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| General Travel Tips for Egypt |
| Submitted by Boss on 2008-10-06 03:26:48 (via www.ask-aladdin.com) |
| Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramid complex and its Great Sphinx. The southern city of Luxor contains numerous ancient artifacts, such as the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
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Submitted
by J.Blunt on 2008-10-06 03:39:41 |
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Great advices! Thank you!
$1 (US) is 6.2 Egyptian pounds is it correct?
Can anyone advice me some nice places to eat in Cairo? I appreciate any assistance!
Jay! |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-06 06:58:43 |
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the Egyptian pound can change daily. When I was there in April, it was about 5.4 egyptian pounds to the $1. |
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Submitted
by Pharoh_Flavour on 2008-10-09 19:13:25 |
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There is a lot of things....u can eat it But if you are looking for real Good i think you should Try homemade Food this is best u can eat in egypt....and if you can't find homemade food you can go to cortgiano this is very good italian food it's my favorite |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-11 04:01:47 |
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$ 1 (US) is 5.4 Egyptian Pounds
Furyo |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-06 05:32:56 |
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Places to eat hmm let me think
well City Stars mall is full of places to eat there's a place it serves orientel food it's called Abu Elseed it's really good.
$1 US is not 6.2 it's 5.40 |
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Submitted
by J.Blunt on 2008-10-06 05:57:36 |
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Hi there! are there any nice places for shopping? |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-06 06:57:29 |
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Be sure to visit the mall in Cairo. They have a section called Khan El Khalilly. It is Egyptian shops where you will find many beautiful items from Egypt. |
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Submitted
by walaaemam on 2008-10-06 15:47:45 |
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1- Fostat market: one of old Cairo's hidden beauties. It is gorgeous, full of character, and 100% Egyptian. this is the place to go for Egyptian gifts and souvenirs, an authentic funky piece of furniture, creative Jewelry, or even your whole wedding gift list. It's basically a one-floor building with plenty of different shops. Opening hours are very irregular, it is recommended to catch it from the mornings untill 5:00pm.
2-Zeinab Khatoun: located in the heart of al hussein area, and surounded by the Zeinab Khatoun house, al harawy house, as well as other old Islamic monuments. This is not just a shop, it's a whole mood, an ambiance that you should try to experience. It contains exquisite ethnic furniture, home accessories, ethnic clothes, & a display of Jewelry by designer Susan el Masry. It is a big place and has an air capable of transporting you into old times :)
It is a definite non-miss.
Opening hours: 11:00am-9:00pm
Location: 3 mohamed abdo st, behind el azhar mosque.
3- Wekalt el balah: This place sells EVERYTHING!
go there if you know what you're looking for, keeping in mind that everything is bargainable.
try to look like the locals, girls: don't wear revealing clothes & keep an eye on your belongings.
To avoid major crowds go tehre round 4 or 5pm
Location: corniche el nil, in front of absolute and sangria, follow the crowds.
4-Osar el montega (productive families): Want to buy some very nice Egyptian homemade, artisan gifts without the guilt trip? then this is your place to shop.
It is a year long exhibition of anything and everything you can imagine that is Egyptian.
The best thing is that the products are made by needy families and the profits go directly to them. The fel of the place is a bit "governmental" but if you really dig in, you'll definitely find amazing stuff at very affordable prices.
Opening hours: 9:00am-4:00pm, closed on Fridays.
Location: 19 marghany st, beside the ministry of social affairs, el agouza
5- Khan misr Toulon: another ethnic site in the midest of Cairo's historical treasures that adds to this store's uniqueness. Initiated in 1922, it sells ethnic shawls, bags, folkloric finger puppets, jewelry, ceramic crafts as well as house accessories.
It enjoys a pleasant mood, one of coziness and creativeness, that puts you in touch with Cairo's originality and vast historical culture.
Location: 17 ahmed ibn tulun square (facing main entrance of ahmed ibn tulun mosque), el sayeda zeinab. |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-06 08:18:35 |
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There are a lot of small things wrong with this article from the prospective of someone who lived in Egypt nearly a year. A couple things stuck out to me.
Egyptians don't say "La, Shukran" to signify that they don't want something. Saying just "thank you" in Arabic or "shukran" is the way they do it, but maybe the hussler on the street will assume you don't know that? (Also, "Emshi" is kind of the standard way to tell someone to go away. It is the verb for "walk." I don't think it comes off particularly as rude compared to other things you could say, I've seen Egyptians say it to other Egyptians when both had a calm reaction.
Women-- you really will avoid hassle by making sure the tops of your shoulders are covered and your knees are covered around Egyptians/Middle Eastern men in the Country. Many Egyptians already assume that women in the west are easy and will sleep with anyone and you are reinforcing this stereotype when you wear a tank top. (You are also reinforcing it if you invite their constant street flirtation which I swear to you is far worse in touristy areas. Most people leave you alone in areas where there aren't tourists.) In general, Egyptians who do not deal with tourists customarily, will treat you far better.
