Wonderfully Egypt... The Land of the Pharaohs (tips from an Egyptian)

Practical Tips

First of all don't change money in Italy... if you have euros bring them to Egypt and change them at the exchanges in Cairo... the Egyptian currency is the Pound (called Ghineh in Egypt). I recommend going by plane (not on a cruise, you waste a ton of time!) and absolutely don't take Alitalia, it costs at least 300 euros more. With EgyptAir the round-trip ticket will cost you around 450 euros more or less. Once you arrive at Cairo airport you'll find the limousines, they cost too much so go outside and just outside you'll find the shuttles, small vans that will take you wherever you want. In Cairo you can easily get around by metro...

it's better than the Italian metro in terms of cleanliness, order and punctuality, the first two cars are for women and children only, but they can also get on the men's one, only you won't find a seat! men instead cannot get on the women's car otherwise you'll get a fine... the ticket costs 75 piastres of a pound which are worth 10 cents of a euro. Otherwise you'll take the taxis, you recognize them by their color, they're white and black... they stop directly in the street. The first stop will surely be the pyramids and the sphinx, the area is called Giza or say Haram (which in Egyptian means pyramid) while the sphinx is called Abo Elhol. Absolutely don't miss the Khan el Khalili bazaar, where you'll also find one of the most important mosques in all of Egypt called Elhossen.

Remember that for women, to enter mosques they must have their hair covered, long sleeves and skirts or trousers below the knee. The most expensive district of Cairo and where the richest people live is Zamalek, take a tour around the districts, you'll see places fit for multi-billionaires and places from the third world. Also go to the district called Garden City where the embassies are, then Elmohandessin where the VIPs live, then go to the most... area called Madinet Nasr (or Nasr City) where you'll find lots of shopping centers and shops and restaurants, you can play billiards and bowling and besides it's 10 min from the airport. In this area there's a big avenue called Tarik Elnasr (or Nasr Road) where there's the tomb of former president el Sadat. Another obligatory stop is the Cairo tower called Elborg.

Then you'll surely see the Nile, in the evening take walks along the Nile called Kornish Elnil (it would be the Nile cornice... and they're the sidewalks on the Nile) there are also boats and ships where they hold parties and evenings with dances, music and orchestras, in particular you'll see 3 of the biggest, one called Le Pacha, one Nile and the other mmm... I don't remember hehe.

Second Stop

You can't be in Egypt and not go to Alexandria. It's called The Siren of the Mediterranean, the Egyptians call it Eskendreya. From the train station, take the train to Alexandria... I recommend the fastest one, it takes 2 hours without stops and costs 25 pounds (3.60 euros) per trip, it's called Turbini. You'll get off at the Alexandria station called Sidi Gaber. There you'll find a cooler climate compared to Cairo, a splendid city, quiet, tidy and clean. Fish is their specialty, if you want to eat really well go to the most famous restaurant called Hosny. Don't miss a stroll around the Smuha area and a mandatory stop, ask for Green Plaza (go there and you'll be left open-mouthed! especially in the evening).

Another important stop is the Montaza estate where you'll find gardens that are nothing short of fabulous, and the sea view that will leave you open-mouthed, the entrance is 4 pounds (60 cents of a euro). In the evening, take a stroll sitting in front of the sea at the hundreds of coffee shops you'll find. Then go onto the Stanly bridge (kobry stanly).

Good to Know!

We need to clarify one thing, the spit-roasted meat that turns and is wrongly called kebab or kabab in Italy isn't actually called that... in fact this meat is called Shawerma. Kabab, on the other hand, is grilled lamb meat, so don't even dream of going to a restaurant and asking for kebab thinking it's what you find in Italy! Breakfast there is made up of real food, not milk and biscuits or a croissant like here, there they eat sandwiches with Falafel which is more commonly called Taameya, which are the little patties of fava beans or chickpeas that you find everywhere, or sandwiches with French fries (Batates Makleya). Avoid walking around half-naked! Even if it's hot, respect the customs and traditions of the countries you visit, a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt is fine, preferably don't show your belly and back to avoid unpleasant comments or annoying stares.

To drink you'll find everything... there's a drink like Fanta that doesn't exist in Italy, mandarin flavored, it's really good, it's called Shueps. Eat the fruit which is genuine there and above all eat the Mango which is really good, then you'll find shops everywhere selling fresh juices made on the spot, the classic juice is sugarcane juice called Asir Asab and it costs around 50 piastres of a pound (7 cents of a euro). Every city has taxis of different colors.

Pharaonic Stops

You surely can't miss the Valley of the Kings so go to Luxor, Karnak, Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Saqqara, Abu Simbel

Phrases and Words to Use

Thank you = Shokran You're welcome = Affuan Please = Law Samaht Good morning = Sabah Elkher Good evening = Mesaa Elkher Today = Elnaharda Tomorrow = Bokra Yesterday = Embareh To greet, say Salamoh Alekom (peace be upon you) The response is We Alekom Elsalam How much does it cost = Bekam What's your name = Esmak eh Where? = Fen? When = Emta? This = Dah I = Ana You = Enta Ok = Meshy Let's go! = Yalla The bill please = El hesab Law Samaht Money = Felus Water = Mayah Bread = Esh Tea = Shay Coffee = Kahwa Sandwich = Sandwetsh Pizza = Pizza One = Wahed Two = Etnen Three = Talata Four = Arbaa Five = Khamsa Six = Setta Seven = Sabaa Eight = Tamanya Nine = Tesaa Ten = Asharah