Hotels FAQ

Question:

I prefer to travel alone,  but I like to meet fellow backpackers on the road and travel with them for a day or two, or maybe just having dinner Is it easy to meet fellow backpackers in Egypt ? Or are nearly all travelling in tour groups?

Response:

I didn’t see many backpackers; and don’t know why. Perhaps I didn’t go to the lower-price hotels/hosstels. There are plenty of low-price (and very undesireable) hotels; saw no hostels. It may have to do with the dictatorship (call it what you will, but it is that) which does not tolerate low-budget folk. The palest ink is better than the best memory.     –Chinese proverb There is no end to collecting books.    –Book of Ecclesiastes  To three possessions shalt thou look: Acquire a field, a friend, a book.    –Samuel haNagid, Vizier to the King of Granada

Response:

>I didn’t see many backpackers; and don’t know why. >Perhaps I didn’t go to the lower-price hotels/hosstels. There are plenty >of low-price (and very undesireable) hotels; saw no hostels.

A few hostels exist.  But few bother with them.  Hotels are cheap. Aside from Dahab, I never spent more than $5/night.  Aside from one overpriced dump in Alexandria, I didn’t stay at any place that was undesireable by backpacker standards.  I saw plenty of budget travelers everywhere I went. I met people on trains, on buses, on feluccas, and in hotel lounges. There may not be hostel activity, but budget travel in Egypt is still quite social.  Many backpackers are on package tours, though and that can make linking up more difficult.   —

Response:

> I didn’t see many backpackers; and don’t know why. > Perhaps I didn’t go to the lower-price hotels/hosstels. There are plenty > of low-price (and very undesireable) hotels; saw no hostels. > It may have to do with the dictatorship (call it what you will, but it > is that) which does not tolerate low-budget folk.

You don’t need to be backpackers to be friendly! We’re a married couple in our 50’s who thrive on travel. We tend to ‘package’ to our destination (cheaper & easier) then rapidly lose the tour reps and head off by public transport or whatever/wherever, concentrating on meeting & talking with ‘locals’ whenever possible. This has led to many, many fascinating visits into homes, etc., and not a few long-standing friendships. But in Egypt you have to be careful (and not just against the inevitable cons & hassles you may meet anywhere in the world). With good intentions, the Government has laws against hassling of tourists, and the tourist police watch out for this. It can go too far! On one occasion we had been chatting to a Cairo University student on the riverside in Aswan. He suddenly mumbled an apology and disappeared. He rejoined us in a cafe later. He had seen a policeman ’surveying’ him and wanted no trouble. Apparently he had then gone to the policeman, showed his student card, and explained (truthfully) that he had asked our permission to talk with us to help improve his English and his ‘tourist guide’ abilities – he was studying a Leisure Industry degree. So by all means cultivate any conversations etc. in Egypt – the people are almost abnormally friendly – but just know the background so that you don’t inadvertently lead them into potential problems. Surreyman

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