Egypt

Egypt is not an easy country to travel to.

Regularly, it’s even perceived as the #1 of places that travellers would never would want to return to again.

And who can blame them? The endless haggling, Cairo’s unbearable smog, corruption across all civil and public hierarchy levels, taking advantage of foreigners, a failed political system, objectifying women.

The glinting consolation prices are the forgotten wonders of the ancient Kingdoms, the inconceivable tropical beauty of old Thebes and its temples, the glamorous tombs, the endearing Nubian culture.

And after collecting all of them, most leave and don’t dare to return again.

However, the more time you spend in the country and immerse into the culture and society, you begin to understand it’s not just a collective character flaw, but a systematic dilemma.

A product of the larger social and economic conditions that many Egyptians find themselves stuck in, making ends meet in a country where opportunities are scarce and the cost of living is accelerating.

You feel the struggle of the average Egyptian that has to drive cab shifts at night besides his 9-to-5 job to feed his family, or the teenager who has to hustle at the local temple for his sibling to able to go to school.

The superficial annoyance is transformed into glimpses of deep empathy and connection.

And, maybe, that changes you as well.