Everywhere I go, Egyptians think I'm one of them. Tonight we went to an awesome salsa club and I was talking to this guy (who taught me some salsa moves) and he couldn't believe I wasn't Egyptian. He said, "You are Masri?" (You are Egyptian?) and I said no. "Half Egyptian?!" Nope. "Your parents are not Egyptian at all?" Nope. "Wow!" I pretty much look like an Arab, and because I'm Muslim, I've grown up understanding this culture. I can act and speak like an Arab, though my Arabic is completely in beginner stages.
Yesterday I stopped by the little boutique on our block and the woman inside was speaking to me completely in Arabic and showing me different purses.
I didn't give away that I couldn't understand her, and kept responding with "gamila" (pretty) or "bi cam?" (how much?) Then I realized she spoke a little English so I told her I'm American and she was so surprised and exclaimed, "You look like one of us!" I love hearing that. She told me she had assumed I was from Qatar or Saudi Arabia. Her name is Heba and she turned out to be the loveliest woman. Egyptians are very welcoming. I came to live in a Muslim country because I wanted to see if I fit in and now I feel like I do.
