Fewer countries in the world come closer to a monument overload than Egypt. Many visitors believing that they have seen the best of Egypt are often shocked to discover how much more remains to be uncovered. With more than 90% of all attractions lined up along the river Nile, Egypt is your invitation to the magical and mystical, past and present.
For the most part, Egyptians are friendly people, proud to receive visitors from all over the world and ready to help in all situations, without having ulterior motives in mind, but it's always wise for tourists to exercise some caution wherever in the world they travel. |
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When to travel
For Westerners, the tourist season can be rather a short one as it is generally best to travel during the winter months. December to January is by far the ideal time to head to Southern Egypt. The further north you go, the longer the tourist season can be stretched, but even the Cairenes prefer to escape the worst heat experienced during the period June to August. The Red Coast Resorts like Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and many more have a pleasant climate during spring and fall. Measures to survive the heat in Egypt are important - drinking sufficient water, staying indoors at midday, and wearing a hat are all part of responsible travelling.
Health
There are no great health risks when travelling to Egypt and if you feel unwell, pharmacies will understand your body language and should be able to come up with suitable medication. If this is not sufficient to alleviate your symptoms, well-trained doctors are easy to come across and are fluent in English. If you take care when being exposed to heat, eat in places that are clean and appear to have many patrons, and drink loads of mineral water then nothing exceptional should come your way. When travelling during summer season, beware of the heat and direct sun. Besides wearing sun protection, it's also good practice to keep hydrated at all times. Note that if you drink tea and coffee, both are dehydrating. For every cup of coffee, level with one glass of water. Take two glasses of water for every cup of tea. |
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Costs in Egypt
As long as you stay in larger cities, changing money is usually not a problem. But smaller places will often be without banks and exchange shops. Normally you will not pay any commission on currency exchanges, but keep in mind that exchange rates may vary from one place to another. These differences will never be large enough to justify the time and inconvenience of shopping around, though. As with most other countries in Northern Africa, credit cards and some cash is a better option than traveller's cheques. Most major credit cards can be used in shops and hotels. This will give you the financial freedom to treat yourself to an expensive item or even extend your trip for even more adventure or relaxation. But remember to check the receipt slip, as stiff ‘baksheeshes' (tips) may be added without anyone asking for your permission. The rule is that you pay for the goods, not for the service or anything else.
The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (or 'Genaeh' in Arabic), which is divided into 100 piasters. There are almost no more coins used in Egypt. Rules on changing Egyptian Pounds into Western currencies are somewhat fluid, but normally there is not too much need to worry about having more pounds than you can spend by the time your holiday comes to an end. |
What To Wear
Egypt is a conservative country and visitors should respect this attitude. No topless or nude bathing is permitted. On the practical side, leave your synthetics at home as they will prove to be too hot in summer and not warm enough during winter. Bring materials that breathe! It is advisable to wear cotton in summer as the heat can be like a furnace, as well as a hat to protect yourself from the scorching Egyptian sun. Even during winter the temperatures can be considerably warm, so wear layers that can removed during the day time and put back on for cool evenings. Wear loose and flowing garments, which are not only modest, but also practical in a hot climate. Have you ever wondered why the Bedouin wear layers of flowing robes? Why they cover their head and the back of their necks? Centuries of living in the desert have taught them that loose garments keeps one cooler and layered garments allow wind to enter and circulate, creating a natural ventilation system. Protecting the head and neck from loss of moisture prevents heat strokes.
Bring comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and temple floors are far from even. |
What To Buy
Egypt has had enough tourists over the years to present a vast array of fine handicrafts and tourist souvenirs. Work is often of excellent quality and the cost (after haggling) will be so low, that it is difficult to single out the best buys Egypt has to offer... But here are a few of our favourites: Papyrus fascinates many, but anyone planning to buy such items would do best to shop around first. We were presented with four different qualities in one of the most renowned stores in Cairo and for us the worst quality was the most attractive, while we felt that the better quality papyrus was overloaded with images. Bottom line, choose the one that you like best. Egyptian jewellery can be bought at very attractive prices... And you'll sometimes be left wondering as to exactly where the profit lies. This is especially so of buying gold items, where the rate you pay is just above the going gold ounce rate. However, be aware during the weighing process and always be cautious with "antique" items. Few of the antiques displayed for tourists are genuine! Clothing and shoes can also be found at incredible value. Cotton clothes can be tailor-made, but the level of workmanship may sometimes be of questionable quality. As for shoes, the going rate for a real leather pair made from the softest leather can be less than USD60. Finding a shoe store in Cairo? Never a problem as they are as abundant as any fruit store. Egypt has far too many interesting items for sale to all be detailed here. But, there are two useful rules of thumb that can be applied to any purchase: Only buy what you really like and never rush into any transaction. |
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Food and Drinks
In Egypt, dining out can range from a stand-up sandwich bar to a luxurious five-course meal in an exotic restaurant. You can find small inexpensive establishments that serve good and wholesome Egyptian food for only a few pounds. If you are in a hurry, try the local snack bar. The larger cities even have modern Western-style fast food chains like the McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but they are relatively expensive. In cities, both food and water are safe although the change in your diet may produce short-term gastrointestinal upsets.
