Re: Experiences in Jerusalem

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (?ystein) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Ben Sharvy) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] (?ystein) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Ben Sharvy) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Øystein) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > > > > "Will" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > > > > > "C-II" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> > > > > > news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>  
> > > > > > I recommend all 3 (although Egypt was a bit too touristic for my
> > > > > > liking).
> > > > > 
> > > > > I plan to go to Egypt as well, and have been asking for advices from
> > > > > friends that have been there. When it comes to problems with heavy
> > > > > tourism, you should follow one pice of advice: Stay away from the
> > > > > pyramids and the area around! From what I have heard, you should focus
> > > > > on the area around The Nile and The Red Sea.
> > > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > That's a bit silly. The pyramids are amazing and unique in the world.
> > > > You might as well say: if you want to avoid tourism, don't go anywhere
> > > > amazing.
> > > 
> > > Not really. If what I have heard is right, very littlet comes close to
> > > the terrible conditions for tourists around the pyramids. On the other
> > > side Egypt has so much amazing and unique to offer. But if you are
> > > determined to go, why don't you just do so and report back when you
> > > come back? Anybody else with experiences from the pyamids to share
> > > with us?
> > 
> > I've been there. The pyramids are amazing, and telling people on their
> > way to Egypt to avoid the pyramids is ridiculous.
> 
> Well, some stories from visitors (I will not even mention that no
> private initiative tourist business will think of taking no as an
> answer):
> 
> -People situated inside the pyramids, ask you to follow them because
> they want to show you something. Then they ask you for money in order
> to not leave you inside the labyrinth.

You should generally ignore people who turn up unasked for to "show
you something". Without possession of that little piece of common
sense, you shouldn't travel anywhere.

> -Visitors report about men hiding in the dark touch female tourists
> legs as they pass

Wear trousers. 

> -Tourist in the areas of the pyramids report that when they paid
> locals for a trip on the back of a camel, they made up lots of extra
> payments that they din't told them about in front, includig food for
> the camel. The guide also enjoyed touching the female tourist on parts
> of the body that he 'accidently' came near because he was siting
> behind her on the camel.

So just avoid the camels. The attraction at Giza is the pyramids and
other monumental buildings, not the stupid camels.

> If you don't care about such things or the situation has improved go.
> If you don't think it is worth it, don't. The situation isn't anything
> close to this any other place than in the area of th4e pyramids.

I actually thought the Giza area was absolutely fine. No problems at
all. In Luxor, on the other hand, we were slightly annoyed by a couple
of obnoxious "guides" who wouldn't get the message and kept following
us.

Outside of a couple of small, well-defined, over-touristed areas,
Egypt is one of the most friendly and hospitable countries you will
ever find. You should definitely go _both_ to the Giza pyramids _and_
to the non-touristy areas of Egypt to get the full experience.

Bjorn