Luxor was very amazing but conversely one of the most hassling make a buck from the whitey places Ive ever been. I think this is why people go in groups, though I think in general you get less bang for your buck this way.
Also, Egypt is a very different country once you step away from the ancient monuments. It is also a pretty safe place. Crime there is very low. The reason Egypt has tourist police is to protect their pocket books (tourism is the main source of industry there.) But there is a lot of argument to suggest that many of their practices (such as herding tourists together in easier targeted groups on set predictable schedules) actually makes for a less "safe" situation.
But if you do go to Egypt with fear, I can guarentee you you'll enjoy your time less.
*Joelle |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-09 18:49:25 |
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Joelle, thank you
I have lived a year in egypt and by far your analysis is the most accurate and worthwhile advice I have read on this page so far
I will add 2 cents, or 2 'irsh if you will
imshi means walk, and in egypt is used as Go. Like english, Go can be let's go! or go away! or anything.
Egyptians as u said, do not say la shukran, they dont even say shukran at all really I find, as they do in the sham countries like jordan and palestine. Egyptians have much stronger sense of religious etiquette, and they say thank you by referring to God
Allah ykhalleek, allah ybarik feek, allah ytowwil 'omrak, which mean may God preserve you, bless you, extend your life, and other similar phrases. I am palestinian, and I found that whenever I tell egyptians shukran, they usually answer with "alshukr lillah"= The thanks is for God
It took MONTHS for me to realize that when I dont want something, I should say Allah ykhalleek, because of a very very important aspect of Egypt that I think any visitor should know, see the last paragraph.
I would also like to elaborate on the alternate world that exists in the true egypt, outside of tourist areas which are very distasteful to me. I found myself visiting those areas only when I felt like seeing something extravagant, but as you said, the commin egyptians are very polite, safe, and good hearted people. Bonding with them is very tricky, because they have an inherent belief that they must treat outsiders as royalty, and are always afraid to offend you. Once they get over that, they go thru phase 2 of thinking that if you dont treat them like dirt, then you must be a foolish mperson to take advantage of, and they along with their families may ask you for many favors that seem exaggerated. Once you make them realize that you arent gullible but just nice, then they will love you like a long lost brother, and will become the truest friends you ever saw
Thats in the city. In the villages far from Cairo, the culture differs back toward traditional islamic society. Guests are treated very well, and there is no stage of begging or using people, which are sad effects of the pressures of hard city living.
I will reinforce that in egypt crime is very low, limited to perhaps petty stealing and only where you invite it, perhaps by showing off or being arrogant, and only by the poorest of people.
And finally a piece of sound advice for anyone who goes to egypt
You are not in Kansas anymore. Egyptian society is a husslers den, and marketing is everything, scheming and scamming is common, and outsiders are like fat little fish from a healthy pond who have accidentally swum their way into shark waters...
When I spoke arabic, they recognized IMMEDIATELy that I was not egyptian, from the slightest difference in accent (i eventually got good at egyptian local talk), and as soon as they noticed, they would switch to shark mode. Prices would triple, attitudes would change and it is a VERY unpleasant experience until you know how to deal with them. It was actually the most valuable lesson in my life, how to jive.
When you walk by they will yell to you of great deals, and tell you come here, and they will pressure you to buy, usually by assuring you that they are not interested in your money at all. They use very clever psychological techniques to convince people to spend when they wouldn't, to pay more than they would, and to buy more than they want
I learned that when they shout, ignore them entirely, but if you cant smile jovially and laugh (like, I know your game buddy) and tell him allah ykhalleeek!! If that doesnt work make a witty comeback (he told me, look this shirt is lovely!, I told him, You are the lovely one!! and he smiled and shut up)
DO NOT be rude or aggravated, or throw insults because it only makes it harder (then they will bait you by making you feel guilty for your rudeness)
Dont seem unsure or weak in your resolve, seem as though the possibility of you spending ONE guinea on something unnecessary is not even a remote option in your mind,
Basically, be positive, motivated, and surefooted in both your walk and your talk and you will enjoy your time nicely.
Everyone, even the flies in Egypt live by this mentality. dont shoo them because they just come back more, just laugh and ignore them, and they fly to someone else,
Its weird...
