7 things that surprised me when I travel to Egypt are valuable advice
Since I was a little boy, I dreamed of traveling to Egypt.
Ancient Egypt sections have always been my favorite chapters. I was always able to pinpoint where the country was on the giant map of Africa when I saw "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego". I still watch "Mummy" (original!) At any time on TV.
Ancient Egypt sections have always been my favorite chapters. I was always able to pinpoint where the country was on the giant map of Africa when I saw "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego". I still watch "Mummy" (original!) At any time on TV.
But Egypt has faced a rough contract in the past.
I worked as a newspaper editor in 2011 during the Arab Spring, and I was reading daily stories about uprisings and revolutions. It all started in Tunisia, but it spread to multiple countries in North Africa - including Egypt. For a few years after that, Egypt did not seem to be a safe place to travel.
But if you learn anything from traveling around the world, this means that the media makes most places seem more afraid than they really are.
I worked as a newspaper editor in 2011 during the Arab Spring, and I was reading daily stories about uprisings and revolutions. It all started in Tunisia, but it spread to multiple countries in North Africa - including Egypt. For a few years after that, Egypt did not seem to be a safe place to travel.
But if you learn anything from traveling around the world, this means that the media makes most places seem more afraid than they really are.
Many tourist companies have already suspended operations in Egypt after the revolution. There weren't many people going there from 2012-2015. But we are in 2020 now, and things change. Tourism is still not close to what it was before 2011 in Egypt, but visitors began returning every year in greater and greater numbers.
Long story short: Now is an excellent time to visit Egypt.
I wrote separately from the tour itself, but now
I want to talk a little bit about Egypt and the things that surprised me about traveling there. Some of these may also surprise you!
7 things that surprised me when traveling to Egypt
1. It is not as dangerous as you think
The first question that people asked me when I returned from this trip is: Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
I know that Egypt is not considered one of the safest places to travel at the present time (and if you read the previous travel warnings issued by the US State Department regarding Egypt, you may be convinced that ISIS will come to you if you take a step forward). country). It is true that terrorist groups are active in certain parts of the country.
I want to talk a little bit about Egypt and the things that surprised me about traveling there. Some of these may also surprise you!
7 things that surprised me when traveling to Egypt
1. It is not as dangerous as you think
The first question that people asked me when I returned from this trip is: Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
I know that Egypt is not considered one of the safest places to travel at the present time (and if you read the previous travel warnings issued by the US State Department regarding Egypt, you may be convinced that ISIS will come to you if you take a step forward). country). It is true that terrorist groups are active in certain parts of the country.
But the main tourist sites in Egypt are not more dangerous than popular places that you might visit in the United States or Europe. There is a strong military presence in most of the major locations in Egypt - armed guards, metal detectors, and baggage checks become a second nature during your visit to temples and museums - but I never found myself feeling "in danger" at any time.
A visit to Abu Simbel Temple with a guide and tour guide who can communicate with others. You must log in to book your flight
A visit to Abu Simbel Temple with a guide and tour guide who can communicate with others. You must log in to book your flight
There are certain areas in Egypt that do not have a government at the present time, but they are not places where most tourists go anyway. (In fact, all the tour operators in Egypt have modified many of their paths to make sure they don't take anyone to any of these places.)
Yes, there have been terrorist attacks in Egypt recently that have claimed the lives of people - but there have been terrorist attacks in places like London, Las Vegas and New Zealand in recent years that have been fatal as well.
I am not saying that Egypt is 100% safe because this guarantee cannot be offered on any destination in the world. But I feel like saying it is safer for tourists that you might think.
Yes, there have been terrorist attacks in Egypt recently that have claimed the lives of people - but there have been terrorist attacks in places like London, Las Vegas and New Zealand in recent years that have been fatal as well.
I am not saying that Egypt is 100% safe because this guarantee cannot be offered on any destination in the world. But I feel like saying it is safer for tourists that you might think.
I was surprised how comfortable I felt all the time in Egypt. I wasn't even worried about pickpockets in most places, which can't be said for every country I've visited!
2. Children in particular are very friendly
I expected to receive some additional attention as a non-Muslim white woman traveling in Egypt. But what I didn't expect was that I would become a celebrity every time I came out!
On several major locations (especially in Cairo and Alexandria), I was constantly contacted with my travel colleagues by Egyptian youths (and sometimes the elderly!) Asking for selfies.
2. Children in particular are very friendly
I expected to receive some additional attention as a non-Muslim white woman traveling in Egypt. But what I didn't expect was that I would become a celebrity every time I came out!
On several major locations (especially in Cairo and Alexandria), I was constantly contacted with my travel colleagues by Egyptian youths (and sometimes the elderly!) Asking for selfies.
A personal photo with some Egyptian girls in Alexandria. They kept telling me how beautiful I was and they asked me about Washington, DC. It was so sweet!
I was initially confused by this
We do not look different! "I kept saying), but our guide explained that getting a picture with a tourist is a great badge in Egypt now. The numbers of tourism have been so low in Egypt in the past few years that people are so excited to see more visitors now.
Once I found out, I started ordering selfies in return!
3. Cairo is an embodied mess
I knew that Cairo was a big and noisy city. But what I didn't really realize before I got there is that 19.5 million people are basically embodied mess.
Traffic mad. Nobody uses lanes drawn on roads. Trumpets are constantly honking. People jump in and out of old VW buses halfway. This road is shared by everything from cars to buses to donkeys.
