Anyone been to Egypt? Please share!

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m leaving for Egypt tonight, and I decided to pass the time (waiting, waiting!) by asking my fellow dopers about their experiences!

Has anyone been there? Do you have any tips? What sort of things should I buy there?

If you haven’t been what would be a must-see?

Because I’m so excited, I’ll just bore you with a brief itinerary! :slight_smile:

We’re starting in Cairo, then heading down by train overnight to Aswan, then cruising up to Luxor via Edfu and Komombo. After Luxor we’re heading out to the Red Sea (Hurghada) and then back to Cairo.

Highlights: Pyramids, Abu Simbel, Valley of the Kings, snorkelling in the Red Sea. I’m a big fan of just wandering around places to get a real feel for them, so doing that will also be a highlight.

We’ll end up with about a week in Cairo, so we might head up to Alex for the day.

When I get back, be sure I’ll bore you in MPSIMS with an account of the trip. :slight_smile:

2

I spent a couple months in Egypt while in the service, and a bit of time in Cairo and a few other areas. I was obsessed with Egypt as a teenager, so I was really looking forward to it. However, when I was there, at times I couldn’t believe that people actually paid money to go to that place.
However, the bazaars are great. With a decent eye, you can find some incredible souvenirs for very cheap. I love Egyptian art so some of what you could buy was wonderful. Since I was in the service at the time, we had limitations on what we could buy and get through customs. Had I been a civilian at the time, I would have bought some incredible stuff.

My advice comes from experience of 16 years ago so it may have changed, but it is something to keep in mind. Street merchants, especially kids, will trade you really cool stuff for cheap sunglasses and cheap wristwatches. Might want to think about a few extra sets. The pyramids are worth the trip if you are into that thing. They are very fascinating. But beware of camel rides around Giza. More than one of us paid a dollar to go for a camel ride, and 20 bucks to get off the camel. Do NOT give your camera to a local to take a photo. At best, you will pay at least $20 to get your camera back. At worst, your camera is gone. Beware pickpockets on the streets of Cairo, as they are very talented. Keep your money and credit cards in your front pocket, and hold the same tight and close when purchasing.

Insect repellant. You wouldn’t think it, but the mosquitos are awful over there once the sun goes down.

Now that the scary stuff is over, enjoy the trip! The cities can be depressing and stuff if you dwell on them, but if you are into the architecture and the history, you can’t beat it. To me, it’s real history. If you get a chance to tour the pyramids, do it. To be in something that was built thousands of years ago is incredible. Even just standing in front of the Sphinx, which at the time was covered in scaffolds, was something of a humbling experience. I doubt I will ever go back there, but to have been there just once was something memorable, if only to myself. It was almost magical. It can really get your imagination working.

While you may not see the prettiest things in the world, or meet the most incredible people, you will see things of true character, and meet some true characters. The merchants in the bazaars alone can provide you with things to talk about for the rest of your life. Just be on your guard, keep some bug spray handy, and you’ll have a great time. For all its faults, I found Egypt to be the most intriguing place I’ve ever been.

I look forward to the reports of your trip!

3

I, too was there in the service (same service) but for only a few days in 1992. The domestic beer sucked ass. Each bottle was worse than the last, but in a new and exciting way. Good advice on the money traps with the camel and camera, the tricks are sly and they can get you in a situation where you are stuck otherwise.

The Red Sea is supposed to be one of the best places in the world to dive. Take good pictures!

4

I was there a year ago, the itinerary sounds very similar to yours. It was a really great, memorable, fantastic trip. Take lots of pictures!!!

5

p.s. – In Hurghada, we took a day trip they called a “Desert Safari” and it was really great (as long as you don’t mind bumpy Jeep rides). We rode out into the desert, saw the stars at night, ate at a Bedouin camp, saw how they make bread.

6

I went to Egypt for a week, I LOVED it. Seeing the pyramids is amazing. As is taking a boat ride on The Nile. Make sure you take A LOT of pictures. Always remember to haggle when buying things. Oh and always remember to carry bottled water around with you, you can’t drink from the tap and it obviously gets VERY hot over there!

7

I lived there for about five months and would agree with the cautions. Another caution: do NOT fall for the “I’ll be your guide” ploy at the pyramids. They claim it won’t cost you anything, but once out of sight of police and other tourists, you may find yourself being strongarmed. If a vendor tries to hand you something to look at, don’t take it. He won’t take it back. If you do screw up and accept it and he won’t take it back, set it gently on the ground and walk away. Trust me, he won’t be offended, regardless of the squawking.

I highly recommend the Khan el Kalilli (the large bazaar). Not as elegant as the one in Istanbul, but you can find wonderful brass and textile items. And bargain hard for anything. Walk away, if necessary; they’ll come after you. Be aware that most papyrus items are modern reproduction and machine made.