Egyptian Meals
Although Egyptian eating habits may seem erratic, most people begin the day with a light breakfast of beans (or bean cakes), eggs, pickles, cheeses and jams. Most families eat their large starchy lunch between 14:00 and 16:00, followed by a rest. A light supper comprises mostly of the lunchtime leftovers. If attending a dinner party, these are often scheduled to start late in the evening, around 21:00, with the main meal only served an hour or two later.
Restaurants serve lunch between 13:00 and 16:00, whereas dinner is scheduled between 20:00 and midnight.
Restaurants
In Egypt, like anywhere else in the world, the food is as good as the chef who prepares it. For current information on where to eat the best meal, the expatriate community is unbeatable and the magazine Cairo Today includes monthly listings of the finest establishments to tantalise the palette. It also publishes an annual dining guide. Most establishments use local ingredients and will offer fruit and vegetables in season. Menus are both in Arabic and English, except in Alexandria, where they are published in Arabic and French. In large restaurants, the Maitre d`hôte will speak English, French and possibly some German and Italian. These establishments serve a mixture of international cuisine and often include Egyptian or Middle Eastern fare as well. Most 5* hotels have a 24-hour coffee shop. Many of the smaller, local restaurants specialise in basic meat and fave bean dishes. These are simple and inexpensive. Waiters speak little English, so pull out that phrase book from your backpack!!
Local Food
Egyptian food reflects the country's melting pot-native cooks use local ingredients and have modified Greek, Turkish, Lebanese and Palestinian traditions to suit Egyptian budgets, customs and tastes. The dishes are simple and made with naturally ripened fruits and vegetables, seasoned with fresh spices. Food in the south is closely linked to African cuisine and is more zesty compared to up north, at times hot enough to effectively clear your sinuses. The best cooking is often found in smaller towns but, on the whole, Egyptian cuisine will delight the senses. Enjoy. |
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Religion
Islam is the official religion of Egypt, but there is a large Coptic community and other Christian sects. A tiny Jewish community stills exists in Egypt. Islam is part of the Judeo-Christian family of religions and was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed in what is now Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Islam has five major principles, or pillars, which form the foundation of the religion. The first is the belief that there is only one God and that the Prophet Mohammed is the messenger of God. The second is prayer, which is performed five times a day and can be conducted in any place as long as it is done facing Mecca. Almsgiving is the third principle and by religious law Muslims must donate a percentage of their savings to the poor. The fourth pillar is the obligation to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The fifth is a pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj, which all Muslims hope to perform at least once during their lifetime. The pilgrimage is undertaken during the month of Zhu`l-Higga, 70 days after the end of the Ramadan fast. |
Early Christianity in Egypt
According to tradition, Saint Mark brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor in the first century. Some of the early converts to the new faith came from within the Jewish community in Egypt, which represented the largest concentration outside of Palestine at the time. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Saint Mark's arrival in Alexandria, as is clear from the New Testament writings found in Bahnasa in Middle Egypt. The writings date back to the year 200 and a fragment of the Gospel of Saint John was later found in Upper Egypt. The gospel is written in Coptic and dates back to the first half of the 2nd century. |
History of The Coptic Christian Church.
