Egypt - The Report - May -> June 2015. P.1

So I went to Egypt in May, which means that it was extremely baking. But I still survived so I think you will be OK when getting there. My first report will answer some of the FAQs. I have another short report on my site as well vingnguyen.com/backpacking-in-egypt-a-report/

1. Is Egypt safe?

The biggest question everybody has to consider before getting there. I am not a local so things could change. But 3 weeks in there and I felt completely safe. Well actually there were 2 scary moments.

The first one was the fight in front of the Pyramids. I was waiting for my taxi driver and 2 kids started having a big argumentation. Then people gathered together and yelled at each other. Then the whole thing soon became chaotic. Thankfully my driver came in time and I got out of there.

The other one was when I was wandering about Cairo waiting for my bus heading to Hurghada. Suddenly people started freaking out and running away from a car. I was scared as ** and just ran chicken without head. But nothing happened and I didn't know what happened till now.

Buttttt. The whole time in Egypt I didn't feel anything like terrorism at all. Two things that I was afraid and tired of was the temp and scammers argg.

1. Do I need to apply the visa in advance?

http://www.cairo-airport.com/pass_visa1.asp Here are all you need. As a Vietnamese I have to apply for the visa. I did it in the Consulate in Zagreb. It took 3 days and cost 20USD. Need flight booking but not hotel.

In case you can apply on arrival. Just get to the airport and they will tell you how to do that.

Note: Make sure the photo on your passport looks like you. I was kept at the custom for nearly an hour because I look way too different.

1. Is it safe for female traveller?

This is a hard question. I think if you are a white woman, you might get unwanted notice from the Egyptians. Otherwise, just use common sense and dress appropriately while going out.

1. How many days should I plan to visit?

I spent 3 weeks there and it was both too much and too little. I couldn't make it to the Oasis because it was hella hot there >45C (~>110F).

1. Scammers?

Oh boy let me tell you, I am living in Vietnam, the country of super big scamming problem, yet I still got overwhelmed by the scamming situation in Egypt. It was all over my head. Tips: Keep a straight face and a cold heart to deal with them. 2 stories to tell.

While I was walking in Saqqara, a scammer tried to get my attention. He first called my name loudly, then yelled at me, then said there was some kind of robbery and stuff there. I was all blind and deaf even when he was walking sooooo close to me and trying to hook me into a "secret tomb" where he kept the key. I just...walked and pretended he was not there. Work!

In Aswan, a caleche tried to bring me and my friend to his friend's perfume shop, which is a reallyyyy common trapping issue in Egypt. My face was extremely poker and required him to move ASAP. The owner said very sweet stuff to me but I showed zero emotions. Work!

But still Egypt is a must destination, I wrote the reasons why in here, check it out! www.vingnguyen.com/reasons-travel-egypt-2015/

Basically that's it. If you need on anything, let me know

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