On the streets of most middle and lower class suburbs of Cairo, Mary, Nessrine and I stuck out like sore thumbs. The veil might be choice in Egypt, but on these streets, we were the only women unveiled. Men shouted down the streets to alert their friends of our presence.
So one of the biggest surprises for Mary and I was seeing the racks of sexy lingerie displayed on curvy mannequins - their breasts and nipples exposed - right alongside the roadside produce stalls. Veiled women and conservative men walk by without a second glance.
There is no mystery or sensuality here. These are as essential and expected as the cooking and cleaning products on sale at the store next door.
Marawa laughed at our surprise. “When I first go married I had more ‘sleeping clothes’ than normal clothes in my wardrobe.”
Amal and her husband are no longer in love, she’s sure he is having an affair. She told us they still have sex, but very rarely – just once a week. (!!!!)
Sex is such an important part of life for Egyptian women, but in a very different way than you might expect. Nessrine helped us understand; “For Muslims there is no alcohol, few parties, few pleasures. Much of Islam is about sacrifice. Sex is one of the few pleasures left for us.”
Add poverty to this religious sacrifice – pleasure becomes even scarcer.
“They do not love it simply as a way of quenching their lust but because sex, and their husband’s greed for it, makes them feel that despite all the misery they suffer, they are still women, beautiful and desired by their men.” - The Yacoubian Building. (Thanks Nessrine!)
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