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hello. I have wanted to go to Egypt since i was a child and my eldest son also loves anything to do with egypt, I always thought it would only be a dream to go to Egypt due to the troubles in the middle east but i have recently returned from a holiday in turkey where i met some people who go to Egypt every year and they had nothing but praise for the country and it's people. I have just booked a 2 week holiday to Luxor for next year (june 1st 2005). I know i have a year to get myself ready for this holiday but i would like some advice as i am taking my 2 sons on holiday with me and would like to be prepared for what to expect, I would like as much advice as possible on what to do /what not to do in luxor and also what is the shopping like? what sort of clothes can i buy in luxor? (typical woman! i love shopping!!) any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks chelle Posts: 124 | From: england | Registered: May 2004
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hello. me again another thing i wanted to know was is it ok to wear a bikini by the hotel pool? I wear long skirts anyway so going out in luxor should be ok? I am blonde with blue eyes and as i travel by myself with my 2 children (single mum) men think i am an easy target for their "i want an english passport scams"!!! I am not an easy target and i going to Luxor to visit the archaeology sites but it would be nice to do a spot of sunbathing while i am there without having any grief from any men on a mission to travel to the uk Posts: 124 | From: england | Registered: May 2004
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By the hotelpool you should hve no problems but I wouldn't wear a thong version. Most of the workers in the hotels are very careful about approaching guests. Their jobs depend on their behavour. So they will only get friendly if you encourage them. If you keep your conversation to 'yes please put the umbrella here' and 'I would like and cold beer and 2 cokes' you shouldn't have any problems.
Outside the hotel it is a free for all. Dessing modestly helps as does learning a few phrases like no thank you 'La Shukran'. You might want to invent a husband back home for the duration, if your kids are mature enough to go along with that. Otherwise use your head.
Don't let the stories put you of getting to know the locals. They are warm and charming. If you go to the playground where you pay you might get talking to some Egyptian mums which is fun.
Do come over here to the West Bank, it is almost hassle free once you go past the ferry stop. The kids will love the local colour. Al Gezera Hotel has a lovely roof top resturant as does Tutankamun (but no beer there).
I live there with my 12 year old daughter and would be happy to help further. You can email me at janeREMOVE@THISflatsinluxor.co.uk
------------------ Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor
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You should have a wonderful time. There is so much to see. You are already aware that the men are on a mission so you will be able to deal with it. There are few hassles by the hotel swimming pools but Jane is right, you should not wear a thong. Bikinis are fine and many tourists wear them.
The locals will make a fuss of your sons and that will relieve the stress. June is hot or else I would say take them out on bikes on the west bank.
Shopping for clothes can be a bit limited but there are some wonderful gellabyas and shawls. The leather work and patchwork is also excellent and cheap. Shoes are a waste of time buying as they often fall to pieces. If you can, involve a European woman in your shopping trips (one who lives in Luxor) it will save you pounds.
Have a lovely holiday. Don't get involved and don't fall in love.
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Luxor is lovely... if you are intereted in visiting the tombes, I can tell you something about our experience.
We found some lovely restaurants. If you wanna buy some typical things such as a Jalabia (writing will be wrong, Waterpipe etc...I know) than you can buy it in the Bazar, but you will pay much for tourist stuff, or you can go where the locals go. The tailor on westbank makes you one, not as special as the tourist shops do, but you will have a real one from better quality.
I guess you do know the other things you will meet... 'do you wanna write a letter for my frind in England?" but that's all part of the game.
