Re: Experiences in Jerusalem

Turby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> On 21 Oct 2003 07:18:03 -0700, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Bjorn Olsson) wrote:
> 
> >[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.
> >> > > > > 
> The pyramids are full-on tourism, no doubt. But you _must_ go there.
> They are incredible. There is no way to describe the awe they inspire.
> The simple perfection, the size, the historical meaning, the fact that
> a simple stone mason five _thousand_ years ago made the stone that you
> are touching - it's an amazing experience. It's worth playing the
> tourist game for that.
> 
> The Red Sea, OTOH, is one of the world's best dive spots. Nature's
> wonders there underwater are equally amazing.
> 
> Going up the Nile to Luxor is worth it, too. I'd probably spend a few
> days in Cairo, then head for Luxor.
>  
> >> -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.
> 
> Balderdash. I've been "befriended" numerous times and had good
> experiences seeing things that most tourists don't.

Sure. Me too.

> You just have to
> have a good sense about the situation and know that it's extremely
> rare for a local in the 3rd world to approach you without an ulterior
> motive.

That´s right. But as solution to the "problems" listed by another
poster in this thread, simply ignoring the people who turn up unasked
for should work well.

> >> -Visitors report about men hiding in the dark touch female tourists
> >> legs as they pass
> >
> >Wear trousers. 
> 
> In Moslem countries a long skirt is better.

Depends a bit in which moslem country and even where in that country.
I don't know if times have changed, but we did occassionally see women
wearing jeans in Cairo when I was there.

> >> -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.
> 
> How often do you get the chance to see a camel at home, much less the
> chance to ride one? Seeing strange animals up close is one of the joys
> of travel, and can be at least as enjoyable as looking at
> architectural monoliths.

I guess it's a matter of taste, but personally I simply didn´t get the
idea of this camel-thing. I just don't see the point. If someone was
offering donkey rides outside the Louvre, what would you choose: the
museum or the donkey?

If you have a special interest in camels, it's better to visit a camel
market. They can be found in any egyptian city.

> I'll admit, though, camels _are_ stupid.
> 
> >> 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.
> 
> In all my travels, there are only two countries where people have
> thrown stones at me - Morocco and Egypt.

Had that in Morocco. Never in Egypt.

Bjorn