Tips for travel to Egypt? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sultana · 08-25-2005, 11:55 AM

I'll be going on a 10-day trip soon...I've already started on the acidopholous (sp?), I know not to drink the water nor eat salads (as the veggies are washed in the water, nor to brush my teeth with the water (use bottled!).

But I'd appreciate pre-trip advice, so I can be prepared for the best time possible.

I'd especially appreciate tips on dealing with jet lag, as I'm going to try to return to work the day after I get back (lunatic, I know! But I'm already gonna be in the red for vacation time, and I want to minimize the damage). I also don't want to waste any time getting over it once I get to Egypt, either.

I'm just too excited. Really!

maleficent · 08-25-2005, 12:30 PM

Charlatan will be the best advisor on jet lag -- but I've done enough australia and trips to europe over the years - i'll offer up the simple stuff... once you get on the plane... Force your body to go to the time of where you will be.. if you board the plane at 7:00am, and it's 9:00pm there -- whatever your normal bed time is... get yourself to sleep then... the airlines are pretty good about closing the shades when it's supposed to be night time even if it's day light out... so you don't have to worry abouot a bright plane - but bring eyeshades and earplugs (some airlines give them out-- others dont the ones they give out are pretty crappy quality- bring your own.). and taking something like exceedrin pm to help you sleep isn't a bad idea. a neck pillow (I love brookstone's fluffy one) is also a nice thing to have annd helps for sleeping.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER on the plane and while you are young, use lots of moisturizer both on your hands and your face... the plane is very drying and i find it makes me look and feel tired than i am -- if i look dewy fresh, i can psych myself into not being as tired... Avoid booze on the plane (you can stick the free bottles in your bag

, and anything with lots of salt in it for the dehydration effect...

Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes... you'll probably go from cold to warm-- so layers will help you out a lot..

If you aren't sleeping, get up and take a lap around the plane if they let you.. othewise do some in seat exercises.. (the inflight magazines usually have them listed)

have a blast and take lots and lots of pictures

Charlatan · 08-25-2005, 01:14 PM

Jetlag... my fearsome foe.

1) If you can control the time of your arrival do so. For example, try to arrive in the morning or afternoon of your first day. When you arrive you will be tempted to sleep. Don't. Stay awake until at least 8pm local time. If you nap, you will just make it worse. Note: it is not the first night but rather the second night that you will find it hard to get to sleep. The first night you are exhausted the second you are just plain jetlagged (see sleep aids below).

2) If you do have to arrive at your destination in the middle of the night, get thee to sleep immediately. I find when I fly to Asia this is the worst time to arrive as it is 12 or 13 hours ahead of my time zone (i.e. midnight Asia = noon Toronto). The first time I arrived at this hour I was buggered for the week. My advice is get some sort of sleep aid... I use a pill that is 100% Valerian root others I know have stronger stuff.

3) Mal is right. Drink pletny of water and little alcohol. This generally a good practice when flying anyway... resist the urge to get drunk in order to cope with the sardine like seats in steerage. Oh... don't drink coffee (caffeine). Plane coffee sucks anyway so you should be safe from temptation.

4) Get ear plugs, mask and neck pillow. You may look dorky but when there is a screaming baby a couple rows up and your neighbour keeps his reading light on all night... you will thank me.

5) When flying home (from Egypt or Europe) you will likely have to take a morning flight and will be flying all day, arriving home in the afternoon or evening (home time). Whatever you do, do not sleep on this flight. If you really have to nap OK but try to fight it. When you get home you will likely be acclimatised to the place you've just been. Staying awake should make you tired enough to sleep when you get home.

6) I find that I usually cope with jetlag just fine when I return from Europe. It's Asia that kicks my ass. Getting up in the morning can be a bit groggy but it is totally bearable. The hard part comes in the afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. You just have to push through. Important: fight the urge to sleep as soon as you get home. Do not go to sleep until at least past 9 pm.

I think that's all I have.

maleficent · 08-25-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

) If you do have to arrive at your destination in the middle of the night, get thee to sleep immediately. I find when I fly to Asia this is the worst time to arrive as it is 12 or 13 hours ahead of my time zone (i.e. midnight Asia = noon Toronto). The first time I arrived at this hour I was buggered for the week. My advice is get some sort of sleep aid... I use a pill that is 100% Valerian root others I know have stronger stuff.

i'm very pill phobic, and except for aspirin, i won't take any kind of medicaiton... the only time i will pop a pill is each trip to australia - that trip is brutal... I've never had a problem getting a 4 pill prescription from my doctor for the trip - one pill for the plane - one pill to get me to sleep the night a arrive - then repeat those pills going home...

Charlatan · 08-25-2005, 01:38 PM

Valerian root is your friend. You can get it in a tea, tincture or pill form... I like the pills myself because it tastes like stink.

Sultana · 08-25-2005, 02:09 PM

Tastes like stink, eh? In that case I'll try the pill version as well. I'll actually do a test run of it beforehand, to make sure it's cool and useful for me.
Will also pick up the neck pillow and eyeshades--already take earplugs with me on all trips.

Thanks so much guys for your input. I'll be adding this to my notebook and bringing it with, for sure.

I've discovered that Cairo is 10 hours ahead of LA, definitely the most substantial time difference in any trip I've taken. While there I'll be going to a few nightclub belly dance shows, and those tend to not even start until 1 am or so!

