SAFETY | bedawi.com

Picture by talklikeanegyptian.com

"The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense."

- Travelers must declare video cameras on arrival and on departure. It is forbidden to photograph or film in the Egyptian Museum (Cairo), in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, in the vicinity of military bases and at airports. Filming is also forbidden at the High Dam (Aswan) or at the Suez Canal and anyone who wants to make a film for publishing is required to obtain permission from the designated authorities.

Violations may result in you being arrested and detained for some time and your film can be confiscated.

- If you're seen taking a video or suspected of taking a video, people tend to walk up to you and may ask you questions or if you film them they may ask you for a fee.

- In general people don't mind if you take a picture of their kids, but if you take a picture or film them they usually shy away and do not like it. Always ask whether people mind, before you confront them with your (video)camera or mobile phone. Young Bedouin women are not allowed to show their faces, so please respect this.

- If you go snorkeling do not touch anything and do not stand on the coral. It's not only to protects the corals, fish and other marine life but also yourself. Fire corals make victims on a daily bases.

- Sharks are swimming in the Red Sea but are not a danger if you know how you should behave whilst snorkeling. In recent years more snorkelers, without any knowledge, go into the sea and some even feed the fish. This is asking for trouble! Therefore, get yourself educated and behave responsible in our underwater world to protect yourself and nature.

- Never go in the desert, mountains or outside tourist zones without a local Bedouin guide. Some paths have been destroyed by flood and you need to know exactly where and how to go to places. (Unfortunately, there are still places where landmines and other explosives can be found.) Local Bedouin guides know the area and make sure you are save.

- Whilst on safari in the mountains, mind your step (loose stones on slopes) and do not hurry. Local people (and thus your guide) move effortlessly and quickly in this area. Do not try to catch up and keep at your own pace.

- Do not turn over any stones when you walk in the desert and do not walk to close to green bushes. There may be animals seeking shelter which do no harm, until they feel threatened.

- Whilst hiking wear closed-toe shoes and don't go reaching into nooks and crannies.

- Drugs like hashish and cannabis are officially illegal and penalties are harsh. In practise the situation is a bit murkier. Generally only Egyptian national and non-tourist foreigners get into serious trouble for drug offenses.

- In any dealing with the police, keep in mind that this is not the kind of professional organization you might expect. That said, law enforcement agencies will generally work hard to accommodate foreigners and in case of an event they are able to provide a friendly face, a glass of tea and pro-forma services such as a police report for insurance purposes.