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Thankyou for giving a reply. Akshar i will send you an e-mail. I had to change i.s.p and the new modem that came had to be replaced so i have not been able to get onto the pc much this past month I had to laugh at the advice on not wearing a thong bikini, i wouldn't like to have my bum on public display lol. The only muslim country i have previously been to is Turkey and i know the beach resort area's are more tolerent than other places but i kept my bikini on at the hotel pool although other european women were topless with thong pants on i would not do the same as i feel it would be disrespectfull. In Rhodes a few years ago i saw a few german men sunbathing naked on a family beach,( i think they were german, they were talking loud but i didn't go close to them to find out where they came from ), it was not a pretty sight. luxor lover, i will fall in love with the country and not the men!! I knew lots of arabic men and women when i lived in London and most of them were so friendly that i can see why some women can get a bit carried away, there are good and bad people in every culture. Well Dirk, whats the weather like in June in luxor? i think i might of been a bit mad to book a holiday for june as i never realised it would be so hot? I can't find any info on prices for kids to go to the tombes, museums etc, is it the same price for adults or do they pay half price? I am trying to sort out how much money i am going to need to bring with me? Is it better to bring cash, travelers cheques or my cash point card? enough questions for now! it has been raining non stop for 3 days now and i have a small river flowing on the road outside my house so i am off to "swim" to tesco's, I bet you ex-pats don't miss the great british summer Posts: 124 | From: england | Registered: May 2004
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lol @ luxor lover. I don't think my wages would stretch to getting a toyboy in Egypt, i was looking forward to getting a bit of papyrus, and some plates , with all of the things i will probably buy i won't have enough room in my suitcase for a man too,I dont like having to pay for excess baggage I am going to luxor to see the tombs, not show my womb Posts: 124 | From: england | Registered: May 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Dirk: Luxor is lovely... if you are intereted in visiting the tombes, I can tell you something about our experience.
We found some lovely restaurants. If you wanna buy some typical things such as a Jalabia (writing will be wrong, Waterpipe etc...I know) than you can buy it in the Bazar, but you will pay much for tourist stuff, or you can go where the locals go. The tailor on westbank makes you one, not as special as the tourist shops do, but you will have a real one from better quality.
I guess you do know the other things you will meet... 'do you wanna write a letter for my frind in England?" but that's all part of the game.
hi dirk. what is the "write a letter to my friend in uk game"?,as i got asked to do this alot.
Posts: 22 | From: southend uk | Registered: Aug 2004
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Hi Scorpion, Write a letter or read a letter is a sting to get you into their shops and they will not let you out again until you buy something, I don't answer them or say I do not read english or writ english works every time lol
Posts: 127 | From: Scotland | Registered: May 2004
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It is fun to go and write the letter sometimes, i always get an ice cold coke for my trouble lol! Never bought anything yet though! I could probably sell them some papyrus!
Posts: 1196 | From: www.spiritofthenile.com | Registered: Jun 2002
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Hey, I wrote a letter too! Only I wasn't asked to buy anything - he wanted a KISS! So I pretended that I was writing to his girlfriend that he was a creep.
Needless to say (I hope), he didn't get the kiss. I did get some hibiscus tea though!
Posts: 310 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: May 2004
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Hi Chelle Just wondered where you will be staying as I will be going that time next year and hopefully taking our new addition to meet everyone!! Me and my mum go on our own as my hubbie doesn't like it so if you need some adult company then you are welcome to join us for a coffee! Best wishes Vici
Posts: 6 | From: Manchester | Registered: Jun 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Shareen: It is fun to go and write the letter sometimes, i always get an ice cold coke for my trouble lol! Never bought anything yet though! I could probably sell them some papyrus!
Hi Shareen. i always got some egyptian mint tea,very refreshing too,i bought some home with me,somehow it doe not taste the same
Posts: 22 | From: southend uk | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by scorpion: Hi Shareen. i always got some egyptian mint tea,very refreshing too,i bought some home with me,somehow it doe not taste the same
I love the tea, and yes you are right, it never tastes the same at home. I have my El Arosa... and my little kettle thing on the stove, so I guess it must be the water, lol, treated water, not Nile water!
Carleen...... did you try the hibiscus teabags? I brought a box of them home with me and they taste just like the real thing. Lol, available in any supermarket!
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Hi there Sorry its taken me so long to reply not felt so good baby is being a pain and i've got another 20 weeks yet! That's where I always stay so I guess we can have that coffee and adult time while the kids play. Hope you like it and the etap is a lovely little hotel so you should be ok there!!
Best wishes Vici
Posts: 6 | From: Manchester | Registered: Jun 2004
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Hi Chelle67 - We stay at the Etap every year or maybe twice we love it. Get special rates as we are friendly with general manager no nothing like that incase anyone gets the wrong idear lol and we go flight only from manchester and get picked up in a taxi at the airport.
Posts: 127 | From: Scotland | Registered: May 2004
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you can't miss me if you see me, or hear me as i have a strong (ish) westcountry accent. Posts: 124 | From: england | Registered: May 2004
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