May 11 ( Leah's)

 

Today we slept in (at least a little) and then we met Andrew for breakfast at 9:15am. We had another filling meal and then we went with Andrew to a place where we could get our laundry done. We then went with Ali to Karnac Temple. We were going to go and then meet Andrew there, but we couldn’t find him. We walked around for about an hour, it was really hot! Ali waited for us.            

            We wanted to get some fruit and he said he would buy it and get good Egyptian prices. We waited at a store that sells souvenirs, we tried to tell the guy we weren’t interested in buying anything. Well, the “deal” Ali got for us wasn’t really a “deal” at all. I was a bit shocked at the price…..I am getting so sick of being hassled and scammed in Egypt.

            Anyways, he took us back to the hotel. I accidentally gave him a 5EP instead of a 50EP (he felt a bit cheated and said "I look after you, you look after me." He was quite offended by our "to little" of a payment for the ride.) I told him it was an honest mistake- I forgot I gave him the 50EP for fruit. I only had a 100EP and he didn’t have change (of course). Anyways, we ended up giving him way too much and said our thanks and good byes. It’s really hard for us because we know they are desperate for business and money. There are literally some hundred-carriage drivers employed by this company and there are basically no tourists. So everyone is competing for customers. Every store wants you to buy something; every vendor or person selling something on the street wants you to buy something. It’s really hard to see. You want to help, but it is hard when you are constantly hassled by these people. But you also feel so sad; because you know they are doing it because they have nothing.

            Anyways, we spent the rest of the afternoon hanging by the pool, swimming, watching movies on the TV, and relaxing in our room. We wanted to escape the hassling and scamming that waited outside the hotel!

            We are leaving Luxor tomorrow and going South to Asswan. Mainly to see something new, but also to escape here (our carriage driver and other hassling people). Hopefully in Assawn we can stand our ground better, be a bit firmer and not get scammed as much!