You know how you feel sometimes when you stand up too quickly and get a head rush, well that how I feel about Egypt. It was really quite amazing and of course very fun. But woah what a rush! Our awesome friends, the Sterns from chesterland, hosted our stay in Cairo, they moved there a few months ago. Our first few days were enlightened with Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations. We then spent a day at the pyramids, I must say they were definitely worth the trip. I really liked seeing people taking camel rides al around them, so picturesque. We drove around an area that was well, shocking. I really loved it though. Its called Garbage City. This town is situated right on/next to the land fill, and the people who live there sort the trash, its to be recycled or re-sold or re-furbished etc. So cool, its kinda like my garage back in Ohio, except no racoons of course.
We then trained in to Luxor where YES the souq salesmen attack you. Its all true, everything that has ever been said about the crazy ways they hassel you. I quickly figured my way around though. My catch phrases became, "sorry, I don't speak to strangers" or "no Engles" or simply wearing a scarf on my head seemed to keep them off my back a bit. Everyone would always ask, hello m'dam where are you from? I would answer Saudi Arabia or Afghanestan and they would be puzzled and then just chuckle. I really did enjoy the game though, the Egyptians are so nice and have a great sense of humor. My responses became more of an ice breaker and a gentle way of saying "I'm just looking".
Touring Luxor was well spectacular! We walked and walked and walked. There were some men who had a stick gate blocking a certan spot with a view, after I was let in to go see, I was then harassed for payment. "backsheesh", :) Same with the bathrooms anywhere in Egypt. Anyone could come and stake their claim to a bathroom, they would keep it looking nice and occasionally offer tissue for you to use, but only in return for "backsheesh". interesting.
We then trained in to Luxor where YES the souq salesmen attack you. Its all true, everything that has ever been said about the crazy ways they hassel you. I quickly figured my way around though. My catch phrases became, "sorry, I don't speak to strangers" or "no Engles" or simply wearing a scarf on my head seemed to keep them off my back a bit. Everyone would always ask, hello m'dam where are you from? I would answer Saudi Arabia or Afghanestan and they would be puzzled and then just chuckle. I really did enjoy the game though, the Egyptians are so nice and have a great sense of humor. My responses became more of an ice breaker and a gentle way of saying "I'm just looking".
Touring Luxor was well spectacular! We walked and walked and walked. There were some men who had a stick gate blocking a certan spot with a view, after I was let in to go see, I was then harassed for payment. "backsheesh", :) Same with the bathrooms anywhere in Egypt. Anyone could come and stake their claim to a bathroom, they would keep it looking nice and occasionally offer tissue for you to use, but only in return for "backsheesh". interesting.