The word Coptic is derived from the Arabic corruption of the Greek "Aigyptas," which was in turn derived from "Hitaptah" - one of the names for Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt. The modern use of the term Coptic refers to the early Christian Egyptians. In its early years, Egyptian Christianity was engaged in a lengthy struggle against the indigenous pagan religious practices, descending from ancient times, as well as being in opposition to Hellenism that had started in Alexandria. To counter the appeal of Greek philosophy, the Christian leadership in Egypt established the Cathecal School of Alexandria. This school provided intellectual reflections of Greek philosophers and sophisticated advocacy of Christianity. However, the transformation of Egypt into a Christian country was not a smooth process. Resistance from pagans and Hellenised elements of the population, as well as the divisions within the Christian Church did not help the reform. The Pre-Islamic period for the Coptic Church was marked by two major events, the beginning of the Coptic calendar in 284 AD, and the establishment of an independent Egyptian Church in 451 AD. From then onwards, the relations between Egyptian Copts and Constantinople became strained as the Copts refused to recognise the religious authority of the Patriarchs of Alexandria appointed by the Byzantine State. These clerics were given widespread power to be used against any political or religious dominance of Egypt by outsiders. This opposition may in part account for the Coptic acceptance of the Muslim conquest as they saw the conquerors as liberators from the Byzantine yoke. |
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Islamic History
During the winter of 639 AD, Amr Ibn al As was leading an Arab army travelling from Syria into Egypt. The Arabian peninsula, Iraq and Syria were already under Muslim control and the Khalif Omar had turned its armies against two of his greatest enemies: Persia in the East and Byzantium in the West. In 640 AD, Amr did not go to Alexandria but chose a more strategic goal, the fortress of Babylon, about 12 km south where the Nile separates itself from the Delta. He defeated the Byzantine forces at Heliopolis and encircled Babylon. The latter was finally captured in April 641. Amr's next move was Alexandria and by September 642 it became his by way of a treaty. The Copts reconciled themselves with the Muslims as they allowed them to elect their own Patriarch. By order of the Khalif Omar, a town was built alongside the fortress of Babylon and was named Fustat. It was from here, rather than Alexandria, that Egypt was administered as a province of the Khalifate. From 642 to 868, Egypt was a province ruled by Medina, Damascus or Baghdad. The Fatimids (969-1171) were the only Shiites who ever ruled Egypt and their name was derived from the claim that they were descendants of Fatimah (the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed) and Ali; the fourth Khalif. It was during their rule that the Crusaders came to the Middle East. The two ruling dynasties, which followed the Fatimids as rulers of Egypt, were the Ayyubids and the Mameluks. In 1516 the Ottomans defeated the Mameluks and once again Egypt became a province of the rulers whose seats were in Istanbul. The French became the new rulers of Egypt between 1798 and 1801. Mohammed Ali took over as ruler from Egypt but had to go into exile after the revolution of 23 July 1952.
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| Ramadan
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year and is more of a religious observation than a holiday. It is a month of fasting and renewal. Muslims, expcept for the young, the old, the sick, pregnant woman, and travelers, abstain from food, drink, cigarettes, and sex throughout daylight hours. The fast begins at the dawn and ends after sunset and is broken by a meal called iftar. After the iftar, the evening is filled with festivities and people gather in the main squares of towns throughout Egypt to listen to musicians and storytellers. Just before dawn another meal is eaten in preparation for the long day of fasting. During Ramadan business hours are shortened.
**Below is estimated dates for ramadan for the next few years.
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Ramadan
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2008
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2009
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2010
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Dates
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01 Sep to 01 Oct
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21 Aug to 20 Sep
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11 Aug to 09 Sep
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A Reminder of Jewish Heritage in Cairo
The Ben Ezer Temple is reported to having been built during the 6th or 9th Century AD. It was constructed upon ground acquired by the local Jewish population in return for "kantars of gold". The basilica-styled synagogue contained a Jewish Heritage library and was officially inaugurated on November 26, 1997. In 1896, a collection of documents known as the "Jineesah" was discovered in the synagogue. The document, written in what was then called "Hebrew Arabic," contained valuable information about the political and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule. The document contained a number of rare manuscripts of interpretations of the Old Testament together with documents explaining the dealings between local Jews and Arab Muslim authorities. These documents date back to the Fatimid era, written in Aramaic with an Arabic translation. A deep well lies at the back of the Synagogue, and legend has it that this was where the basket carrying Moses was placed by his mother. |
Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics is a type of writing depicted in symbols or pictures. It also means "Sacred carvings" in Greek. This particular way of writing lasted for over 3000 years. Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics for religious inscriptions on temples, stones and monuments. It reflected words of kings and queens and Egyptians called it the words of their gods. Some hieroglyphs are read from left to right instead from right to left. One could find out which way to read by looking at which way the animals were facing. One of the famous examples is the Rosetta Stone that provided the key to the puzzle of this lost ancient Egyptian language. Discovered by French soldiers in 1799 near the city of Rosetta, it contained three different types of letters. One was Greek; the other two were forms of Egyptian languages. Scholars were able to read Greek but it took another 20 years for Jean Champollion to translate the once undecipherable characters. This was the missing key to this mysterious language - from then onwards it became easy to translate the writings on the walls of tombs and pyramids. The Rosetta stone has helped us to learn much about the wonders of Egypt's past. |
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Cities of Egypt
The majority of Egypt's attractions are found in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Abu Simbel and Aswan. |
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