Throughout life, our minds from time to time wander to that “some day” when we finally will walk amongst one of the most awesome wonders in our world – the Giza Pyramids of Egypt. We envision ourselves almost frozen in humble and awed reverence, making our way slowly across the desert while gazing without ceasing, or breathing, at the immense stone structures that fill the landscape. More realistic ponderings of this day, however, should include the excessively aggressive hustlers who will be pummeling us with requests for money during every step of our most important and reverent journey.
I love Egypt, and I love Egyptians. But while at Giza, just outside of Cairo, I discovered that the hustlers do not care at all that you are walking through a dream come true. Your lifetime goal of experiencing these great pyramids in peace is diametrically opposed to their goal of making your money theirs. If you are traveling alone, you are a target like no other. They will pop into your face, talk sweet, try to trick you, and ultimately – if you let them – ruin your pyramid experience. Here’s some tips to help you fend off hustlers while still bursting with joy and wonder at the pyramids of Giza.
1. Mentally Prepare – Realize roaming amongst the pyramids will not fill you with the pure awestruck emotion you have always anticipated, due to the stress and irritation of fending off hoards of people who want your money and want it bad. Their methods are many and their techniques quite clever, from offering to snap your photo with your own camera and then trying to charge you, to helping you onto the top of a camel and then refusing to let you off until you pay. The people of the pyramids are very much a part of the entire experience. Be prepared to ignore them and don’t say yes to anything, no matter how big the smile and how seemingly innocent the words.
2. Arrive early – A trite piece of advice this is, but words become trite when they are true. People who read up on how to best experience the pyramids learn that a first-thing-in-the-morning arrival is key. Not only have many hustlers not yet shown up, but most of your fellow tourists are still sleeping. When I arrived at around 8:00 a.m., I was able to wander in near silence almost all by myself. For a short time.
3. Rehearse – Before you travel to the Giza pyramids, it’s a good idea have previous experience enduring hustling. Try visiting another location less important to you where you’ll still encounter plenty of people trying to extract money from you. The Chichen Itza ruins in Mexico were a perfect trial run for me. People lined up every step of the way selling goods, all of which seemed to be “one dollar,” were not an experience ruin-er for me here, as I had not planned to visit this sight since birth. Instead, they were an excellent foreshadowing of what was to come.
4. Be Strong – Don’t allow your time at the pyramids to be ruined. Walking anywhere amongst people constantly popping out at you with sales pitches can be frustrating and tiring. The hustlers at the pyramids are particularly intense. You don’t have to be rude or mean or aggressive yourself. If you feel compelled to speak at all, just tell them no politely. Then be sure not to smile so that you may accidentally further encourage them, and force your thoughts back to the incredible spot on earth where you have finally arrived.
5. Wear earplugs – Seriously. If you’re traveling solo this is especially easy, as you won’t be with anyone whom you want to talk to anyway. So why have your ears at the ready? Physically blocking out the cries for money can help keep your nerves unjangled and bring you more in alignment with the pyramid experience for which you have always longed. If I had realized how intense the hustlers were going to be, I would have absolutely brought earplugs with me.
6. Give In…Sometimes – I was happy and amazed that I made it all around the pyramids without handing out one unnecessary Egyptian pound. Well, frankly, I did lose one pound when I actually believed a group of men who told me I had to pay to use the outhouse. But I did not believe the next group of men who told me that!
While sitting atop a wall at the end of my pyramid experience, though, one very persistent little boy who wanted money in exchange for a postcard would not, absolutely would not, give up on me. When finally I showed him that all I had was an Egyptian 10 pound bill, he eagerly indicated he could make change. Now, how could I turn down an intelligent and enterprising young man like that? I handed him the bill and, while he ran off with a smile to get change, I sat with the cute little girl who accompanied him. When he returned, as I just knew he would, I happily gave him five pounds. Then he and the little girl played with my hair.
If I had given more freely all day long at the pyramids, would I have experienced such adorableness each time? Doubtful. But this one instance of actually handing over a little bit of money gave me several happy and fun minutes at the pyramids of Giza.
Great tips! I’ve been in the pyramids complex and know how these hustlers could be really annoying. I was with my husband and his 2 brothers and an Egyptian tour guide. I don’t usually join tours, however we were in Egypt for only 2 days and we stayed in Alexandria with 2 brothers that don’t like rugged stuff, so we hired this tour guide. Our tour guide became our good buddy in fencing off the hustlers from us. We took the short camel ride, and with a HUGE smile the camel guy offer taking photo for us. Of course they didn’t give back our camera without asking for baksheesh, until the tour guide thread them not giving their next customer to them again.
Once I wandered around by myself to inspect the pyramid form different angle, a man told me that I need to buy ticket from him to walk more. It was not even 10 metres from the rest of my group! And I did feel intimidated, didn’t give him the money, but went back to my group.
So thanks to write this post that will prepare independent travelers from the hustlers!