Crazy Cairo. Photo taken by one of my colleagues on the tour from our minibus!
Add to the chaos all the dust / sand (Egypt is basically a big desert, after all) and smog.
I visited Egypt at the beginning of winter, and I started most of the morning in the thick, mysterious fog spread over Cairo. This is something to keep in mind if you are planning to visit the pyramids in Giza, because it means there is an opportunity that you may have to plan your visit around the vision - some days you cannot see the pyramids at all!
4. Food in Egypt is unique and delicious
You will find many traditional Middle Eastern foods in Egypt (such as falafel, shawarma and kofta), as well as some Moroccan dishes such as tagine. But eating Egypt is always unique - I noticed a lot of cinnamon in the many dishes I tried!
If you want to try a unique Egyptian dish, go to a Koshari (or Koshari) dish. It is a mixture of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas topped with onions and tomato sauce. It's known as the national dish of Egypt, and it can be bought very cheaply (think less than $ 1 a bowl).
Other things to try in Egypt include camel and stuffed pigeon - it is common here to raise pigeons for meat as do chicken.
5. Tipping is expected - for everything
Sorry for all my non-American friends, but you have to get used to everything when you travel in Egypt. Often referred to as "baksheesh", you will be asked to provide information about everything from a porter bringing your bag to your hotel room to someone giving you a paper towel in the bathroom.
In some cases, you will not be given a choice (for example, do not expect to use the toilet - even at the airport - without paying at least 2 or 3 Egyptian pounds), while in other cases there will be no explicit request advice but still the expected.
It is annoying that money is constantly being asked, but remind yourself that the amounts are very small (5 Egyptian pounds only 25 US cents) and that many people in Egypt do not earn a wage.
My advice is to always have some Egyptian bills or small coins on your person, or to come up with new bills worth $ 1 from home.
6. All the old sites are better 10x in real life
The constant need to hint more than make up for it by the fact that all the ancient sites you will visit in Egypt - all tombs, temples, and relics - are ten times better personal than they are in any pictures or documentary films of yours' we've seen. seriously. The history of Egypt is incredible, and much of it has been preserved!
This is the reason for your travel to Egypt.
My advice is to always have some Egyptian bills or small coins on your person, or to come up with new bills worth $ 1 from home.
6. All the old sites are better 10x in real life
The constant need to hint more than make up for it by the fact that all the ancient sites you will visit in Egypt - all tombs, temples, and relics - are ten times better personal than they are in any pictures or documentary films of yours' we've seen. seriously. The history of Egypt is incredible, and much of it has been preserved!
This is the reason for your travel to Egypt.
Giza Pyramids
You will see temples that are thousands of years old and still painted on; Mummies of the Pharaohs that you read about in history books; Cemeteries with walls that appeared to be carved only yesterday.
Inside the tomb of Ramesses the Fourth
If you postpone your visit to Egypt, do not be late after that. Her treasures are more impressive personally.
7. Egypt is much better with guide
Finally, I think Egypt is definitely a place to visit with a local guide. I know a lot of people prefer to travel independently, but this is a country where you get a lot of experience when you have someone with you familiar with the country's history, religion and culture.
Therefore, you find that I have always recommended you to travel and tours through the people many people who travel to Egypt trust and find great interest from the hosts who provide travel and tours services in Egypt by distinguishing places by posting links. I personally get a commission from marketing by posting it but you will not be charged any commissions on you personally, all on the host and the site that provides the services with guarantees. Also, you can cancel any travel experience and return the full amount paid within 24 hours.
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Our local tour leader from Alexandria was studying not only Egyptology but also different languages. He could read hieroglyphs, tell us the best places to eat, organize additional side trips people would like to take, and tell us how they wouldn't be cheated when buying souvenirs.
Plus, it was great to be able to speak to someone who has lived his entire life in Egypt and has such a passion to show his country to other people.
Plus, it was great to be able to speak to someone who has lived his entire life in Egypt and has such a passion to show his country to other people.
Want to book a tour in Egypt?
These two tours I recommend:
Valley of The Kings & Beyond
One thing that didn't surprise me traveling in Egypt
It is not the western world
Although many Western tourists visit Egypt, it is important to remember that Egypt is not a western country. Egypt is part of the Middle East and North Africa as well, and our guide keeps reminding us, "We are not a first world country here, guys."
It is not the western world
Although many Western tourists visit Egypt, it is important to remember that Egypt is not a western country. Egypt is part of the Middle East and North Africa as well, and our guide keeps reminding us, "We are not a first world country here, guys."
So what does this mean for travel? Well, expect 5-star accommodations in Egypt not to be 5-star accommodations in Europe. Things will be done at a slower pace. You will face poverty, street litter, and sometimes animal neglect (think twice before riding a camel or using a horse carriage).
You can also expect inconvenience from sellers at all major tourist sites. Often you should say no and keep walking - but know they will follow you for a while anyway trying to sell you this scarf, hat, or scarab sculpture.
You can also expect inconvenience from sellers at all major tourist sites. Often you should say no and keep walking - but know they will follow you for a while anyway trying to sell you this scarf, hat, or scarab sculpture.
But I'm not telling you any of this to scare you! I think it is important to go with the appropriate expectations. You can't travel to Egypt expecting to be like a trip to Germany or Australia - but that's kind of fun!
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