Its Not Africa, Its Egypt.

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I've yet to meet a traveler, or vacationer for that matter, who doesn't have a trip to the Pyramids on their 'must see in this lifetime' list. By the time you get there, chances are you've coughed up a serious amount of cash and your parents are worried sick they'll be stuck raising your children. So make the most of it.

I'm always a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to traveling. I want no part of the pre-packaged, shrink wrapped, "watch your step and stay with the group" trips. But Egypt humbled me. Egypt is the exception.

Jeremy and I took a taxi from our hotel in Cairo to Giza feeling self-assured that our travel savviness would be sufficient. The taxi driver hadn't put the car in park before the vultures descended upon us. The guide that chose us gave us a seemingly fair price for the trip to the Pyramids. I think the poor man just simply hated his job.

He got irritated when I wanted to get off the camel and actually walk around the Pyramids. His "informative" narrative was primitive and mumbled. I had to insist he let me walk around and take photos. At the end of the tour he demanded a tip. I gave him $20 and he demanded more. I handed him anothoer $20 just to get rid of him.

For something as majestic as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx I wouldn't leave things to chance next time. There are any number of stellar and reputible guides available, guides that love their country and cherish their heritage. In a country such as Egypt, there's so much to learn about religion and mythology. Having a good Egyptologist at your side makes your experience so much richer in a land with this much history.

These days, Egypt is starving for the tourist dollar. If you've got the guts to go then you can really cash in. Five star hotels are operating with minimal occupancy and you can stay for a steal.

On our second pass through Giza, we stayed at the Mena House Oberoi where many rooms have views of the Pyramids from your balcony. This place is just exquisite and would probably be out of our price range had Egypt not gone through a revolution recently. During the height of the revolution, it was operating at 5% occupancy and as of September was up to 25%.

People will always want to go to Egypt. This may not be the time to take grandma but if you use good sense, make a plan, hire a reputable guide and brace yourself for the bullies, it can certainly be done. Send me a private message and I can hook you up with stellar guide in Cairo.

Thank you Ahmed, for making me watch my step.

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Photos

Yes, I certainly found my sunshine.
Mena House Oberoi

Giza
I loved seeing this little kid herding his camels with the Superman t-shirt on.

Comments

[anonymous]

It can't be done independently
No matter how hard you try in Egypt, you simply cannot avoid touts and "guides". It's a fascinating nation but is also up there with India as the most frustrating.

[cabochick]

You get 5 stars for this picture! I love it.

[cabochick]

Did you ever see that Idiot Abroad when he sees the pyramids for the first time? There was garbage and nappies wizzing around his head, and he says something like 'they don't put that on the brochure do they?' Oh I laughed myself silly. Great blogs by the way!

[Anastasia78]

I just put Idiot Abroad on my Netflix queue. :)

[liliram]

Mean House
If I go back to Egypt, rather WHEN I go back to Egypt, I'd stay again in Mena House Oberoi. Was there ages ago. 1996 to be exact. Need to get a good deal to afford staying there again. Thanks, Anastasia for this post. Been searching for hotel photos -- mine sucks -- and seeing yours made me remember. Would you mind sharing your photos with me on my Egypt blog? I'd use the TB photo code of course to redirect the reader to this blog.

[liliram]

Loved it there
Back in 1996, I stayed here. But my room was by no means as big nor as nicely appointed as this one. Thanks for all these hotel pics, Anastasia - - - nostalgic for me. Would love to be back, staring out at the pyramids from the hotel room.

[denidax]

what a great picture!!!!!