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We visited Luxor as a family last year and the Valley of the Kings is absolutely a must visit. The fact that these hieroglyphics are preserved so well over thou

We visited Luxor as a family last year and the Valley of the Kings is absolutely a must visit. The fact that these hieroglyphics are preserved so well over thousands of years is astounding. It feels as if the walls were painted last week. If you do visit I highly recommend the use of a reputable tour guide. As a foreigner you have a target painted on your forehead 24/7 and having a guide to drive you and walk with you is worth every penny. I never felt physically unsafe while in Egypt but for example my 8 year old boy was shaken down for $$ for toilet paper in the bathroom. That’s how shameless the grift is.

dboreham 3y ago
Going next February which reminds me I need to book a guide. Also recommend guides even for first world high traffic destinations like Rome/Vatican: guides have ways to bypass queues that save considerable time, and know the best time of day to hit each site.
doix 3y ago
> We visited Luxor as a family last year and the Valley of the Kings is absolutely a must visit. The fact that these hieroglyphics are preserved so well over thousands of years is astounding. It feels as if the walls were painted last week. Depending on the tomb, it might've been restored. Not sure if you saw Nefertari's tomb in the valley of queens, but it absolutely blew my mind. Having done very little research before going, I was shocked that the colors could have remained so bright after so many years. Then a spent a few minutes on wikipedia and found out that a lot of restoration work was done, starting in the 80-90's. > I never felt physically unsafe while in Egypt but for example my 8 year old boy was shaken down for $$ for toilet paper in the bathroom. That’s how shameless the grift is. The grift is crazy, but the toilet paper thing is actually pretty normal. I guess I don't know how much you got charged, but paying 5 Egyptian pounds(0.10-0.15 USD) for toilet paper was considered "normal". At least that's what some non-grifty locals told me at a bar when I was complaining to them. You're definitely right about having a target on you 24/7 though. I'll probably never go back to Egypt because of it, I found it absolutely exhausting after a month of traveling there. It took me a few months to get back to my usual self and not immediately dismiss anyone that ever tried to talk to me.
freilanzer 3y ago
> I never felt physically unsafe while in Egypt That surprises me. I probably couldn't visit countries like Egypt or Mexico, no matter how much they'd interest me.
_a_a_a_ 3y ago
Trying to extract cash from rich foreigners is what happens in poor countries (source: experience). I don't know the relative poverty level in that country though, but people who don't have a bank account/paid job/any resources, well it's understandable to me. Not nice for visitors but very understandable.

dboreham 3y ago

Going next February which reminds me I need to book a guide. Also recommend guides even for first world high traffic destinations like Rome/Vatican: guides have ways to bypass queues that save considerable time, and know the best time of day to hit each site.

doix 3y ago

> We visited Luxor as a family last year and the Valley of the Kings is absolutely a must visit. The fact that these hieroglyphics are preserved so well over thousands of years is astounding. It feels as if the walls were painted last week. Depending on the tomb, it might've been restored. Not sure if you saw Nefertari's tomb in the valley of queens, but it absolutely blew my mind. Having done very little research before going, I was shocked that the colors could have remained so bright after so many years. Then a spent a few minutes on wikipedia and found out that a lot of restoration work was done, starting in the 80-90's. > I never felt physically unsafe while in Egypt but for example my 8 year old boy was shaken down for $$ for toilet paper in the bathroom. That’s how shameless the grift is. The grift is crazy, but the toilet paper thing is actually pretty normal. I guess I don't know how much you got charged, but paying 5 Egyptian pounds(0.10-0.15 USD) for toilet paper was considered "normal". At least that's what some non-grifty locals told me at a bar when I was complaining to them. You're definitely right about having a target on you 24/7 though. I'll probably never go back to Egypt because of it, I found it absolutely exhausting after a month of traveling there. It took me a few months to get back to my usual self and not immediately dismiss anyone that ever tried to talk to me.

freilanzer 3y ago

> I never felt physically unsafe while in Egypt That surprises me. I probably couldn't visit countries like Egypt or Mexico, no matter how much they'd interest me.

_a_a_a_ 3y ago

Trying to extract cash from rich foreigners is what happens in poor countries (source: experience). I don't know the relative poverty level in that country though, but people who don't have a bank account/paid job/any resources, well it's understandable to me. Not nice for visitors but very understandable.