Okay, so I'm going to Egypt in a couple of weeks. I'll be in Cairo for a few days, then down the Nile. I'm taking my son, who's almost eight and has a real thing for Egypt, mummies, and pyramids.
So, how 'bout some advice? What to do in Cairo, aside from the museums. Well, actually, you can tell me which museums would be best. There are probably quite a few. And where to eat, what's good?
Come on, let me hear it...
It’s a great trip especially with your son. Have you booked a hotel yet, if so is it downtown (near Giza) or near the airport (Heliopolis)?
As for the Pyramids, you are in for a shock. All of the beautiful pictures are taken from the desert side (top of plateau), when you drive or are driven to the Pyramids you will be below the level and among shops, restaurants, hotels and then you will finally get a peek at the top of the Great Pyramid. Eventually you will get up to the top of Giza and even though it sits right at the edge of the city, it is impressive.
One of the things that most folks do is the tour (climb into the Great Pyramid) to the King’s chamber. WARNING!!!! If you are claustrophobic don’t do it! You enter an upward inclined tunnel that you have to hunch down to clear your back (I’m only 6’) and your footing is a series of wooden boards. Well after climbing in this tiny tunnel for what seems like an hour you will final reach the King’s chamber, OK, big empty room with a hole in the floor.
You follow the exit sign and out you go, knowing that you have climbed near the top and lo and behold you have probably climb no more than 50/60 feet vertically. (BTW, when I did that climb, the next day my legs (thighs) were killing me).
While you are in the area of the Pyramids and the Sphinx you will be approached by bunches and bunches of vendors, who will press magic scarab beetles into your hand, trying to give them back is quite fun as he will insist you keep it. If you ask how much, he will reply “As you wish.” I discovered if you say “I wish to pay nothing.” He will grunt and take it back!
If you perchance want to venture to the “good side of the Pyramids (like the ones in the pictures), you will be offered a camel ride, for a fee of course. Once out a distance the fee could change to get back!
Oh, from the desert side, you can see the President’s Palace…nice place.
Food, I love the local eateries, there is a huge roast chicken place (or was) just down from Giza where you just sit at a long table and chow down. You pay local prices, which is near zip. No shortage of 5 star hotels, etc. if that’s your thing.
Oh, if you are going to be in Cairo for a few days, see if you can make arrangements to keep one driver, they do tend to look out for your interest and keep most of the hawkers away from you. They are also great for helping you shop. Typical things people get are the Papyrus drawings (really neat) and of course a cartouche with your name in hieroglyphics. I got one for my wife that I told her meant Bitch...
Let’s see, Ah the City of the Dead, which is anything but dead with all of the Sat antennas attached to the tombs, I forget how many people I was told that actually live there full time, but it is a lot.
Since you are going to Cairo, from the airport into Cairo you will be going through the suburb of Heliopolis (high end, embassies, etc.) anyway along the road in just outside the airport there use to be the Heliopolis Sheraton, it had burned down, but was rebuilt.
That was my old hang out. If you get a change, see if it is still in operation and just stop by. As you enter the check-in is off to your right, lounge/bars to your left and the elevators would be straight ahead of you, oh 50 feet or so. There use to be a black granite statue of two Egyptian Women standing side by side against the wall. One had the wicked smile on her face. One visit, I happen to look behind the statue and one girl has her hand on the other girl’s ass! I have no idea if the statue is still there.
Enough.
There are other things to do, but not with an 8 year old son in tow…