.-= Dina VagabondQuest´s last blog ..Cockatoo and flying fox paradise =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 19:07
Thank you, Dina! Hopefully you can go back someday, and your practice from your first time will aid you well.
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[...] alt=”tip2top travel award”></a> Number 5 Cairo and the Pyramids on your own, you need to read this Number 4 I’d buy a van but the idea is way to cool not to consider Number 3 Travel with your [...]
Oh gawd, that experience at Chichen Itza was pretty terrible. A little toddler girl ran up to me holding out something to sell, I felt awful. Usually I just play dumb and ignore them.
But I like that little moment you had…sometimes it’s worth it!
.-= Candice´s last blog ..Finally, the Passion Board Unveiled =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 19:08
I know. It was cute. Hustling isn’t 100% bad.
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[...] blogatrix behind Solo Female Traveler has some great tips for visiting the Pyramids on your own, without getting hassled … too [...]
Always great travel advice here, Sabina and the photos were a bonus!
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 19:09
Thanks, Mike. They were fun to take.
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Great advice, Sabina! I really want to go to Egypt to see the pyramids, but I’m pretty sure the hustling scene would shred my last nerve. These strategies on how to handle it are most welcome!
.-= Gray´s last blog ..Sit or Squat in Vermont =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 19:11
I’m glad you liked them, Gray. The rehearsal bit I think is what did me the most good. By the time I got to the pyramids, I wasn’t really fazed.
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I had heard the same things from a friend about touring the pyramids. Your words are his exactly. I hope to go someday, armed with your tips. I hate being haggled anywhere when I travel. I experience such an uneasiness.
.-= Suzy´s last blog ..Southern Sardinia Wishes You Were Here =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 9th, 2010 at 18:54
I guess I’m not surprised that your friend had the same perspective as mine. I suppose most people feel it’s just too much hustling for such an awe-inspiring site.
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I was just talking to a friend a few weeks ago about the experience in Istanbul of everyone trying to sell you a rug. I think I’ll use that as my Chicken Itza. I assume it is still worth it to see Giza even with all of the hawkers and distractions?
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 9th, 2010 at 18:56
Hi, Andrew. Oh, yeah. It’s most definitely worth it. If you’re prepared, you can possibly, hopefully have the experience you really want.
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These are great tips. I’ve never actually been someplace where I’ve really been accosted by sales pitches. I have a hard enough time say no to the people selling crap malls, this will come in handy.
.-= Alouise´s last blog ..List #5 – Musicals I want to see. =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 19:13
It can be really unnerving. Hopefully you’ll end up first somewhere that’s not so intense so that you can prepare well for the big time.
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sniff sniff, choking up…i’m kinda glad you gave the little boy a few extra pounds. i agree, there are times when you just gotta give in. most of the time though, the answer is always a resounding “No thanks!”
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 06:34
Ha-ha! Thanks, Claire. This was one of those times.
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Cairo is one of my dream destination. I can’t wait to set my foot and travel to this majestic place.
.-= Weekend Haven´s last blog ..Weekend Photo #7 : Cool Summer Days =-.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 06:34
Go for it!
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Thank you for this article! We went to Egypt completely unprepared and the hustlers did ruin the experience for us.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 20:59
Hi Becky, thank you for commenting. I’m sorry to hear the pyramids were ruined for you. Hopefully you’ll get to return and, knowing what to expect now, have the experience you’ve always wanted.
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Thanks for sharing these tips. I’m going to Egypt in October and for the first week I’ll be in Cairo with my sister. The Pyramids are high on our list of course.
I wonder if the touts in Egypt are as bad as in India. After Delhi, I think I’m well prepared for the Pyramids and other tourist spots in Egypt.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 04:00
Oh, after India I imagine you’ll be just fine. It’s just that the pyramids are something everyone dreams of seeing, so it’s disappointing to not be able to experience them the way you want.
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Hello,,,, Interested information in this article, I hope its useful our life, thanks for share these tips,,,, Thanking you,
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The temples must be pretty impressive. I really have to visit! Earplugs, lol, sounds like a great idea.
mirabelle´s last [type] ..Ancient Egypt – Egypte antique
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Sabina Reply:
November 2nd, 2011 at 02:20
Earplugs, seriously!
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Egypt is a great place to visit but i cant resist the temperature of the ground..Better to bring 1 gallon of water to prevent drying your throat and dehydration.
Conspiracy girl´s last [type] ..Hello world!
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Sabina Reply:
November 2nd, 2011 at 02:20
Lots of water is definitely a must in the hot months.
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Great advice and important for people to know. It was pretty stressful even with a guide. The attention and questions seemed constant so important to be prepared.
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Sabina Reply:
November 2nd, 2011 at 02:21
Hi, Jeanette. I was thinking it might have been easier with a guide deflecting all the touts. It’s interesting to hear it was still stressful. Thanks for commenting!
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