Mood in Luxor

Post by **steve** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:46 pm

As I'm due in Luxor in a few days, I was wondering what the mood is there? I assume all is calm.

Post by **Kevininabydos** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:14 pm

If I had to sum up the mood in Luxor I would say: calm but quietly aggressive! I would also advise anyone visiting to not carry valuables or large amounts of money with them if they walk the streets and to keep their passports safely lodged with reception at the hotel. Be wary of the 16-25 year old youths, especially if they are on motorbikes. Woman should especially be aware of where their handbags are at all times and not to carry them on the curb side of the street.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:43 am

The "mood" sounds quietly dangerous.

Post by **Chocolate Eclair** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:05 am

No not really quietly dnagerous either, you just need to be aware like in any other City, and not think to yourself I am on holiday nothing will happen...
We both walk the srtreets at all hourd of the day and feel as safe as what we used to living in Norwich, and Norwich is a City where not much happens, except the rumbling of a tractor or the horse drawn drays...

Post by **DIANA** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:29 am

I did notice the same general atmosphere on my visit two months ago. I think it's the lack of policing and general feeling of uncertainty amongst the public.
I was very aware of the threat from motorbike riders and would also advise all visitors to be alert to this horrible problem.

Post by **Once bitten** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:15 am

I arrived last Monday, and after a week I notice that there is a sense of anticipation, and everyone seems to be waiting for something to happen. I have spoken to several of my Egyptian friends and they are very positive about the outlook.

As for safety, treat Luxor as anywhere else on the planet, there are good and bad everywhere. Motorbikes are a problem, but I hope that when the police get their act together this will be resolved.

Post by **TonyC** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:43 am

I would say that living here I have not noticed any mood that conveys "quietly aggressive" or "quietly dangerous" (peculiar combinations of words!). But I support Kevin, OB and others when they say be aware of random crime, particularly from motorcyclists.

A couple of days ago there were reports of another bag snatch, this attack by two riders on a woman cycling near the West Bank ticket office. They grabbed her shoulder bag as they passed and she was brought to the ground, suffering cuts and bruises. Police, apparently, have since been on motorcycle patrol along that section of road.

Post by **BENNU** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:41 pm

Since I moved to where I now have a flat in Copenhagen, i have been extremely precautious. I carry bags that I would hate to lose, as they are of high quality or sentiment, always keep my phone and keys on me, as a locksmith in Denmark is very expensive and I might have to call the police, and if I wear a dress without pockets and no jacket, I attach my keys somewhere with a safety pin and keep my phone in the bra, though I may look funny, when it vibrates. I do not carry more cash than I can afford to lose without worrying, and if I should lose my visa card in Denmark, I would just get another one. Down here, I hope that my home will be spared unlike the first flat I rented in Luxor 4-6 years ago.

It is a habit for me to be careful and alert. A couple of days ago, my son admired the landscape and wanted to take pictures with my camera, and as it did not work, I tried to find out why it had died, since I had just charged the battery. It is going to be some time before I can afford another camera and I am so fond of it. Because I could not close the camera, it was unprotected and I did not know, where to put it, and while I considered wrapping it carefully in a scarf and put it in a pocket of the fleece, I had on my arm, I saw my beautiful bag dissappearing and my handsome son running after two creeps on a motorbike.

I lost less than three hundred pounds and do not care about that at all, but I am still crying over my beautiful wallet and my silk purse from Norway with my expensive m.a.c powder and my favorite lipstick, and the bag that meant so much to me and did not look so expensive, but it was. I use modest phones and wear boring clothes and shoes as a guest in a poor country, but there is a limit, and a quality bag is one.

My son is grateful that I did not carry my usual discrete bag across my torso, because he cannot bear to think of me being dragged after a motorbike. I still have the strap, so if anyone sees a turquise strapless buffalo leather bag, please let me know. I have a spare battery for my camera and it works now, alhamdulillah.

Yesterday I found myself shopping with money in my pocket and an empty bag on my shoulder, I would rather risque parting with that than have anyone wonder, where a lady keeps her values and start searching.

Post by **Glyphdoctor** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:00 pm

BENNU wrote: Yesterday I found myself shopping with money in my pocket and an empty bag on my shoulder, I would rather risque parting with that than have anyone wonder, where a lady keeps her values and start searching.

