Woman alone--Sharm or MarsaAlam?

[mania]

And yes, as a Western woman you will be hassled a lot. After 5 years, I was able to just tune it out. Never once felt threatened, just irritated. If you have blonde hair or body features that "stand out" you will be hassled more than others. I could be walking with my kids or my husband and it still happened. You have to remember that their image of what we are like is formed by watching their favorite shows like "Baywatch." I swear it comes on 5 times a day there. They are basically very nice and friendly people.

Well, it's true they do hassle but honestly not more that Greeks or Southern Italians - they are all alike. One of my Egyptian friends told me once - with European woman it's that one out of ten would respond to the hassle, so for most of the guys it's worth trying...
On the other hand I saw girls - mostly Russian and German - staying topless on the beach in a Muslim country which Egypt is and wondering why they are hassled...

I simply don't pay attention to it or - if somebody really annoys me - then I ask them to stop - in not perfectly "ladylike" arabic. Ignoring is the best way especcialy that they don't mean any harm.
Mania

 

[MarkH]

That's very likely true. Being an American I tend to think like one and I do not consider any portion of the Middle East to be safe for us.

I just spent about 3 weeks in the United Arab Emirates and did alot of diving, sightseeing, etc travelling by myself. Of all the places I've been in the world, I would say This is the safest place I've visited. There was no hostility whatsoever towards my obviously western self. Everyone I came in contact with from the police to students to people in the street to muslims visiting from other countries was extremely friendly and went out of their way to show off their region and try to get me to come back. I often left my heavy bags, cameras and dive gear outside a store while I shopped knowing that nobody would dream of touching anything. There are a huge amount of western tourists in the Middle East and they keep coming back because they feel safe. Most of the tourists though, are European. I think that most Americans stay away not because they aren't welcome, but because of the distance to travel and most Americans' deeply entrenched stereotypes of the region (no doubt due to unfamiliarity). I guess it just leaves one of the most interesting places on the planet less crowded for the rest of us. That's my 2 Dirhams worth. -PS. I don't have an answer to the question that started this thread. I just had to vent.

 

[clive francis]

That's very likely true. Being an American I tend to think like one and I do not consider any portion of the Middle East to be safe for us.

it may not be safe for you (Americans) but it is safe for the rest of us.

 

[crispos]

Well, it's true they do hassle but honestly not more that Greeks or Southern Italians - they are all alike. Mania

Mania, I am a Greek living in a Polish neighborhood and I dive with Polish guys alot. From what I have seen, the Polish guys are nothing to be ashamed about either in the women department. For that matter, maybe men are just men?

Jenky

 

[mania]

Mania, I am a Greek living in a Polish neighborhood and I dive with Polish guys alot. From what I have seen, the Polish guys are nothing to be ashamed about either in the women department. For that matter, maybe men are just men?

Jenky

In fact this is possible, men are just men.... :tong:
And when talking about Polish guys - well they are not that bad, after all....
Mania

 

[Mitzi]

When I went everyone wanted to be my friend and I got alot of marriage proposals, I wouldn't say I was stunning after being on a boat for a week with no hairdryer, make up etc but I found everyone friendly. There were what looked like bus stops with guards with guns in everywhere you went. That was in Naama Bay, which is excellent for shopping as well as drinking/eating are concerned. If you are on your own though I would go for Dahab as there will be like minded people there who are also travelling on their own. Have a nice time where ever you decide.

 

[scubadoguk]

sorry I was going to say something out loud but changed my mind it seems to have been said and the lady seems to have many answers.

 

[DesertEagle]

I would go to Marsa Alam for two reasons;

1. If you are experienced, there are some dives that are better than anything in Sinai. My opinion is that Elphinstone is the finest dive anywhere.

2. Marsa Alam is isolated. You will either be in a resort or dive camp. There will be far fewer people to hassle you. Get a transfer from the airport and... you're there. Kind of like Dahab but with even better diving.

As a single man I found that I was hassled all over Sharm. Not the type of hassling that women get but just walking by the shops the storekeepers will do anything to get you inside.

 

[Polpessa]

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WROTE IN THIS THREAD.

In the end I went to Marsa Alam for 2 weeks.

Stayed in 2 diff camps, both 14km south of Marsa Alam and about 1hr 15 drive south from Marsa Alam airport

1) Bedouin Valley--mostly German-speaking, families and couples

2) Camp Awlad Baraka--caters more to backpacking, younger set, mostly French speaking

*If you are young and travelling alone I would definitely reccomend the 2nd camp as it's much easier to meet other independent travellers there

*Diving was great there, inc unlimited dives on v.good house reef and trips out to Elphinstone

*NOTHING to do other than dive. Desert, sea, beach volleyball, reading, chatting about diving and that's all

*When I was there (Aug 04) there was no bar + no alcohol but this could change soon

*Marsa Alam has almost nothing in terms of shops so bring EVERYTHING you need with you

*No post office in Marsa Alam and only unreliable, sporadic internet access (Aug 04)

*Felt very comfortable as a woman alone there, no hassling whatsoever, just a bit lonely in the 1st camp, so probably Dahab is a better choice in terms of social life

*If you only speak English you may feel isolated as most socialising in these camps was in German and French

*Just PM me if you want more info about this area