Thoughts on Tourism and Tourists
This is Yara and I have lived abroad for thirteen years, mostly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. There I met people from all over the world at a very young age and so meeting people with different backgrounds and cultures became normal. Coming back to Egypt, seeing a tourist only reminds me of the years I spent abroad and the multi-ethnic friendships I had. - Yara
My name is Yasmine and I have also lived abroad for 13 years. The two countries where I lived (Botswana and Gambia) are very well known tourist destinations, so I have been accustomed to seeing tourists since the earliest stages of my childhood. I find that tourists just blend into my daily life. In Gambia, where I had been living most recently, we associated the “tourist season” with much celebration and leisure, given the amount of events that took place in the country during that time. This effect does not come into play in Egypt however, I feel very indifferent about tourism here because there are no “special” event that takes place when tourists come to Egypt.- Yasmine
Coming back to Egypt, I realized how much I had no idea about anything regarding my own culture. It was the tourists who taught me about Egypt’s history and its value. I think it is startling how tourists come to experience the “Egyptian” way of living. Frankly, I’m used to living around ‘tourists’ more than people of my own country. Therefore, I tend not to notice when tourists are around. Salma
As an Egyptian living here in Cairo all my life, constantly seeing tourists made me realize the significant difference between us. Their fascination with Egypt’s history and culture makes me appreciate and value my Egyptian identity and where I come from. Growing up, I did not think about it as a child; it was only recently that I have really considered it.- Farah
My life is different a little. I lived for like four years in Istanbul/Turkey then traveled to Rome/Italy staying there for another four years. As a result, agreeing with Yasmine, I have been habituated with tourists to the extent that I lived with them. Nevertheless, returning back to my home town finding out that it is visited by a huge number of tourists from all over the world did not in fact surprise a person who lived with and dealt with them- Seif
Comments
Hi AUC Rhetoric Students: Our class is very excited to be blogging with you! It's interesting to me that your experiences living in different countries and experiencing different culture has, in some ways, made it easier for you to accept tourists as part of your everyday lives in Cairo and Egypt.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 3, 2009 09:54 AM
Hi ! I'm Sarah from the tourism class. Your post is really fascinating- especially since it offers many different perspectives on tourism, yet each perspective also reflects a "I'm used to tourism" sentiment that I was not aware of before.
Posted by: Sarah C. | March 3, 2009 11:31 AM
Hey. Glad we have raised your awareness on how tourism is viewed in Egypt. I definitely agree that because we have lived abroad the acceptance of tourists being around is only normal.
Posted by: Salma Helal | March 5, 2009 05:26 AM
From an Egyptian tourist,
I find it surprising that some of you have said you no longer feel tourists are around. As a tourist in Egypt, I definitely had a feeling of "sticking out." But I found locals were very welcoming and it was easily the best vacation I've ever taken.
-Mike O, Mike M, and Steve Z.
Posted by: Mike O, Mike M, and Steve Z. | March 9, 2009 10:27 AM
hello.First of all I would like to say that we are glad you guys understood how tourism is viewed in Egypt.My personal opinion is that Because of living abroad for a long time one should find tourists visiting his country a normal thing.
Posted by: seif el aguizi | March 14, 2009 02:51 PM
Hey! I never experience living among tourists until I came to college. At first, the tour groups walking through campus with their flashing cameras and Stanford bookstore bags were annoying--invaders into my life. But I've quickly become accustomed to their presence. In fact, like you guys, it has helped me realize how special being where I am really is. -Meredith
Hi! I've only been abroad twice, but both times I felt that many locals took their surroundings for granted. "How can you walk by a beautiful Japanese temple and not stare in admiration?" I would think. "Who could resist looking up at a towering cathedral, even if they did see it every day?" Now, as I see multitudes of tour groups staring in awe at the Stanford campus, I realize that I too take my cultural surroundings for granted. Just as Meredith and many of you said, seeing tour groups makes me view Stanford through the eyes of a stranger and truly appreciate its beauty.
-Aliya
Posted by: Aliya Deri & Meredith Colton | October 28, 2009 04:52 PM
It is seen normally that we at first learn to appreciate our own culture and traditions and then we start to learn other cultures. But for you it seems to be the other way round. Anyway though late but you are ultimately back to your roots.
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