That is a very smart idea.

Post by **Morgita** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:39 pm

Bennu, I'm so sorry this happened to you but glad your son was there to support you. Is this the same motorcycle gang or, as is typical in Luxor, a copycat?

Post by **jewel** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:31 pm

Well, never mind, once sharia law is in force this will die a death

pg. 613 “THE PENALTY FOR THEFT…. A person’s right hand is amputated, whether he is a Muslim, non-Muslim subject of the Islamic state, or someone who has left Islam….”

pg. 616 “THE PENALTY FOR HIGHWAY ROBBERY…. If he steals the equivalent of 1.058 grams of gold…, both his right hand and left foot are amputated…. If the highwayman robs and kills, he is killed and then left crucified for three days.”

pg. 610 “THE PENALTY FOR FORNICATION OR SODOMY…. If the offender is someone with the capacity to remain chaste, then he or she is stoned to death….”

pg. 595 “APOSTASY FROM ISLAM (RIDDA)…. When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostatizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed.”

pg. 617 “THE PENALTY FOR DRINKING…. The penalty for drinking is to be scourged forty stripes, with hands, sandals, and ends of clothes. It may be administered with a whip, but if the offender dies, an indemnity… is due… for his death.” [This penalty applies only to Muslims.]

http://keeptonyblairforpm.wordpress.com ... nishments/

Theft (sariqa, السرقة)
Highway robbery (qat' al-tariq, قطع الطريق)
Illegal sexual intercourse (zina', الزناء)
False accusation of zina' (qadhf, القذف) [3]
Drinking alcohol (shurb al-khamr, شرب الخمر)
Apostasy (irtidād or ridda, ارتداد) includes blasphemy.

Post by **Kevininabydos** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:48 pm

You just can't resist can you.

Post by **Lisak** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:20 pm

Oh how to lighten the mood!

Post by **Goddess** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:11 pm

So sorry Bennu. How horrid for you, but I do like your safety tips and I'm going to dung out my bag tomorrow.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:53 am

I was walking through a crowded market in Trinidad a couple of years bag. I thought I felt something or someone lightly touch my back shoulder but being in a really crowded outdoor market I didn't think much of it - until - it happened again and then a couple secs later my 'stuff' started pouring out of my backpack onto the ground.

My purse which I was wearing over my shoulder and across my chest had quite a slash to the strap and when the "thief" couldn't quite grab and slice the strap they used the knife (box cutter) to slash a hole in the bottom of my cloth backpack. They got a small electronic camera that fell out (I've always hope it broke when it hit the ground.)

From that time on I've always put extra cash into my bra and have travelled with an old canvas purse that has a really wide sturdy strap. If I have to victimized, like Bennu says, it is better they get 'something' than to have to start searching your for 'something' but it is really sad that people have to resort to victimizing others.

Situational awareness is priceless.

Post by **Winged Isis** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:03 am

I can highly recommend the Pacsafe "city safe 200", for either gender (though it's listed under "Women's Travel"). Check out the Specifications and video. Find it and other fab security travel products at: www.pacsafe.com

I have one in Light Taupe so the ubiquitous Egyptian dust does not show. The 100 is smaller, the 300 more a carry-on bag. I also have the "tour safe Petite" in black, for evenings.

Check Amazon for price comparison, though they are currently reduced. They are AU$139 in Paddy Pallin shops here, so online much cheaper..

All my friends who travel have one or more now and also swear by them for style, capacity and features, but especially the security aspects.

You wouldn't have that problem if you had one of these, LLL.

Post by **Mimimay** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:03 pm

Bennu I too am very sorry to hear of what happened and hope you are okay XXX As for Jewels post, I don't know why she bothers coming on here

Post by **Bearded Brian** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:08 pm

Mimimay wrote: As for Jewels post, I don't know why she bothers coming on here

If we all had the same opinions life would be quite boring - you don't have to read her posts if you don't want to.

Post by **TonyC** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:29 pm

Nice one ... reducing the tirade about amputations and crucifying to just "opinions". Mind you, if life would be boring without the constant stream of crabby comments from a people-hater cowering behind Hadrian's Wall, on the whole I'd rather be bored rigid!

Post by **Teddyboy** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:43 pm

"reducing the tirade about amputations and crucifying to just "opinions"."

So they're facts then, TonyC?