Walking
by Bryskiboy
I went by myself and as soon as I started walking around the streets I did not feel comfortable. As soon as I got out there I realised what a friendly place it is. Don't stray into the real Cairo areas unless you feel very secure. They will be surprised to see you and have a laugh thinking you are lost!!
I walked from my hotel to Cairo Museum which took 30 mins but I'm glad I did because you can really absorb the culture and what people are like. You will find some great cafes and places to eat. When I was there I saw nobody wandering around, it was very hot but still. Get out and about and try to get to places that are close by walking.
About Giza
by marimar_72
Giza used to be an individual city from Cairo,before it has become part of "Great Cairo" or as the Egyptians say(al kahira al kobrah).
It is also located at the Nile river,and it`s famous for it`s pyramids.
At Giza you will find many fancy hotels and shopping malls.
Many people think it`s the same city as Cairo,but it`s not ;-)
Giza is the Egyptian pronunciation for Jiza(Jiza is in proper Arabic pronunciation).
Get out of Cairo!
by mariocibelli
If you are staying in Cairo for more than a few days, I suggest going to Alexandria to break up the monotony of siteseeing. Sometimes, you get to the breaking point of mosques, museums and monuments and can't take any more. It is an easy train journey there, and just enough things to keep you busy for the day. Train is cheap in 2nd class 50 Pounds RT, with arctic AC!
Egyptians love children
by paradisedreamer
Travelling in Egypt with children is very easy. All Egyptians love children and they are welcome everywhere. Our daughter was overwhelmed by all the attention she got and all the little presents (and no, not con to get us to buy things, people truly are generous!)
Sheesha Smoking
by emoja
Sheesha is a water pipe used for smoking flavored tobacco. The most popular flavor is Apple, although we also had Mint and Molasses. Sheesha is much, much lighter than a cigarette, and it also contains none of the additives of cigarettes. Don't be afraid to try it, it's a very big part of Egyptian culture.
All Egyptian men smoke sheesha, but it's rare to see women smoking. If you're a woman and want to partake, only do so in touristy areas where there are a lot of other foreigners around. In Cairo, there are plenty of women smoking at the Nile Hilton outdoor restaurant. In Luxor, you find them at restaurants along the Nile and at Tut Restaurant outside of Karnak Temple.
Sheesha is very cheap - it shouldn't cost more than a few Egyptian pounds to have one round of sheesha. If you would like to purchase a sheesha pipe for yourself, don't pay anything over 120LE. I've heard that you can get them for as cheap as 10LE, but as a tourist this is doubtful. Make sure you have someone show you how to set the pipe up with tobacco and coal, it's not as simple as it looks.
The Lady with red scarf asked me, How Many Wives?
Interior of Mohammed Ali Mosque - Dec 07
Our Bus.
Ceiling detail - Al Rifa'i mosque
