I cycled for an hour from Mallawi before I was given a ride by the police to Assuit. I already blogged about the hotel situation there (btw. $11 is a fair price for a 2 star hotel in Egypt) but I left out the more interesting story.
If you didn't know anyone in Assuit you aren't allowed outside the hotel. I was glad that Mohammed from Mallawi was arriving and I'd be able to visit him. Otherwise it was house arrest. The rooms had TV but I didn't come to Egypt to watch "The Naked Mile." with Arabic subtitles.
I was supposed to meet Mohammed at the gate to Assuit University but he was late. The policeman at the gate had been trying to invite me for tea and after waiting and waiting for Mohammed to arrive it seemed rude to not drink tea with him.
The guard house was small and poorly lit. It had a front room, a bathroom and an closet. There wasn't tea available (a first in Egypt) but he did have a selection of hard liquor (another first in Egypt). I don't drink so we ended up talking only.
It wasn't very long before I knew that he loved America. He loved sex. He wasn't married. He loved sex with his boys. I was getting more and more uncomfortable. Then he started touching my leg.
This was the point where I said, "I don't want to be rude, but I have to leave. I'll be back in 15 minutes to see if my friend has arrived." I was out the door before he grabbed my elbow. He led me across the road to the other guards and told them that I was trying to walk around town without a police escort but fortunately they didn't particularly care and I was free to go.
Mohammed was there when I returned. I really worried for him. That policeman might want revenge and I was gone but Mohammed was still there. So far it has been over a month and nothing has happened.
8 comments:
So good to hear you are having an interesting time . . .
Wow,
So... I will continue to pray for your safety!
Dan, I can totally picture your "I have to leave now" moment! I'm not sure I would worry too much for your friend Mohammed, though. Revenge for what? If this guy's for real and he has any sense, he's got to be at least a little concerned that his predilections will become common knowledge someday. Why stir the pot unnecessarily?
So you're still stuck in Aswan waiting for a Sudan visa? Did you forget to offer the agents some baksheesh or something? (Maybe they're looking for a little man-on-man action for themselves, you irresistible morsel of mancake you.)
omg, was he cute? can I have the guy's number? (j/k).
Actually, I'm not surprised to hear about the experience and I'm sorry it was uncomfortable. I'd imagine you may run into more given how repressive the cultures are for 'glbt's (not to mention how cute you are), but most will be harmless I'm sure. I'd worry more about Dark Africa. You may want to carry a whistle or something.
Wow, that's... creepy? Feel like I need a stronger word here...
WOW Carpi, Many interesting stories man! Glad it ended okay. the story did make me and keith laugh though as we pictured you in the situation and your expressions. Anything else new on your adventures?
"Dark Africa"??? WTF, who uses that phrase, but crazy racist colonialists from the 1800's? Geez, Dan, since when did you associate with bigots?
Thanks for this bblog post
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