Behind the veil. MY EXPERIENCE WITH a shador
Cairo, Egypt 2016
From far foreign lands in Africa, I find myself adorned with a veil, a shroud that separates me from the world around. It is a thin fabric, yet it carries the weight of invisibility. I feel transparent, as if I am but a specter passing through, unnoticed and unimportant.
Men, with their eyes averted, seem indifferent to my presence. It is as if I am a mere shadow, blending into the background of their lives. Their gaze glides past me, without a flicker of recognition or curiosity. In their indifference, I am left feeling insignificant, as if my existence holds no value in their eyes.
The shroud I wear becomes a symbol of the barriers I face. It veils not only my physical form, but also my thoughts, my desires, and my identity. It is a constant reminder of the gap that separates me from the world, of the struggle to be seen and heard.
Women walking in the streets of Cairo
Walking in the streets of Cairo within this veil, a fire burns. Despite the indifference I encounter, I refuse to let it extinguish my spirit. I carry within me a resilience that defies the shadows that surround me. I strive to find my own space, to carve a path that transcends the barriers and embraces my true worth.
While the world may overlook me, I refuse to fade into its indifference. I am grateful I am a foreign woman experiencing this for a day, with a story to tell, with dreams and aspirations that deserve recognition. But there are women that live daily under this jail, not determined to break through the barriers…
Someone stops me in the street…
“Are you a foreigner? Where are you from?
Yeah, but how do u know? I have not spoken a word
“Under the shador you look men in the eyes, thats unusual, Where are you from Madame?”
Ana Colombie, What do u sell
“Handmade, come”
So, I walk with grace, carrying the weight of my experiences, my resilience shining through. Though the shador may mask my features, it cannot hide the strength within. I am a foreign woman, defying indifference, and claiming my rightful place in this world.
Natalia Cortes. Cairo, Egypt 2016
