anyone been to Cario?

foggyj

18 years ago

Going to view the pyramids. Heard everyone has their hand out for tips. Can we use American dollars for this?

Comments (5)

sable_ca
18 years ago
American dollars, unlike Americans, are beloved anywhere. Be prepared to tip, and brace yourself for the children begging in the streets, even in the middle of the night. Cairo is a city of staggering poverty.

More tips: If you are female, or if there are females in your party - cover up. No shorts, sleeveless tops, see-through anything. Be very, very modest. A woman should wear a wedding ring, married or not. She should not go out in public unaccompanied. A male companion is best, preferably a husband or a guy who will pass as one. Unattached Western women are relentlessly hit on in the Muslim world, no matter what their age (I have a lot of experience with this, lol). It's funny at first, and then it's a royal PITA.

If you are going to the pyramids, take a camel ride. It's a great experience! Camels are very easy to ride, they sway gently to and fro, following the guide, and it's a fine view from way up there! You mount them when they are lying down and they gradually rock into a standing position.

If you have time, go with a companion to the Khan el Khalili and have tea at Fishawi's. It's a true Egyptian experience and they know how to treat tourists.

Be careful, be alert, and have fun! And report back to us!
foggyj
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you so much for the info. I was planning on trying to ride a camel. How often does one get that chance?!! I was just reading about how over-populated Cario has become.
We're doing the river tour to Luxor, etc.
Let you know how it goes.
Related Discussions
Has anyone been successful with Sequoiadenron or Cedrus in OH?
Q
Comments (20)
FWIW the old one at Longwood Gardens has died. According to their database, they are trying other younger ones accessioned starting in 2012. Unfortunately they are prone to severely damaging foliar diseases in hot, humid climates...not just root rots! I have a normally finicky Rhododendron 'Nancy Evans' that is growing like a champ in these clammy parts - growing just fine because it's grafted onto a super rot resistant hyperythrum hybrid. The foliage always looks flawless. Although it's fascinating that there's a recent report of grafting Sequoia onto Metasequoia, I can't think that grafting Sequoiadendron onto Metasequoia would make a damn bit of difference in the eastern US. Summers are either going to be pleasant enough (e.g., lower dewpoints) that they don't suffer from Cercospora, or they aren't!
...See More
Has anyone been laid-off? Or had been laid-off but found a job?
Q
Comments (1)
Yes, we have been talking about it in the thread linked below. You can search the forum from the page that lists the titles of the threads. Scroll down to the bottom and you will find the search box. Welcome! One resource my friend uses for lower cost food is Angel Food Ministries. You pay $30 and get a big box of food. Around Boston, there are churches in Roxbury, Brockton, Woburn, and Jamaica Plains that participate in the program. Learn more at AngelFoodMinistries.com. Here is a link that might be useful: Husband Laid Off thread
...See More
Anyone been to Amsterdam? Looking for advice.
Q
Comments (46)
Stacy, my daughter & I were in Amsterdam the 3rd week of April last year. It was still cool (low 50s) with showers almost every day, but the trees were budding out & the grass was greening. I didn't see any mention here of the tram/street car service, which is very good. Lots of routes & they run about every ten minutes. It's not inexpensive - a day ticket is a better deal rather than a single fare. Almost all the tram stops have route maps on the backs of the stop shelters. The Rijksmuseum had just opened when we arrived & we spent a couple of hours in the Dutch masters area. They do close at 5 PM. There is a very pleasant-looking restaurant in the center of the bldg. English is spoken everywhere - we never had a problem. Be sure to try a Dutch pancake with butter & powdered sugar - a national treasure, & big - about 10 inches across. Yum yum. There's a local restaurant across from the flower market that has good ones. Many sidewalks, especially along the canals, are cobbled - my ankles got tired of holding me straight. Wish I could tuck into your suitcase - you will be enthralled.
...See More
Can anyone help me find this tile? I’ve been looking for weeks. thks
Q
Comments (8)
Villa Lagoon has it in these colors. This “Tangier” pattern is common and most cement tile companies carry a version of it. I’d wager the one in your photo was custom colored. About cement tiles: I fell in love with these years ago before, long they started showing up on home reno shows. They are not glaze tiles, they are made of cement and each color is separately applied in a mold and then pressed and air dried. They have a distinct feel underfoot and like nothing else on the market. That said, as much as I love them I always warn people about their particular challenges during installation. They’re very porous and can stain until they are sealed. I’ve had two bathrooms done in these tiles, the first bathroom was laid prior to sealing and some of the thinset got on the face of the tile. I had to sand them to clean before applying the first coat of sealer before grouting. When I had my second bathroom done my tile installer asked that we pre-seal the tiles to avoid that same problem. I had to use a different kind of penetrating sealer but when the navy tinted grout was applied it still stained all of the white section. It was a disaster until I was able to restore the tiles and we were finally able to proceed successfully. No matter how careful and how prepared you are these tiles are challenging to install. If you go ahead with cement tile - and I still highly recommend them - be sure to check here with the rest of us and to make sure your installer has skillfully worked with cement tiles before. https://www.villalagoontile.com/cement-tile/patterns/tangier/#blues
...See More
foggyj
Original Author
18 years ago
The combination trip to Paris/Egypt was great! no problems anywhere. Can't imagine going to either of those places without a guide. In Paris, went on a walking tour, then went back, using the great Metro system to see more. Very cold and rainy.

Egypt was a whole other world. Quite primative. Very poor country. They like tourists and are very friendly. Always felt safe everywhere.
The Nile River tour is great. Highly recommend it.
foggyj
Original Author
18 years ago
See post under title.......anyone going to Cairo?
sable_ca
18 years ago
Foggy - So happy to hear that you had a fine trip! Where did you stay in Cairo? Did you have your camel ride?

I confess that I was a bit concerned. Friends of ours took a tour to Egypt in Jan2002. Her DH didn't want to go, but she was set on seeing the pyramids and tours were very inexpensive after 9-11. I didn't want to say anything to discourage them. Their tour group was surrounded by armed guards all the time, whenever they left the hotel. They were not allowed to step away from the group. It was pretty rough. I'm glad that things have improved there.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

Full Story

126

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Entryway Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a smashing first impression with just one or two affordable design moves

Full Story

MUDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Mudroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a utilitarian mudroom snazzier and better organized with these cheap and easy ideas

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Guest Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make overnight guests feel comfy and cozy with small, inexpensive niceties

Full Story

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Living Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Spiff up your living room with very little effort or expense, using ideas borrowed from covetable ones

Full Story

102

HOME OFFICES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Home Office Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Borrow these modest design moves to make your workspace more inviting, organized and personal

Full Story

LAUNDRY ROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make fluffing and folding more enjoyable by borrowing these ideas from beautifully designed laundry rooms

Full Story

121

COMMUNITY Community Building Just About Anyone Can Do

By Vanessa Brunner

Strengthen neighborhoods and pride of place by setting up more public spaces — even small, temporary ones can make a big difference

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Dining Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Get a decorator-style dining room on the cheap with inexpensive artwork, secondhand furniture and thoughtful accessories

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Bathroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your bath from blah to ‘ahhhh’ with just a few easy and inexpensive moves

Full Story

anyone been to Cario?

Comments (5)

sable_ca

foggyj
Original Author

Related Discussions

foggyj
Original Author

foggyj
Original Author

sable_ca

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

anyone been to Cario?

Comments (5)

sable_ca

foggyjOriginal Author

Related Discussions

foggyjOriginal Author

foggyjOriginal Author

sable_ca

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

foggyj
Original Author

foggyj
Original Author

foggyj
Original Author