Personal Safety for women

[MaidenScotland]

Must point out that bring Muslim doesn't stop harassment. And rightly so. There should be no harassment regardless of religion colour or creed

[Montananada]

Originally Posted by tgrear2008

Greetings,

I'll be arriving in Egypt late August with the new batch of teachers. Cheers and hurray for that! haha.

I've been reading this forum quite a bit, and have picked up some good info. I appreciate it.

Next year, I might be getting hitched, and then bring my wife with me. That gives me concern. As I read stories and watch debates on Al Jazeera on the epidemic of sexual harassment in Egypt, it certainly gives me doubts to whether it is a good idea to bring her, or just have her wait until I'm finished. I know you guys can't make that decision for me, but, hey ladies...can you comment on the situation on the ground?

Also, is anyone carrying pepper spray, tasers, batons, kobutans, tactical flashlights, or even safety whistles? I assume the whistle and flashlight is fine to carry, but I doubt it about the other stuff- maybe a keychain kobutan.

Let me know. Am I worrying too much? I know I should wait and see when I arrive, but on the other hand, I am not a woman. Is my future wife going to be a prisoner in our apt?

Thanks

Although lots of things have changed since the revolution, and continue to be in flux, I would bring your wife to Egypt. I lived in Maadi for two years, and began taking more taxis at night rather than walking as many friends or friends of friends had purses and backpacks stolen, especially in the vicinity of Medan Victoria (The ACE Club) and Road 206. If your wife has lived in any large American city she should be street smart and able to maneuver in Cairo. It is best to have a couple drivers you can call who are dependable and have your safety in mind. It won't be long before she has friends to do things with and she gets to know her way around. I am single, from the US and was NEVER sexually harassed or touched inappropriately. I did wear dark sunglasses when I first arrived because I found it difficult to not make eye contact on the street after living in rural Montana for 20 years.

My school was very good at passing on information about scams and other incidences in Cairo, so we knew what was going on. The US Embassy sent alerts after I registered. Once you make friends with some Egyptians, they will also keep you informed. Good luck! Enjoy the sights! Don't stay inside.

[tgrear2008]

Originally Posted by Montananada

Although lots of things have changed since the revolution, and continue to be in flux, I would bring your wife to Egypt. I lived in Maadi for two years, and began taking more taxis at night rather than walking as many friends or friends of friends had purses and backpacks stolen, especially in the vicinity of Medan Victoria (The ACE Club) and Road 206. If your wife has lived in any large American city she should be street smart and able to maneuver in Cairo. It is best to have a couple drivers you can call who are dependable and have your safety in mind. It won't be long before she has friends to do things with and she gets to know her way around. I am single, from the US and was NEVER sexually harassed or touched inappropriately. I did wear dark sunglasses when I first arrived because I found it difficult to not make eye contact on the street after living in rural Montana for 20 years.

My school was very good at passing on information about scams and other incidences in Cairo, so we knew what was going on. The US Embassy sent alerts after I registered. Once you make friends with some Egyptians, they will also keep you informed. Good luck! Enjoy the sights! Don't stay inside.

Well to be honest, she lives in Manila and is originally from the southern region of the Philippines- where the Muslims govern in an autonomous zone. It would be just as dangerous, and probably more so, for me if I wanted to visit her parents. So, she says she knows what to expect. On the other hand, I don't think you can so easily compare SE Asian Muslims with Arab Muslims. From living in those places, she is street wise.

Your post definitely lifts my spirits about the situation. We have to tough out the long distance thing for several months, and we don't want that to be any longer than it has to be. That being said, safety > emotions.

I wish people could treat others with dignity. But, as my grandmother says "You can wish in one hand..."

Thanks for everyone's opinion in this thread.

[Montananada]

I have visited the Philippines as well. I think she will be okay. By the way, there are LOTS of Philippinas in Maadi. She could get her nails done at Josie's on Road 206near Medan Degla and chat in Tagalog. bye.

[anahuda]

ASA. im not really worried abt ur wife's safety. egyptian people are very loving and helpful. but ofcourse tell her not to trust anyone even our fellow filipinas. what im worried abt her is her adjustments being here. the language barrier. the food. the environment etc. she will be lonely for sure specially if u have marital problems she will find someone to talk with. just do ur best to be always beside her no matter what coz ur do only one she have here. ill be happy to be her friend. keep in touch.

[marenostrum]

Originally Posted by anahuda

ASA. im not really worried abt ur wife's safety. egyptian people are very loving and helpful. but ofcourse tell her not to trust anyone even our fellow filipinas. what im worried abt her is her adjustments being here. the language barrier. the food. the environment etc. she will be lonely for sure specially if u have marital problems she will find someone to talk with. just do ur best to be always beside her no matter what coz ur do only one she have here. ill be happy to be her friend. keep in touch.

Yes i am sure you would be happy to be her friend.....
Who are you kidding.
I suggest you solve your own "marital" problems
Perv

[tgrear2008]

Originally Posted by anahuda

ASA. im not really worried abt ur wife's safety. egyptian people are very loving and helpful. but ofcourse tell her not to trust anyone even our fellow filipinas. what im worried abt her is her adjustments being here. the language barrier. the food. the environment etc. she will be lonely for sure specially if u have marital problems she will find someone to talk with. just do ur best to be always beside her no matter what coz ur do only one she have here. ill be happy to be her friend. keep in touch.

That's very kind of you. I appreciate your perspective. I will be aware of her culture shock when she arrives and we settle in to our routine. We will probably become involved with a church community of some type, whether it be catholic or some other denomination.

I will also experience culture shock, but I reckon by the time she gets here, I'll be running along just fine.

By the way, I plan to learn basic Tagalog as a surprise before I visit her again. I have 6 months. I started using Rosetta Stone but that only helps so much. It should be easy to find a tutor in Maadi, do you think?

[MaidenScotland]

Have you checked out the visa situation to bring your wife in?

[tgrear2008]

Originally Posted by MaidenScotland

Have you checked out the visa situation to bring your wife in?

I haven't. I've looked online, but I can't get very good information. I guess it will be easier to find out once I arrive. I'll ask my school.

She will not have a USA passport. I expect more difficulties because of this.

[Whitedesert]

Originally Posted by tgrear2008

I haven't. I've looked online, but I can't get very good information. I guess it will be easier to find out once I arrive. I'll ask my school.

She will not have a USA passport. I expect more difficulties because of this.

That may actually turn out to be your biggest problem...