A Must See, But... by pmedved
OK, so you’re in Egypt. What’s the one thing you have to see? Could you even return home without a pic of yourself in front of the Great Pyramid of Cheops? OK, so I went, I saw, I snapped pictures. Oh, I also rode a camel. Now all of this was pre-arranged by a group. It would take a lot of savvy to do this as an individual, plus the protection of a group, including a local guide and/or guard, is vital in a zone as swindlers are rampant. The rest of my group went into one of the pyramids (which, they said, was a huge disappointment – it’s just a very hot empty room that you see for your money) and I was left alone. I tried to wander a bit and was descended upon by con artists trying to force me onto a camel and get me to pay for it. Really this sounds odd, but they make it nearly impossible to say “no”. My advice if you do get accosted, SHOUT AT THEM, don’t let them try to be your friend (that’s their ploy). I have an inkling that the local tourist police are in cahoots with the con artists, receiving bribes to turn the other cheek because they are all over, except where you would want them to be.
about 1 year ago
