Good health and high spirits!
some info for you.

$1.00 US = approx 5.8 Egp
Everything in Egypt is cheap comparitively.. you can buy cheap souvieners or
expensive ones the trick is to Bargain....and bargain well. Don't haggle
over a dollar though, keep in mind these people make hardly a thing.
general rule.. if they say for example: $300 for something it is usually
good to start the price at like $75 or so.. usually 1/3-1/4 of what they are
asking. Somethings are set in price usually at grocery stores or pharmacies
etc.
You may find more interesting souveniers if you shop where the locals shop.

Breakfast is usually provided by the tour, giving you lunch free and perhaps
your dinner.. or they go as a group to eat.
(keep in mind, the mashed beans they serve for lunch, dinner *foul madas* is
usually a breakfast dish for Egyptians).
--many shop keepers will order tea for you and talk for awhile before you
strike up a bargain.

LEARN THESE WORDS: LA=NO SHUKRAN=THANK YOU
NEVER SHAKE OR EAT OUT OF A COMMON BOWL WITH YOUR LEFT HAND.

These were some of the prices when I was there. However you should look to
see if these attractions are covered in your tour. Usually they are.
I stayed at the Pharaohs Hotel
CAIRO
Citadel Of Salah Al-Din--20LE
The Egyptian Museum--20LE
The Royal Mummies Hall--40LE
The Cairo Tower--30LE
Scarabee Papyrus (where they sell Papyrus paper) Can be pricey..
I bought around 5 pcs at a price of 138 LE (these prices are set)
The Third Pyramid, Giza--10LE
Giza Pyramids--20LE

ASWAN
Train to Aswan from Cairo. 14HRS 69LE. checked out the market, the dam and
just hung out for a couple of days exploring. ASWAN sells the cheapest
Sheesha's.

TAKE THE TIME AND THE $ TO FLY TO ABU SIMBLE.. WORTH IT. At that time it
was I think about $100 to fly there.
200 PT. for local fees
400 PT for Guide fees at Abu Simble temple
30LE Abu Simbel Two Temples

Took a felucca to LUXOR
visit a Nubian Family for dinner

Stopped at
Kom Ombo Temple 10LE
Philae temple 20LE
Edfu Temple 20LE

Stayed at the WINDSOR HOTEL in Luxor. Eat at local places, try the
pigeon--usually in a cage as soon as you enter the restaurant.

Karnak Temple 20LE

(Many *touts will be around to show you things.. if you follow one do pay
them a dollar or something.. that is usually how they make their $) They are
not out to rob you.

To go to Hurghada you have to go by Convo... No ship route cause it's
through the desert.
Hurghada is a huge tourist area so expect to pay more, there are many clubs
and restaurants etc.. take the time to go on a side trip into the eastern
desert.
while there find a unique store called the MEYA MEYA. It is the only place
I found that sells nice unique souviners that are not the typical tourist
trash souvieners. The owner of the store is called Sam very nice guy..

Don't be fooled by people who *lead you to someones store, sometimes the
store can be good.. these people get commisions to get people to the
store... can be an interesting experience.

In restaurants/souks... Make sure that YOU break the seal on the water
bottle... refuse it if it is already opened.. they like to refill the bottle
with local water in some places.

When ordering food you can look at what someone else is eating and say "I
want that"..
Get on the web and look up Egyptian menu.. lots of food info. will give you
the jist of what they eat. there are many souks to shop at for munchies
while touring around..

http://touregypt.net/recipes/

Do try foods at markets and bazaars.. just use your common sense, if the guy
who is handling your food is picking his nose or has very bad hygiene skip
it.. make sure though that ALL food is throughly cooked, boiled. Don't eat
anything that you can't peel yourself cause it was probably washed in local
water. Oranges, bananas, mangos good choices.. nuts, cheese, figs etc. also
good.

most of all relax and have fun, explore and don't take things too
seriously... realize that these people are all trying to make a living, not
to rip you off.. well not always!! Tourism is the leading job for most and
some people are degraded to handing out toilet paper to tourists as a job!!

If you want superior service in hotels.. tip your cleaning person
generously.. I gave her $10 for 3days and I got my clothes washed, dryed
ironed, chocolates, flowers, fancy towels all made up in the shapes of
animals and shells. Also,, tip the Person you want to tip IN PERSON Don't
give the $ to the manager or someone... the person who you want to get the $
won't get it usually.

if you have anymore questions..
give me a shout back.
Tashi

--
"When one realizes that life is worthless
he either commits suicide or travels. ~ Edward Dahlberg
LIFE IS AN ATTITUDE!
http://www.globosapiens.net/ta-shy
"Big_B" wrote in message
...

"Tashi" wrote in message
news:h_g0e.761706$Xk.327344@pd7tw3no...
out of curiosity what tour group are you going with?

Oh, it's our local tour group. Nothing you have ever heard for.


when you say "ship" do you mean house boat or Faluca(a sail boat of
sorts)

No. A ship. The big ones that sail on the Nile. They look just like the
ones that travel on the sea (cruses), only a bit smaller.....


where in Europe are you from?

Central Europe.


and what is your age group?

How many age groups are there? )
I'm 25.


also, what is incld. in your tour? food? etc..

I have breakfast and dinner (I think I have dinner, not sure) in hotels,
and all three meals abord the ship.