In early December 2021, my best friend, Sam, organized my first trip to Africa, specifically Egypt. I had only traveled to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico before, so this was a dream come true. My name was inspired by Swahili, I had built dioramas of Egyptian tombs as a kid, and The Ten Commandments was one of my favorite movies. I was beyond excited.

Our group included Sam, Rivera (her boyfriend at the time), our friends Mario and Brad, and I . We planned a photoshoot at the Great Pyramids in full Egyptian attire. I found an amazing Pharaoh costume on Amazon, ready to show out.

Fast forward to Cairo. The city was different from what I expected, spectacular attractions but also unsettling sights like dead animals and trash strewn streets. As a vegan, it was tough, but I was determined to enjoy myself.

The Photoshoot

The big day arrived. We dressed casually and packed our outfits. Mario and Brad opted out of the photoshoot. Our photographer and driver arrived in a 1999 sedan, not ideal for five more adults. They took us to a secluded spot behind the Pyramids, which we assumed was for privacy. Sam and Rivera went first, and when it was my turn, I put on my costume. Everyone laughed, they knew I looked clean. The photographer seemed hesitant but said nothing.

After the first set of shots, he suddenly warned me, “That outfit is forbidden here.” Strange timing, considering he had just photographed me for 30 minutes. I agreed to change, but as I packed up, things took a turn.

ApproacHed by security

A man in all black appeared, staring at us without speaking. Then another man arrived by horse and carriage and asked, “Are you Egypt?” I said no. Meanwhile the photographer was facing away from us as if he didn’t know us. When Mario asked him what was happening, he replied, “I don’t know you, and you don’t know me,” then walked off.

The carriage man asked to check my bag, then told me, “You need to come with me.” Unsure of how things worked there, I complied. He took Mario and me to a security post. A woman introduced herself and asked if I was Egyptian and if I had taken any pictures. I told her the photographer took the photos, and showed her the two short videos I took. She saw the videos and checked for any watermarks. After some vague questioning, she smiled and said, “You’re not in trouble. We welcome you to Egypt.” Then she sent us on our way, without an explanation.

Angry, I walked back in silence. The driver picked us up and took us to the next site, where Sam was panicked. I ignored her and locked eyes with the photographer. I wanted to knock him out but settled for cursing him out. He looked terrified. He apologized repeatedly and offered to pay for my camel ride.

For the rest of the day, he tried to be my best friend, but I told him, “Next time, speak up if a client is doing something wrong.” Ironically, two days later, I saw nearly identical Pharaoh costumes being sold in a market. I still don’t know what the real issue was, but the pictures? Totally worth it.

About The Traveler

I’m a fitness coach from Queens, NY on a mission to unlock peak potential both in training and in life. With a drive to explore every continent, I embrace adventure, challenges, and experiences that push me beyond my limits.

Instagram: @bdivinefit

Website: https://bodiesdivinefit.com/