Should I travel to Egypt alone?

Question

I spent a week in Egypt last year with a friend and had a great time. We met a nice guy (same age - 28) who worked at our hotel. He was very polite and respectful. Since then, we have become friends and keep regular contact by email. He claims to have romantic feelings for me. I would like to spend another holiday in Egypt and at the same time meet him again, however, none of my friends could travel with me this spring for various reasons. I'm a fairly experienced traveler, but I have never traveled by myself before.
Also, when we were there last year, we noticed that there were a lot of women (most of them middle-aged) by themselves, looking for (and probably getting some) 'love' from younger Egyptian men. I do not consider myself part of this category, but I fear that I will be regarded as such if I go there alone. I would appreciate your advice. Thank you.

Answer 1

I am Australian, but spend a lot of time in Egypt and travel a lot by myself.
I also have many Egyptian friends and collegues, male and female.
As a Western woman, you are viewed quite a bit differently by the Egyptian boys.
I don't necessarily mean that you are considered lower in moral standards. But you would most certainly lead a much different life than that of your friends sisters and female Egyptian friends.
Remember that family is everything to an Egyptian man. Who they go out with,and who they would consider marrying may not necessarily be the same kind of person.
As you will have noticed the Egyptian boys are very verbal about their "attraction" to you.Even walking down the street to the corner store you get several offers of marriage.
After a while they go over your head, and you hardly hear them.
I would suggest that you do go back,but take a friend. Don't go alone.
Not until you know much more about him.
As he works in a hotel, your friend will not probably be able to afford to pay for your accomadation,meals transport,social outings etc.
Their pay is quite pitiful, and they are usually madly trying to save to get married. Or to get their own flat to move out of the family home.
So you will have a lot of extra expences to face alone,while being with him,a lot more than you did sharing with a friend.
I am certainly not trying to play "devil's advocate". But there are many cultural realities you should be aware of before, going with your heart.
You need to find out about his actual marital status or intentions.What his expectations are if your relationship becomes serious.Plus a lot more.
Do all of this before you consider returning alone.
Who knows, this make be the begining of a wonderful relationship.
But for your own benefit, make sure.
As it is not just women over 40 who are " love targets".

Answer 2

If your an experienced traveller and you are a confident person in going to countries alone then go ahead! But if you feel your not that confident then I'm sorry but you will have to wait until you can take a friend with you. Egypt is safe, safer than other countries i know, in Egypt you can walk in the street at night time and have absolutley no fear of being attacked but in countries like America it's a different story. Since you have met this guy already it's up to you to decide if you want to meet him alone or take a friend with you. If this was a total stranger i would say take a friend!

Whatever you do decide, i hope you enjoy your time in Egypt (which i'm sure you will do!)

God bless..x

Answer 3

We have seen this question many times before. And I am really wondering at the Egyptian guys. Are they really that charming ?
I am Egyptian and I know I am not. Anyways, good for the guys, they are making me really proud.
I am going to tell you what I think my lady. U say that this guy is "claiming" to have romantic feelings for you. I understand that you are implying that maybe this guy wants to be with you for other reasons. I am not going to pretend that your guess is totally wrong. Maybe it is right, maybe it is wrong. Who knows ? You are the only one who can be the judge to that. I say go there. Have fun, talk with the guy. I believe ladies can judge whether guys can be honest or not. Be as careful as you should be in your own country. And think wisely.
Egypt is a safe place, we get many people here who say that Egypt can be safer than western countries, so come and be careful and have fun. This is all I can say

Answer 4

Oh my God, I would love to go to Egypt. However, I really don't think it would be wise to go alone. Not even if the times weren't like they are now. You never know also, just what this young man feels for you by e-mail alone, and that is a very long way to go to find out that he is just stringing you along. It may be a game for him to see if you will fall for it and come over. Sorry, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm not saying this because he's from Egypt either. I love Egypt. Something like that could happen here also, and I know a few girls who have had it happen to them. Once "bedded" goodbye.

Answer 5

Don't worry, you won't be put in that category AS LONG as u dont behave in a way indicating as such. However, I wouldn't advise you to stay at his place or visit him there alone, unless, of course, you know him very well and trust him completely.

My American and German friends come and stay wit me all the time, and they're "women traveling alone". They've never been harrassed or anything. Just act normally and nothing can go wrong :)

Have a safe trip!

Answer 6

I went to Egypt and well traveller as well, but it is still a high risk to travel alone espeically in Muslim country. as you know, Egyptians are open minded, but somehow, you give him teh wrong intention about it.

i think you like him too, but please take your time to know him better and ask someone to come along with you just in case. if he likes you that much, he can wait.

P.S. i notice that some Egyptians want to get married with someone outside their countries, so that they can move there as well. just be careful! please do not offense for my thinking.

Answer 7

Wait till you can get someone to go with you. That part of the world has a differnt way of viewing women, and you will be safer. Also consider how well you really know him or if he might come to visit you.

Answer 8

watch out. many naive western women fall for this. once you're married, it's a whole different story and any children that coem later aren't yours. Find yourself a western husband that will consider you a partenr. These egyptian men want a western woman to sleep with them and marry them so they can get a foreign passport and get out of here. dont' believe it. I've seen it over and over a million times here. Mohamed encouraged muslim men to marry christian and jewish women too so that though reproducrtion he could spread islam. the children will be muslims by id here and will be forced to study islam in school, regardless of what you taught them. egyptians view foreign women as sluts and machines from which to make western looking muslims. and don't say he's differnet, they all coem out of the same pattern. Gusy are always askign me here to get them a foreign wife. it's not at all about love it's about money and travel. The american embassy knows all about that. look at their website. there are also lots of websites by women telling others not to make this mistake.

Answer 9

I can go with you I wouldlove to go to egypt but if you pay all the expenses lol

about your question don´t worry if you like him and he likes you where is the problem? go and don´t lose your love

Answer 10

Check my answer for that question and it will tell you what you may need to know.