NICE TO KNOW | bedawi.com

"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."

- Paul Valery

The Egyptian cuisine is influenced by the Lebanese, Turkish and Persian (Iranian) cuisine. In tourist areas there are also European dishes and of course the enthusiasts can find a hamburger with fries.

There is almost no pork sold but you will find chicken, beef or lamb.

Fresh seafood dishes are delicious, but do check whether the fish is really fresh. Nowadays most fish comes from fish farms. Original Red Sea fish is more rare and thus expensive but way more tasteful.

We advise you to avoid fish that is caught in the Nile, due to pollution of the water and the lack of control.

The Bedouin way of cooking is simple and tasteful. Rice, pasta, potatoes, legumes, lentils, fruits, salads and many vegetable dishes that are eaten with bread, sometimes combined with meat (goat or beef), chicken or fish.

Bedouin are precise about the origin and hygiene of their food and cook healthy. They drink (herbal) tea, fresh Arabic coffe, juice and love fresh fruits.

Avoid fruit that you have not peeled of yourself and chicken or eggs that have not been thoroughly cooked.

Green salads are best avoided if you have a stomage which is easily upset, unless you are sure green salads are handled properly (first soaked in water and a bit of vinegar and washed with non tap water).

Not only are they often washed with tap water but they can contain bacteria because of agricultural practises.

In tourist areas in bigger cities they sell beer and wine and there are also stores that sell liquor.

Not all restaurants, hotels and other accommodations serve alcohol, so if that's important to you, ask about their services.

Make sure to bring plenty of memory for your camera and spare batteries and/or chargers. The electrical sockets (outlets) in Egypt usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 Volts. They use a type C European 2-pin electrical plug and outlet.

People who live in poor conditions can be offended when you photograph or film them, because also poor people have their pride. After all, we all want to look our best on a picture. In particular, the faces of younger Bedouin women may only be displayed within the family circle, so please respect this.