A survey of Egypt, Part I: Safety Issues
Return to the Tour Egypt Feature Story, A survey of Egypt, Part I: Safety Issues
One of my main interests in traveling to Egypt this time was to asses the issue of Safety for Western travelers. Find out what I learned.
October 12th, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Wow! I have always been dreaming of a visit to Egypt.. But i just graduated this year so i can´t afford a travel yet. Reading this article makes me more excited than ever.. I´d first known about Egypt when I was in highschool because of our history subject.. I find it interesting and mysterious, and it became my wildest dream to set foot on that land. I´m 21 and still young, I know I will go to Egypt someday and make myn own story like this. I love Egypt and I want to be part of it.
October 13th, 2006 at 12:20 am
After reading your survey of Egyptian safety, it has only increased my desire and anticipation to finally visit this ancient country. I will finally- after years of dreaming to explore this beautiful country- have the opportunity to travel to Egypt at the end of January ‘07. I have a cousin who is teaching English in Cairo. From the emails I have received from her, you were 100% correct in your observations of Egyptians. They have on several occasions welcomed her with open arms to explore the realness of the people. After exploring the streets of Cairo with other teachers, they stumbled upon a traditional egyptian wedding. They were invited to experience and take part in the celebrations of this newlywed couple. She is loving every minute of this experience!
I, myself, have done my own travelling; while living abroad in Vienna, Austria, I traveled all over Europe. My favorite destinations were always eastern countries, mainly due to the fact that they were less tainted by western audacities and gave a better picture to a more “old world” europe.
This experience will be a brand new one for me, and I am looking forward to it. My only problem is that I will want to see everything in the 2 1/2 weeks that I’m there, I will probably suffer from sensory overload. No matter. This is a dream that I’ve had since learning about ancient Egypt in 6th grade.
If you have any insight as to where my cousin and I should travel that is NOT in the tourist traps, I would be most grateful. I appreciate any advice or destinations you can provide.
Thank you for your enlightening article, and giving me a little more sense of relief. Your synopsis, along with my cousins, has just increased my anticipation!
Best,
Jeff
October 13th, 2006 at 4:47 am
Glad to see you back Jimmy we have missed you. Your assessment of the safety here in Egypt is spot on and I would like to add that Egyptians generally show even more respect to people who have come to visit their country and get to know them because the very fact of coming here shows that they are open minded towards the Egyptians
October 13th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Wow, kudos to you, Jimmy, for this essential and straight-talking article - you really hit the nail on the head. As one who lives here, I feel it cannot be stated often enough on forums like this that Egypt is a welcoming, hospitable country and the Egyptian people are among the kindest and friendliest in the world! As Jimmy said, he feels safer here than he does in his own country, the USA; speaking as one who has lived in both the USA (east and west coasts) and the UK, I feel a hundred times safer living here.
Jimmy, great choice of pictures too - you’ve really captured the Egyptian essence! Bravo!
October 13th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Thank you for that beautiful write up. I am a UK citizen (although rather like to be classed as a citizen of the earth!) and I am going on an adventure to Egypt in a few days time - having always wanted to see the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza. On researching my trip I have encounted alot of negative information relating to the attitudes of the egyptians towards tourists but your write up has restored my faith and any fears I may have had.
Your pictures depict a happy people, opening their hearts to fellow human beings.
Thank you,
Tracy.
October 13th, 2006 at 11:36 am
Welcome back and thanks for the write-up. Your assessment of safety is essentially the same as it has always been, except for even more protection after the events earlier this year. I just wish more Americans would do their homework before assuming that Egyptians don’t like us. They may not like our government (which I undertand and agree at times) but they are very welcoming to tourists. Glad to see that has not changed.
Thanks for the pictures! Hope there are more to come. I especially love the pictures of the people. As someone who dabbles in photography, I would love to know what lenses, filters, etc. you used. I don’t have as big a deal camera as you do,
, but my camera uses the same lenses, etc. and I’m starting to add to my equipment.
Great write-up!
Patricia in Texas
October 30th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Really enjoyed your article. I’m considering taking my father to see the pyramids for his 70th birthday, and the information you’ve provided has helped tremendously.
One concern though was prompted by your statement, “Though we tried to avoid it, we were sometimes escorted by police, as tourists always are, but I would sometimes purposely escape these confines.” I wasn’t aware that tourists are escorted by police in Egypt, and I was a bit confused by the contradictory terms “sometimes” and “always.” Could you please elaborate on this as the need for armed escort may dissuade me from such travel.
Thank you,
Michael in Houston
October 30th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
It really depends on the location. Tour Groups are always escorted by tourist police. The reason I try to avoid it is because I find that it is not needed. I have never had a problem with the Egyptian people. Still though, tourism is one of Egypt’s very major income producers, and they do everything within their power to protect tourists, including sending police with them. In the end, what I hear most from tourists upon finishing their tours is that they may have wondered about their safety before the trip, and then wondered why they were concerned after they got home.
November 11th, 2006 at 9:06 am
You would not believe how much better I felt after reading your story. I have never traveled outside the US. I am going over to Egpyt next summer with my friend from Poland. I’ve always wanted to go to this beautiful country and see the pyramids,Red Sea, Cairo,everything!! Thank you so much for making me feel safe on my new adventure. Like you said,when I tell people I’m going over to Egypt, they go are you crazy!They hate us over there! Now when I go I’m gong to have a relaxing time and enjoy the people. Bern