Life in Egypt is hard, humorous, and extremely human.

Many times along each day's trek through the cities' streets, local Egyptians call out or approach us. Admittedly, in the souks (markets) or other shops these are often invitations to part with our Egyptian Pounds. (The mantra has become familiar: "Only 5 pounds! Small money!" When we politely refuse these offers of commerce, there is often a plaintive "Why?")

But other times those who acknowledge our obvious strangeness simply softly utter, "Welcome!" Twenty percent of Egypt's GNP comes from tourism, and there is great fear among both the government and the populace that the infrequent but often lethal terrorist attacks on tourists will harm this vital part of the economy. It is apparent that the Egyptian public has been exhorted to add their weight to the balance on the other side. And they do an excellent job. And I have never felt unsafe among the Egyptians.

The divide between men and women in this largely Muslim society is harder to understand.

Almost all women in Egypt wear at least a head covering when in public. Some, although certainly not most, wear a full burqa. In addition, men and women are not allowed to wait in line together. This has been made most evident at the numerous bakeries that produce "Egyptian bread" (pita bread). However, we had to check our bags to visit the Alexandria Library, and when we were retrieving them we naturally hopped to the end of the line. We were redirected to the "men's" line. (Oddly, it was shorter, and we were served before the women who had waited longer.)

In their social separation from one another, however, men appear to be quite close to other men, and women likewise to other women. Even more than women, men, from pairs of teenagers to pairs of elderly men, often walk arm-in-arm together. Early on this prompted double-takes, as if a rip in the time-space continuum had transported us to Provincetown. However, the meaning in Egyptian society differs from the meaning found in the US.

Here are some diverse photos of Egyptian life as I have found it. It may provide some insight to the context that over shadowed all of these blog entries.

This will be my last entry before I return to the US. I hope to write a wrap-up there. Thanks for reading!