Egypt! This was not business

One of the many great things about conducting business in the Middle East is the opportunity to travel for pleasure, experience different cultures and learn. As mentioned previously, my son and I visited Egypt in 2004. The responses from family and friends ranged from disbelief and, dare I say, ‘shock and awe’. To some it was just such a removed country and many thought my interest in travelling there was unusual. To others, it was too dangerous (had I experienced how the bus drivers played chicken on the highways prior to my departure I would have agreed); and to a small group it was a rather romantic, Agatha Christie-like ‘grand tour’ trip  that they’d read about in books.

There wasn’t any understanding or engagement with the current, vibrant country Egypt or region that the whole of the Middle East was at that time. Most of my friends and family had some view of the Middle East that was a hybrid of Laurence of Arabia (of whom I am not a fan) combined with an Arab in a dishdash standing by an oil well with a ‘white thing’ on their head.

Firstly, Cairo is an amazing city. Vibrant, cosmopolitan, energetic, steeped in history, culture and beauty. It still is by the accounts of friends of mine who have recently travelled there. Yes, it’s safe to travel there now. Go! Tourism numbers are down from 9 million in approximately 2010 to a mere 2 million now.

Secondly, the black taxi cabs beat any dodgems circuit I’ve ever been on. No question.

Thirdly, I lost my son in the Khan el-Khalili souk. He went into a shop to buy me a Christmas present, and when I went in a few minutes later to find him he was nowhere to be seen. An hour and some considerable panic by me, later I not only got him back, complete with a keffiyeh (Arab headdress), but was introduced to the most interesting former political representative I’ve met, who bought my son back to me. We shared a coffee, talked about ancient Islamic history the Arab world as it was then and our families – mine safely sitting next to me.

I still have the pyramid my son bought for me as my Christmas present, and we both can’t wait to visit again, soon.

Lesson for Middle East business travel (and other travel). Breathe, and wait by a prominent coffee shop. It helps being a blonde.