David

I am an American living in Bogota, Colombia. I have wanted to visit Egypt for sometime. As a person living in a hostile country, I was curious to hear any response from some living in Egypt or who has traveled there. Obvious questions are safety, where to stay, general Egypt travel tips. Thanks

TR

I hope someone can help you, but I can't imagine anywhere being much more frightening than Colombia!

gail

Since no one has answered your question, I will give you what limited info I have. We were there 18 months ago - post 9/11 I have heard there have been some anti-US protests. As a tourist on an escorted tour, we never felt afraid. Lots of armed Antiquities Police everywhere - I think more for show than security. From what I read and was told by others, the issue is less street crime and more risk of being scammed. Everyone wants a monetary tip for doing all sorts of useless things. Rather aggressive street vendors, even kids selling stuff. But none of this was safety issue; it just got old after a while.<BR><BR>If you are traveling alone, my best guess is that language and things that operate on "Egypt-time" would be most pressing issues. Asking directions invariably puts you at someones "uncle's perfume shop".<BR><BR>We saw the standard tourist things - Giza Pyramids, Egypt Museum, Coptic Egypt church, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel. It was a memorable trip and I would go again (but there are many more places to see).<BR><BR>Eat and drink carefully. Bottled water is sold everywhere, but make sure lid is sealed. We avoided all fresh produce and all dairy and none of the 4 of us ever felt sick. EgyptAir turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We were there is April and it was very hot.

xxx

I'm sure you will have no problem in Egypt. We were there in 2000, so I can't speak for post 9/11 conditions, but we (my husband and I) traveled independently and had no problems. We went to Dahab in the Sinai, Luxor, Aswan and Cairo. The hassle factor is high, but try not to let it get to you. Get the Lonely Planet Egypt. It has good info about various scams to avoid (like the guy outside the Egypt Air ticket office who tries to tell you Americans can't buy tickets at that office and tries to get you to go down the street to a different office, which turns out to be his uncle's travel agency).

upup

topping for monday

sarah

Just came back from 2 week hols in Egypt. Travelled between Luxor, Nile cruise, Hurghada and Cairo. It could not have been a more friendlier place. I badly smashed my ankle while there and everyone I met would apologise that it had happened in their country.Even the tourist police would help push my wheelchair, unheard of in my part of England. I didn't allow my injury to stop me from going out and experiencing the local culture. <BR>People over there can't understand why everyone is scared to travel (only met one American)Everywhere you go there are tourist police and airport-style security checks so you do feel safe. Two advantages of travelling to Egypt now are everything is so cheap (paid &pound;2 for 3-course meal) and no queues anywhere, even the valley of the kings.<BR>Do recommend you buy lonely planet before going.<BR>Also harden yourself to some of the ploys used to scam money. They would use young children of about 3 or 4 to sell you rubbish at very high prices.<BR>Most of all, you could get killed staying at home. Don't let it spoil a trip of a lifetime. Once my ankle heals I'm on the first plane back out there.

Barb

Visited Cairo and Alexandria August 2001. Had a tour guide and driver, kinda stayed within a caravan of police and fast buses, but also had a flat tire on the way into Cairo. Changed it and went on. You will always have peddlers everywhere you go in the world -- here is no different, just say thank you and ignore. We have not taken trips to South America because of crime wave with kidnappings and theft, so Egypt is a must do trip, and you should leave Bogota for good!!

Pat

My family has been living in Cairo for the past year and a half, along with thousands of other American ex-pats here, and felt quite safe. Of course, there are world events that could change this. I would never describe Egypt as hostile, in fact Egyptians have been very gracious and hospitable for the most part.