Oh, I'm also planning on bringing as little as possible with me, and packing the small luggage inside the empty larger luggage. It's gonna be full of belly dance costumes on the way home, woo!

Insane.

Mr Honest · 09-10-2005, 04:17 AM

Flak jacket or suitable body armour. Don't chat up the local ladies either!

seriously have fun and be nice and safe.

08-25-2005, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Tips for travel to Egypt? I'll be going on a 10-day trip soon...I've already started on the acidopholous (sp?), I know not to drink the water nor eat salads (as the veggies are washed in the water, nor to brush my teeth with the water (use bottled!). But I'd appreciate pre-trip advice, so I can be prepared for the best time possible. I'd especially appreciate tips on dealing with jet lag, as I'm going to try to return to work the day after I get back (lunatic, I know! But I'm already gonna be in the red for vacation time, and I want to minimize the damage). I also don't want to waste any time getting over it once I get to Egypt, either. I'm just too excited. Really! __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.

08-25-2005, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Charlatan will be the best advisor on jet lag -- but I've done enough australia and trips to europe over the years - i'll offer up the simple stuff... once you get on the plane... Force your body to go to the time of where you will be.. if you board the plane at 7:00am, and it's 9:00pm there -- whatever your normal bed time is... get yourself to sleep then... the airlines are pretty good about closing the shades when it's supposed to be night time even if it's day light out... so you don't have to worry abouot a bright plane - but bring eyeshades and earplugs (some airlines give them out-- others dont the ones they give out are pretty crappy quality- bring your own.). and taking something like exceedrin pm to help you sleep isn't a bad idea. a neck pillow (I love brookstone's fluffy one) is also a nice thing to have annd helps for sleeping. DRINK LOTS OF WATER on the plane and while you are young, use lots of moisturizer both on your hands and your face... the plane is very drying and i find it makes me look and feel tired than i am -- if i look dewy fresh, i can psych myself into not being as tired... Avoid booze on the plane (you can stick the free bottles in your bag , and anything with lots of salt in it for the dehydration effect... Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes... you'll probably go from cold to warm-- so layers will help you out a lot.. If you aren't sleeping, get up and take a lap around the plane if they let you.. othewise do some in seat exercises.. (the inflight magazines usually have them listed) have a blast and take lots and lots of pictures __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-25-2005, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Jetlag... my fearsome foe. 1) If you can control the time of your arrival do so. For example, try to arrive in the morning or afternoon of your first day. When you arrive you will be tempted to sleep. Don't. Stay awake until at least 8pm local time. If you nap, you will just make it worse. Note: it is not the first night but rather the second night that you will find it hard to get to sleep. The first night you are exhausted the second you are just plain jetlagged (see sleep aids below). 2) If you do have to arrive at your destination in the middle of the night, get thee to sleep immediately. I find when I fly to Asia this is the worst time to arrive as it is 12 or 13 hours ahead of my time zone (i.e. midnight Asia = noon Toronto). The first time I arrived at this hour I was buggered for the week. My advice is get some sort of sleep aid... I use a pill that is 100% Valerian root others I know have stronger stuff. 3) Mal is right. Drink pletny of water and little alcohol. This generally a good practice when flying anyway... resist the urge to get drunk in order to cope with the sardine like seats in steerage. Oh... don't drink coffee (caffeine). Plane coffee sucks anyway so you should be safe from temptation. 4) Get ear plugs, mask and neck pillow. You may look dorky but when there is a screaming baby a couple rows up and your neighbour keeps his reading light on all night... you will thank me. 5) When flying home (from Egypt or Europe) you will likely have to take a morning flight and will be flying all day, arriving home in the afternoon or evening (home time). Whatever you do, do not sleep on this flight. If you really have to nap OK but try to fight it. When you get home you will likely be acclimatised to the place you've just been. Staying awake should make you tired enough to sleep when you get home. 6) I find that I usually cope with jetlag just fine when I return from Europe. It's Asia that kicks my ass. Getting up in the morning can be a bit groggy but it is totally bearable. The hard part comes in the afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. You just have to push through. Important: fight the urge to sleep as soon as you get home. Do not go to sleep until at least past 9 pm. I think that's all I have. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke Last edited by Charlatan; 08-25-2005 at 01:40 PM.. Reason: added the bit about caffiene

08-25-2005, 01:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Valerian root is your friend. You can get it in a tea, tincture or pill form... I like the pills myself because it tastes like stink. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

08-25-2005, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Tastes like stink, eh? In that case I'll try the pill version as well. I'll actually do a test run of it beforehand, to make sure it's cool and useful for me. Will also pick up the neck pillow and eyeshades--already take earplugs with me on all trips. Thanks so much guys for your input. I'll be adding this to my notebook and bringing it with, for sure. I've discovered that Cairo is 10 hours ahead of LA, definitely the most substantial time difference in any trip I've taken. While there I'll be going to a few nightclub belly dance shows, and those tend to not even start until 1 am or so! Oh, I'm also planning on bringing as little as possible with me, and packing the small luggage inside the empty larger luggage. It's gonna be full of belly dance costumes on the way home, woo! Insane. __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.

09-10-2005, 04:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mr Honest Crazy	Flak jacket or suitable body armour. Don't chat up the local ladies either! seriously have fun and be nice and safe. __________________ Human beings : who could ever claim to like them all?