Alan S wrote:
> How safe is it for a 60yo 6' tall obvious Westerner to
> wander around freely in the bazaars and subways? I had no
> problems wandering the back streets of Istanbul; is Cairo
> similar in that respect?
I am not so obviously a westerner but most people seemed to figure out I
was a foreigner (the big camera helped). In Cairo I walked everywhere
that seemed interesting, no matter how back-alleyish, run-down, or
deserted, day and night. At no time did I feel threatened in any way.
Also, nobody ever warned me to be careful, something I find often
happens in places where there is real danger.
On the subway I accidentally got in the ladies-only car (it seemed so
much less crowded!) I got a lot of tittering and moved back to the mixed
car at the next stop, where I just got more snickering from the men. One
of them gave me a congratulatory clap on the shoulder with a big grin.
The subway is quite crowded, and I could imagine there might be
pick-pocketing, but I never felt (or lost) anything.
miguel
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