Riding the Metro in Cairo

So I took the metro for the first time on Friday morning. I already knew there were special cars for men, women and there was a mixed car, which I should avoid incase it gets crowded. When its crowded bad men tend to touch women inappropriately and I didn't want that.

So I was all set on Friday morning, it wasn't busy and I stood under the women's sign. But when the train arrived I couldn't find the women's car and there were only men at the station getting on. I saw a few women in a car so I figured if took too long the train was gonna go without me. So I jumped on where I saw the few women.

I looked at one woman as if to say, ok Im with you guys. She just looked at me blank. I think now because she might've been thinking, you don't want to be on this train."

It was very interesting as my ride was quite long. I was on the metro for a half hour. Men were staring at me intently. I just kept my eyes on the floor. When I looked at the women they pretty much faced the back wall. They were all muslim women and had their heads covered.

It was just weird.

On the way home that night, I was sure to get the women's car. What a difference. I didn't have to feel eyes on me and keep my eyes on the ground the whole time. It was so nice.

GETTING A TICKET
To buy a metro ticket here, you don't stand in line. Because if you do, everyone just cuts in front of you. So you join the crowd and just put your money in the window when you get a chance and get a ticket. They don't have ticket machines here like they do in Europe. I think its because it would eliminate jobs and Egypt is big on making jobs for people even though a machine could do it they will still hire someone to do something, even if its just to sit there.

Today, after I got my ticket I find the group of women so I can be sure to get on theright car. Halfway home, I hear this woman's voice in Arabic real loud. Everyone turns and listens. She's selling sweatshirts and bottoms on the train. I was like is she for real? I didnt see anyone buy anything but I think people try to sell things on the metro all the time.