Discussion
As Mrs T and I are planning on going to Cairo Sun 23rd Oct for 9 days I was hoping there might be some Cairo based expats who could give advice on whether to travel or not given recent events.
My plan would be to hire a local guide to take us to and round a several monuments in the first couple of days and give advice on where to go, where to avoid etc.
Anyone able to give an opinion on whether we should stick with our plans or not ?
My plan would be to hire a local guide to take us to and round a several monuments in the first couple of days and give advice on where to go, where to avoid etc.
Anyone able to give an opinion on whether we should stick with our plans or not ?
My mate has just got back from a business trip there.
Was stuck in the airport for 12 hours due to a strike, then there was a mini riot and the masses basically stormed the runway.
Traffic/driving is supposed to be absolutely horrific even compared to the rest of the Middle East, there is something like 20 million people in and around Cairo I think.
He saw plenty of battles on the roads, fisticuffs at traffic lights etc.
The sites would be lovely to see I am sure I just don't think I could put up with the crap around them.
It is an absolutely filthy place as well by all accounts.
Was stuck in the airport for 12 hours due to a strike, then there was a mini riot and the masses basically stormed the runway.
Traffic/driving is supposed to be absolutely horrific even compared to the rest of the Middle East, there is something like 20 million people in and around Cairo I think.
He saw plenty of battles on the roads, fisticuffs at traffic lights etc.
The sites would be lovely to see I am sure I just don't think I could put up with the crap around them.
It is an absolutely filthy place as well by all accounts.
dxbtiger said:
My mate has just got back from a business trip there.
Was stuck in the airport for 12 hours due to a strike, then there was a mini riot and the masses basically stormed the runway.
Traffic/driving is supposed to be absolutely horrific even compared to the rest of the Middle East, there is something like 20 million people in and around Cairo I think.
He saw plenty of battles on the roads, fisticuffs at traffic lights etc.
The sites would be lovely to see I am sure I just don't think I could put up with the crap around them.
It is an absolutely filthy place as well by all accounts.
Yeah, but apart from that?Was stuck in the airport for 12 hours due to a strike, then there was a mini riot and the masses basically stormed the runway.
Traffic/driving is supposed to be absolutely horrific even compared to the rest of the Middle East, there is something like 20 million people in and around Cairo I think.
He saw plenty of battles on the roads, fisticuffs at traffic lights etc.
The sites would be lovely to see I am sure I just don't think I could put up with the crap around them.
It is an absolutely filthy place as well by all accounts.
To be honest, I'd avoid Cairo at the moment - things are kicking off there with very little notice.
I know it's not the same country, but I was in Tunisia a few weeks back and the place is still very much 'wired'. Armed police on the streets, loads of barbed wire surrounding government buildings, tanks, riot police arriving to quell even the smallest of gatherings...
The missus is still there at the moment and is being very cautious about going out and avoiding crowds etc.
I know it's not the same country, but I was in Tunisia a few weeks back and the place is still very much 'wired'. Armed police on the streets, loads of barbed wire surrounding government buildings, tanks, riot police arriving to quell even the smallest of gatherings...
The missus is still there at the moment and is being very cautious about going out and avoiding crowds etc.
Things are relatively calm at the moment but nobody knows what might happen. They should stay in a decent hotel and avoid making any adventures. Tourists are not a target. Demonstrations usually happen on Fridays so they'll probably need to be careful on that day. Otherwise the usual precautions (not carrying too much cash, being picky about which taxi they stop, etc) should be enough. They should also avoid taking pictures of any demonstrations or sensitive areas as the authorities may not like that. Happy to talk to them before they travel if you wish.
From my Egyptian client in Cairo this morning.
From my Egyptian client in Cairo this morning.
What do you need to know?
My OH works in Cairo, she is Finnish and to be honest it doesnt seem that bad from what she is telling me.
They know that anyone that looks like an Expat is not to be touched as they look very badly on anyone not from the country getting hurt. I will dig out my report from last time I went.
Oh I do not recommend Sharm, chavy little s
t hole its become, much better to go to Dahab instead but then I assume you are picking Cairo not for the diving which is all that Dahab really has out there.
My OH works in Cairo, she is Finnish and to be honest it doesnt seem that bad from what she is telling me.
They know that anyone that looks like an Expat is not to be touched as they look very badly on anyone not from the country getting hurt. I will dig out my report from last time I went.
Oh I do not recommend Sharm, chavy little s
t hole its become, much better to go to Dahab instead but then I assume you are picking Cairo not for the diving which is all that Dahab really has out there.Du1point8 said:
What do you need to know?
