Going to Egypt

[Stuboy]

WOoo!

Laura and I are going to Egypt in July on a Nile Cruise... Has anyone been?
Did the heat affect levels a lot? This will be the hottest place i've been to.

What's the food like there?

I need to go and get vacinated for Egypt which im getting done next week.

[morrisma]

Never been and I'm jealous! Been in the heat though & it was nothing 'diabetically' special really. Just keep your supplies out of direct sun and intense heat. Duh.

My only geographic references are in Amelia Peabody (Elizabeth Peters) mysteries. Love them - all about egyptology around the turn of LAST century. Fun reads with very good descriptions of the landscapes. Will you get as far south as Luxor? Pyramids, all that?

[w5wjp]

Take lots of supplies with you as they probably aren't going to be any available or none that you would want to use. The heat is fierce but keep hydrated (bottled water only) and you should be OK. You might not notice that you are sweating because it evaporates immediately but you need at least 2 liters of water per day in addition to lots of fluids with meals, more water if you are active.

Egyptian museums are nice but the rest of the place is a cesspool. They haven't cleaned up since the pyramids were built. Don't eat any salads, drinks with ice, or anything else that is not well cooked and still hot. Ask the 101st Airborne Division about dysentery and other assorted intestinal goodies.

DO NOT TRUST EGYPTIAN MEDICAL SERVICES!!!!!! They have 3 levels of "Doctors". The lowest level is below an army medic, the mid level is roughly equivalent to a physician's assistant, only the top level is a real doctor, of sorts. They all have the title of Doctor, so you never really know with who you are dealing.

[davef]

Haven't been there myself, but a friend went there for his honeymoon, drank water and was stuck in the bedroom for all the wrong reasons.

As far as I can gather Bill's summary is very accurate, with the added warning of watch out for pick-pockets. Supposed to be a fantastic place to visit with so much history.

Enjoy and stay well,

[Stuboy]

I must admit Egypt does sound like a bit of a drag with all the "watch out for's". but it should be fun...

We fly into luxor then cruise up (or down?) the nile to aswan and back again. We're going on 6 day excursions as well.

We're going to take lots of alcohol wipes and anti-bacterial wipes, we may even take some plastic knives and forks, not sure yet.

[dar917]

My only geographic references are in Amelia Peabody (Elizabeth Peters) mysteries. Love them - all about egyptology around the turn of LAST century. Fun reads with very good descriptions of the landscapes.

I've read a few of her books. Not my favorite, but yes, very detailed.

Take lots of supplies with you as they probably aren't going to be any available or none that you would want to use. The heat is fierce but keep hydrated (bottled water only) and you should be OK. You might not notice that you are sweating because it evaporates immediately but you need at least 2 liters of water per day in addition to lots of fluids with meals, more water if you are active.

Egyptian museums are nice but the rest of the place is a cesspool. They haven't cleaned up since the pyramids were built. Don't eat any salads, drinks with ice, or anything else that is not well cooked and still hot. Ask the 101st Airborne Division about dysentery and other assorted intestinal goodies.

DO NOT TRUST EGYPTIAN MEDICAL SERVICES!!!!!! They have 3 levels of "Doctors". The lowest level is below an army medic, the mid level is roughly equivalent to a physician's assistant, only the top level is a real doctor, of sorts. They all have the title of Doctor, so you never really know with who you are dealing.

Eek. I've always wanted to go there, now I'm not so sure any more. :(

we may even take some plastic knives and forks, not sure yet.

That sounds like a good idea!

[notme]

Boy you are just the guy I will need to talk to when you get back Stuboy. We are also doing a Nile cruise. Ours will be the Queen Tu-Ya Nile Cruise and then several days in Cairo. I can't wait. And....... you will have all the information for me when you get back. :D

I have traveled to Africa several times. Don't worry about all of the "watch outs". Be careful with money and credit cards (I use a security pouch) and put it under your waistband. Scan a copy of your passport and email it to yourself. If your passport was to be stolen you have a copy availible to you in your email account which would be accessible easily from any computer. I use a Yahoo account for international travel. It is easy to access in any country. Other than that, don't drink anything but bottled water and you will be FINE. Mexico is far more worrisome than Africa. I used antibacterial wipes on the plane when we traveled to Italy this year as it is far more germ ridden than all of Egypt. We wiped down the entire seat area including arms and tv screens. Oh.....tell Laura to carry paper seat covers. We are used to those and you won't find those in Egypt. :T

Have a great time! I can't wait to hear about your adventures. I know you will have a wonderful time.

