Thieves in the Temple
What can I truly say about Egypt? The history speaks for itself. Maybe what I can share with you instead are some interesting observations/opinions about visiting the great sites of Egypt.
1. The touts are gonna get you. Every corner, every store. You cannot avoid this. However, if I can offer a bit of advice, try speaking another language. It stops them in their tracks. My rudimentary Spanish has been a lifesaver.
2. Do you know what baksheesh is? You will learn in your first five minutes in Egypt. It is a tip, and expected for most everything, from the temple guard who allows you to take your camera in, even if cameras are permitted, to the tout who tells you where the entrance is that you were walking in to anyway.
3. Climbing into a tomb is not as cool as it sounds. We visited one that smelled like ammonia. Another was amazing, but hot. The guard will give you a piece of cardboard to fan yourself with-for baksheesh.
4. There is a Pizza Hut in front of the pyramids. All photos are taken in the other direction, or far enough away that you cannot see it or the city, but its there, with all its gooey cheesy goodness.
5. There is a two tier price system in Egypt, not just for the sites, but for food. Another piece of advice-learn the numbers in Arabic so you can point out what the price should be (you probably won’t get it, but have some fun trying).
6. Shwarmas…falafel…..kushary……eat eat eat! WS is.
7. Sheesha is good. Try it with some tea and good conversation. The apple is really good.
8. Egyptians love Obama.
9. You will be offered a camel ride, a horse ride, or a donkey ride no less than 2000 times while visiting any site in Egypt. And please, if you forgot to buy postcard, do not fear. They will be offered to you 1000 times.
10. The carvings, paintings, and relics will AMAZE you. There is no way to describe what I have seen here. I could try to explain, but then you would owe me some baksheesh.
To see photos of Egypt (photo page still not working), click here.
GeraldN said:
Hi friends,
Sorry, I am super busy, but just want to drop you a note, while you are on the way to BCN… OK, I will try to meet you Friday evening in BCN and a friend will bring us to my place… I suggest I meet you at your hotel, somewhen between 5 and 6 pm.. is this OK for you?
Hasta la vista
Cat F said:
Egypt weather looks so sunny I am worried for you coming to UK! I will get the hot water bottles ready
Thersea said:
All so true…but I absolutely loved Egypt all the same. You did forget, however, the offers from random guys to buy you from your husband in exchange for a certain number of camels.
I’m impressed the Spanish thing worked. For some reason when we were there (maybe it was because it was shortly post-9/11 and no Americans were traveling anywhere near the Middle East), all the touts kept asking us if we were from Spain…and speaking to us in Spanish.