Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Something Else

I just came back last weekend from Egypt and what a magnificant civilization there was. I said 'there was' because nothing notable has happened afterward for the next 2,000 years (up to now). Talk about an extended slump!

The historical sites are plenty and quite well maintained given their age. But you really have to be there to appreciate it. So today I only want to share with you one toilet tip, i.e. you do need a tip (1 Egyptian pound) to visit every toilet. There's a toilet man usually waiting at the entrance or he will sneak up from nowhere after you have 'unloaded' to collect his toll.

The tricky bit is how to get enough 1-pound bills to last your day, everyday, afterall Egypt is a hot country and a lot of water is consumed. The quick answer is 'you can't'! You could try get a change from the toilet man but 9 out of 10 times he'd say either he had no change or could only give you a lesser change becoz that's all he had (which of course is a lie). You could try your luck in the restaurants and shops but again 9 out of 10 times they'd have no change. What about if you buy something to get a change? Well you'd soon find out everything in store is priced at 'whole' prices like 5, 10, 20, etc. So you'd never get anything less than a 5-pound bill!

The toilet pound is like an underground secret currency, nowhere to be seen elsewhere, and worse, is only kept by those who run the toilets! And the bill's look and condition is also exactly as its name would suggest (gross), not unusual given all the moist in its surroundings.

Many US or European elders who don't 'hold up' well have given up hope and paid USD or EURO instead, which is at least 5 times more expensive than the Egyptian pound, and only if they have that many dollar bills.

Eventually after a few days of observation I founded a workable solution when I don't have the toilet pound. I'd just stand next to the toilet man and watch people come by and drop him the pounds. Once after 5 or 10 people had paid him, I'd say to him 'Hey I just saw you got 5/10 pounds for a change so don't fool around this time!'

And I just earned myself a few more tickets to the great Egyptian loo.

Comments:
You should bring your own P-bottle, keep your own P and dispose of it once a day.

Another way is to do the same way Japanese or Chinese people do usually...
 
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