Women wear diaper bags or purses in Egypt?
I'm going to Egypt, and I will carry my 11-month-old around all day (we drive to the hotel for nap mid-morning and afternoon). The sling carrier I had a pocket and a removable pocket – enough to hold some diapers and wipes, plus sunscreen, lip balm, money, and maybe a little snack. This could be enough to help us through to nap, but I'm not sure. I think a small bag around town with me (not a big bag), but I'm not sure if it a particularly good idea, or if I want to have hands as free as possible (especially since I'll have my baby on the same side I used carry my purse). What do you think – should I use a bag, or go hands free? What is the local women when they come out with small children?
First, let me congratulate you to be adventurous and traveling with a baby. Second, I guess you go to Cairo, which will be the largest city in Egypt difficult for you. I spent a week in the city. While there are some fantastic things to do there, it is certainly a very challenging, stressful place to be in I just want to give you a realistic picture of what it is so you know what you're into. It is incredibly overcrowded and polluted. It's hard to breathe many times. Almost everyone drives beaten old Lada (Russian cars), which spew fumes. Traffic is terrible (almost a block basis). There is no traffic (ie no one takes any notice of traffic lights, lanes, crosswalks etc.etc.). There are normally at least three cars in every two ways. Cars drive a couple of inches of each other. Everyone has his hand on the horn about 98% of the time. It can be extremely hot in Egypt, which adds to stress level is everone. Getting around the city is a challenge in itself. Going by car travel relatively short can take half an hour or two hours depending on the traffic moves at all. Walking around (which I like to do) is difficult because you playing with the chickens traffic whenever you cross the road, breathing is like having your face in front of the exhaust pipe of a bus and you get harassed lot. You talk about returning to the hotel mid-morning and afternoon. If you do this, you will all your time to come and to go somewhere. Maybe go out all morning, come back for a few hours in the middle of the day (when most hot), then go further in the afternoon / early evening. You talk about wearing your baby on his side. This is not very good for your back. Plus it ties up a hand and you tire quickly. Get one of these carriers that you can bring to the front or back. You'll probably need a bag too. You should be able to get a sling and a bag that you can always walk free hand which is what you need. Remember not carry water and do not buy bottles unsealed anyone. Local women often regarded as the life was simply difficult for them (Which I'm sure it is). I think when they take their children not for a long time and not so far that contrary to what you do. I do has ever wear them in their arms. You will probably find it difficult to find changing rooms etc and a lot of the toilets are pretty disgusting and it would not even a place you could put your baby down. Can you consider hiring a driver / guide with an air conditioned car for the day? It would be a great idea if you can afford. This would avoid having to constantly haggle with taxi drivers every day or you and your baby to have to duck and weave through the cars trying to cross roads. (Imagine running through one of these bumper Derby – Which is the closest picture I can paint). Anyway, good luck and have a great trip. You deserve a medal – I'm not sure what that of valor or something else. PS. I would be very interested to know how you got it.
