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I Grew Tired of Explaining Myself, So I Returned to Egypt

November 30, 2021
Image by Rinaldo Imperiale from Pixabay

“Do you live inside pyramids?” “How is pork different from any other meat?” “What do you mean you won’t move out at 18?” “Your parents pay for your tuition?” “Why would you invite people you barely know to your wedding?” Having spent most of my childhood and youth moving from country to country, my roots are scattered across the globe. While this has always been and will likely remain one of the most treasured experiences of my life, questions like these were an inevitable staple throughout every stage and at every age. When my peers and I were children, the questions were as ignorant as they were innocuous; being culturally unaware is a natural byproduct of early childhood. I was frequently asked if Egyptians lived in pyramids or rode camels to school. If I fasted or refrained from eating pork, I would be observed with confusion or curiosity, rarely with derision, discomfort, or judgement. But at the age of 14 I moved to Europe, not returning to Egypt until I was 21. Though these seven years spent between the Czech Republic, Spain, and Ireland brought me joy, growth, and friendships…


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