Egypt Travel Diary 1 - Traps Hidden Under the Sacred Scenery | Tips to Avoid Pitfalls at the Giza Pyramids

📍 Moscow · 👁 4767 reads · ❤️ 20 likes

🇪🇬 In our previous understanding, the pyramids are located in a distant and endless desert, a sacred place far from urban civilization. Actually, that's not the case. Take the Giza Pyramids we are about to discuss; they are located on the outskirts of Egypt's capital, Cairo, or even on the edge of the city. Walking from the city center is only about 15 kilometers. Think about it: huge quantities of massive stone blocks were transported via the Nile. Building the pyramids far from the river would have required much more manpower and resources.

🇪🇬 As for the description and history of the pyramids, I won't go into much detail here. A wealth of literature and history has already allowed many people to talk about them. Here I only want to share some of my personal experiences and give you some tips on what to avoid.

1️⃣ Bring sunglasses and a mask 👓😷

2️⃣ No matter how enthusiastic the locals are, do not respond to any attempts to strike up a conversation 🙅

3️⃣ Do not ride camels 🐫

5️⃣ Carry some 100 RMB banknotes in cash 💴

5️⃣ A telephoto lens is essential for photography 📸

6️⃣ If you encounter 'bad guys,' try to run towards places where police are present 👮‍♂️

🇪🇬 Based on the above points, let me weave together my experience at the Giza Pyramids this time.

1️⃣ Bring sunglasses and a mask

Even though it's on the edge of the city, this is still a desert, characterized by unpredictable sandstorms and strong direct sunlight. So protecting your face is especially important. Also, because of the material of the pyramids themselves, without sunglasses, it feels very dazzling.

2️⃣ No matter how enthusiastic the locals are, do not respond to any attempts to strike up a conversation

In the eyes of locals, Chinese tourists are synonymous with wealthy people. They are well-versed in the tactic of 'honeyed words and a sword behind the back.' They show extreme 'enthusiasm' and 'appreciation' towards Chinese tourists. Many can say a few simple Chinese phrases like 'I love China' or 'You are my brother,' which easily close the distance between us. Then we might be willing to take photos with them, and you're completely trapped. Whether your phone or camera is in your hand or not, if you don't give them tens of dollars, the 'enthusiasm' from the previous second instantly turns into 'ferocity' in the next. You don't know where several locals will surround you from. Imagine that terrifying scene.

Moreover, some of them wear reflective vests or certain work uniforms, making you think they might be scenic area staff. After striking up a conversation, they induce you to fall into their trap again, using a tone of helping you take photos with the attractions. At that point, your camera equipment is definitely in their hands, making your situation even more passive. The three 'creative' photos of me with the pyramids in the picture cost me two red 100 RMB notes.

3️⃣ Do not ride camels

The reason is the same as above. I can't say 100%, but the vast majority of camels are another trap. Of course, if you want a photo of yourself riding a camel under the pyramids, you can try it. But getting on the camel is easy, getting off is hard. Before mounting, the price is $10, but when you arrive at the destination and want to get off, it will cost you at least 500 RMB. If you don't pay? The camel will go from walking to running. You have to think about whether you have the courage to jump off.

4️⃣ Carry some 100 RMB banknotes in cash

Because of the above two points and some other traps I haven't discovered yet, money is still the best way to calm things down. For locals, USD and local currency are not the best choices; they prefer red 100 RMB notes. Although they are fierce, they don't have the courage to directly rob in the scenic area. So after some bargaining, 100 RMB can resolve most 'disputes.' For the sake of a good travel mood and your own safety, it's better to prepare a few hundred-yuan notes.

5️⃣ If you encounter 'bad guys,' try to run towards places where police are present

While I was photographing the Sphinx, I found a very good spot that gave a sense of historical reverence and allowed the Sphinx, the pyramids, and the camel-riding locals to all come together in one photo. But just as I was about to press the shutter, two local 'thugs' ran towards me, shouting something and making motions to grab my camera, implying that I needed to pay them a 'fee' for taking photos there.

Actually, think about it: I already paid for the ticket to take photos in the scenic area. Do I need to pay an additional fee? But facing their ferocious looks, I decided that safety comes first. I broke free from their harassment and ran towards the crowded exit. There were some armed police officers putting up a show at the exit. I explained the situation to the police roughly and showed my passport, stating that I am a Chinese tourist. I must say, the Chinese passport might still have some effect. The police pointed at those men and said a few words (Arabic, I didn't understand), and they had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

6️⃣ A telephoto lens is essential for photography

The reason for preparing a telephoto lens is mainly due to the special circumstances of the scenic area. One reason is that you can take relatively satisfactory photos from a distance, as the 'traps' nearby are too numerous. Another reason is that due to its reputation as a 'tourist attraction,' there is never an off-peak or peak season; it's always crowded. It's very difficult to get a clean photo without people.

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💕💕 A few tips:

1. 😓 The Sphinx is actually very, very small, but it looks magnificent in photos.

2. 🍾 Egypt's essential oils and spices are world-class raw materials. Several major world-famous perfume brands actually import their raw materials from Egypt.

3. 👳‍♂️ There are still some friendly Arabs in Egypt, but I encountered too few. However, if you have business dealings with them, the relationship can become very 'intimate' and 'reliable.' Please note why I used quotation marks.

4. 🚌 For traveling to Egypt, I strongly recommend joining a tour with a large travel agency. I absolutely do not recommend independent travel. Safety is a very big issue. I will discuss this in detail in the next travel diary.

5. 🎁 For local souvenirs, don't buy them if possible; a large proportion come from our Yiwu and can be bought on Taobao. However, there are two souvenirs that can be recommended: one is hand-painted plates, which capture local craftsmanship; the other is sand art in bottles made on-site, which supports locals who rely on their skills.

Alright, I'll stop here for this installment. We'll continue talking about Egypt in the next one. If you like my travel diary, please give me a like and follow me. Your support is my greatest motivation. 🙏🙏🙏

Travel Diary Directory: 1. Mysterious Country - Egypt 2. Tips for Avoiding Traps 3. Travel Tips