1Running the gauntlet
In Egypt, most of the major ruin sites are approached along walkways that are lined with souvenir stalls. The vendors will call out to you with many creative invitations to inspect their wares, and if you are a woman traveling alone( or even in a pair), you can expect to hear some marriage proposals and also some indecent proposals. Sometimes the men will even make kissing sounds. While you may find this off-putting, bear in mind that it has more to do with sales than sex. They are just trying to get your attention, and have no intent of following up on their entreaties.
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Dressing for sacred sites
It’ s important to wear appropriate clothing when visiting mosques, churches, or synagogues. Ladies, this means long pants or skirts that cover the knees, and keeping shoulders covered. Some Islamic holy sites might ask women to cover their hair. Modesty is also expected when you visit very religious neighborhoods. A pashminatype scarf or shawl is a common choice for many travelers.
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Mosque protocol
RECOMMENDED
Reading
Sahara Unveiled: A Journey Across the Desert by William Langewiesche( Travel Narrative)
A Street in Marrakech by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea( Memoir, Morocco)
Justine by Lawrence Durrell( first book of the Alexandria Quartet, Fiction, Egypt)
Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, and Sugar Street( The Cairo Trilogy) by Naguib Mahfouz( Fiction, Egypt)
Chronicle of the Pharaohs by Peter A. Clayton( History, Egypt)
The Women of Al-Basatin by Habib Selmi( Fiction, Tunisia)
Married to a Bedouin by Marguerite Van Geldermalsen( Memoir, Jordan)
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant( Fiction, Egypt)
The Museum of Innocence, The White Castle, or My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk( Historical Fiction, Turkey)
Most mosques do welcome visitors who are non-Muslims, though this may be limited to certain times based on crowds and local events. Men and women enter through different doorways, and you will be seated in separate areas.( There are no chairs, so be prepared to sit on the floor.) Wear clean socks or stockings, because you’ ll be asked to remove your shoes. Many mosques have a special room or rack where you can store your belongings.
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