First time visitor (nervous)

[tratu]

Hi,

My first visit to Luxor will take place from Feb 18 to Feb 25. I intend to buy the Luxor Pass although I am not sure it will save me any money. But having it gives an incentive to visit sites.

Originally I did not intend to visit Egypt but since it is so incredibly cheap it is hard to resist (272 Euros including train to FRA, direct flight to LXR incl. luggage, hotel w. breakfast). The hotel included in the package is only 3 Star but I intend to rent an additional apartment or house anyway because I like to cook my own meals (offers welcomed). The hotel room could come handy as a private city retreat for certain urges.

Not bad would be a one day trip to the "country"side (aka desert) but I am not sure if that is possible. I am open for suggestions. The Red Sea seems to be a bit too much for just one day, same goes for the Kharga oasis. I also would love to see the Nile granite rocks near Aswan but again the driving time seems to be off-putting just for that.

I already started learning some Arabic. At least I want to be able to say "leave me alone ...".

Perhaps I will do a list with all my remaining questions and post it here a few days before the trip starts. I have never been to North Africa or a country such as Egypt so I am a bit nervous.

[thebian]

Don't be nervous just enjoy yourself

[HEPZIBAH]

Welcome to Luxor4U tratu.

What in particular is making you nervous about your forthcoming trip?

You don't say which hotel is included in your holiday, but I am surprised that you would want to consider renting an appartment for such a short period, especially given your nervousness. It also doesn't make sense to me to pay out twice when you could put your money to other things.

You say you like to cook your own meals, and this jay be for dietry reasons, but eating out in Luxor is relatively cheap and easy to do, even for a single traveller. It can also add to the oveall holiday experience.

You mention a visit to the coast. Although your time period is limited, and there is plenty to see and do in around Luxor - especially if you want to make the most of your pass - visiting Hurghada would not be impossible. I am no expert on local transport, but I would suggest one way to achieve this would be to go by local bus early one day, stay over night and then return the next day. This would also be possiblle by private transfer through a private travel company.

Feel free to ask questions. I am sure someone will be able to assist with an answer.

[HEPZIBAH]

I should add ...if you would really like to see Aswan, it too could be possible by making it an overnight trip e.g go there and back by train and spend a night inna hotel there to maximise your time. Alternatively you could book this through a travel company and have a private car and driver at your disposal. In which case you could also visit some of the sites enroute. You need to be aware that whether you visited the coast or Aswan there are restrictions as to times you can be on the road.

[carrie]

Welcome to L4u Tratu, I hope your stay in Luxor is a very happy one. For the short period you are staying you seem to want to do an awful lot. The trip to Hurghada will take approximately 4 hours, you can go on the local bus leaves about 8.30 am and gets to Hurghada 1pm then the return bus leaves at 3 doesn't give you much time in Hurghada but as Hepzibah says you could stay over night. Hurghada is just a seaside town not a lot to see there. A trip to Aswan another 4 hours, you could catch the train there and back or visit one of the travel companies that organise trips. You must remember though that Egypt will be warming up when you come and going round tombs and temples can be very tiring, especially when it is warm. Usually you need to have a busy day and then a day of rest next day to recover.
Renting a flat for the short time you are here and also having an hotel room seems a little excessive, there are lots of places to eat out and it is always nice to sample the local cuisine.
I look forward to your further question as your holiday approaches and I am sure you will get the best advise from members of the forum. Do not be nervous act very self assured and capable when you are here (even if you don't feel it) easiest way to rid yourself of those darned hasslers. Relax and enjoy.

[HEPZIBAH]

Carrie, surely Luxor is not going to be that warm to worry about in February! Probably warmer than Germany but I can't imagine it to be warm enough to be that tiring to the averagely fit and healthy European.

[carrie]

Well having spent the past two weeks going round tombs and temples with Yildez I can assure you that it was hot and tiring and the end of the month it will be hotter. Surprising how the sun beats down on those darn temples and tombs.

[Yildez]

Well having spent the past two weeks going round tombs and temples with Yildez I can assure you that it was hot and tiring and the end of the month it will be hotter. Surprising how the sun beats down on those darn temples and tombs.

Yup, the day we went to Hatshepsut was extremely hot, and of course no shade at all!

[HEPZIBAH]

OK. I just wasn't expecting that from my own experiences of being in Luxor a number of times between October and April - and I really cannot cope with the heat. You have the benefit of being there now, which I don't, so I bow to your experience and knowledge.

[Major Thom]

At least you seem to have done a bit of Homework on the place, don't know about the hotel room and another place though! Enjoy,

These were the first things I learned when living there!

Emshi = Go Away

Busah al la Teezak = Kiss my backside

Ana mish eys nish teri minach = I only want this not the whole shop

Dec la buke = Go eat your father

But I was always a rebel

Watch out for collapsing buildings.

[hatusu]

OK. I just wasn't expecting that from my own experiences of being in Luxor a number of times between October and April - and I really cannot cope with the heat. You have the benefit of being there now, which I don't, so I bow to your experience and knowledge.

I have found that every year just recently the winter season gets shorter and shorter. Even the cold months are nowhere near as cold as they were when I first came here 12 yrs ago. Then the warmer weather would start sporadically mid March. Now its the beginning of February. Likewise the other end of the year - summer lasts till the end of November.
I used to think global warming was something that happened over centuries - Ive personally seen it happen here over a single decade.

[Dusak]

Perhaps its my age, so apologizes in advance, but reading between the lines, as I tend to do, the wording of this post sounds a bit ''iffy'' to me.

[Mad Dilys]

I find that if you treat people with respect, in general they will respect you.

La means No and Shukran means thank you. Works for me!

[carrie]

Never said Imshi to anyone in all my time here except in fun and the person knew it was a joke. Pity MT didn't learn those two little words MD he might have found his life here a lot more pleasant if he had.

[crewmeal]

But I was always a rebel

MT Did you ever say anything nice to the locals? That chip must have weighed heavily on your shoulder

[BBLUX]

Well, that was nice. A first time visitor from Belgium posts for advice and people turned the thread into an argument, again!
No wonder they never came back!

[Horus]

Hardly turned into an argument, Carrie, Hepzi, Thebian, Yildez, MD & Hatusu all gave helpful advice or pleasant comments, they (the poster) had every opportunity to ask more questions or report back on their visit. There was only one slightly negative post regarding the way to speak to locals and that (in his own way) was I suppose intended to be helpful.

[BBLUX]

Yes, you are right Horus. I was feeling grumpy yesterday and just saw the MT post as negative, sorry.

[Horus]

We all have days like that

[Dusak]

Noticing the dates of the last comment posted, you have to wonder if the new visitor with the nervous disposition ever made it to Luxor. As I said then, all sounds a bit iffy to me.