General advice from an ex-pat
by youngsincairo
Advice from an ex-pat starting her 4th year in Cairo: Dress like a tourist and you will be treated like a tourist. Women: tops not too low, mid-calf length capris or skirts are good options, bare upper arms are considered sexy, so cover up! Bermuda shorts for a man is OK at the pyramids since you will be considered a tourist anyway. One correction: the bank windows for purchasing visas ($15 US or equivalent in pounds or Euros) are beyond the baggage collection and duty free shop, on the left just before the Immigration/passport booths. The lineup is generally short. No trouble with pickpockets, but I wouldn't want to tempt them, either. Just use common sense: be careful in crowded streets, wear your purse across your chest, no wallets in back pockets! One suggestion: it helps if you learn a few words of Arabic, and joke with them (using gestures and facial expression--they have a wonderful sense of humour! Act confident, like you're friends (not timid or intimidated). One Egyptian man in the Khan (market area) told me he knew I wasn't a tourist because I didn't act frightened...
Pharoah's pose...
by ATXtraveler
Everyone knows that the Bangles can "Walk like an Egyptian", but there is actually some validity to that statement. In most of the statues of the Pharoahs, the pose of how the Pharoah was postured told you what type of ruler he was. If the ruler was a military man, he would be postured with his left foot forward (Left, Left, Left, right, left).
The other interesting thing is that their hands were always closed, with something in between their grasp to use as a brace. This kept their hands ready for the fight.
the weekend
by uglyscot
1. The Pyramids
2. The Egyptian Museum
3. Khan el Khalili
4. The Nile
5. islamic Cairo
To see any of Cairo without facing all the traffic and people go at the weekend.
In the past the weekend was Thursday and Friday [the main day], but now the Government has changed to Friday and Saturday as the weekend.
This means that on Fridays the streets are relatively less congested, especially in the middle of the day at the time of Friday prayers.
Shops may be closed for longer periods on these days. I miss the vibrant atmosphere.
Walking around Cairo on a Friday is enjoyable as you can look at your leisure and see things you don't at other times. It is quieter too.
Cairo Tip
by Irine_29
The Han El Halili area:We soon found out that almost everyone there speaks Greek.I had the bad luck to realise that,after talking Greek rude to a local when he almost fall over me with his car. In my surprise, he kindly answered back in good greek telling me that i shouldnt be so tempered!!!!
KARKADEE
by SabrinaSummerville
This is the red drink that you will be offered everywhere you go in Egypt – every shop, restaurant, and hotel lobby.
The drink is made from an infusion of hibiscus flowers and thetaste varies a great deal according to whether or not it has been sweetened, where you drink it etc. The first few times I had it I wasn’t crazy about it, but then it was hot and freshly infused without any sweetener. On this last visit to Caro I learned to purchase it in the supermarket ice cold and sweet. It really is just about the most refreshing thing you can drink and is most pleasant.
pavement seating
Jump like an Egyptian
Side view of entrance @ Saqqara
Hey! I'm here!
