How it works:
- Opening: your driver recommends and brings you here, or a street tout claiming to be an Egyptologist/head of a Papyrus institute offers to show you how papyrus is made.
- Set-up: they offer you tea and show how real papyrus is cut and processed. They then show you papyrus scrolls made of cheap banana leaf which they claim are valuable antiques. They claim that there is a special one day offer, or that today is the last day to buy as they are moving.
- The sale: they offer you a free piece if you recommend their shop. Next, they ask for your name and will write it on the papyrus you like. They then ask for your family members’ names and write them on new pieces. Payment will be demanded for all.
Places to beware:
- Giza
- Luxor
What to do:
- These places are not real museums. If you just want to have a look, avoid revealing your name and firmly decline any offer even if it is claimed to be free.
