St, 152, number 10, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt.
1) Understand the diversity
The Arab World might be seen as exotic in many ways to Western eyes, but keep in mind that the Middle East is vast, made up of 22 countries varying very much between them. Therefore, you will find cultures that are bonded in many ways, and yet an incredible diversity spreads in terms of cuisine, landscape, and even religion and language. Despite Islam and Arabic are respectively the predominant religion and main language, there are different interpretations of the first and variations of the second. For example, it is possible two persons from different Arab countries speak Arabic and yet don't be able to understand each other. Media for many years has sold the region as a single bloc, but venturing through those lands requires one to be open-minded, so that's how you should start before traveling to the Middle East.
2) How to get prepared
Once you have a brief understanding of the diversity and have a list of the places you would like to visit, it is time to get prepared.
Check out your government's travel advisory: Official advisories are meant to help travelers be safe while abroad, so always check what the latest information your government has about a certain destination is and use it for your final consideration amongst the other information you should collect.
Read travel forums and websites. Finding out about people's personal opinions is a valuable source of help. Sometimes we might get overwhelmed by media or read concerning reports, but when checking directly from people who can contribute with their experience, it turns out to be much better. There are tons of blogs and testimonials in travel forums from solo female travelers sharing details about their findings.
3) Clothing: a major topic
Yes, it is true that you should be careful with what you dress; after all, you don't want to call unnecessary attention or seem disrespectful towards Arab culture. Having a general idea of how locals dress is a good indicator of how you should behave, so look for modesty. As a woman, consider packing loose but light clothing if hot, and don't forget to cover your arms, upper legs, shoulders, and cleavage. You will also find out that a scarf is a very useful piece of clothing, as you can wear it to hide your shoulders or cover your head if visiting religious places.
4) Harassment: what to do
You are on vacation and excited to explore the place, and even though people in the Middle East are very friendly and welcoming to foreigners, it is good to avoid physical contact, especially with men. In the first place, touching is not part of the culture, and secondly, if it's a man, you don't want to send the wrong message! Harassment is a very sensitive topic all over the world and the Middle East is no
exception, but unfortunately in this part of the globe it is not uncommon for foreign women to be taken as easy.". If a man sends you an unwanted flirting solicitation, you make it out loud clear you are not interested, and if he insists, don't hesitate shouting. Harassment and any disrespectful attitudes towards women like these are frowned upon in the Middle East, and as soon as a crowd comes closer to see what's going on, he will feel embarrassed and exposed. If you are out at night, ensure you are in a safe area and do not go out with men you don't know. The same is valid for guys who offer to show you around a tourist area and ask to take pictures with you.
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5) General tips to make your life easier
Hygiene feminine products and remedies: Taking basic remedies to treat flu, headaches, stomach pain, or for specific needs goes without saying. But it is very important to check if there aren't any medicament bans in the country you are going to visit. It might be that some substances widely used in other countries are not allowed in the Middle East, and we guess that long hours explaining at the immigration that you did not intend to do anything illegal is not in your plans. On the other hand, consider bringing your own feminine hygiene products, as some could be difficult to find (or explained to the pharmacist).
Download ride apps: Scams are everywhere, but taxi scams are among the most common. Not only taxi drivers can charge ridiculously expensive ride fares, as unfortunately female travelers are considered "easy to fool.". To avoid problems when traveling to the Middle East as a woman, finding which ride-sharing apps are available in that country can be very useful and safer.
Buy a SIM card: You don't need to be a female traveler to know this one, as it is always a valuable tip to everybody. Not only will it help you feel safer, as you can enjoy more freedom when having an internet connection and depending less on people. Unfortunately, if you are traveling to different countries, you shall purchase different SIM cards, but they are usually cheap and easy to buy.
Accommodation: It depends on your budget, and surely you can find great hostel options if it is tight. They usually are single sex and a great way of meeting other travelers. The Middle East is considered a cheap destination, so if you can have a room for yourself or stay at a hotel, don't hesitate to invest in some more comfortable options if you are traveling solo.
Conclusion
Traveling to the Middle East as a woman is a genuine concern, but you shall not let the opportunity pass. As you can see, with some measurements, you are ready for a great adventure! Open yourself to amazing experiences, beautiful landscapes, different cultures, and so much more. We all have so much to learn, and the world is out there to teach us fantastic things. Being open to the unknown is a marvellous way to improve perspectives and learn more about ourselves and those around us.
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