, and they will treat you thus. You MUST learn how to jive and hussle |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-10 19:04:25 |
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Joelle
Look am Egyption and i know most of the stuff u said and the other palestinian guy some of them are true...
but not all egyptions like that maybe some of them only cause they asume that your rich or easy i know it's a very silly concept but all i am going to say that ignorance will help you alot any many situations,and treat people like you're in your own countrey you will find it beautiful |
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Submitted
by cleopatra on 2008-10-06 09:06:56 |
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Im happy to post this about Egypt
Egypt is a part of the great ancient world we have the pyramids and great temples,but thats not every thing we have,Egypt has the most Amazing nature and desert and the most wonderful scuba diving fishing birding expeditions ,or vevn just relax on the costs of the red see and go to sharm el shikh or hurgada.
Egypt is an african arabic muslim country but we also have egyptioans brothers and sisters who is christian and we have great of both islamic and christian religious monuments cause egypt is a part of the holy land.
#westerners visit Egypt they are often has Their views of Egyptians and Arabs, fomented by unkind and untrue media stories, often bear no relation to reality, Egypt is a Middle Eastern country and has Middle Eastern customs. Whether Muslim or Copt, the Egyptians are deeply religious and religious principles govern their daily lives but we are very modaret and very wellcoming of our gusests |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-09 05:20:55 |
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Hi there! Is it safe to use public transportation in Egypt? and what is regular prices for bus and taxi rides?
Thanks for helping!!!!!!!! |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-09 06:15:17 |
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hii ,my name is Mohamed and i live in Luxor,egypt
about the public transportaions,well in some places it can but safe like trains or subs but generaly in buses or so its not,u can get hassled alot or even more...so i would say better off |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-09 06:15:20 |
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Look it is safe to use the public transportation but i don't recommend bus you might use the taxi and if u use it use the yellow one cause they have fixed rate/kilometer and reciept |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-11 14:16:51 |
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EGYPT: CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION,
LAND OF PROMISE
Straddling the crossroads of global trade, Egypt is a major commercial center and
trans-shipment destination. It occupies the northeastern corner of Africa, and is
bordered by the Mediterranean to the north, Palestine, the Gulf of Aqaba and
the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. The country thus
has a unique geo-strategic location at the epicenter of Africa, Asia and Europe.
Known as the world’s greatest open air
museum, Egypt is home to half of the
world’s antiquities, housing the vestiges of
Pharaonic, Coptic, Byzantine, Roman and
Islamic civilizations. Visitors can travel
through time without taking a step, and
draw inspiration from the monuments
erected by these magnificent civilizations
over the millennia. And while it may be
the custodian of our common global
heritage, Egypt is also moving forward
with unparalleled determination to regain
its once prominent position on the world
stage.
The Greek historian Herodotus once said that Egypt is the Gift of the Nile. The Nile
Valley gave birth to one of the world’s oldest human settlements and remained for
thousands of years the primary habitat of the Egyptian people. For many, the scope of
Egypt’s history is impossible to comprehend. It is a window on humanity’s distant
past, it gave rise to humankind’s greatest achievements, and it witnessed both the rise
and fall of the world’s greatest empires. Perhaps no other sites on earth are as
endowed with archeological wealth as Cairo, with its museum housing the world’s
greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities, or Giza with its Great Pyramids and
Sphinx, or Luxor which is home to the ancient capital of Thebes and the legendary
Valley of the Kings, or Aswan with its breathtaking temple of Abu Simbel.
And while no tourist will ever be able to
explore all of the monuments and temples
that attest to the grandeur that was ancient
Egypt in one single visit, Egypt offers a
range of other diverse tourist attractions,
that include leisure tourism on Egypt’s
Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts, ecotourism,
desert safaris, therapeutic tourism,
as well as Cairo’s renowned bazaar scene
and night-life. It is no surprise then that
Egypt attracted a record eight million
tourists last year, and the Government has
embarked on a plan to
increase this figure to over 20 million tourists by the year 20017. In doing so, Egypt
is offering both domestic and foreign investors a unique mix of investment
opportunities in what is one of the most promising sectors of the Egyptian economy. |
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Submitted
by Anonymous on 2008-10-13 04:48:44 |
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yeah sure, well, there is a lot of places yu can enjoy visitin, yu can find best beaches in sharm elsheikh city on the red sea, its marvellour landscape and perfect views for takin pics with friends.
urgada is fantastic but much more in winter if yu are interested in winter egypt,lol
sini and taba yu can go land skiyin there! alot of ppl all over the world come anually to do so, also horse ridin here is indespinciple i think for fun and aspiration, not for traffic as yu may think,lol
luxur and aswan cities has temples and these pharaonic things if yu are interested but take care of the mummy, im just kiddin no mumies outside the hangin around in the roads like dat famous movie.
alexandria is also good place to spend of your final days ofyur trip in egypt, its calm city and on the white sea.
byetheway this is the longest message i ever wrote in a myspace message, don know why may be cause im talking about ma land, cause im talking about egypt.
yu are welcome anytime
dr osama sharaf |
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