airport pass control curveball

That has to be the weirdest thing that’s happened to me at Cairo Airport… The nice young woman at the passport check asked me my nationality, though my passport was already in her hands.

Me: “American.”

She: “American? But what is your original nationality?”

Me: “What?”

She: “Your original nationality.”

Me: “American. I was born there.”

She: “Always American? But you have an Arab name.”

A bit startled, I explained that my last name is German in origin and my first name British. She didn’t seem to believe me at first, but accepted it after a few seconds. [ADDENDUM: I forgot to mention the way in which she finally accepted it. She simply asked me my father’s name, and I guess she was satisfied that it wasn’t very “Arab-sounding.” That’s what convinced her that I wasn’t originally of Arab nationality, anyway.]

It all ended fine. I told her I was flattered to know that I mix in with Egypt so well now, and she laughed.