Why visit Egypt?
Cairo
Pyramids of the Giza Plateau
Egypt is a Middle Eastern, mostly
Muslim country. Westerners might find
this reason to stay away. However, the
Egyptians are welcoming to tourists. The
thing to be really scared of is not the
country's location or politics: it has
to be one of the worst countries in the
world for hygiene. Lack of handwashing
and general hygene standards can be
life-threatening. Many people report
having contracted Cairo Belly or worse
during their visit. Intestinal
infections can be severe enough to
require hospitalization, something to be
avoided while on vacation. Perhaps the
poor hygiene comes from a lack of fresh
water. The plumbing in Egypt is
stone-age at best. To improve your
chances of staying healthy take lots of
alcohol hand wash, toilet paper, and be
very careful about what you eat there.
Make sure when you go that you do not
skimp on your travel and accommodation.
Spending more is no guarantee you will
have better plumbing or food. But, it
might reduce the chance of getting ill.
The only real way to ensure you do not
get sick is: do not drink the water, do
not put ice in your drinks, and do not
eat uncooked food. And be prepared to
eat some poor quality food. Often it can
be gritty from desert sand blown into it
during preparation. Really, the only way
you can be absolutely certain you will
not get sick is to take your own food.
So why bother to visit Egypt?
Thousands and thousands of giant
blocks
It is a place filled with ancient
history. Its buildings and monuments
offer insight into who we were 5,000
years ago. The Pyramids of the Giza
Plateau are astounding. From an
architectural point of view they rival
many modern buildings in their ability
to enlist a response of awe. And when
you think about what it took to build
them. You cannot help but be stunned by
the tyranny within our human nature.
They stand next to the amazing and
inscrutable Sphinx, which gazes intently
out into the desert. Archeologists still
do not know exactly who built it or
when.
The Cairo museum is stuffed with
artifacts. All of the contents of
Tutankhamen's tomb are there, including
gorgeous jewelry, incredible furniture,
and beautiful stone carving and
sculpture. Much of the displays seem
uncared for and dusty, as if they had
not been looked at since first placed
there by a Victorian era curator.
Apparently, a new museum is being built.
The Sphinx of the Giza Plateau
There are countless temples and
remains everywhere in the desert along
the banks of the Nile; it could take a
lifetime to visit it all. Read my next
article to experience some of them.
There is no place else in the world
you will experience all of these things.
This is why it is worth taking on all
the risks to visit Cairo in the desert
land of Egypt.