Egypt is not tidy. There is plenty of trash, unfinished buildings with rebar poking from the top and other obvious signs of poverty.

Bring antacids and medicine for indigestion, possibly even an antibiotic, and hand sanitizer. The food is amazing, eat it, but drink bottled water. Don’t swim in the Nile. Wash your hands frequently as standards are low and you’ll be touching things.

Tourist police are at all the sights and are readily available, armed and monitoring the area for your safety. The law requires tourists to take certain routes and to be on monitored tours when outside of cities.

Cars drive at high speeds in the middle of the street pulling right only to allow oncoming traffic. There is frequent honking to indicate passing, and limited usage of lane markers, signals or lights. Roads are shared with animal carts, pedestrians and stray animals.

There are animals everywhere, from donkey carts to camels and stray cats and dogs. Few show signs of being well cared for.

Bring American cash to pay for everything except your hotel bill. ATMs will only distribute Egyptian pounds, which are hesitantly accepted.

Salespeople will negotiate. Attempt to do it ahead of choosing an item. Expect them to throw in a re-negotiation even after an agreement.

Everyone wants a tip and toilets cost money. Bring small American one-dollar bills for this.

Poor guides will try to take you shopping by promising a bonus stop at a “museum” or a nicer toilet at a business. Insist that you’d like to stick to the planned tour unless you’d like a concierge shopping experience.

It is hot and the sun is strong, as is the blowing sand. Check the weather and bring conservative lightweight pants and shirts that cover the shoulders for excursions. Swimsuits and revealing clothing are only fine at your hotel. Don’t forget sunscreen.

Most Egyptian women have a head covering of some kind and are rarely involved in business. You may never interact with any local women.