MmePerdu

After doing some reading on government websites concerning travel to Egypt and some very helpful trip reports posted here, I've decided to go in November. Air is booked and some hotels. A couple of days ago I began an email exchange with a guide recommended here for 3 days in Cairo, Mona Farid.

Yesterday she asked my nationality and this morning I received the following from her: "...being American is an issue...Some permission must be done... And you might have a police security during your visit in some locations.. just wanted to tell you now not to be surprised.. this procedure only happen with the American nationality for political purposes. You will feel like a top VIP (2 smiley faces)."

Can anyone shed some light on the issue for me? American or otherwise, what has your experience been in this regard at various sites. I'm trying to understand why Americans in particular and have been unable to find anything about it online.

inquest

I wouldn't take travel warnings lightly.Situation can change in a blink of an eye and a 'holiday ' could get ruined.I can't imagine having a nice time with a couple of armed bodyguards hovering around.

I cancelled my plans to the Philippines this year.Certain West Africa nations are on my radar.They have threats from radicals from the North of the country.Things would eventually change.I'm willing to wait for the opportune moment.Then, again,one can never predict when and where they could strike.


Pundits argue otherwise.( Never be cowed down by terrorist threats,it'll in turn strengthen their resolve!! Never give in !! ....so on and so forth).Wisdom must prevail.

Way back in 2006, our bus to Hurgada had armed escorts.Luxor was heavily guarded.There was tension in the air.Armed police were omnipresent at all touristy locations.Its no fun.

Your guide has probably given you the right information.Been American, you'll probably need protection.Its a great responsibility for the host government to protect and care for you.In case of failure the repercussions are immense.Hence the required permissions.

MmePerdu

"Your guide has probably given you the right information. Been American, you'll probably need protection."

From answers I'm getting on Trip Advisor I think it's likely nonsense and I plan to proceed accordingly. In any case, one gets to an age when waiting is just no longer possible, can't wait for "eventually".

doug_stallings

Armed guards have been accompanying American (and other) tour groups for many years in Egypt. When I went some years ago, my group was always accompanied by at least 2 armed guards at all times. This is the first I've heard of armed guards traveling with individuals traveling outside of groups. To some degree, I think this reflects how seriously Egypt wants tourism to return. But all this attention can be a bit disconcerting, I know.

MmePerdu

Doug, You seem to have missed the point, or maybe I wasn't clear. It isn't a matter of feeling "disconcerted" for things that have become routine, or because of the "attention". It's being told it's a case of Americans specifically, which I strongly suspect is not the case. In other words, I have the feeling I'm being lied to, to make it appear she's being required to do something extra for me that she isn't.

In any case, I'm prepared to let it go if I don't find someone soon with whom I'm more comfortable.

Dianedancer

MmePerdu - I don't quite get your logic. You really think a guide who wants your business would be lying to you about the fact that being American might be a problem that necesditates armed guards? Don't you think she'd say the opposite so as not to scare you off?

thursdaysd

Well, there is nothing on the State Dept. web site to suggest a need for special permission or an armed guard. It does sound discouraging regarding the security situation, as does the UK equivalent (often the UK Foreign Office is less alarmist than the US).

doug_stallings

If you don't feel comfortable with this guide, that's one thing, but I'm not completely convinced this is a lie. Armed guards haven't been assigned to all tour groups historically, but rather primarily American and Israeli groups ... and a few others. I simply don't know what the current policy is, so I don't want to assume anything one way or the other (and this would be an Egyptian policy rather than a US policy, so I'm not at all surprised to find nothing about this on the State Department web site).

But I think the guide was telling you about the armed guards to reassure you and to encourage you to come ... trying to emphasize the safety of having an armed guard with you at all times.

But I'm not arguing one way or the other because I don't know either the policy or this particular guide. But I can tell you that the Egyptian government definitely has a policy about armed guards accompanying some tour groups, and that there have been more restrictions on travel between Cairo and Luxor and also between Luxor and Aswan.

MmePerdu

After more input from the guide in question & from another forum I'm feeling less concerned about the whole thing (and probably bored with worrying about it). I think it'll be fine.

kellyee21

Do you have to pay extra for the guard?

MmePerdu

No, kellyee.

xcountry

Five Canadians here - each one of us looks like an American. I guess this isn't recent as it was one month before the revolution of 2011. No guards for us though there were armed fellas outside our mid-priced Cairo hotel. And I had to reach over a sleeping soldier with his rifle to use the local ATM.

Enjoy your trip.

nygvic0326

I was in Cairo in March of this year. It was supposed to be just a flight layover arriving in the evening and departing next afternoon, staying at the Marriott airport.

My driver to the hotel asked my plans and as our conversation ensued he asked my desire to see the Great Pyramids. I had not even thought of this as I didnt think timing would make this possible.

Anyway, he offered to pick me up early the next morning, take me to the Pyramids and the Sphinx and then take me to airport.

While I was apprehensive being an American in Cairo, for the brief time I was there I felt cautiously OK. Seeing the Pyramids was a once in a lifetime experience. But I dont know that I would spend time in Egypt again. There was definitely an uneasiness brought about by the political realities of being an American in Egypt that kept me from enjoying thoroughly.

Just my thoughts for what its worth.

MmePerdu

The guide has since told me it's a requirement for guides to register American tourists who may or may not then be accompanied. My question had nothing to do with my feelings about danger, I have no such feelings, only the requirement, my initial reaction simply one of incredulity, that I may not have been getting the real story and why I asked for recent experience. She has since referred to it as "part of my job" and I accept that and now don't care one way or the other.

Some comments above seemed not to understand my reason for asking. That was my reason for asking, since I hadn't heard anything about the requirement, was I being given the correct story. That's all, not complicated.

I've been other places, Pakistan for instance, when most people would likely not have gone. I'm not a worrier, though I don't take silly chances, and I'm not worried now.

MmePerdu

Nygvic0326, really nice you got your surprise visit to the pyramids. It's worth plenty.

gertie3751

Hello Mme Perdue!
Just caught up with this. Not sure if my visit to Alex in May counts as a recent trip to Egypt but...
I just went. Read my guidebook and set off. Easy enough to get taxis everywhere. Walked about most of the time. Didnt see any tour groups at all and no westerners in my hotel. I am not American but how are 'they' to know? No problem getting a visa at the airport even at 1am. Had to smile departing Alex airport, again at 1am en route to Athens, to find the place full of elderly pilgrims off to the Hajj all clad in white. I was the only woman and the only westerner in the place.
Never at any time felt insecure but as a little old lady seeing the sights on my own, I was not a focus for troublemakers! There was heavy security a the airport and also at the Library. Otherwise nothing.

MmePerdu

Good to hear we old ladies on our own are not worth bothering with. I've been getting lots of good advice on TA and at this point have no concerns. Thanks for confirming what I thought was the case. I'm very excited about my trip and am pretty sure I'm going to love it. Already thinking about when I'll go back!