Cairo in the heat of summer - ancient Cairo
Written: May 11 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: I got to see the pyramids and all sorts of artifacts
Cons: no other museum will ever measure up to this
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| azielinski's Full Review: Cairo |
I knew it was going to be hot. I was prepared for it, until the heat hits you as you walk out of the plane.
Anyhow, I was in Cairo and it was August - see my general Egypt review for the explanation - and I had to get from the airport to my hotel at midnight. I got a mini-bus cab and was on my way. The books tell you that you can haggle the price down on the cab from the airport. Maybe you can, but I didn't. I was tired and couldn't think, much less haggle. I paid $40 and figured it was the cost of getting where I wanted to go on the first night. After that, I was ruthless in my haggling.
I stayed at the King Hotel. It is clean and safe and where all the avocado fixtures went after the 70's were over...just in case you were wondering.
This trip was done with a group, so keep that in mind.
After catching up on sleep, we were off to the pyramids. Go early in the day. Take your photos and then go in a pyramid. The reviewers that have written that the pyramids smell are right. They do smell but how many opportunities do you have to go into a pyramid. You will be going down a ramp at about a 45 degree angle and duck walking while you are doing it. Do not put your head up to see how you are progressing. I had a nice lump on my forehead from doing that. There are two chambers inside the pyramid. They are very small, completely empty and there are lots of people in there. Look around and listen to the man who is there and then climb back out. If you have problems with enclosed spaces (I am not even going to try to spell that word) you might want to pass on this but think about it.
Once you get out of the pyramid, you have an opportunity to see the solar barque. It is a boat - the type that was used on the Nile - that was supposed to convey the body to the spirit world. I think two have been found but on is on display. It is made of cedar and is held together with ropes (no nails, etc.). Apparently it is watertight - or was when it was built. It is indoors about a five minute walk from the pyramid you just came out of. It is an additional fee (just about everything here is a small additional fee). They make you wear canvas shoe covers, to protect the floor. You can use your camera for yet another small fee or check it. I checked mine and got a postcard. A guide will show you around the barque. A small (10 Egyptian pounds or so) tip is in order. If the exchange rate is anything like what I got, that is about $.25.
Outside you can look at the pyramids some more. Do not climb them. It is apparently dangerous but more importantly it is bad for the pyramids themselves.
Note: If there is any possibility of riding a camel at another point in your trip, do not ride the camels here. They are very expensive and you don't get to ride far(check my camel riding thoughts on my epinions from Morocco). If this is your one chance, go ahead but women should not get on a camel with with the camel man. You might have a total stranger getting to "know" you very well.
After this we got back on our bus and took the brief ride to the sphinx. It is a little smaller than I thought but still impressive. Our guide told us a great deal about the sphinx and also why the noses are missing on so many statues. (No, I am not going to tell you...yet.)
From the sphinx we went on to a papyrus shop, where they showed us how papyrus is made. It is a brief and interesting demonstration and while I didn't buy anything, I was glad to know more about the process. There was no "pressure" to buy, but the people there were certainly glad if you did decide to make a purchase.
After a quick lunch of felafel (it was bought at a stand, so I can't give you a name but all the felafel I had in Egypt was very good) we went to the Museum. Once again our guide filled us in on the history, including the reading of hyrogliphics and some Biblical history.
At this point it was the heat of the day, so we went back to the hotel to rest before venturing out on our own after 4.
**Tips**
1) There is a certain amount of begging and high pressure selling that takes place around the pyramids. A firm but quiet "no" while walking by the people doing this is the best way to handle it. If they do continue to follow you, stop, look right at them and say it again. It worked every time for me and I am NOT intimidating. One person who was there was screaming at people to leave her alone. It doesn't work and makes you look very foolish.
2) Don't forget your water. You are going to need it and if there are any water sellers about you are going to pay dearly for it.
3)In this particular area you can probably get away with walking shorts (covering you to your knees) but wear trousers if you are going to be riding a camel. Heat and chafing are not a pleasant combination.
4) Small tips are important in this part of the world. Your guide book has probably already told you that but it bears repeating. You have paid a lot to get here but all of that doesn't find its way to the people staffing the pyramids. Salaries are low and they have shared their knowledge with you. (This is my own personal plug but keep it in mind when you make your decision on tipping.)
Recommended:
Yes
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azielinski
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Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 341
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Just started a new job...I'll be writing again soon.
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