Cairo & Surrounding Region What to Expect

Cairo, Egypt, the Triumphant City, known officially as al-Qāhirah is one of the world's largest urban areas and offers many sites to see. It is the administrative capital of Egypt and, close by, is almost every Egypt Pyramid, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza on the very edge of the city. But there are also ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments, and of course, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum all either within or nearby the city.
Cairo, Egypt is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours every day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wears and services. And here, the Egyptians are most at home in this powerful, modern and ancient city

Cairo, Egypt provides great culture, including art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House, as well it should, being one of the largest cities in the world. It also provides some of the grandest accommodations and restaurants in the world, such as the Four Seasons and the Cairo Marriott.

Cairo offers an incredible selection of shopping, leisure and nightlife activities. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or bazaar) largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East can be here. Particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and mashrabiya. Try some of the famous street markets, like Wekala al-Balaq, for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers Bazaar for appliqué-work, Mohammed Ali Street for musical instruments and, although you probably won't want to buy, the Camel Market makes a fascinating trip. This is, and has been for over a thousand years, truly a shopper's paradise.

If you want more information please go to

http://www.cairotourist.com

If you have time and you're headed to the suburbs, Andrea's Restaurant in Maadi has the best grilled chicken in town. Always a favorite of mine when I was a kid, and still great when I returned years later. Not the cheapest place in town, but not the most expensive either.

For a woman traveling alone in Cairo, I had the usual catcalls, honking of horns by taxi drivers,etc. One day I wore a scarf and the harrassment was down 90%! But in general, even though it was 100 degrees and humid, I wore long pants or skirts and long sleeved shirts and sunglasses, ignoring the men. I did have a wonderful translator/driver, Mohamed Haijekov, a recent graduate from Aim Shams University in Cairo who took me to the NGO;s supporting women and disadvantaged people who continue the traditional crafts you can find at the Fair Trade Egypt store in Zamalek and Nomad Stores as well as Oum el Dounia stores. Take the time to visit the Wissa Wassef workshop where children and young adults create the most awesome batik paintings that are one of a kind. Also the Basheyer Workhsop in Helwan is worth the visit in addition to the Association for the Protection of the Environment for one of a kind embroideries and crochet work that is very affordable. If you don't have much time, at least visit Nomad shops in the Cairo Marriott and other large hotels in Cairo.,

once you are in Cairo, Egypt - be ready to feel cheated in everything you do, BUT be sure that once first 2-3 days are over - you will feel like home. You will by then know the prices (more or less), will know that bargaining is a big fantastic show which you should never miss, that men are in no way dangerous, but yes - they are annoying! If you are not going to find a husband there, you will learn to ignore "Hey beautiful", "Your eyes are nice", "Marry me" and the like.
Cairo has a wonderfully chaotic transport, which you will learn to manage fast enough - to be able to survive!

Cairo has an amazing social life - it is no surprise to see families with small children going out to the cinemas or eat at midnight or even later.

English is not very widely used language, but sure there are enough people to help you out.

And - once you need help, do NEVER trust the guys (old, young, middle age) who see you lost and offer their help - you are an easy victim to them, to rip you off. If you need help - do ask anyone in thousands of small shops, telephone shops, anyone who is kind of dependent on their place and cannot just run away :)

Else, enjoy your stay and make the best out of you stay in Cairo.

Learn some of the local lingo (that means Language to non Aussies!)
Learning some Egyptian Arabic will help to stop Hasslers bothering you so much. As soon as I spoke some Arabic it soon turned the conversation around and they wanted to know more about how and why I knew some of the language it generated conversation and interest and stopped so much hassling, therefore making the trip so much more enjoyable. This goes for anywhere, not just Egypt as if you make an effort so do the locals.
Some useful words are:
La Shokran - No Thank you
Ahna Mish Eyes - I don't want
Hellass (smile and add Minfudluk) - Enough Please
Issayak? - How are you?
Kwayis Owie (Kwayisa Owie for female) - Very Good
Bi Kam Da - How Much is that?
Minfudluk (to male) Minfudlik (to female) - Please
Aywah - Yes

Females, cover up. You don't have to wear a head scarf (it's not Saudi Arabia) but wear long sleeves and long skirts in cool cottons.

Get an idea of what things cost in the regular shops before you go to the street vendors. It's kind of fun to haggle and deal if you have a clue what it is supposed to cost. It's their game, they will win. They look sincere and will charge you what they think they can get away with. Also, carry small bills (5-10's) and keep a few in different places. If they see you have money, the price won't go down. Ladies- walk with your husband or a local female to shop with. If you are an expat with a local male, it will not stop the "clucking" noises.

Gizah, or Giza or however you want to spell it is one of the oldest tourist destinations in the world. Home of the Great Pyramids of Giza. When I visited, I went in the late afternoon (mostly because we couldn't get directions...no one seemed to know where the pyramids were and how to get to them), but the setting sun was amazing against the pyramids. Taxis are overflowing as are souvenir shops. They're selling exactly what you're looking for. Don't believe me? Just ask them and they'll tell you the same thing.

Things to see in Giza - The Great Pyramids Sphinx Best time to visit - sunrise, sunset or evening when it's not so hot

Zeker in de pyramide van Chepos gaan! Overweldigend!!!! zo kolossaal!!! Ik krijg er nog 'kiekenvlees' van als ik eraan denk!

If you walk up in the middle of the night to the Mount Sinai you need light (headlight). We had luck and we saw everything because of the full moon, but there's no street lights. :o)

Great place to see! Visit early in the morning or late afternoon because its EXTREMELY HOT! Take lots and lots of water with you!

Gizah, or Giza or however you want to spell it is one of the oldest tourist destinations in the world. Home of the Great Pyramids of Giza. When I visited, I went in the late afternoon (mostly because we couldn't get directions...no one seemed to know where the pyramids were and how to get to them), but the setting sun was amazing against the pyramids. Taxis are overflowing as are souvenir shops. They're selling exactly what you're looking for. Don't believe me? Just ask them and they'll tell you the same thing.

Things to see in Giza - The Great Pyramids Sphinx Best time to visit - sunrise, sunset or evening when it's not so hot

Zeker in de pyramide van Chepos gaan! Overweldigend!!!! zo kolossaal!!! Ik krijg er nog 'kiekenvlees' van als ik eraan denk!

If you walk up in the middle of the night to the Mount Sinai you need light (headlight). We had luck and we saw everything because of the full moon, but there's no street lights. :o)

Great place to see! Visit early in the morning or late afternoon because its EXTREMELY HOT! Take lots and lots of water with you!

Perfect beaches. Especially the trips to cairo and lixor are very intresting...

sonne,landschaft,touri-zeug,..

hi i can help any one to know about my country and i also can be a nice friend

beautiful city in cairo related to el giza and el muhandeseen soo near from city center

use a lot of alcohol to kill ameba - very dangerous!