[Stuboy]

we were told to take wipes by the nurse who did Laura's jabs... she said it's a good idea to wipe over the taps and toilet seat and door handles (obviously do the loo seat last lol) after they've cleaned your room! lol

Apparently the salads on the cruises are washed in purified water so they "should" be ok, but better to check... i hope so because i do like my roughage...!

Nancy be sure to take some photos of the pyramids!! We wont see the pyramids in Cairo because we're not going to cairo :( When are you going??

[notme]

We are going Sept/Oct of next year Stuboy. I will definitely take pictures of the pyramids. Can't wait to hear about your adventure!!!

[MarcS]

Egypt is a blast. My brother lives in Israel and in 1995 I went to visit him, and also made a bus trip down the Sinai to Egypt.
I also had a friend in Cairo (I worked in the Hotel Industry) and I met up with him and his family. In August though was a huge mistake, as it was 110 degrees in the shade. This was before I was diagnosed. Drank lots and lots of water.

Also be careful around the pyramids, the camels and their handlers are amazingly skillful at coming up behind you and before you realize it you are on the camel's back. Big tourist trap...ok it is fun the first time, but after 2 or 3 of them do it you start to get a bit peeved, because they ask for money to let you down.

[Gary_W]

Mexico is far more worrisome than Africa. .

Indeed; I still only have 1/2 a fingernail due to getting some really awful infection under it in Mexico recently... And I get several other weird skin complaints whilst there that I will not discuss in polite company! This was staying in a 5 star hotel as well, so lord knows what the dicey bits are like....

I was just a raving, festering mess when I came home... Antibiotics r us.

Regarding Egypt - I haven't been, but if you DO order tea (which, being British, is an entirely reasonable thing to do no matter where you are in the world) I am led to believe it will be incredibly sweet. Sugar (in vast amounts) is added to the pot itself, so tea as you know it may well be best avoided whilst you're away. Enjoy yourself :)

[MarcS]

Regarding Egypt - I haven't been, but if you DO order tea (which, being British, is an entirely reasonable thing to do no matter where you are in the world) I am led to believe it will be incredibly sweet. Sugar (in vast amounts) is added to the pot itself, so tea as you know it may well be best avoided whilst you're away. Enjoy yourself :)

Another thing that surprised me was how many people are around the Nile, especially late at night. There are many vendors selling tea, and families gathering there. Of course lots of hooka smokers too.

[kstreeter513]

Dude, Egypt sounds like a total blast. I am really jealous. I want to travel the world someday...just gotta get out of school first!

[Keezheekoni]

Stay away from children. Head lice is rampant there and no one does anything to get rid of it... I hear that most adults have them too, but I don't know how true that is. I heard it from a friend who lived in Egypt for 10 years and just recently moved to the states. Head lice don't jump or fly, but they do crawl extremely well, they also fall out of hair and if you're dining at a table and the server has them and he/she leans over you, you may get them. When you have one, plan on having hundreds in a few days.

Sorry to bring up the "ick" factor. :)

[Stuboy]

Thanks for the tip about the tea! I dont often drink tea but i do when i go on holiday, isnt' that strange! lol. bit like only eating full english breakfast when i go away too. lol.

I'll watch out for those headlice!! oooo im all ichy now thanks!! lol

[fgummett]

Ahh the joys of World travel :T

Actually I am jealous and wish I was going... have a great time :)

[Dan Gato]

Have a great time !!!!! :)
Take lots of pictures.

Report or register with the closest U.S. embassy.

[fgummett]

If you go swimming in the river you could really say that you were in, "De Nile" :D I guess that's better than swimming in Paris though :eek:

[notme]

If you go swimming in the river you could really say that you were in, "De Nile" :D I guess that's better than swimming in Paris though :eek:

That was bad fgummett. Very very bad. Is that you Dad????
:T




Paris = The Seine River.