Sarah Clewlow

Two weeks have passed since I left the UK, already I have lost all sense of what time it is and what day. New routines are established, which include life admin like washing, putting up your tent and trying to be organised for the next day.

The one thing I absolutely knew before I came away was how terrible I was at putting things away.

At home pretty much every Saturday I spend two hours putting away all the stuff I haven’t dealt with in the week, and now this is a daily issue.

My tent looks like an explosion and I battle each day to get my stuff all to fit back in my bag. I have to get better at this over the coming days, as I am in serious trouble if it rains whilst we are packing away.

I am sure as we go deeper into Africa, it will feel more and more like I am in some kind of social experiment. Throw 16 people together in North Africa, plus a few staff, and see what happens.

The only initial commonality is we all cycle and can all speak English to some degree.

As we have travelled deeper into Egypt, it also feels like you are the travelling circus.

You forget you are in a bubble and you are the odd one out. Shouts from the roadside of “welcome”, “hello”, and sadly “money, money, money” ring out throughout the day.

It can feel exhausting like you are in a show. But the interactions with locals when you stop for a Coke break, really make the experience.

Whilst you look strange and a crowd gathers to just stare, it feels somewhat humbling to be in their environment.

I have mixed emotions about Egypt, largely positive, as my interactions with locals has made this segment through Africa.

But like most countries I have visited there are many contrasts to contemplate. Egyptian history shows a forward thinking society.

In early times, there was a queen. Yet now on occasion, as a western female you doubt whether you can stop at a roadside cafe for a drink, trying to avoid the stares, as you are wearing a t-shirt.

I have had very little hassle through the time I have spent here, a lot less than I had expected, but there is an underlying sense you don’t quite conform.

On occasion I have caught the eye of a local lady dressed in traditional outfit.

The eyes are all you can see but there has felt a deep connection at times, with them willing you forwards, respecting your freedoms.

The cycling has felt like a beginners guide to Africa, on the whole fast flat tarmac roads, with the tailwind gods in our favour.

As we get deeper into Africa, i am sure the roads will worsen, the rains will come and we will have to contend with some headwinds. But for now I feel content that I have finished the first country in good shape and good spirits. With lung fulls of dust and smog!

Egypt has also bought great touristic opportunities, from snorkelling in the Red Sea.

Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of The kings to name just a few.

For now one more day in Egypt before we head down into Rwanda an aptly named country of a thousands hills.

Where I am certain I will suffer a bit more than on the flat roads so far.

I am ready for a change of country and culture, and new experiences. Let’s see what the next week brings.