quote:

Originally posted by Missie:

quote:

Originally posted by Stinkerbelle:
Only seven weeks until I fepart for my trip to Dubai, Egypt, then Dubai again, Wonders Of Ancient Egypt here I come !!!!!!!!!!

OMG to we need to send out a pre-warning.

Missie, are you referring to my past misadventures whilst on tour ?

I definitely plan on filling you all in on my activities - such as having a skiing lesson at Ski Dubai in the Mall Of The Emirates. I informed a friend I was doing this, and he very sarcastically said "Make sure you do it on your last day in Dubai before you return to home to Australia, you don't want to have a broken leg whilst in Egypt (am visiting Dubai before and after my Nile cruise)."

Could he possibly be insinuating that I am clumsy ?

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Originally posted by Stinkerbelle:

Could he possibly be insinuating that I am clumsy ?

Surely not!!! The cad!!

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Originally posted by Stinkerbelle:

quote:

Originally posted by Missie:

quote:

Originally posted by Stinkerbelle:
Only seven weeks until I fepart for my trip to Dubai, Egypt, then Dubai again, Wonders Of Ancient Egypt here I come !!!!!!!!!!

OMG to we need to send out a pre-warning.

Missie, are you referring to my past misadventures whilst on tour ?

I definitely plan on filling you all in on my activities - such as having a skiing lesson at Ski Dubai in the Mall Of The Emirates. I informed a friend I was doing this, and he very sarcastically said "Make sure you do it on your last day in Dubai before you return to home to Australia, you don't want to have a broken leg whilst in Egypt (am visiting Dubai before and after my Nile cruise)."

Could he possibly be insinuating that I am clumsy ?

You only live once....go for it.

Did any of you read about the new rules, fencing, and options at the pyramids? Suppose to be better for the tourists and the environment. Barb

When was all this started Barb ? We didn't find any controls, fencing etc, when we were there in June.

Just read it in our paper yesterday. Just google, "giza pyramids fences" Barb

I'm in agreement with that fence Barb ! Generally, the hawkers weren't bad. But there were a few that even had the hair on the back of my neck tingling !!
They shake your hand, and in the same movement place a trinket or scarf where their hand was. Cleverly done !
You then wonder what to do with it , because they say .."It's free !". But it isn't.
Our TD advised , if they refuse to take it back, drop it on the ground .
I did this, and immediately there was three or four youths circled around me. I just kept walking, without looking at them. All I could hear was them obviously swearing at me !!
When we did arrive at the pyramids, and had done our `lecture`, the tour guide advised us which camels and owners were safe to have pictures or rides on. He warned not to choose your own, because some hawkers will take you for a `ride` into the desert, rob you , and leave you to find your own way back !!!
One of those occasions when the guide does know best !
Following the advise, we had a fantastic time !

quote:

Originally posted by nation:
I'm in agreement with that fence Barb ! Generally, the hawkers weren't bad. But there were a few that even had the hair on the back of my neck tingling !!
They shake your hand, and in the same movement place a trinket or scarf where their hand was. Cleverly done !
You then wonder what to do with it , because they say .."It's free !". But it isn't.
Our TD advised , if they refuse to take it back, drop it on the ground .
I did this, and immediately there was three or four youths circled around me. I just kept walking, without looking at them. All I could hear was them obviously swearing at me !!
...some hawkers will take you for a `ride` into the desert, rob you , and leave you to find your own way back !!!...

Ooer and um. Mmmm. Perhaps going solo to Egypt might be more adventurous than I'd thought. I wonder if I could convince one of my sons...No. Much as I love them, I'm not going travelling with them! Can you threaten the hawkers with eg spray perfume to make them get out of your personal space?