My OH works in Cairo, she is Finnish and to be honest it doesnt seem that bad from what she is telling me.
They know that anyone that looks like an Expat is not to be touched as they look very badly on anyone not from the country getting hurt. I will dig out my report from last time I went.
Oh I do not recommend Sharm, chavy little st hole its become, much better to go to Dahab instead but then I assume you are picking Cairo not for the diving which is all that Dahab really has out there.
ThanksMy OH works in Cairo, she is Finnish and to be honest it doesnt seem that bad from what she is telling me.
They know that anyone that looks like an Expat is not to be touched as they look very badly on anyone not from the country getting hurt. I will dig out my report from last time I went.
Oh I do not recommend Sharm, chavy little s
t hole its become, much better to go to Dahab instead but then I assume you are picking Cairo not for the diving which is all that Dahab really has out there.I worked in Eqypt 30 years ago and wanted to see the things I missed back then - I worked in the desert so only passed through Cairo.
I am comfortable in foreign countries having worked overseas a lot but my wife is less comfortable. If there are likely to be riots/demonstrations which are unavoidable I will not go. However if as I expect, the disturbances die down and visits to pyramids/sakkara/hanging church/garbage city/fayoum oasis all in the company of a local guide will be trouble free, I will go.
I will wait until after the weekend and see if there is more trouble this fri/sat before make a decision on cancelling flights and hotel.
I was just looking for feedback from someone living there as to the feel of the place, if we avoid Tahir Square and areas around the Israeli embassy will we be comfortable or are we likely to encounter hostility anywhere else.
I really want to go but my wife is unsure, and my daughter is feeding her fears.
6th Gear said:
Things are relatively calm at the moment but nobody knows what might happen. They should stay in a decent hotel and avoid making any adventures. Tourists are not a target. Demonstrations usually happen on Fridays so they'll probably need to be careful on that day. Otherwise the usual precautions (not carrying too much cash, being picky about which taxi they stop, etc) should be enough. They should also avoid taking pictures of any demonstrations or sensitive areas as the authorities may not like that. Happy to talk to them before they travel if you wish.
From my Egyptian client in Cairo this morning.
Good advise, we are staying away from the centre in a good hotel (well 5 star, how good it is remains to be seen) and plan to hire a private guide for most excursions, will obviously have to take taxis at times though.From my Egyptian client in Cairo this morning.
Many thanks to your client.
Murray
Corpulent Tosser said:
Du1point8 said:
What do you need to know?
My OH works in Cairo, she is Finnish and to be honest it doesnt seem that bad from what she is telling me.
They know that anyone that looks like an Expat is not to be touched as they look very badly on anyone not from the country getting hurt. I will dig out my report from last time I went.
Oh I do not recommend Sharm, chavy little st hole its become, much better to go to Dahab instead but then I assume you are picking Cairo not for the diving which is all that Dahab really has out there.
ThanksMy OH works in Cairo, she is Finnish and to be honest it doesnt seem that bad from what she is telling me.
They know that anyone that looks like an Expat is not to be touched as they look very badly on anyone not from the country getting hurt. I will dig out my report from last time I went.
Oh I do not recommend Sharm, chavy little s
t hole its become, much better to go to Dahab instead but then I assume you are picking Cairo not for the diving which is all that Dahab really has out there.I worked in Eqypt 30 years ago and wanted to see the things I missed back then - I worked in the desert so only passed through Cairo.
I am comfortable in foreign countries having worked overseas a lot but my wife is less comfortable. If there are likely to be riots/demonstrations which are unavoidable I will not go. However if as I expect, the disturbances die down and visits to pyramids/sakkara/hanging church/garbage city/fayoum oasis all in the company of a local guide will be trouble free, I will go.
I will wait until after the weekend and see if there is more trouble this fri/sat before make a decision on cancelling flights and hotel.
I was just looking for feedback from someone living there as to the feel of the place, if we avoid Tahir Square and areas around the Israeli embassy will we be comfortable or are we likely to encounter hostility anywhere else.
I really want to go but my wife is unsure, and my daughter is feeding her fears.
If you PM me I can send you the things that were amusing to do last time I was there, though why you want to do garbage city as last time I went past there the smell was horrific and that was in a taxi at 60 mph... It could add to the list you already want to see, plus it includes some hidden bars and restaurants.
Corpulent Tosser said:
PM sent - thanks
back at you... as mentioned I was on expat islandyou are here ish:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&safe=off&a...
I was directly left on the map and down a bit:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?pq=zamalek&hl=en...
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