Living in Cairo as a gay expat

[Bruno]

I recently came across this forum and have been reading the many posts on gay adventures in beautiful Egypt. I wanted to pay my contribution by adding stories of my experiences as a 30-year old European expat living in Cairo between 2015 and 2020.

 

My apologies for the context I would like to provide. The main reason for leaving Europe in 2015 was the lack of adventure and excitement I felt in my early thirties. I was living in rainy Western Europe, had random unexcited hook ups via Tindr or Grindr once in a while, but generally felt like living a boring routine. Therefore, I applied for a teaching position at a Cairo international school, was offered the job and left for the unknown. The moment I arrived at Cairo Airport, I knew I was about to love this country: chaos, shouting everywhere, a lack of structure, adventure, the heat, ... Soon I was about to discover something else: the ridiculously handsome men available... everywhere.

 

The school arranged us a flat in a lush suburb south of the city center, Maadi. Having your own space, it turned out quickly, had amazing advantages in terms of excitement. Each apartment building in Maadi is guarded by a bowab, a local doorkeeper, often from the southern Egyptian regions. Separated from their families in the warm south and often very young of age, their main task is to maintain the building and secure your safety. The first week of arrival, our building's bowab asked me to help him move a table in one of the other flats. it was 'too heavy to lift by one person only'. How naive could I be? Soon he wanted to show me the flat's bathroom 'as it was more modern than mine'. Before I realised, we were showering together. The sex was quick, rough and meaningless. Finished by a 'Welcome to Egypt', I could not have imagined this to be start of a new journey.

 

I subscribed at a local gym. After work, not wanting to hang out with my colleagues all the time, I would hit the place and finish off in the sauna. Within days, I became part of the (gym) community. Egyptians are very eager to meet foreigners in general and the sociological characteristics of that Maadi sauna were of an interest to me. After working out, men would typically hang out in the sauna or in the steam bath. All pre-arranged married, they did not seem to have the appetite to go home early. Neither did they particularly seem to like / love their wives. They all raved about their kids, yet - Egyptians don't shy the topic - the marital sex life was far from satisfying for many of them. Most men I met in the gym (and later), it seemed to me, were eager to enjoy and explore life. The word 'gay' was never mentioned, nor assumed. It was all about enjoying, relaxing, massaging, smoking shisha, going home and watching porn / masturbating together, having a beer, smoking hasjish and finishing off with quick, good sex. Five of us would become friends with benefits: through them - on parties in Maadi or the city center - I would meet other men. In exchange, I invited expat colleagues. 

 

I could never have imagined this being the Middle East. Men looked beyond gorgeous with their muscled bulky bodies, deep voices, dark-brown soft skin, cheeky smiles and endless capacity to explore. They all seemed so relaxed. They live life to the fullest, especially as the Revolution had proven that things could turn to worse very quickly. That atmosphere felt so sexy and harmless. I never felt the need to turn on Grindr on Tindr, you just would meet endless boys and men in the supermarket, in coffee bars, on the metro, in taxi's (Uber got introduced when I was living in Cairo - a hot spot as well) and in bars and clubs in the city center. 

 

In terms of Cairo, I remember the railway station (Ramses Station) and the huge square in front of it to be a popular hook up spot, as well as the bridge crossing the Nile at Tahrir Square (Qasr El Nil Bridge). However, as mentioned, there never seemed to be the need to look for something. It would come to you! In Aswan, for instance, I was approached by the taxi driver who drove me from the airport to the hotel late at night. Nubian penises and fatter are bigger than in Cairo. Moreover, the city's feluccas and corniche are ridiculously cruisy, both at day and night. I occasionally picked a handsome (and incredibly fit) felucca sailor and we had sex in his boat around Elephant Island in the River Nile. On a Luxor trip, I would visit the temples and Valley of the Kings in the very early morning and relax at the hotel's pool / room in the early afternoon. As mentioned on this blog earlier, staff is eager to meet you. Egyptians are allowed to enter the big hotels without any issue. There is too much passage to control. At the Luxor Steigenberger I invited a fruit vendor I met at the temples earlier that day. His triceps were the biggest I had ever felt in my life. Although the sex was rubbish, just seeing him undress and observe his body was a pleasure enough. Alexandria is a driving sea city in which all life surrounds the most amazing sea side boulevard I have ever came across. Hotels turn into rooftop night clubs at night. People enter and leave the buildings at a paste unable to control. When looking for more adventure, try one of the many desert tours (with overnight camping - pleasure guaranteed with the staff), a Siwa oasis visit, crossing the Suez Canal from Port Said to Port Fouad, relaxing in one of Dahab's open-minded hammock guest houses or staying over at one of the 'liberal / freedom camps' between Sharm-El Sheikh and Taba.

 

Having an Egyptian boyfriend - I got even introduced to his (well-educated) parents  - is a different story. They are hard work. In the flux they are at, it almost seems impossible for them to meaningfully connect to one person. Monogamy is unheard of in Egypt's gay community. They key words remain pleasure, devotion, emotion, passion, unlimited sexual drive and endless adventures.

 

Enjoy this marvelous spot on Earth, both culturally and spiritually!

 

Cheers

B.

 

 

 

[TotallyOz]

I have visited Egypt a few times and love the men there. I am happy you have found a great gay existence there. I loved reading your story.

[speedoo1]

Thank you for the detailed report.

One Q: I assume that the Egyptians are mostly top. Do they fuck w/ condom?

[Alaskabear]

Thanks for the report!    I’m so eager to return to Egypt.   I’d like to spend a month traveling to various parts of the country.  I’m especially interested in seeing the southern regions where North Africa fades into Nubian lands.  Did you find much difference between regions in Cairo when it comes to hooking up?   

[Bruno]

On 5/8/2023 at 9:34 PM, speedoo1 said:

Thank you for the detailed report.

One Q: I assume that the Egyptians are mostly top. Do they fuck w/ condom?

The majority was top indeed. I had condoms on me and they would use them.

[Bruno]

On 5/9/2023 at 7:56 PM, Alaskabear said:

Thanks for the report!    I’m so eager to return to Egypt.   I’d like to spend a month traveling to various parts of the country.  I’m especially interested in seeing the southern regions where North Africa fades into Nubian lands.  Did you find much difference between regions in Cairo when it comes to hooking up?   

As I was living in Cairo, it turned out to be my home. Through parties of friends, I met new people who knew people. Cairo attracts people from all over the country.

 

When traveling south, the hotspots of Aswan and Luxor have been mentioned on this forum already. Both cities are awesome in terms of sights and (hook-up) vibe. 

A couple of other things to do:

-   When going to Abu Simbel, stay overnight. Once all tourists leave, you have the locals for yourself.

-   In between Aswan and Luxor, you might hire a private taxi and tour the different temples at your own paste.

-   Go on a White Desert overnight (multi-day) tour.

-   Siwa, the oasis close to the Libyan border, is a must-have-experienced adventure. Pick a local place to stay and immerse yourself in the 'traditional massages' and 'overnight pool jumps'.

 

Enjoy!