Cairo, Egypt 1998

[Dawood Khan]

Cairo 1998 (http://hereticdhammasangha.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/cairo-egypt-1998/)

Lots of pics.

[Catligula]

I was in Egypt in 99. Did you get to go inside the Great Pyramid?

[Dawood Khan]

yeah. back then I got in all of them and all over them. wish I had been able to go down south back then

[Catligula]

That's cool. We got to see a little inside, not as much freedom to explore as I would have liked. I can't believe its been nearly ten years already, I can't wait to get back there.

BTW - Anyone that wants to go check out Egypt shouldn't worry too much about the regional hostility toward America. I found most Egyptians I encountered to be very respectful, more curious than suspicious. There was even one guy that stupidly wore a "I Heart USA" T-shirt and still didn't get messed with, though he probably deserved to. I haven't checked the currency exchange lately, but as far as I know its still one of the best places to stretch the US dollar.

[Dawood Khan]

Egypt was one of the most expensive places I have visited. The exchange rate is pretty good. BUT...the Egyptians up-charge tourists at an insane rate. It's truly highway robbery. I will not return to Egypt. We were literally paying 4 bucks for a bottle of water.

Now, if you have an Egyptian with you who will purchase things for you, then it is cheap as all get out.

I hated that aspect of it. Anything below a 5 star hotel and 9 times out of ten you must pay in cash. Who the hell carries that much cash on them anymore. That was a pain as well.

The blatant up-charging of everything really soured me on Egypt.

[Catligula]

Wow, thats too bad. I felt like we were practically stealing everything at the prices we paid, aside from a couple long distance calls to the States. I went all over Egypt though, Cairo is by far the most expensive city there.

[misterbluecat]

Gee, last time I was there I could get 2 big bottles of Baraka for $1. Could also get 2 big macs and fries from McDonalds for $1.60. Robbery indeed.

[Catligula]

Gee, last time I was there I could get 2 big bottles of Baraka for $1. Could also get 2 big macs and fries from McDonalds for $1.60. Robbery indeed.

I never paid more than a pound for a bottle of water, about 33¢ USD at the time. I tried to stick to the local cuisine when we'd eat out, but I do distinctly recall going to a Domino's in Cairo for lunch one day and getting a large pizza and a liter of Coke for $3 USD. As far as hotels, we booked all of ours before we got to Egypt so that probably helps. I also took a train across the country for about $15 and drank many many $4 bottles of wine.

[Dawood Khan]

I never paid more than a pound for a bottle of water, about 33¢ USD at the time. I tried to stick to the local cuisine when we'd eat out, but I do distinctly recall going to a Domino's in Cairo for lunch one day and getting a large pizza and a liter of Coke for $3 USD. As far as hotels, we booked all of ours before we got to Egypt so that probably helps. I also took a train across the country for about $15 and drank many many $4 bottles of wine.

Back in 1998, it was cheap. That was what was so surprising about it all. I remember things being easy and cheap.

The train from Cairo to Luxor/Aswan now costs 60 bucks. 120USD round trip.

I booked our hotels online so it saved me having to make multiple trips to the ATM. Last two days, we stayed at Mena House. Excellent hotel. So no problems. Had a nice view of the Pyramids from our room. That was pretty cool.

The Egyptians have learned how to rip off tourists.

Like I said though, if you have an Egyptian friend with you or an honest merchant, that same bottle of water is 1 or two Egyptian pounds. Out at the sites such as Abu Simbel. They tried to charge anywhere from 20 to 40 Egyptian pound for a bottle of water or a coke. Divide that by 5 and you get USD.

One trick they try is telling you that something costs 5 pound. When you tell them ok, they say 5-----------------hundred. By that time, they've already handed you the item and they refuse to take it back.

I don't know where they get these tactics or if they ever work. But it pretty much guaranteed that I purchased nothing from the stores surrounding the various sites.

It's completely different from other places I'd been.

They were marking up everything to insane prices.

I was interested in a papyrus painting. Rare for me. But I liked this particular one. The store marked price was 300 bucks. I was able to talk him down to 50USD. Even then, I feel like I paid too much. But I really liked it. So I'm happy (and that's all that really counts when buying stuff like that). So no biggie. But the mere fact that I had to talk him down from $300 says enough to me. You know that some tourists are paying some insane prices out there. normally, start at about 1/3rd of asking price. But there was just no way that I was paying 100 bucks for this thing. They were lucky to get 50. I think 25 would have been a fair price.

It's a shame. I'm sure there are many people who will go home and tell their friends about this kind of thing. And it will stop people from going.

The antiquities in Egypt are magnificent. Abu Simbel was magical. The Colossi of Memnon were awe inspiring. I felt as if I were strolling through a fantasy land and my mouth hung agape for much of my visit to the monuments of the Pharaohs.

