Question for people who have done the trip.....

19 Aug 2007 Mark said

• About
• egypt and the nile
• europe
• meeting places

• 0 people like this
• Add to discussion 18 comments so far

• 21 Aug 2007 Ed G said

  

  The guide, while a local, is very much ‘westernized’. He speaks English fluently, there wasn’t any awkward culture gap between him and the group.
  I’d stereotype and say anyone who travels does so because they are open to other peoples cultures and beliefs, and want to meet people of different backgrounds. As for the Egyptian locals— if you have money, they don’t care what you are.
  On the other hand, we constantly were joking around in good fun about anything that was different about anyone, “you speak funny”, “you’re a drunkin Irishman”, “you’re a sheep rooter” if you take offense to any lighthearted banter, then it’s probably not for you. The last thing I’d want on my holiday is to be around/watch my mouth around someone who took offense every time I mentioned my dislike of New York City or New Jersey.

  The guide, while a local, is very much 'westernized'. He speaks English fluently, there wasn't any awkward culture gap between him and the group.<BR> I'd stereotype and say anyone who travels does so because they are open to other peoples cultures and beliefs, and want to meet people of different backgrounds. As for the Egyptian locals-- if you have money, they don't care what you are.<BR> On the other hand, we constantly were joking around in good fun about anything that was different about anyone, "you speak funny", "you're a drunkin Irishman", "you're a sheep rooter" if you take offense to any lighthearted banter, then it's probably not for you. The last thing I'd want on my holiday is to be around/watch my mouth around someone who took offense every time I mentioned my dislike of New York City or New Jersey. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 22 Aug 2007 katiewind said

  

  Hi guys. I actually did a birthright trip in Israel right before doing this tour last month. I literally flew from Israel to Egypt and then back to Israel after the tour was over. I can say that I never felt afraid while I was in Egypt. I baited the locals a little bit to see how they would respond to comments about Israel, and I never heard anything that made me uncomfortable.
  At the beginning of our tour, girls were recommended to invent a “husband” or adopt a guy from the group to keep harassment from the local men to a minimum. Occasionally, I’d invent an Israeli husband, and even that didn’t get a negative response.
  Ed is right, all the locals want is your money. A merchant in Cairo actually called out to me, “You don’t have to worry. I’m already married, I only want your money.” Too bad for him, I didn’t have any left.
  I had no problems in Egypt and it was an incredible experience. Good luck!

  Hi guys. I actually did a birthright trip in Israel right before doing this tour last month. I literally flew from Israel to Egypt and then back to Israel after the tour was over. I can say that I never felt afraid while I was in Egypt. I baited the locals a little bit to see how they would respond to comments about Israel, and I never heard anything that made me uncomfortable. <BR>At the beginning of our tour, girls were recommended to invent a "husband" or adopt a guy from the group to keep harassment from the local men to a minimum. Occasionally, I'd invent an Israeli husband, and even that didn't get a negative response. <BR>Ed is right, all the locals want is your money. A merchant in Cairo actually called out to me, "You don't have to worry. I'm already married, I only want your money." Too bad for him, I didn't have any left.<BR>I had no problems in Egypt and it was an incredible experience. Good luck! or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 5 Sep 2007 superjess said

  

  Hi- I just booked my tour to Egypt- kinda last minute. All the websites I check indicate that its okay to get the tourist visa upon arriving in cairo, however the person who booked my tour got me a little paranoid about not having it. Anybody have/notice any difficulty with obtaining the visa there?
  Thank you.

  Hi- I just booked my tour to Egypt- kinda last minute. All the websites I check indicate that its okay to get the tourist visa upon arriving in cairo, however the person who booked my tour got me a little paranoid about not having it. Anybody have/notice any difficulty with obtaining the visa there?<BR>Thank you. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 5 Sep 2007 Ed G said

  

  What country are you from? If US, Britain, Australia etc (most western countries) the process to get a tourist visa is a joke. It’s not even a process, when your plane lands, you arrive in the terminal (which is just a small building) there is a currency exchange where you slap the guy $15 and he gives you two stamps you lick and paste in the passport. He didn’t look at me, or my passport. The process from arriving in the building to walking out was about 5 minutes tops (including getting luggage). Since it’s a currency exchange they’ll take anything, no worries about what money you give him.

  What country are you from? If US, Britain, Australia etc (most western countries) the process to get a tourist visa is a joke. It's not even a process, when your plane lands, you arrive in the terminal (which is just a small building) there is a currency exchange where you slap the guy $15 and he gives you two stamps you lick and paste in the passport. He didn't look at me, or my passport. The process from arriving in the building to walking out was about 5 minutes tops (including getting luggage). Since it's a currency exchange they'll take anything, no worries about what money you give him. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 5 Sep 2007 superjess said

  

  Okay, great- thank you!

  Okay, great- thank you! or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 6 Sep 2007 Gryphon said

  

  The visa is probably more to generate revenue from tourist arrivals than to really make discerning checks on who’s arriving into the country. Didn’t encounter any bad experiences on the trip with the locals. Although if you don’t like the hassling, buy souvenirs directly from the cruise ship on the tour. We realized they sold items at almost the prices you would get after bargaining in the streets, sometimes even for less than the streets if you suck at bargaining.

  The visa is probably more to generate revenue from tourist arrivals than to really make discerning checks on who's arriving into the country. Didn't encounter any bad experiences on the trip with the locals. Although if you don't like the hassling, buy souvenirs directly from the cruise ship on the tour. We realized they sold items at almost the prices you would get after bargaining in the streets, sometimes even for less than the streets if you suck at bargaining. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 24 Sep 2007 te6020 said

  

  I’m going in a month, and I’m going to get my Visa this week. Do you guys know anything about the dress code for females. Also do you feel that its dangerous or you feel safe with your tour guide.
  Teresa
  NY-31yrs old.

