Things we learnt ...
Part of having an adventure is to embrace the world and take on the opportunity to learn new things. Here are some the learnings from Egypt ...
1. The smoking rate in Egypt is high. Almost 40% of men in Egypt smoke and there are no restrictions about where you can smoke. This means there is smoking in the street, smoking in the shops and even smoking in the hotels. It’s a fact of life ... you just need to deal with it and find the places that you feel the most comfortable with the smokers around you.
2. Egypt can be dirty. There is rubbish in the streets. The dust and sand fills the air around you. You feel sand and dirt in your hair and in your eyes if you look the wrong way at the wrong time. Yet the people are clean, their clothes are clean, they take pride in their looks. The rubbish may bother you but when you learn to overlook it ... you can live with it.
3. Get off the tourist route. If you get the chance or you have free time do not sit in your hotel. Get out and explore. You can see so much more of life in a country if you go beyond the main roads. We explored local streets, a supermarket, the streets beyond the security of the hotel. We ran across 4 lane roads just like the locals do. We saw meat hanging in the markets being cut to order by the locals. We saw families sitting happily on their doorsteps in side alleys. We ventured to abandoned railway lines. It’s okay ... stay within your own comfort zone. But do not be afraid.
4. Egypt is safe. So much of what we read says that Egypt is not a safe place to travel. Egypt is doing its very best to ensure the safety and security of both the locals and the tourists. Yes you will need to get used to going through check points ... your bag will be scanned and you will be patted down. There will be police with guns. It’s okay ... they aren’t there to make your life worse. They are there to make you safe. To protect you. So take off your shoes. Remove your belt. Hand your phone through the scanner. Be confident that you will be safe.
5. Souks can be daunting. The markets are bedlam. Traders are trying to get you into the store to make you buy. Don’t be afraid though. Go with open eyes. Look but don’t feel compelled to buy. You don’t need to buy if you don’t want to. I take photos for our memories or buy books that help cement the memories. Buy the things that you want to ... but use your eyes to capture the full story. Don’t be scared off by the shouting and cajoling. They are just trying to make their living.
6. Even though we don’t do it ... get ready to tip. We found tipping difficult. It is so foreign to us. It wasn’t until our guide Mohamed explained the whole economics behind tipping and gave us a blow by blow account of who and how much we needed to tip that we felt more comfortable. The wages in Egypt are low and tipping is the way someone who works hard to make your life easier should be celebrated and given the bonus they deserve.
7. Your guides are literally that ... your guides. They are a wealth of information. They are skilled. They are often highly educated (our guide in Cairo and Giza had a PhD in Egyptology). Listen to them. Try to take in as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - not just about what they have told you but also about things you want to know. This is your chance to learn more. Embrace that gift.
8. Trust your drivers. Driving in Egypt is absolutely crazy. I could never drive there in a million years. All of our drivers were incredibly focused men who took pride in their vehicle, pride in their job, pride in making you feel like a King and Queen, pride in getting you safely to your next destination. They give you water to keep you hydrated and some even give you chocolates. They protect your bags that are left in the car when you are out touring. They are always there ready and waiting when you have finished touring a site. They are key to the success of your tour.
9. Egyptians are friendly. They want us to explore their country. They want to share the history and culture of their country. So many of them asked where we were from ... and always welcomed us home in reply. I felt at home in their country. It is beautiful. It is historic. It is picturesque.
10. True religious faith embraces all. There are many misunderstandings about Muslims and Christians (and Jews and Hindus ...). Most of these are based on the actions and preachings of extremists who do not represent the beliefs of the ordinary person. Their faith (in all its difference) is much the same. Be true to what you believe. Do good. Treat others kindly. Be charitable. And the reward will/may be realised in another life ... and the positive way you feel today.
1. The smoking rate in Egypt is high. Almost 40% of men in Egypt smoke and there are no restrictions about where you can smoke. This means there is smoking in the street, smoking in the shops and even smoking in the hotels. It’s a fact of life ... you just need to deal with it and find the places that you feel the most comfortable with the smokers around you.
2. Egypt can be dirty. There is rubbish in the streets. The dust and sand fills the air around you. You feel sand and dirt in your hair and in your eyes if you look the wrong way at the wrong time. Yet the people are clean, their clothes are clean, they take pride in their looks. The rubbish may bother you but when you learn to overlook it ... you can live with it.
3. Get off the tourist route. If you get the chance or you have free time do not sit in your hotel. Get out and explore. You can see so much more of life in a country if you go beyond the main roads. We explored local streets, a supermarket, the streets beyond the security of the hotel. We ran across 4 lane roads just like the locals do. We saw meat hanging in the markets being cut to order by the locals. We saw families sitting happily on their doorsteps in side alleys. We ventured to abandoned railway lines. It’s okay ... stay within your own comfort zone. But do not be afraid.
4. Egypt is safe. So much of what we read says that Egypt is not a safe place to travel. Egypt is doing its very best to ensure the safety and security of both the locals and the tourists. Yes you will need to get used to going through check points ... your bag will be scanned and you will be patted down. There will be police with guns. It’s okay ... they aren’t there to make your life worse. They are there to make you safe. To protect you. So take off your shoes. Remove your belt. Hand your phone through the scanner. Be confident that you will be safe.
5. Souks can be daunting. The markets are bedlam. Traders are trying to get you into the store to make you buy. Don’t be afraid though. Go with open eyes. Look but don’t feel compelled to buy. You don’t need to buy if you don’t want to. I take photos for our memories or buy books that help cement the memories. Buy the things that you want to ... but use your eyes to capture the full story. Don’t be scared off by the shouting and cajoling. They are just trying to make their living.
6. Even though we don’t do it ... get ready to tip. We found tipping difficult. It is so foreign to us. It wasn’t until our guide Mohamed explained the whole economics behind tipping and gave us a blow by blow account of who and how much we needed to tip that we felt more comfortable. The wages in Egypt are low and tipping is the way someone who works hard to make your life easier should be celebrated and given the bonus they deserve.
7. Your guides are literally that ... your guides. They are a wealth of information. They are skilled. They are often highly educated (our guide in Cairo and Giza had a PhD in Egyptology). Listen to them. Try to take in as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - not just about what they have told you but also about things you want to know. This is your chance to learn more. Embrace that gift.
8. Trust your drivers. Driving in Egypt is absolutely crazy. I could never drive there in a million years. All of our drivers were incredibly focused men who took pride in their vehicle, pride in their job, pride in making you feel like a King and Queen, pride in getting you safely to your next destination. They give you water to keep you hydrated and some even give you chocolates. They protect your bags that are left in the car when you are out touring. They are always there ready and waiting when you have finished touring a site. They are key to the success of your tour.
9. Egyptians are friendly. They want us to explore their country. They want to share the history and culture of their country. So many of them asked where we were from ... and always welcomed us home in reply. I felt at home in their country. It is beautiful. It is historic. It is picturesque.
10. True religious faith embraces all. There are many misunderstandings about Muslims and Christians (and Jews and Hindus ...). Most of these are based on the actions and preachings of extremists who do not represent the beliefs of the ordinary person. Their faith (in all its difference) is much the same. Be true to what you believe. Do good. Treat others kindly. Be charitable. And the reward will/may be realised in another life ... and the positive way you feel today.
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