Cairo/Pyramids....any tips please

[sunnylabsmum]

We are taking DD (5) to the cairo and the pyramids at the end of April. Going on a weekend break from Cyprus and wonder if there are any things we need to take/do/avoid. We are going to be staying in Cairo

Many thanks

Its very hot. Well it was when we went in May. Pyramids are wonderful but the hassle from the local traders and beggers is almost unbearable. We found it difficult to take photos as they deliberately get in the way so you have to pay them to move. If you accidently take their picture, they want paying for that too. And they ride their bloody camels straight at you

If I was to go again, I would say to the first one to approach me 'look mate, you get 20 pounds when I leave if you keep every single one of em away from me'.

I agree with themoon.

Men in Cairo will (or at least they did with me) not hesitate to stroke your arm, or your bottom or any other body part within reach, even with my husband next to me. And I was modestly dressed in long skirt and long sleeved blouse. My best advise is to make sure you have enough toiletpaper, wear sandals, long skirt (not SHORTS or short skirt) long sleeved linen top or tunic, be modest.
DO visit the Khal el khalini market, it is the best market on this planet, and I have seen a fair few!

Try to stay vegetarian, and avoid the mc donalds next to the pyramids and the sfinx like the plague, cos that is what you get if you eat there! EVERYBODY we spoke to got food poisoned there. I was with a busload, we all got sick, and that was not good when we had an eleven hour busride down through the western dessert ahead of us.....

If you take a taxi from Cairo to Giza your first thought will be that your driver hates you and wants to kill you as quickly as possible by going through red lights and swerving into the path of oncoming vehicles on two wheels. Don't panic! The rules of the road are very complex so try to relax and enjoy the scenery as it whizzes past.

Shock! Horror! McDonalds at the pyramids!! How dreadful! My visit was in the eighties and there was NOTHING there apart from a few cocoa-cola signs dotted around

oh, and make sure you always have a map of cairo, and the name and address of your hotel written in arabic as many cab drivers dont read our alphabet..... even if they speak some english!

Also, dont assume they know where the pyramids are, or how to get there, even if you draw the pyramids on a napkin....

Giza is not Giza in egyptian, so shouting GIZA repeatedly is not going to get any response from the cabdriver, as he drives on his merry way towards CAIRO, because that is where the tourists go.... right...

Oh, happy holiday memories...

God yes... the driving will make you pray you are gonna get out alive I asked our guide what side of the road was the correct side... he said 'wherever there's space'.

I was terrified when I looked out of the bus window as they filled the tank up at a petrol station... They were smoking and even lighting up right over the top of the fuel hose, where it was pumping into the tank

thanks everyone for some great advice. We have booked a trip with a private guide and so hopefully this might reduce the hassle...although I feel better being aware of this beforehand. The tips about dress are great too...as we live in Cyprus we spend most of the time in shorts and t shirts but will make sure that for the trips out we have more modest dress. The food tips are great- fortunately DD does not know what the McDonalds sign means.....I think i'll pack quite a few medicines for upset tummys and the like....

As to the driving...guess I'll have to close my eyes and do a silent hail mary..... Its not that good in Cyprus as they like to speed up when they approach junctions!

The trip includes a visit to the market that Qunitessentialshadow mentioned so I'm looking forward to that as shopping in Cyprus is not that exciting.