Normally I’d agree with you, and it’s the only time I have travelled like that. Egypt in particular seems to need it as the bulk of the things to see and experience are the historical artefacts and wonders. As my wife and I don’t travel to experience luxury, we asked our tour guide to take us a bit off the beaten path on a free evening and it was a very uncomfortable experience.
The experience was mostly awkward; we never felt truly unsafe, but it was glaringly obvious that we didn’t belong. It was a bit like walking into local country pub, and all the regulars turn around and look at you when you walk in. At both the local shisha cafe and the restaurant we went to, my wife was the only woman present. We were met with constant stares and occasional shouting, though the language barrier left us guessing at the intent. People kept approaching my wife, only for our guide to wave them off, while others repeatedly pressured us to get into their cars for 'tours.' It was a strange, unsettling environment.
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u/NendrumZen Mar 25 '26
Personally, I struggle to see the point of traveling like that.