Hi everyone,
I've been reading some of your topics and found them all really useful so thanks.
I am a bit concerned about the food in Egypt as I am a vegetarian with a nut allergy! Could you let me know what your food experiences were? I'm also a bit worried about animal cruelty and whether I will find the trip too upsetting.
My friend and I might be travelling on one of the Jewels of Egypt tours in July or August - we haven't decided yet so all you comments have been great.
Any info and advice you could give would be great.
Lyn
Re: Food in Egypt
hey lyn,
although most of the food in egypt is based around meat products, you will be able to find some vegetarian foods.
there are felafels, dolmades, and dhal type foods... i'm pretty sure they didn't have any nuts in them.
also there is a traditional egyptian dish called koshary that consists of pasta, rice, and lentils. i don't recall there being any nuts in that either.
then there's all the standard fast food places you could always go to if you luck out.
as for the animal cruelty bits... u may find slabs of cow hanging up in front of the butcher stores... like half a cow. but that was about all we saw really.
you should be fine in egypt. you will have so much fun!!
Re: Food in Egypt
Hello Lyn,
Firstly let me say that the tour you have chosen is wonderful. You are in for fabulous holiday!!
As a vegan you shouldn't have an problems, however I'm uncertain about making any comment in regard to your nut allergy. My gut feeling is that there shouldn't be nuts present in Egyptian food.But I guess there is always the chance that the food has been cooked in peanut oil.
When you make your booking, be certain to highlight that you have this allergy, that way they are forewarned.
I would ensure that you speak with your tour leader upon your arrival in Egypt & discuss your concerns with he/she. You will find your tour leader will be in the best position to advise you in regards to food whilst on the tour.
As part of your tour includes a cruise onboard "Melodie", I would think that the staff on board would do all in their power to assist you whilst you are onboard.
Egypt has some lovely vegan dishes, such as aubergine salad....yum! & babaganoosh (spelling?) & some lovely pasta dishes, plus falafel's. So I hope you get to enjoy yourself & not become over wrought over what you are going to eat!!
In regards to animal cruelty. By July/August the animals will have been living through the heat of the summer(....remember Egypt can get very hot) & so some animals may be thin due to the heat. So please keep this in mind.
Hoping you enjoy your holiday, if I can help in any other way please let me know. As always, I wish I were going too!!![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Kind regards.........Debbie.
Re: Food in Egypt
Hi Lyn,
I agree with the others on the food - I'm not vegetarian, but I ate exclusively vegetarian while travelling in Egypt, and the food was great.
As for the animal cruelty, I feel the same way as you, but remember that the animals you see there are mostly working animals, and while there can be neglect due to lack of money or knowledge, frequently both, on the part of the owners, there is generally not intentional cruelty.
There are a number of charities that support the animals in Egypt and the Middle East, and one in particular I started supporting after visiting Egypt for the first time in 2002 called the The Brooke Hospital ( a UK charity, [url=http://www.thebrooke.org),]http://www.thebrooke.org),[/url] which operates throughout Egypt offering free vet care and training to animal owners. I visited their centre in Luxor on my trip, and later their centre at Petra, and it was amazing to see what a difference they were making.
Have a great trip!
Re: Food in Egypt
Thanks for all your messages - they have been really helpful. It sounds as though I won't starve!
I am more comfortable with the animal cruelty issue now and am very interested in the charity mentioned Melissa.
I've been impressed with how helpful everyone has said the tour guides and other assistants etc are. It sounds as though they can help with any problems unlike some of those nightmare hols you hear about where the tour reps couldn't care less.
Very excited - I've been waiting for my friend to save enough money for the trip since the beginning of Jan so hopefully we might be able to book soon.
Thanks again
Lyn
Re: Food in Egypt
In terms of animal cruelty...
if you ever go on a horse carriage then go on the ones in luxor. they are well looked after in luxor thanks to the animal sanctuary that they have there![[Smile]](smile.gif)
have a great trip! the food is tremendous - i found myself having 2 main courses each mealtime it was so yummy