August Come April

Articles from Boomer Magazine in Richmond, VA

August Come April

Written by Briana Easter

Wednesday, 07 April 2010 15:30

The past couple days have felt more like the dog days of summer rather than spring. I haven’t yet had the courage to don shorts (or even flip-flops — my big toes are still sporting the polish from last fall), but the escalating temperature has me thinking about deserts and camels.

I should probably mention I’m traveling to Cairo, Egypt next month. (I swear if a cursed mummy doesn’t pop out of a pyramid, I’ll consider the whole trip a waste.)

Typical American summer-wear for young women — designed to shed maximum clothing to flaunt maximum flesh — is, not surprisingly, frowned upon in this ancient land. On Frommer’s discussion boards, one woman advised (in all caps) women tourists in Egypt to: “Show no breasts, shoulders, tummies, butts, knees, thighs, underwear straps.” Many posts go further, suggesting long pants or skirts and tunics with three-quarter length sleeves to cover elbows. (I suppose a bit of forearm and wrists are acceptable? The whole thing has me paranoid.)

It looks like I’ll be leaving my hot weather go-tos in my closet. Don’t want to look like a Western hussie.

I regard myself as a relatively modest dresser, but I’ve never thought twice about bared knees. I’ve never understood the indignity in an exposed shoulder either (what’s so scandalous about a shoulder anyway?).

Apparent ignorance of shoulder sex appeal aside, I’ve had to invest in a few items to walk, er, dress like an Egyptian. (Although, anything that makes me look more like Rachel Weisz in The Mummy is a bit of a perk.) And even though I’ve bought 100 percent cotton to combat heat exhaustion, I’ll still probably resent my covered knees and shoulders as I sweat it out in the desert.

But if I run into that mummy, it’ll totally be worth it.