Cairo
On Sunday took the train down from Alexandria. Only had to “tip” two police officers today. I have learnt that the worst question in the world you can hear in Egypt is “Hello Sir, what country are you from?”.
In New Zealand, you ask somewhere where they are from as a genuine conversation starter. Here it is a prelude to a mugging. You see they have craftily picked a question that is hard to avoid without being rude. You are obviously from somewhere and your instinct is to say where from.
The moment you do, it is all over. Like a limpet the person attaches to you talking about how good New Zealand (land of milk) is and how much they like New Zealanders and just for you they will tell you something about the local facility. Never mind you didn’t want to know, or already did know. You are then obliged to hand over some money for this favour.
My suggestion is to carry lots of small currency. 
Anyway once I got to Cairo, checked in at the hotel, and discovered the swimming pool is one of those ones with a bar in the middle of it. Nice.
I’m not sure I have mentioned this before, but to respect local customs I have not worn shorts outside at all. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Now I have avoided the very hottest months but it has still got up to around 30 degrees, and even in shorts that is hot – especially for me who still has an internal thermostat attuned to Dunedin climate. So swimming pools are a welcome relief.
This is the view from my room. What a great location to be staying. Met up with a friend, and we enjoyed the view from the balcony for hours.
Decided to go to the famous National Museum of Egypt. Even better learnt it was only a couple of kms away, so could walk there, avoiding a taxi driver negotiation.
The bridge over the Nile has these lion statues at each end.
The Cairo International Film Festival is very highly regarded, and a source of pride to many in Egypt.
The Cairo Tower. It is 187 metres tall and has a restaurant at the top. It is mainly used for TV signals
This is the famous Egyptian Museum. The sheer amount of artifacts is staggering, and you could easily spend days here. The treasures from King Tut’s tomb are amazing, as are his two gold coffins. The wooden outer coffin and the mummy itself remain in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Everyone says this is a must see, and they are right. Both the quantity and quality of material is vast.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Dave, I like the view from your room – was it the same price as my as my $1100 a night as it was in Paris when I travelled with you?
November 16th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Poor bastards. They are the slaves to the central planners in Egypt the Labour and the Greens want to impose upon us here.
All such scum. Off with their heads (once they have paid us the largesses from their theft of the ‘filthy rich (anyone perceived as having money, including those with less than me).
November 16th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
“..’Im not sure I have mentioned this before, but to respect local customs I have not worn shorts outside at all..”
for which ..i am sure..everyone is palpably grateful..
phil(whoar.co.nz)
November 17th, 2009 at 12:11 am
David, you just got to get tougher with the locals!
I can’t remember the last time I had to hand over any currency for nothing.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Have to agree with Heine, and Farrar has provided yet another reason for permanent exclusion from the VRWC.
The correct response when approached or hassled by beggars, because that is what they are, is “Fuck Off”, if necessary drop the shoulder. Trust me they understand the universal language of “Fuck off”, they can even swear better than most in English.
Heavens knows how much money DPF would hand over in Bangkok just walking a block to the shops.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Oh I have no problems ignoring the beggars and touts. I have not paid them a cent. But when it is the effing Police hitting you up for money, it is more risky to tell them to eff off
November 17th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Ask for their Police number, rank and name, that usually moves them along
November 17th, 2009 at 10:31 am
You could just tell the Police you are a citizen of the world.
Then again, that may upset them too.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Yep, the old name, serial number and anything else that you can make up works a treat. I have offered to walk to the tourist police office many a time when a “copper” gets fresh with me.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:37 am
David
Try asking a few locals, you will find that men can indeed wear shorts. (In fact they said “you are a man, you can do anything”).
Its not rude, and they especially understand that you are a foreigner.
Totally your call of course (like you, I respect local customs), but the friend I was with in Egypy for 2 weeks wore 3/4 pants for 50% of the time no issue, and shorts the other 50, again without issue. No one even “looked”.
[DPF: Most of the time I have not seen anyone in shorts but at Giza yesterday there was a gaggle of girls in their denim shorts!]
November 17th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Oh, and re comments re police, 90% of the police you see are “Tourist and antiquities” police (I think that’s the name, all from memory).
So they are there for the tourists – they are great if you have anyone hassling you just a tad too much.
The police dont hassle tourists for money (well not that I have ever seen) but they do ask for tips (baksheesh (sp?) ) after giving service, so for example if you ask for directions it’s considered “nice” to tip (a couple of pounds, or 40c NZ is just fine) – think of it as a custom.
I had one local go get me tea (they paid) in a market and then when I asked about a bathroom, took me there (walked me all the way) and then took me back – I offered a thank you at the end (baksheesh) but they said no, so they are not ALL after money.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Oh .. and here is the best tip – they know English, they know a little French, and Russian (of course). They struggle with much else – so we found it VERY useful to make up some weird country name and say “No English” to them. That throws 99% of the “Hello Sir, what country are you from”.
Oh, and since I just gave you advice – where is my baksheesh? (I will wait till you get back to NZ before I hound you).