Each group is different! Each group is composed of individuals! When we all remember that – and allow each member to have personal experiences – all will be able to enjoy themselves in the midst of whatever is going on around them! Our tour directors and leaders are there to assist. Our groups have a spiritual component that allows us to set intentions and share experiences, adjusting to individual requests in ways that can support the individual while also maintaining group synergy and focus. Communication is the key element! If you have a need – please find the appropriate time to speak with your group leader or tour directors.
First impressions can be deceiving – keep you extra senses open and see who has been called to journey with you! Of course, there are wonderful things that can come from getting to know other group members! Gifts and talents are often shared. Sometimes special connections are realized and healings may take place. Gifts of Spirit can appear in many photographs spontaneously captured by other tour members!
Please - Let us help you when a situation arises during your journey. I remember having a group member who snored – a loud snore – all night long. The Hotel was fully booked! The roommates (in a triple room) were having a very difficult time sleeping and really needed to have another room. The “snorer” felt very embarrassed that I would tell the other tour director about her problem. I assured her it was the right thing to do – that this was the person we needed to tell - so that he could then get us what we needed. We sat having a freshly squeezed lemonade while the tour director took his time and went from one person through another until reaching the back office where there was someone who could provide a solution for our weary tour members. A little while later the roommates were moved to a different kind of room and all had a full night’s sleep. .....................................................................
*How to get the most out of your Public Toilet Experience! Note: In Egypt it is customary to have an attendant at public toilets near archeological sites. These are basic – sometimes more like temporary structures used for camping. Tipping the attendant upon entrance will insure you get directed to the cleanest toilet and an ample supply of toilet paper. Upon exit, you will then wash your hands and be given more paper for drying. You may also carry your own paper if you like. Tips are the attendant’s salary for cleaning and maintaining their facility. .....................................................................
Shopping in Egypt: Timing is everything!? Have you ever heard the phrase: Timing is Everything!? Egyptians may have invented it! They live in Timelessness – and yet- they understand timing very well! That does not mean that they will show up on time for everything (or anything) – they leave that to the Europeans. It means that they are keen observers – well trained in reading the measure of your heart. They want you to be happy and to get what you want! They also know that you will probably buy something from someone – and they would like it to be from them! With a good sense of humor you will find much of their approach quite funny at times – even charming! Without that sense of humor – it helps to know a bit of the basic shopping etiquette.
Foreigners view shopping quite differently than Egyptians. This can cause a lot of confusion and bad feelings for both foreigner and native sellers. ..................................................................... #1 - Basic Cultural Differences! There are a few basics that can get you off to a good start! If you are just curious or window shopping – do not ask the price! When you pick up an item and begin examining it – the seller is watching for his or her clues! Egyptians know the meaning of “What do you Want”! If you know what you want – and they have it (or can get it for you from next door) – then it becomes a matter of what price is right for both of you to feel good when the deal is done. The order is this: What do you want? Are you showing strong interest in what you are looking at? Is this the one you want or in another color or size? THEN - and only then – After you have it in your hand – you may ask – “Be- kam”? How much? ..................................................................... Foreigners often ask a price before deciding whether or not they are interested in having/purchasing an item. Foreigners may say to themselves – If the price is right, I might buy more than one. Egyptians may think – If you want one – this is the price. If you want more than one I might have a better price. How many would you want so that I can figure out a good price? Again - What do you want? Do you see the difference? What do you want? And they will tell you what they want in return.
#2 – You’re ready to make a purchase. You may now enter into more formal bargaining – unless you are in a store with a fixed price (such as shops in hotels and on-board cruise ships). You can respond in a way that indicates the stated price is a lot of money. The seller then may point out the quality or the detail in which case you may show respect and be pleased. You may show again that it is a lot of money - and look at something similar of less quality or a shorter length, etc. When you seem less interested in the one of less quality, you may be offered a better price on the first one! You might offer less money(not less than half!) or show that you only have so much to spend – and even turn and walk away disappointed - and see what is offered in return. You may even be very firm in your offer as all that you have or will pay and walk away. The time of day and how successful the shop keeper has been may also be factors! ..................................................................... Like any good salesperson knows, having half a loaf of bread is better than no bread at all! Everyone has a family to feed – including children and elderly relatives! Please do not take advantage of these people only to make yourself feel good. A fair price means everyone can feel good at the end of the day!
When you have successfully completed you bargaining – and purchased that item to treasure - hold that experience dear to your heart! Remember the value of the experience and share about how you “made a good deal-walking away with both parties happy” rather than going straight to the price as the big deal! Let everyone have their own experience to be grateful for and your own memories will remain sweeter and dear to your heart for years to come!
#3 – Important!!! When you make an offer (or enter into the bargaining process by showing interest and then asking the price) – please be prepared to accept a good offer and purchase the item! Randomly asking prices and walking away without respecting the ways of proper bargaining is considered an insult and others who observe you in the act will most likely not want to sell to you either. .....................................................................
What do you want? Do you want the full cultural experience of Egypt!? Would you like to support the local economy and take home something you like- that you purchased for a fair price and carry with you the memory of this remarkable person you got to know through the bargaining process? If so – proceed with the experience! If not – consider only buying in the fixed price stores or ask someone else to make purchases for you or bring you things to purchase for a set price. ..................................................................... Be prepared to fully experience how they market their goods… Yes, it does take some time – and what a wonderful experience it can be with the right attitude on your part. Choose the right time for you – and then enter into the experience fully! Say “Yes !” to their offer of a beverage, and you have begun. Have a cup of tea, sit a while and get to know each other, while you relax into the atmosphere of this seller’s shop. Then, begin to take a look around to see the quality and craftsmanship of this seller’s wares. Now, surely there may be something you would like to take home with you? Look, see what catches your eye. Let the shop assistants show you their products in the best light. Have fun with the experience! ..................................................................... It is not about what price you pay! Did you hear that? It is not about the price you pay! It is about the experience and how you each walk away from that experience! Let them guide you – Observe how it is going- Remember that you are giving clues by your every move. What are you telling the seller – in the seller’s ways? There is honor is good bargaining! When sellers have enjoyed good bargaining with you – you have their respect! They may even present you with a gift - something they noticed that you liked - as a way of saying “thank you” - leaving a favorable impression in your mind – while completing the deal. I have seen foreigners go into a shop and demand their gift! What will you give me with this when I buy it at that price? Wrong! Downright Rude! This does not leave a good impression on anyone. It shows how unaware you are of the practice they are so willing to share with you.
Remember that every thought and feeling you have here will be amplified. If you think that everyone is after your money – you will see people coming up to you everywhere asking for your money! If you walk with a different attitude, you will find a different experience. ..................................................................... It is true that with 20 million people in just Cairo area – there are a lot of mouths to feed! One third of the population are children and one third are elderly. The sellers are highly motivated! And – they do have some very fine wares to show and sell to you. The memories come along with those wares – so why not have a great experience and be grateful for each and every person you meet – no matter what the first impression – you have the same choice about what kind of impression you leave
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