (Just about everyone), to have a life where they aren't consistently on the verge of bankruptcy. My tour guide was thinking of trying to go to America with his wife and two kids, and wanted advice from me on what kinds of jobs were easy to get, how much they pay, how much rent was, etc. What could I tell him? He just didn't seem to have a chance.
...End of Egypt memories (For now)
I am now staying at my cousin Ayelet's house in Rehovot, about twenty minutes outside Tel Aviv. Last night I put together a mish mash of people I have met so far while travelling and went out for a bit. There were people from my birthright trip, Israeli soldiers from my birthright trip, and people I met in Egypt. It is soo interesting and fun to meet people while travelling. You meet people from all over the world and everyone is so outgoing since they are in the same situation that you are. For anyone who hasn't gone on a trip for an extended period of time, DO IT!
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