My Mom and I are getting ready to go on the Jewels of Egypt tour in May (we're soooo excited!!!). I read in the Egypt Dossier that it is a good idea to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. I found a few pairs of capris that I'm considering buying, but when I sit down my knees are exposed. When I'm standing they are completely covered though. I was just wondering if this was ok or if I should keep looking for something that covers my knees even when I'm sitting? I just want to make sure that I'm respectful.
Also, I am considering bringing a couple of casual skirts as well. I thought that that would be a good way of staying cool while still dressing modestly. I wouldn't wear them on days where we are riding donkeys or climbing Mt. Sinai, but are there a few days where I could get by wearing a skirt?
My last question is about footwear. I am planning on bringing a good pair of walking shoes, but could I also get by wearing sandals? I was considering bringing a pair of flip flops and some nicer sandals as well. Would these be ok?
Sorry if these are somewhat silly questions. I just want to make sure that I'm on the right track. Thank you so much for your help!
Jen
Re: Egypt Clothing Questions
Hi Jen.
Which May departure? I'm on the May 4th one!
From what I've heard your capris should be fine, especially on the days we'll be in the super touristy areas. Otherwise, your skirts should be fine for the days we need modest stuff.
If it helps, I'm bringing one of each: a skirt, a pair of shorts, a pair capris, and a pair of pants.
For the shoes/sandals, it's difficult to gauge. And generally it comes down to personal preference. For instance for China I was told, under no circumstances wear sandals because the streets are dirty. So I didn't bring any. It turned out that most of my tour were wearing sandals. They found them very comfortable and the streets weren't that dirty. I couldn't even buy sandals there because I require custom inserts in my shoes so sandals would have required they be custom made.
Anyway, the desert is dusty so I might not wear sandals there but since we'll be spending a lot of time in cities where they should be fine.
Re: Egypt Clothing Questions
We have just returned from the same tour - you will have an absolute ball!
Your capri pants sound fine. If you have shorts that cover the knee when standing you will be fine. Just when you go to some of the mosques and St Catherine's monastery, if you have shorter pants you will be asked to cover up a bit more. I wouldn't recommend venturing out wearing anything that exposes your upper arms/shoulders as you will attract way more attention. A lot of women (not in our group) did and were constantly hassled. Again on the boat it's a bit more relaxed.
As for the shoes, I had a pair of flip flops (thongs) and only wore them on the boat. When we ventured out, the roads/footpaths are just so dirty that your feet will get pretty revolting. Some of the group did wear good sandals but they were cleaning their feet every time they got back on the bus.
Re: Egypt Clothing Questions
I went on a different tour but similar itinerary.
I took 2 long gypsy type skirts and found them a godsend, though one would have been enough to save on packing.
Capris will be fine for most things including mosques ete. but a pair of long walking trousers will be useful to protect your legs on some activities.
Longer sleeved t-shirts and something like a long sleeve top that can be worn open over vests are a good idea both for modesty and to stay cool. You will also be able to buy gorgeous wraps/scarves pashminas almost everywhere from around EP 10-50 which will turn your casual walking outfits into something glam and modest in an instant, so don't worry too much about bringing heaps of cover ups. The things I did not see much of on my own travels (though I wasn't looking hard as I had brought my own)were cotton sarongs so you may want to take one from home as they are handy to double up as beach towels, skirts etc.
If you can bear to carry them then both trainers and walking boots are a good idea. Plastic flip flops are really handy and I would bring a cheap pair from home as I didn't see plastic ones available there. I took black sparkly ones which looked nice on the occasions we dressed a bit more nicely but were also fine for casual use and in grotty showers.
You will be able to buy, very cheaply, other kinds of leather/synthetic sandals if you want them and could think about getting a pair (for as little as EP20 or
Re: Egypt Clothing Questions
Was on the Eygpt/Jordan Caravan in 2007 and "dress" is very important to the locals -- shows respect.
Got a "click click" of the tongue when my pashmina slipped off my shoulder in a cab and people on the street banged on the cab... Bare shoulders is a no-no; bare legs where your knees show standing or sitting another no-no and bare feet with painted toe nails can also draw unwanted attention from both the ladies and the men as well. Most ladies complimented (none traditional) and some again "click click".
Please use judgment in your clothing as we are "guests" and have a great holiday.
By the by, we took long crinkle gypsie skirts which were great in the warm weather and 3/4 length t-shirts, sandals for dress up, tevas for hiking and water proof sneaker trainers as well as the sand is hotter than blazes under the midday sun.
If you get to Aswan, please see if you can get a camel ride in as you really get to ride them not just walk and be lead -- was the best experience not to mention the monastary and tomb of Aga Khan..
Re: Egypt Clothing Questions
I was on the Jewels of Egypt tour. Most of thetime the girls wearing knee length shorts were fine in the real tourist packed areas. But they were refused Entry into some of the areas because of their dress. So even if you bring a sarong which can be easily put into a small bag until needed. I brought walking boots for all the trips out and around Egypt but I had my sandals for lounging around on the melodie. Though my feet nearly got sunburn on a few occasions. so keep topping up on the sunblock around the feet if you do wear sandals