Day
3: Indiana Hotel and Pyramid Souvenirs
Dining Room at the Indiana Hotel in Cairo
Shocked to find the desk clerk at the Indiana Hotel asking to keep my passport as surety for the key for the safe deposit box. I don't like to hand over my passport. There was an alternate choice, however, and I found myself handing over $100 USD cash as the deposit. Luckily I had brought some USD Cash. Which brings me to the money preparation for the trip.
I usually bring US Dollar travellers cheques and very little cash. This year, however, the Australian Bank (ANZ) had Egyptian Pounds and UAE money on offer, so I brought enough Egyptian Pounds for the first couple of days. I also brought some Australian and US dollar cash. Sometimes it is easier to exchange cash.
Well the safe deposit box is a good example of why some cash currency is useful. At home, most safe deposit boxes in banks will require a deposit to cover the cost of a locksmith if you lose the key or forget to return it. However, most hotels supply boxes free to protect themselves from accusations of theft. But it was the first time I have ever been asked to hand over US cash in Egypt for anything! US Cash used to be tightly controlled, but maybe it was a bluff because they preferred my passport as the ultimate security. However, I had the cash.
Unfortunately, the Indiana does not have banking facilties for cashing traveller's cheques. I expected to be able to do that easily, because the 4 and 5 star hotels I have stayed in have facilities, but I think the 3 star hotels do not have the service, as it is usually a bank that does the exchange, and of course, they would only operate in large facilties. Luckily I have a car and driver and so will drive over to the Sheraton to cash travelers cheques. It is a short walk from the hotel, but across very busy streets.
Souvenir Sellers at the Panorama Area at the Pyramids
Later on in the trip, I found that a bank located near the hotel is a luxury, not a certainty. So check this out when you choose a hotel.
The Indiana Hotel on the Gizera side of the Nile. The traffic is not too bad, we are in the middle of The Feast that celebrates the ending of Ramadan, a time for family holidays..
My first desire was to see the Pyramids, so off we went to the Pyramids. We wandered a bit, but mostly we spent time at the designated souvenir area. Many new things, souvenirs change every year, I bought two ushabti, made in Luxor, both copies of ones in the museum. The souvenir stand owner had a good selection and he struck a fair price and threw in a new style scarab.
Hossam Rashwan, Eman Massoud and Driver at Pyramid Panorama Area
Shopping in Egypt - Souvenirs at the Pyramids |
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Click for More Pictures of Souvenirs at the Pyramid. |
Where: First Vendor stall at panarama souvenir area at the pyramids of Giza.
Who: The Vendor is Farid el Sobky.
Contact: Mobile Phone in Egypt - 0105164401
Vendor Story: He has worked at the Pyramids of Giza for 35 years, its his only business. He loves working with the tourists and he wants them to be happy and come and visit him and the pyramids many times. He will give you the best price at the panorama area The stand is his living and he has worked to educate his sons and daughters, who are now working in the tourism business.
Souvenirs: Bought 2 ushabti's made in Luxor by Mohamed Tayee.
Mr. Sobky gave me a good bargain on the two ushabtis I bought and gave me a good luck scarab to seal the deal. Mohamed Tayee is a master artisan, so Mr. Sobky stocks some of the best quality souvenirs in Egypt. |
Ushabti by Mohamed Tayee and Scarab from Mr. Sobky's Souvenire Stand at Pyramids
Then we went over to the tombs on the western side of Choeps. We went inside one of the Mastaba tombs that has been recently restored.
False Door inside the Tomb in Western Cemetary of Cheops Pyramid Complex
I was very tired, so we went back to the hotel and I slept for 12 hours from 6:30. Jet lag.
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