While a revolution was taking place in Egypt, I was stashed away at a Bedouin camp, prepared to flee the country — and having one of the most bizarre conversations of my life.
I was sipping tea with the owner of the camp when he said …
HIM: Can we speak freely?
ME: Of course.
HIM: What do you call that problem of women?
ME: Problem?
HIM: Yes, where the stuff comes out of them.
ME: Like a baby?
HIM: No, the stuff! Like in here. (Pointing to his wrists).
ME: Oh, veins? No, wait. Blood? Ohhh, blood.
HIM: Yes! What do you call that?
ME: We call that a “period.” Or the more technical term is “menstruation.” Or some people call it “moon time,” but those people are hippies.
HIM: Ah. Period. (He suddenly looked very serious.) It is a problem.
ME: It’s actually healthy and normal.
HIM: And it is why women get eaten by sharks.
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