dated religion, but it does teach people good morals in an age where they are sorely needed.
Christy in traditional Libyan dress, with Billy
Sexism is rife in these countries. At first I thought it was a Muslim thing but having since travelled through Southern Sudan and Uganda which are Christian countries and seen it there too, I have come to realize it is an African thing. It is not really religious at all but due to tradition and a lack of sophistication. Africa is simply behind the times! Billy left me to my own devices and did not protect me from these male
chauvinists! I soon had to learn how to garner respect for myself even though I am but a mere woman!
Christy in traditional Libyan dress, with Billy
In Tunisia, even though I spent hours on horseback and covered about 50km per day, most men we stayed with would remove my horse from me as soon as I dismounted with the belief that I had no idea how to look after him. I am actually a very shy person. The routine of feeding, watering and caring for the horses was my comfort zone and helped me to relax at new places. I always felt agitated when these responsibilities were taken from me. Normally, I won’t even let Billy care for his own horse!
In Libya I learnt about men being allowed to have as many as 4 wives which made me so emotional that I felt sick! I discovered that most of these women had arranged marriages and thought it strange that I wish to marry for love! A man informed me that one man is equal to two women. This left me completely speechless! It did not take me long to realise that he was not the only one who believed this. At most Libyan homes, Billy would be taken to the men’s lounge where a translator was generally provided. I would be ushered into the house to face 3 or 4 generations of women who soon gave up trying to have a conversation with me and took to dressing me in traditional gear instead!
fall in love with these people, their kindness and embarrassing generosity and to feel completely at home with them. We were treated as kings while at the same time invited to be part of the family. I found it difficult at times to get my head around some Islamic beliefs and do feel that to a certain extent it is an out-dated religion, but it does teach people good morals in an age where they are sorely needed.
Sexism is rife in these countries. At first I thought it was a Muslim thing but having since travelled through Southern Sudan and Uganda which are Christian countries and seen it there too, I have come to realize it is an African thing. It is not really religious at all but due to tradition and a lack of sophistication. Africa is simply behind the times! Billy left me to my own devices and did not protect me from these male chauvinists! I soon had to learn how to garner respect for myself even though I am but a mere woman!
In Tunisia, even though I spent hours on horseback and covered about 50km per day, most men we stayed with would remove my horse from me as soon as I dismounted with the belief that I had no idea how to look after him. I am actually a very shy person. The routine of feeding, watering and caring for the horses was my comfort zone and helped me to relax at new places. I always felt agitated when these responsibilities were taken from me. Normally, I won’t even let Billy care for his own horse!
In Libya I learnt about men being allowed to have as many as 4 wives which made me so
Christy and Billy meet some fellow South Africans on the road in Southern Sudan
emotional that I felt sick! I discovered that most of these women had arranged marriages and thought it strange that I wish to marry for love! A man informed me that one man is equal to two women. This left me completely speechless! It did not take me long to realise that he was not the only one who believed this. At most Libyan homes, Billy would be taken to the men’s lounge where a translator was generally provided. I would be ushered into the house to face 3 or 4 generations of women who soon gave up trying to have a conversation with me and took to dressing me in traditional gear instead!
In Egypt, men seemed to undress me with their eyes everywhere I went. They seem to believe that all women from the West are porn stars and are up for anything. I, being blonde and blue eyed, was viewed as fair game even though it was obvious I was attached!
In Egypt, men seemed to undress me with their eyes everywhere I went. They seem to believe that all women from the West are porn stars and are up for anything. I, being blonde and blue eyed, was viewed as fair game even though it was obvious I was attached!
In Sudan, both the men and women thought it funny that I would take care of
In Sudan, both the men and women thought it funny that I would take care of the horses and Billy would do the laundry and make the tea! After 6 years on the road, I have learnt to deal with ablutions in the bush. It still irritates me no end how much simpler it is for Billy. It is the difference between standing and squatting, merely opening a zip or getting half undressed. At times I have wished I was born a man, purely for the mechanics of performing ones ablutions! Travelling through Uganda, however, presented new challenges. Very few people in northern Uganda have ever seen a horse, or a foreigner, or a tent, and they are a very curious people. Within seconds of us stopping anywhere we
August 2011 | Management Today 101
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