Cairo - should I cancel?

Steve_xx

I've just returned from Cairo today. It's great and it's my second visit to Egypt. Last time it was Luxor in 1999.

Security is tight in the country. But no different to what it was prior to the incidents of last week. You're as safe in Cairo as you are anywhere else, in fact, given that there are around 18 million people living in this city there is remarkably little crime there.

You have to bear in mind that this is a kind of socialist state, and therefore it follows that there are a lot of government workers who are given jobs as tourist police. There must be more police in the country than civilians and they just sit around in various non-descript places on the streets or in railways stations, and they are terribly bored. They appreciate an acknowledgement and a smile.

Everyone is helpful, some a bit too helpful. Obviously there are people who sieze the tourists, offeing to show them around, or more likely they want to take you to their shop. All harmless, but you need to be tough with them otherwise they'll follow you around doggedly.

If you go to the Pyramids you will be driven insane with guys on camels wanting to take you for a ride and guys professing to be wardens and to have the keys to tombs. Other types will offer to take pics of you, but beware, as they want paying for it.

If you go to the Citadel it's a similar story, minus the camels. Guys will offer to take you around it, saying that they are official tour guides, when they are not. Also it is common for men to tell you that the Citadel or other attractions are closed, but they can take you somewhere that isn't.........

In markets you will be hassled to come in and take a look, especially in the bits that sell tourist tat. In Cairo shops you will now and again be invited to come in and take a look, but not so extensively as in the markets.

They have a small Metro system which is excellent and it seems to cost 75piatras (about 7p at current exchange rates) per journey, no matter what length. Taxis are cheap. I paid 50 egyptian pounds from airport to Cairo. I paid 10 egyptian pounds for a taxi from Giza Metro station to the Pyramids. However, the guy took us close to the Pyramids then stopped the car and another guy offered to take us on a camel around the Pyramdis. I refused and the guy said it was a 14km walk and that I'd have to go with him. I got extremely irate, mainly to press home the point that I was not going to be intimidated or duped, and told the taxi driver to take us to where he'd been told to, ie the ticket office for the Pyramids. He did so, and all was well. But I would, if pushed, have gotten ot of the taxi and gone it alone. At times, you do have to stand your ground, and let them know in no uncertain terms that you know what you want and that you will not be dissuaded from it. Driving standards in Cairo are horrific and every car has tell-tale bumps and scratches.

Don't even think about getting on a bus there!

Get used to people saying "welcome" to you. From young to old, they are proud of their country and they genuinely want you to be there.

Broken_hearted

I would go the people rely so much on the tourists money. Its a nice place for able bodied people to look around, the weathers great and the people friendly. Just don't book with Libra is my advice as the caused us loads of problems.
Carry plenty of small notes to tip people and learn to be firm as people can be so pessistant. We went just after the bombings last year too Luxor and it was fine lots of police.

Funkymum

My hubby is off to Sharm el sheikh on Saturday. He's really not bothered about last weeks events. Security is always tight in Sharm now after the bombs last year.
Its up to you, but I would still go.
Funkymum