The monuments themselves are extraordinary. The greed of the people and the government of Egypt...I have no words for it.

[Dawood Khan]

Even so, if you can afford it. GO! GO! GO!

Book everything in advance.

[misterbluecat]

Well, from '99 to the last time I was there stuff went about 66 cents according to the numbers Cat provided.

I loved to hagle in Egypt, especially at the market. I bought $700 worth (list price in USD) of stuff for only $45, including a nice hookah that still sits on my shelf in here. Hell, it cost more to ship it home than it did to buy it. I see their tactics have changed quite a bit now that they have learned how to con people. That stuff was sort of catching on when I was there, especially at the market. You would hagle for something then a buddy of theirs would try to shill the price back up by stating his interest in the item. After getting wise to this, I would have someone traveling with me come in to hustle the shill. Worked really well. :icon_mrgreen:

Oh, and Dave, I managed to get an 18x12 piece of papyrus with some various things on it for $7 when I was there, list price of $250. Truth be told, that's about all it's worth. My best weapon was trading them useless crap I bought at home before I left, pawning it off as a really high value item. Speaking of which, I managed to get a silk rug (3ft x 3ft) for just $35, list of $400. The reason I got it for $35 is because I gave him a cheap-o watch I got from K-Mart that was $35. Sometimes you just have to con the cons.

[Dawood Khan]

Well, from '99 to the last time I was there stuff went about 66 cents according to the numbers Cat provided.

I loved to hagle in Egypt, especially at the market. I bought $700 worth (list price in USD) of stuff for only $45, including a nice hookah that still sits on my shelf in here. Hell, it cost more to ship it home than it did to buy it. I see their tactics have changed quite a bit now that they have learned how to con people. That stuff was sort of catching on when I was there, especially at the market. You would hagle for something then a buddy of theirs would try to shill the price back up by stating his interest in the item. After getting wise to this, I would have someone traveling with me come in to hustle the shill. Worked really well. :icon_mrgreen:

Oh, and Dave, I managed to get an 18x12 piece of papyrus with some various things on it for $7 when I was there, list price of $250. Truth be told, that's about all it's worth. My best weapon was trading them useless crap I bought at home before I left, pawning it off as a really high value item. Speaking of which, I managed to get a silk rug (3ft x 3ft) for just $35, list of $400. The reason I got it for $35 is because I gave him a cheap-o watch I got from K-Mart that was $35. Sometimes you just have to con the cons.

In jest, I offered 10 bucks in another store for a similar piece to the one that I had purchased. The guy sneered at me and walked away.

[duncon]

Egypt is a one of the very beautiful place in the world. Cairo is also beautiful place . But Egypt pyramids is a historical place in the world.

============================================

duncon

Kentucky Alcohol Addiction Treatment (http://www.alcoholaddiction.org/kentucky)

[Catligula]

The monuments themselves are extraordinary. The greed of the people and the government of Egypt...I have no words for it.

That's something people all over the world have in common. But the reason they do this is because there are dumb, rich tourists that fall for it. If you know how to talk to people, this doesn't happen. If you have chump written all over your face they will swarm you (not saying this is you).
I talked merchants down from some ridiculous prices, but I never got offended over it. And to keep perspective, the vast majority of Egypt is very, very poor. The main recurring thought I had while I was over there was how blessed I am and how easy we all have it over here.

[Dawood Khan]

Catigula, I agree with you. And trust me, I know that I live a blessed life. The Merchants that are attempting to rip off tourists aren't the poor of Egypt.

Cambodia is as poor if not more poverty stricken than Egypt. But it's a different vibe. The Egyptians were aggressive. I almost want to say mean.

The begging folks and the children. I gave money away all the time. What's a few bucks here and there for me. I usually sit and talk with the kids and just give them a dollar without taking and merchandise.

India. The Merchants were nice and they enjoyed the haggling. It's a game. And it can be fun.

In Egypt. It was just different. Almost as if they felt entitled to your money. It was a strange vibe. I've not felt it anywhere else in the world. Not even China.

And this should in no way discourage anyone from visiting Egypt. The place is magnificent. The sites and monuments defy description. Reaching out and touching a column that has stood for thousands of years. Seeing sculptures and paintings on walls that are still as vivid as when originally created.

The place is breath taking. It truly defies description.

Much like the Mekong. One must see it to know it. You must experience it. No description. No picture. No film can do these things justice.

And I take back what I said earlier. It's not the people. It's the merchants who taint the experience. But once you lose interest in purchasing anything. it's no big deal. And there were some honest merchants out there as well.

Over all it was a magnificent journey.