[retSava]

Oh you should definitively go!

I'd say that I very much enjoyed Luxor much more than Cairo and the pyramid area. Too many hustlers around the pyramids.

Also, went to the valley of the kings and just went straight up along one of the hill sides and started trecking in the direction of... don't remember the name, just not aimlessly into the desert :). That was really a highlight.

Depending on how much of a target you look like, there can be reaaaally annoying and persistent hustlers, playing in a whole another league than I've ever seen in any other place - poor or rich country. The tips I gave really helped me and my friend. Helped us come across less like targets. I'd say the newspaper + ignoring helped get rid of a high double-digit percent of hustlers. The persistent goes away after some la-a shukran and more ignoring. It was about a decade since I was there last, so things may have changed, but it is still a poor country. Common sense regarding safety, food hygiene, and vigilance against bluffs should be applied - but not consume you. Remember that you are there to enjoy life, and embrace or accept things even if they are not pleasant. Hydrate. Check out temperatures and bring clothes appropriately. Apply sunscreen.

[rblion]

Thanks for taking the time to write this! I've gotten a ton of good tips from a few of you. I will push through my fears and just go later this year.

Luxor just sounds like a magical place. Yeah, the pyramids are something I want to see but I have a feeling it will be like Old Faithful at Yellowstone but much less regulation. Either way, I can't skip it because they are among the most important things ever built by human hands.

Any book recommendations or documentaries? I love Egyptology, always have.

[retSava]

No problem, glad to help.

No specific recommendations. I just googled and read up on the places I was going.

Haha, definitively lax on regulation. My friend and I was approached by a security guard while in queue to check in at the airport - he wanted a bribe to let us board with our carry-on, "baksheesh". Worst case, I'd have to check it in so wasn't nervous.

Regarding the pyramids, a thing they have against them is that they are pyramid-shaped, oddly enough. Since they are leaning away from you, you don't really get the feeling that "oh my, they are so tall!" when standing next to it. Hawkers and hustlers are then further annoyances. If I'd do an Egypt-travel again, I'd probably go to Luxor the very most. Go to the tempels, bring water, and walk by yourself, not with a group. Then take off in directions where others aren't going. Also, egyptians at the temples (etc) aren't necessarily employed to be at the temple. More than a few times, someone official-looking ushered me to come, come, look here, great photo, take photo with me! Then, "baksheesh". Just "la-a" and ignore.

Happy travels! And if you do go to the pyramids, there is a pizza hut with a balcony just outside the area. Bring a telephoto lens, and be there in time before sunset. Great view.