U.S. Warns Tourists To Avoid The Egyptian Pyramids

Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphynx, Egypt. Wikipedia

Lawlessness, Blackouts Roil Egypt As U.S. Warns Against Pyramids Tourism -- The Tower

Lawlessness has become so endemic in Egypt that the U.S. Embassy this week warned Americans away from visiting the country’s famed pyramids. A academic teaching at the American University in Cairo received an email from the embassy warning of “aggressiveness [that] in some cases is closer to criminal conduct… with angry groups of individuals surrounding and pounding on [vehicles]… and in some cases attempting to open the vehicle’s doors.” The warning lined up with the professor’s observations:

So, it’s not like I’m easily scared by anything that happens at the Pyramids, that repository for all of Egypt’s most villainous swindlers (every nation has some). But in recent months it has become almost unbearable. It feels almost like an openly criminal environment now. The problem is not only “lack of visible security,” but in some cases the security are either working with the vendors on their scams, or are sexually harassing female foreigners quite openly, even those who are obviously accompanied by their husbands. In short, if you visit Egypt in the near future, don’t even think of going to the Pyramids unless you’re on a large organized bus tour. Anything else is a big risk, for now.

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My Comment: One of my closest friends goes to Egypt every second year to visit the pyramids and other Egyptian historical sites .... she has always been on top of everything that is happening in the country, and was one of the first to tell me about the growing unrest in Egypt that ultimately led to the overthrow of Egyptian President Mubarak. Not surprisingly .... she is now advising everyone to avoid Egypt .... it has become too dangerous and lawless. To me .... this is very sad. When Egypt loses people like her .... it will probably take years of stability and peace before they come back .... if ever. Not a positive spin on what is happening in Egypt today.