Ramadan
by CandS
While we were in Egypt the Muslim people were in the middle of Ramadan. We had heard that it could cause problems with our tour or that we may not get to eat because of Ramadan but really we didn't have any problems at all because of it.
The locals did seem to go a bit crazy around 4:30 - 5:30 pm when they ALL seemed to be on the road travelling home or to where ever they would eat their "break-fast" but it didn't affect us too much. We also found a lot of locals eating in the streets and enjoying each others company. It was nice to see!
A couple of nights we also joined our tour guide (a local Egyptian) for his "break-fast" meal... :)
Friendliness
by crollif
My family got to know the owner of the 'Nile Secret' falucca, Ameen Abdu #20 (0)105705066, working from his 'office' beside the Novotel Hotel with his helper, Del Boy!. He showed us Egypt from the inside and gave us such wonderful experiences in one short week. He can organise any trip you want at a fraction of the reps prices and nothing is too much. He is now a family friend as I am sure he is to many. Ameen invited us to his house in a village on the West bank. There was humorous banter about how women should/must treat their men from our two very different cultures. We had a very nice meal with him (just him as his wife and sister-in-law were in the back room but we did meet them later) and we spent several hours chatting about our ways of life.
He took us to the best (not most expensive) cotton shop and spice shop where the locals go and he haggled on our behalf. We were treated like royalty. Yes, he was getting a commission (I am not that naive!) but I still got some very good bargains.
Simplicity is the best.
by Rachelynn
Yes, that would be the word i chose to describe the lovely villagers, living besides the Nile River Bank.
They get so excited when they see a cruise ship. They would stop and wave to you. Such is the sheer joy of simplicity. Pure and simple.....
We saw people swimming at the river, we saw cattles and cash crop, we saw women washing clothes, kids running to chase after the ship.
I could just sit by the deck all day along and soak in this beauty
Take your time
by Maline
Apart from Giza, Luxor (and Aswan - Abu Simbel) is the place where you can see Egyptian history in action, that is in place.
In Luxor the sights to see are at both sides of the Nile. On the east side you have the Luxor and Karnak temples, and on the west side there are the valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut´s temple.
We stayed about a week in Luxor, but we could have stayed much longer. In my opinion, this is not a place to hurry in, but rather experience in a slow pace, really taking in the scenery.
Missing Out!
by ATXtraveler
If you have not planned your trip to Egypt yet, I would highly recommend doing so... with as much history as there is to see, it really is to your disadvantage.
If you need any advice on planning your trip here, please let me know!
Email me for more information.
The gentleman in Galabiya took me to his house
Sitting Ramses II @Luxor Temple
Menacing donkeys approaching
Cattle Egret with a freshly caught toad
