I'm finally making my trip to Cairo--I leave in less than a week! :-)
As I'm packing, though, I have a question about clothing. I know the mode has become more conservative in the last decade and that I should dress modestly (long sleeves, long pants and skirts). I know headscarves are optional but I'll probably wear one or have one with me most of the time anyway--partially to protect my hair from sun and dirt and partially because when in doubt, I'd rather err on the side of modesty. I also know that one can dress a little more fashionably, say, in a nightclub at night, but during the day or walking to/from evening activities, conservative is best, and again, I don't want to draw unnecessary attention.
I live in a cold climate right now, so most of my long sleeved clothing is really too heavy for wear in Egypt--even in March! The stores here have already switched to spring clothing, but this spring they seem to be doing all short sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves--I have really been having a hard time finding anything relatively light weight with a full-length sleeve. So...I think I know the answer but I figure it's worth asking:
* is a sleeve that covers the elbow but leaves the wrist and bottom half of the forearm exposed likely to draw attention?
* What about a long sleeve that is semi-sheer?
* Are there anythings I should know about how to wear or not wear my headscarf? (I've been told not to wear it quite as strictly covered as the hijab because that tends to indicate that a woman is very religious)...but are there any ways of tying/pinning the scarf that are considered inappropriate or that might give people the impression I"m of a particular group/background that might cause other kinds of confusion or problems?
Thanks for your input!
As I'm packing, though, I have a question about clothing. I know the mode has become more conservative in the last decade and that I should dress modestly (long sleeves, long pants and skirts). I know headscarves are optional but I'll probably wear one or have one with me most of the time anyway--partially to protect my hair from sun and dirt and partially because when in doubt, I'd rather err on the side of modesty. I also know that one can dress a little more fashionably, say, in a nightclub at night, but during the day or walking to/from evening activities, conservative is best, and again, I don't want to draw unnecessary attention.
I live in a cold climate right now, so most of my long sleeved clothing is really too heavy for wear in Egypt--even in March! The stores here have already switched to spring clothing, but this spring they seem to be doing all short sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves--I have really been having a hard time finding anything relatively light weight with a full-length sleeve. So...I think I know the answer but I figure it's worth asking:
* is a sleeve that covers the elbow but leaves the wrist and bottom half of the forearm exposed likely to draw attention?
* What about a long sleeve that is semi-sheer?
* Are there anythings I should know about how to wear or not wear my headscarf? (I've been told not to wear it quite as strictly covered as the hijab because that tends to indicate that a woman is very religious)...but are there any ways of tying/pinning the scarf that are considered inappropriate or that might give people the impression I"m of a particular group/background that might cause other kinds of confusion or problems?
Thanks for your input!
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Minneapolis
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Re: Masr bound--clothing/modesty question
Wed, March 21, 2007 - 9:24 AMHi!! It is Catherine here! Just back from another trip . . . with no headscarves, hehe!
OK, take one or buy some there because they have very nice scarves to buy in Cairo! Hey, they already can tell you are a tourist so don't worry about tying it correctly . . . just use it to cover the hair to keep it clean and protect it (not that I ever remember to do that). You have dark hair so it won't attract so much attention as a blonde woman. One woman I know just ties the scarf in the back and under the hair. I think she pins her hair up too just to keep it all covered and clean. You can loosely tie it under the chin too. I guess I am not an expert on wearing the scarves, since I don't actually wear one all the time.
The sun can be quite fierce if you are out visiting the Pyramids, so I actually prefer a hat to shade my eyes (I know . . . it screams "tourist", but they know anyway, hehe). The last trip I jumped out of the car I was in while driving past the Sphinx and I got mobbed by school children that were so excited . . . they kept saying "how are you??" . . . so I took their pix!!
I just take a light weight cotton jacket or cardigan . . . that usually is all you need in the evening too, but it can get quite cool. A nice shawl for the evening out is probably better.
I have some long sleeved linen shirts that I take too. I like to layer so I can take off the long-sleeved shirts when I go into visit people if it is too warm. The long sleeves do provide good protection from the sun. You might be OK with 3/4 sleeves . . . not sure about transparent . . . but they aren't going to haul you away for breaking the rules if you do!!
FYI, I see young Egyptian women wearing jeans, short or long tops, and head scarves(or not wearing head scarves depending on where they are), so if you want to wear jeans you will be OK.
So are you going somewhere besides Cairo? Buying lots of costumes?? Taking dance classes?? Who?? Aida Nour?? and ????
Have fun!! -
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Re: Masr bound--clothing/modesty question
Wed, March 21, 2007 - 9:26 AMOH, just noticed . . . less than a week . . . hehe, I think you are already gone now!!
Hope you are having fun!
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Re: Masr bound--clothing/modesty question
Tue, April 3, 2007 - 4:24 AMHeh heh--thanks for the info and advice, Catherine--I was indeed on the road by the time your message came through, but still, good stuff. :-) Yeah...I wore a scarf some of the time...depended again on where I was, who I was (or was not) with.
What did I do in Egypt? Well...I stayed in Cairo the whole time, but it was kind of an ecclectic trip. I did visit some costumers (Eman, Hanan, Sahar, Crazy Move, Raqia...) and consequently did some nice damage to my bank account. I also took some private lessons (actually concentrated more on folkloric). I also spent some time visiting with families and people in their homes, which was good for working on my Arabic and Arabic listening skills (now that I'm back, I need to practice and keep up with it so that I get better!), and it was also really interesting to see people in their home surroundings. I saw a couple of shows, I did a couple (though not many) of the touristy things including the pyramids, which was an experience. Of course there was also a little shopping. Oh! And I met your husband too. :-)
At some point soon I'll post somewhere on the web some stories and pics from Cairo--Catherine, I'll send youa link when I do! :-)
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Re: Masr bound--clothing/modesty question
Wed, April 4, 2007 - 2:08 PMGlad you enjoyed yourself!!
When you said you had gone to Crazy Move, I am not surprised you met a relative of mine, hehe!!!
Certainly send me the link to your photos! I have some from my trip by not so many this time as I was just hanging out most of the time.
Are you coming down for the Fifi Abdo workshop/show?
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Re: Masr bound--clothing/modesty question
Sun, April 8, 2007 - 2:26 PMMirah, does Crazy Move have a website? Or could you PM me with their contact info possibly? (I don't check this tribe very often)
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