Face-to-Face: Victoria Ure
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Victoria Ure is a British expat living and working in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt. She has lived in the country for eight years with her Egyptian husband and is therefore a good spokesperson for ‘Life in Egypt’.
Ms Ure works for Cyplon Holidays as area manager, coordinating all the ground handling arrangements for British tourists travelling to Egypt with Cyplon Holidays.
She spoke to Travel Daily about her life experience as a British woman living and working in Egypt and her suggestions on how female travellers can get the best out of Egypt…
Q) Where are you originally from and when did you move to Egypt?
I am originally from Falkirk, Scotland, but after my first visit to Luxor in 1996 is where I fell in love with Egypt. I returned in 2008 settling in Sharm.
Q) What is life like living in Egypt being a British woman? Is it easy to connect with the communities and interact with Egyptian culture and people? Was it easy meeting people and making friends?
I live in Sharm where there is a large community of ex-pats and British run nurseries and schools. Being just a short flight from Hurghada, Cairo or Luxor enables me to embrace “local” Egypt easily. I find the Egyptian people to be friendly and welcoming and I am proud to include many Egyptians as close personal friends.
Q) Is day to day travelling in Egypt safe and easy for a woman? Do women have to abide by any dress standards?
I have worked in many countries and can honestly say I feel safer in Egypt than any other country. If you compare statistics for petty crime you will find it is virtually non-existent in Egypt compared to many popular European destinations. Covering up depends on the town and the circumstances; for example in Cairo I would definitely wear long sleeves and trousers but in Sharm shorts and vest tops are the norm.
Q) Whilst visiting Egypt, what do you recommend a woman could do to get into the heart of local Egyptian life and culture?
Befriend local woman – Egyptian women are very friendly and welcoming and as interested in Western culture as we are in Egyptian culture. You will be able to access authentic culture and may be privileged to attend local weddings and events and be fully immersed in the Egyptian life style whilst being looked after.
Q) Do you have any ‘dos and don’ts’ for female travellers in Egypt?
To be respectful of the area you are in and adapt to the local circumstances. I.e., in Sharm a bikini and shorts is fine but not the centre of Cairo. Don’t pay the first price offered to you for anything, haggle!
Comments are closed.