Comments on: First Thoughts on Egypt

By: Lei

Lei — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:17:26 +0000

Congratulations to your 2 yr travel anniversary. We are the Chinese couple met with you in Cairo's hostel. We have been back to US now. What an amazing trip you have been! Keep updating. I definitely will follow up.

By: Tonnie Lapaz

Tonnie Lapaz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:34:10 +0000

Hey Gary, I went to Egypt for Christmas it was a good experience lots of history. I went on a cruise down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. It was cool riding a camel on Christmas Eve. I enjoyed the tombs and the Pyramids. The Egyptian Museum was blah for me too.

The only thing I didn't like about it was the hassling by the locals, they always wanted to make a buck for anything. Like carrying your luggage or taking your photo. Another thing that strike me as odd was they drive without their headlights on and only with their parking lights.

If you get to Aswan they have a McDonald's there that has Wifi.

Happy traveling,

Jago (ex Djorker back in Panda)

By: alaska fishing

alaska fishing — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:16:50 +0000

Culture sshock is a common experience for visitors to Egypt. it's quite unexpected from your normal travels. You need to keep an open mind and truly imbibe the local scene. The locals are indeed friendly and hospitable.

By: ClearlyEnlight

ClearlyEnlight — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:19:44 +0000

To experience the true personality of Cairo, a person has to stay a length of time,

I was in Cairo for a total of 5 weeks, although three different times. Three weeks was the longest stretch.

The local people are wonderful.

By: lara dunston

lara dunston — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:47:32 +0000

Hard to tell whether you actually enjoyed Cairo or not, Gary. I've been a few times and absolutely love it, but I love Alex even more – it's a very special city with very special people. You must read some of Ahdaf Souief (not sure if the spelling is right) while you're in Egypt and do try and get to Luxor and Aswan too.

There are actually guest workers in Egypt – a lot of wealthy families have Indian and Sri Lankan maids and nannies for instance – just not as many as in the Gulf, but of course they don't need them in Egypt because of the massive population. And while it appears very different to the Gulf countries – and of course each of those are different again to eachother – there are close ties between them. I have a lot of friends in the UAE who have Egyptian mothers and Emirati fathers and have been going back and forth between the countries for 20 or 30 years or however long, so there's a lot of giving and taking between the countries. It's all interesting stuff, isn't it? Especially when you get to meet the locals – hopefully you're doing that. Enjoy!

By: ClearlyEnlight

ClearlyEnlight — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:38:38 +0000

I agree, Cairo is a place a person will love or hate, for the most part. I found Cairo with a rare positive personality. Despite the smog and traffic, no other city I have visited comes close to the personality that Cairo manifests.

The local people who do not work in tourism are very friendly and kind.

By: Francoise

Francoise — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:13:31 +0000

Egypt, and especially Cairo, is quite intense. I've been told that you either love it, or hate it, but you'll seldom go away indifferent.

Personally, I loved it, even Cairo.

If you see only one thing in Alexandria, go to the Catacombs of Kom es-Shoqafa. Amazing Ancient Egyptian/Roman funerary carvings and sculptures.

ClearlyEnlight: Wow 20 days in Siwa! I'm jealous :). Only got to spend 2 nights there as I found a ride across the desert to Bahariya which I couldn't pass up. Great place, very laid back and amazing scenery.

By: Snark

Snark — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:06:06 +0000

There's a new Cairo Museum in the works, so no upgrades are planned for the current one.

By: TheTurtle

TheTurtle — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:32:54 +0000

Sounds like Egypt is everything I've heard it will be. I will be there for four days in about a month, spending 3 days in Cairo and one in Alexandria. I was told the main Pyramids are only worth an hour or two, after that the hassle from the locals is enough to send you back into town.

By: ClearlyEnlight

ClearlyEnlight — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:29:58 +0000

While your in Egypt and Jordan you should inquire what people think about the Gulf. It is interesting the response of people.

By: ClearlyEnlight

ClearlyEnlight — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:25:23 +0000

I cannot help from giving you a warm Welcome Egypt. It's the country I started my travels and traveled Egypt for five months. A person's written expression always cracks me up, LOL.

The train is the way to go for Alex, the Union hotel is the best, right on the water. You can grab a packed, lol, micro bus to travel up and down the Corniche.

I was blasted my first week in Egypt, I thought I was defeated and so soon from departing America, although I headed out to Swia for 20 days and recovered for the severe culture shock. Swia is only a 8 hour bus ride from Alex, and is worth the visit, even having to backtrack ten hours to Cairo it is worth it..

Be prepared for Upper Egypt, it is worse than Cairo for a traveler, major hassle.

Egypt is challenging to travel, no doubt about it. Figuring out their game and playing along it the secret.