Ciao!
I am 25 year old woman from California who was doing a study abroad program over the summer semester in Italy and decided to make most of my trip after the program ended. I took a world tour of my own and met a few gentlemen along the way. I was single and ready to mingle but yet VERY respectable of the different cultures I stumbled upon and experienced. While in Egypt (arrived July 4th) I mentioned to the bellhop that I wanted to go for a tour maybe or look on my own. He referred my room number to Mohamed (26 years old- 11 months difference) the next day and boy the calls kept coming. I had Mohamed wait ALL day before I agreed to come downstairs from my room and meet with him to discuss possible tours. Two days later I took a tour (without him and someone else) and returned to my room. He would call me every time I got in the elevator in my room "just to make sure I made it safely". Two nights before my departure I agreed to walk around Giza with him and get acquainted with the area. We went to a cafe, sipped on some tea, ate a quick bite and walked me back to the hotel. The next night (night before my departure) he grabbed me by the hand as we hailed for a taxi on the opposite side of the street, pushed me onto the sidewalk as a few were coming at us and placed his hands on the hood of their car, went to dinner at Tikka, and a felucca ride (we had a Titanic moment where both of us were at the bow of the boat- hahaha). Nothing too fancy but a good evening away from my usual spot around the hotel. He rode with me in the taxi back to the hotel and he went home. The next day (day of departure) he presented me with jasmine perfume and crystal pyramids of the Giza Pyramids. I went on traveling, returned to the US and he was calling me everyday just to talk.
Now here we are 5 months later and things are still going. We talk on average 2-3 times a day with the past month being more at my expense (0.09 cents a minute). I've talked to his aunt, his brother, his father, some friends and nephews. I haven't talked to his mother yet but from my understanding the family approves of me. I have had several medical issues arise lately and he offers his life for me to not be in pain no more but I tell him that it’s not necessarily, everything will be okay... Inshallah. I just got notification today that I got my vacation approved for work upcoming April 2013 (4-5 months away) and I'm planning on meeting his family for the first time. I will be in Egypt for 1 week and then return home. Any advice on first time meeting of the in-laws? Should I bring a small gift? His family is lower middle class in my opinion (mother is manager in marketing, father is former engineer, brother is lawyer, sister is in biological sciences and he's manager in sales- tour manager). In the past 2 months he started talking about marriage. I've mentioned that I don't want to live in the USA anymore but he doesn't want to move elsewhere unless we BOTH know people from another nation.
Traveling is not an issue for me because I work in the airline industry and I can travel freely for practically nothing. As a western woman, should I still request a mahr even though I have no male representative on my behalf? What should the amount be? He says that the apartment is being paid off at the moment and he will receive keys to "our flat" come July 2013. He just got his license 2 months ago and bought a 1985 Fiat which keeps breaking down. He's never asked me for money to fix it or any in general. Should we decide to actually marry, should we announce it to the public or wait? I do want 3 of my closest friends to be there though when we become married. We've discussed signing the contract of marriage in Egypt. I am open to Islam and the cultural differences. I LOVE the Middle East for the people stick to their values, morals, and give a great debate. Plus I love the language. I desire to go back :)
Thank you in advance!
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