Job Discussion Forums

[ondine]

Hello,
I am just about to start my journey on Tuesday and will arrive in Cairo airport at 12:15am. I suppose I will have to gamble and take my chances on finding someone who is legit for a taxi, and book my hostel from here. After my 4 week course, I would like to travel some more through Egypt. I still get differing opinions and kind of nebulous information, for example, from people who have lived in Morocco and have never been to Egypt. Some people instill fear and Otherness while some say "Be yourself as long as you respect customs and dress, don't lie about where you are from. Most people don't care. Don't look humble or scared when men/boys approach you or harrass you in your face (about being guides or worse), be assertive and firm, let them know that YOU are in charge of the interaction" (that suits my style much more than frailty and passivity). I'd like to go from Alex to Cairo and then, I haven't decided all of the places I want to visit- fly to Ankara. I really don't want to go in fear, even though I've heard of men hitting my US friend in Morocco (on the street, for no reason), or rapes happening . So is travelling alone to the bigger, more touristy places safe for me?
Maha salaama,
Ondine

[veiledsentiments]

Ondine,

I think one can easily travel around both countries with little danger as long as you dress conservatively and use common sense. Your chance of being raped is a miniscule fraction of what it is in the US. Yes, men will hit on you just as can happen in any country and you ignore them. If any man touches you, make a scene and invariably the other men will come to your rescue and punish the offender.

The more touristy the area, the more touts will bother you - especially now that tourism is down and they are desperate for income. I first attempt polite refusal - in Egypt, I would say 'shukran' or 'la, shukran' both of which here mean no thanks. If they ignore that and keep bothering me, I sharply say 'enough, go away.' (have someone teach you this in Arabic at your course - it's easy). In Turkey, the best way to get rid of touts (who I found even more aggressive than the Egyptians in many places) is to do what the Turks do - you make the sound we usually write as 'tsk' - made with your tongue on the roof of your mouth, we usually do it numerous times to show that someone is behaving badly. They do only one repition and at the same time jerk their head back as if they were about to shake their head meaning yes. This means 'no thanks and go away' and it worked like a charm for me. Just watch the locals and copy them - this is used in a number of countries.

No problem with your arrival time in Egypt. If you have money, the most hassle free way to get out of the airport is to get one of the limos that are rented from tables near where you pick up your suitcase. If you are feeling brave, just head out the door and go bargain with the taxi drivers. Think of it as a sport!!

If you want to read advice from lots of travelers, go to the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree discusion site and do a search. Your questions are asked constantly and you can read answers from dozens of people. They also post things like current going rates for different things - like taxis from the airport and hotels---

VS

[ondine]

Hi veiled sentiments,
I was hoping it would be you! I can't send a private message to you with outlook explorer, I don't know the password. I was getting very anxious today, thankyou for helping me and giving me the Lonely Planet advice. I think that things (feelings etc) attract like things, so I don't want to go in fear and mistrust, like MOST US citizens would have me do. And yes, I'm from Detroit, so I bet it's exponentially more dangerous than Egypt. I'll just have a free spirit and open mind, but watch my back.
Shukran jazilan,
Ondine

[veiledsentiments]

Afwan ya ondine,

Not sure why you can't send a PM, not that I am such a computer whiz , but I think I also have explorer and all I do is click on the pm box in the bottom of people's messages on this board and I don't need any password. ?? Give it a try --

If that doesn't work, best of luck and tell us how it all goes. Remember, just use your good sense and have a great time.

VS

[SueH]