EnglishAt 8 am I am stepping out from my apartment, looking up against the half clouded but relatively warm morning.
I am meeting my Danish colleagues with 2 elderly gentlemen with Autism. Today’s trip is heading for the pyramids and to ride camels. The two brave gentlemen had a great wish. To see the pyramids, followed by a camel ride. This wish finally came true, and the whole group is now in Cairo, ready for an exiting week.
After a short drive towards Giza, we enter the pyramids complex. Tourism is still quite low due to the 2011 events in Egypt, although people are now, slowly but surely, coming back to the Giza pyramids. We decided to be there when the ticket office opens, to beat the crowds and we have most of the complex to our selves, when we start the tour of the 3 great pyramids. Slowly but surely, the buses approach and before we are done absorbing the views, there are quite a lot of tourists among us.
Next on the list, is the camel ride. This takes place above the pyramids, on a nearby plateau, which have open views to the Saqqara pyramids further south. It’s very big smiles, we all get from the very satisfied gentlemen, that finally have done the camel ride, with the pyramids in the background.
The trip will be in their memory for a long long time.
The service we got all through the whole trip, was very satisfying. The staff at the pyramids, was very helpful and friendly and I hope that more people, that’s not the usual “Lonely Planet” reader, will grab the opportunity to come explore this great Country!
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to me Egyptians love Americans, we just don’t love your government. I told him that’s okay, many Americans feel the exact same way you do. The only thing you’ll sueffr from in Egypt being American is the price of things. Egyptians get a huge discount and being the wife of an Egyptian, I did too. Of course some places even asked for proof of marriage, lol! So we showed them our ID’s and since I took his last name, it really helped us out. Anyways, once they know you are a tourist, the prices are jacked up tremendously. Of course 30 Egyptian pounds equal about $5, but it seems a steal when you can get it for 5 Egyptian pounds , lol! You’ll also have tons of guides sticking to you hoping you’ll use their services. Many even give you the tour first and then ask for money when you’re done (sneaky). As far as your safety goes, don’t insult Egypt and you’ll do just fine. The Egyptians are very warm hearted people and they give as much and sometimes more than they can to make sure you are happy and comfortable. Some places you HAVE to see if/when you go: take a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan and try to catch Abu Simbel too if you can, the Pyramids and Muhammad Ali Castle in Cairo, oh and the National Museum in Cairo but be sure you see the temples and tombs first, there are many beautiful mosques and churches all throughout Egypt (just make sure you ask if you can tour before you enter, some have strict policies), and you can’t leave Egypt without seeing Alexandria. There you can visit the Qait Bay fort, Montaza Palace, Alexandria Library (built on the site they believe the ancient library was), another museum, take a carriage ride along the seaside, oh and the ruins of a Roman theater. SO much fun stuff to do. You’ll be so glad you went. Good luck!