  I'm going in a month, and I'm going to get my Visa this week. Do you guys know anything about the dress code for females. Also do you feel that its dangerous or you feel safe with your tour guide.<BR>Teresa<BR>NY-31yrs old. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 25 Sep 2007 Ed G said

  

  I would recommend not to wear anything that shows off too much skin, but for the most part don’t worry about a dress code. Most of the sites you’ll visit are full of westeners that will be more and less conservative than you. I felt safe when I was on the tour, but the first day when I was by myself was definitely an adjustment. If you’re from NYC then you shouldn’t have any problem, it just involves being street smart, and getting used to be a bit of an asshole to the locals to tell them to leave you alone. One of the girls on our tour wrote a travelogue with a FAQ that you should check out:
  
  http://www.giraffegirl.net/EgyptFAQ.htm

  I would recommend not to wear anything that shows off too much skin, but for the most part don't worry about a dress code. Most of the sites you'll visit are full of westeners that will be more and less conservative than you. I felt safe when I was on the tour, but the first day when I was by myself was definitely an adjustment. If you're from NYC then you shouldn't have any problem, it just involves being street smart, and getting used to be a bit of an asshole to the locals to tell them to leave you alone. One of the girls on our tour wrote a travelogue with a FAQ that you should check out:<BR><BR><A HREF="http://www.giraffegirl.net/EgyptFAQ.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.giraffegirl.net/EgyptFAQ.htm</A> or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 28 Sep 2007 cdm115 said

  

  The biggest problem I had on tour was Ed picking on NYC.
  
  As for clothing, I would recommend bring some pants or capris pants. At the tourist sites you could probably get away with shorts, but when walking around any cities (particularly Cairo and the markets there) you’ll need longer pants and to be dressed more covered (stay away from tank tops). But overall I felt safe, though I rarely went off on my own.

  The biggest problem I had on tour was Ed picking on NYC.<BR><BR>As for clothing, I would recommend bring some pants or capris pants. At the tourist sites you could probably get away with shorts, but when walking around any cities (particularly Cairo and the markets there) you'll need longer pants and to be dressed more covered (stay away from tank tops). But overall I felt safe, though I rarely went off on my own. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 16 Dec 2007 Ed G said

  

  There was no way to boil water in the rooms. I stuck to bottled, but after the first few days stopped being paranoid about the water in the hotels, and used it to brush my teeth or take medicine and had no problems.
  
  
  I was only telling the truth that NYC is inferior when compared to Philadelphia.

  There was no way to boil water in the rooms. I stuck to bottled, but after the first few days stopped being paranoid about the water in the hotels, and used it to brush my teeth or take medicine and had no problems. <BR><BR><BR>I was only telling the truth that NYC is inferior when compared to Philadelphia. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 17 Dec 2007 Ed G said

  

  Best two weeks of my life. I’m doing a southwest US tour Friday (not with a group) I’m hoping the experience will be comparable, especially since I’ll be meeting some of my tourmates while in Las Vegas.
  
  http://xmasinvegas.blogspot.com

  Best two weeks of my life. I'm doing a southwest US tour Friday (not with a group) I'm hoping the experience will be comparable, especially since I'll be meeting some of my tourmates while in Las Vegas.<BR><BR><A HREF="http://xmasinvegas.blogspot.com" TARGET=_blank>http://xmasinvegas.blogspot.com</A> or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 1 Jan 2008 Mando said

  

  Hi,
  
  I would like to know what is the best option for money while in Egypt, Should I exchange some money before arriving? do most places accept Visa, Mastercard? or should use ATM after arriving?

  Hi,<BR><BR> I would like to know what is the best option for money while in Egypt, Should I exchange some money before arriving? do most places accept Visa, Mastercard? or should use ATM after arriving? or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 1 Jan 2008 Ed G said

  

  At the hotels you can charge all expenses to your room, and put it on your credit card at the end of the visit. That’s the easiest way to handle it. ATM’s are often out of cash, or won’t work with cards, so I would bring a few hundred USD (or whatever denom you use) and exchange it at a bank. There is one at the oasis hotel complex. That way you’ll have a buffer in case you can’t get to an ATM.

  At the hotels you can charge all expenses to your room, and put it on your credit card at the end of the visit. That's the easiest way to handle it. ATM's are often out of cash, or won't work with cards, so I would bring a few hundred USD (or whatever denom you use) and exchange it at a bank. There is one at the oasis hotel complex. That way you'll have a buffer in case you can't get to an ATM. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 2 Jan 2008 Mando said

  

  Thanks for the advice Ed G will do when leaving on the 21-29 March Tour <!--graemlin:;)-->

  Thanks for the advice Ed G will do when leaving on the 21-29 March Tour <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)--> or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 2 Jan 2008 Ed G said

  

  Ugh, that will be one year since I did the tour (March 07) —time goes by fast. Enjoy yourself, and bring warm clothes for the cold nights (and sometimes days!)

  Ugh, that will be one year since I did the tour (March 07) --time goes by fast. Enjoy yourself, and bring warm clothes for the cold nights (and sometimes days!) or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 3 Jan 2008 Mando said

  

  Will do <!--graemlin:;)-->

  Will do <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin:;)--> or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 5 Jan 2008 cdm115 said

  

  You can use credit cards in some regular stores, but not in any of the markets. I think some of the places will charge a fee for using credit cards too, so plan to use mostly cash if you can.

  You can use credit cards in some regular stores, but not in any of the markets. I think some of the places will charge a fee for using credit cards too, so plan to use mostly cash if you can. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this