Guide: Egypt is Sticky and Sweet

Egypt is a toothy country, its sticky sweet. It leaves a residue on your fingers like ice-cream or cotton candy. It's a challenging, gritty land that engraves itself in your memory, and scratches your fancy luggage. This is the kind of country that changes you, because it lacks the lazy ease you find on a tropical vacation. This is a challenge, not an ocean cruise. It's no wonder that some foreigners fall in love with Egyptian life and stay here for decades, while some Egyptians leave and swear they'll never come back. For some, Egypt will break your heart, while for others, it will help you find it. 

Qatayef, a popular Egyptian dessert. 

This page is my comprehensive, real world, (no bull) guide to Egypt. Here you can expect straight talk, from a straight shooter, telling it like it is. I'm going to lean on my American side as I write this, because Americans have a gift for 'cutting to the chase' where important matters are concerned, (despite their love for euphemisms and their million and one ways of alluding to the truth). So here it is, time for a half-local, half-foreigner, to spill the tea on Egypt.

tea with mint: this is the way most Egyptians take their tea. The mint is sweet and a local variety.

This blog is a guide to Cairo and the rest of Egypt, from an adventurer with a knack for finding a country's hidden gems. The types of places I write about-many Egyptians haven't heard of. Not every Egyptian is interested in these unusual, and sometimes hard to reach places. It's my aim to show you how to find them, and prepare you for the encounters you'll have along the way. 

A guide has to address how to navigate Egypt and Egyptians, as travel here has grown trickier. Every Egyptian knows the value of a local guide, but traveling solo is en vogue at the moment, so I hope my knowledge can be your guide.

Travel in Egypt has become more challenging as of 2020, due to a political climate leaning conservative, protectionist, and isolationist, more similar to modern China and Russia (although not as unwelcoming). Travelers must be cautious and prepared for what may be a culture shock if they were expecting a trip similar to Morocco or Dubai. Egypt is politically unique, and more inquisitive of foreigners than other places. That said, Egyptians are friendly and hospitable people and incredibly proud of their history. 

Once friendships are made, Egyptians are loyal and protective of foreign travelers, seeing them as honored guests in a personal sense. We have been know for our hospitality for centuries, and overall, hospitality is a major aspect of Egyptian culture. But the devil's in the details, and knowing how and when to entreat offers, is the name of the game. In future entries we'll focus on these details. That said, come to Egypt. There's nothing like this experience, especially if you're young and adventurous at heart!