As for camels - well, I've seen from your photos that they like men. You can keep them!

quote:

Originally posted by Mallee:

quote:

Originally posted by nation:
I'm in agreement with that fence Barb ! Generally, the hawkers weren't bad. But there were a few that even had the hair on the back of my neck tingling !!
They shake your hand, and in the same movement place a trinket or scarf where their hand was. Cleverly done !
You then wonder what to do with it , because they say .."It's free !". But it isn't.
Our TD advised , if they refuse to take it back, drop it on the ground .
I did this, and immediately there was three or four youths circled around me. I just kept walking, without looking at them. All I could hear was them obviously swearing at me !!
...some hawkers will take you for a `ride` into the desert, rob you , and leave you to find your own way back !!!...

Ooer and um. Mmmm. Perhaps going solo to Egypt might be more adventurous than I'd thought. I wonder if I could convince one of my sons...No. Much as I love them, I'm not going travelling with them! Can you threaten the hawkers with eg spray perfume to make them get out of your personal space?

As for camels - well, I've seen from your photos that they like men. You can keep them!

Hi Mallee,
Going with TT to Egypt you should be fine. You are always in a group and when you had the opportunity to wander around, people tended to hook up with others in the group so there was rarely just the two of you or a single person. Everyone was so friendly and easy to get along with. We didn't have any trouble with hawkers, just say no thanks firmly, show no interest and keep walking. It was a fantastic tour, can't speak highly enough of TT and their reps.

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Originally posted by Explora Dora:
Hi Mallee,
Going with TT to Egypt you should be fine. You are always in a group and when you had the opportunity to wander around, people tended to hook up with others in the group so there was rarely just the two of you or a single person. Everyone was so friendly and easy to get along with. We didn't have any trouble with hawkers, just say no thanks firmly, show no interest and keep walking. It was a fantastic tour, can't speak highly enough of TT and their reps.

Thanks for your comments, E-Dora. Personal safety was one consideration for leaving Egypt off my horizons, but then, look at the tour tales - oh, how beautiful, how tempting, and, apparently, quite safe. Perhaps it depends on something I don't have. I wouldn't like to be circled by angry youths. But, on the other hand, maybe it's worth it, to go to that wonderful country.

Mallee ! I should have pointed out that the last thing those hawkers will do, is touch you ! Not even catch hold your arm, or security people would be round their necks before they could say `Jack Robinson` !
The hawkers will ask you what country you come from. No need to answer !
If you do, they will say something like " Ah ! A wonderful country, and offer their hand to shake! Just don't offer them yours.
Smile, and walk away.
I had a great idea in readiness for the hawkers. I pretended to be deaf, and did some sign language at them !!! All bar one walked away. That odd one came closer, and shouted in my ear !!!
My wife laughed her head off at his antics. Something we relate to friends , even now !

Scene, the pyramids at Gizeh. Outside the smallest pyramid, the one open that day, an old geezer looking like he was one of the original builders, is taking the tickets from tourists. After seeing inside the pyramid, feeling sorry that the old man had to work at his time of life, I gave him a small tip. As I did so, I dropped a 5 pound note (about$2 Australian). It never reached the desert floor! This old man, who looked as if he would die on the job, grabbed it at the speed of light with a muttered "Thank you, sir!" It was worth the extra tip for the laugh we got at his agility at his age!

Of course, he might have been Omar Sharif in disguise..........

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Originally posted by nation:
Mallee ! I should have pointed out that the last thing those hawkers will do, is touch you ! ... I pretended to be deaf... !

-- Nation, how can you keep me laughing when I'm trying to be serious!!!

It's a relief to know that the hawkers won't touch tourists. I was a bit worried. [Not that i'm a worrier any more - I've turned over a new leaf!]

Ah Mallee ~ If you feel the need of a travelling partner, let me know as my dear hubby (crown , god bless his soul ) is rather dubious about visiting Egypt. Although he says that he accompanies me " to carry the bags" . Do you like to shop occassionally?? and yes I Do mean occassionally )

My partner is a little iffy about Egypt as well. Perhaps we could organise a girl's only BB tour. With a stop over in Dubai for mandatory shopping of course.