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Hey barefoot walkers!
Siwa Oasis is a town near the Libyan border with 33,000 habitants and plenty of tourists. It seems like a place without much order, the "city" center is just one main street with limited services. The street is half dirt and half concrete, where traffic rules are nonexistent.
The police have no real authority: they’re there, but no one cares. Cars can be completely damaged (missing lights, hoods or windows), but as long as they work, it’s all good. Kids drive motorcycles, cars and trucks (we saw a child about 12 years old driving a semi-truck, amazing!), so driving in Siwa Oasis is not an issue, even without a driver’s license. However, only men drive, I never saw a woman behind the wheel there.
I don’t think the children go to school, they’re always working or playing in the street. I’m not sure, but if they do attend school, it’s very few of them.
The main sources of income are salt mining and tourism. The most common mode of transport is the motorcycle (like a tuk-tuk). It takes you everywhere and there are so many that you’ll never miss one. Of course, you’ll always need to negotiate the price because they try to charge more than they should.
We never felt unsafe. The locals are used to tourists and they seem more open-minded than in the larger cities. At least, we didn’t feel as observed.
The main attraction in Siwa Oasis is the saltwater pools. I highly recommend visiting, it’s a unique experience in a salt desert. In the pools, your body floats (it’s hard, if not impossible, to put your legs underwater), surrounded by nothing just desert. If you go there, rent a quad on the main street. It costs about 20 euros (€1 is approximately 50 EGP) for 4 hours, giving you more freedom to enjoy the pools and the way until there. If you take a tuk-tuk, it’s roughly the same price.
The best way to get to Siwa Oasis is by bus. Whether you’re coming from Cairo or Alexandria, you need to go to Marsa Matruh first and then on to Siwa Oasis. It does take a while, the roads are a bit rough and the buses aren’t very comfortable. Traveling is also about stepping out of your comfort zone and discovering amazing places with unique experiences.
So, if you’re planning to go to Egypt, definitely put Siwa Oasis on your itinerary, you’ll love it. Of course, everything I’ve shared is based on my own experience in Siwa Oasis.
A few tips: It’s hard to find a place with internet, so it’s best to have data on your phone or download the map beforehand so you don’t get lost. If you go to the saltwater pools, bring a bottle of fresh water to rinse off (walking around with salt on your body isn’t comfortable). Finally, if you want to head to Cairo in the morning, you can catch the 8 AM bus to Marsa Matruh and then transfer to a bus to Cairo.
Any questions, advice, or thoughts? You know what to do, send a message.
Don´t forget:
Carlos
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