Dialogues: A holiday in Egypt	

So, did you have a good time?

Yeah, great.

What was it like?

Well, interesting...and quite a culture shock too. We spent a weekend at this oasis in the desert. That was amazing.

Wow. I've always wanted to go into the desert. Did you see the Pyramids?

Yeah. They're a bit touristy, actually. Lots of hustlers trying to rip you off. 

Right, I can imagine. It's always like that at the big attractions, isn't it?  Did you get to do any diving?

We certainly did. We went down to the Red Sea and stayed at this little beach. Completely unspoilt, just a few huts. We more or less had it to ourselves.

Gosh, that sounds brilliant. You really got away from it all, then. What was the food like? I don’t think I’ve ever had Egyptian food.

Mmm. Nothing to write home about really, although we did have some very good seafood at the beach.

Oh well, you can't have it all ways. Anyway, where did you stay?

Well we got a really good deal, actually. We stayed in a four-star place in Luxor. Very reasonable too  - it only worked out at about twenty US a night. 

Twenty dollars for a four-star. That is good.   So you'd recommend it, then?

Yes I definitely would. Best holiday I've had in a long time. I'd go again if I got the chance.

Gosh, that sounds brilliant. You really got away from it all, then. What was the food like? I don’t think I’ve ever had Egyptian food.	
Oh well, you can't have it all ways. Anyway, where did you stay?	
Twenty dollars for a four-star. That is good.   So you'd recommend it, then?
	
Wow. I've always wanted to go into the desert. Did you see the Pyramids?	
So, did you have a good time?	
Right. I can imagine. It's always like that at the big attractions, isn't it?  Did you get to do any diving?	
What was it like?	

Yeah. They're a bit touristy, actually. Lots of hustlers trying to rip you off. 	
Yeah, great.	
Yes I definitely would. Best holiday I've had in a long time. I'd go again if I got the chance.	
Well, interesting...and quite a culture shock too. We spent a weekend at this oasis in the desert. That was amazing.	
Oh Yeah. We went down to the Red Sea and stayed at this little beach. Completely unspoilt, just a few huts. We more or less had it to ourselves.	
Mmm. Nothing to write home about really, although we did have some very good seafood at the beach.	
Well we got a really good deal, actually. We stayed in a four-star place in Luxor. Very reasonable too  - it only worked out at about twenty US a night. 	
Follow up: vocabulary

Choose the best meanings for the following words from the text.
Decide if they have positive or negative connotations or meanings.

touristy	line 13	good for tourists    full of tourists    
(positive / negative)	
hustlers	line 13	tour guides    tourists    street sellers
(positive / negative)	
rip you off	line 13	talk to you     overcharge you     help you
(positive / negative)	
unspoilt	line 19	developed   primitive    quiet and undeveloped
(positive / negative)	
have it to yourself	line 19	have the sole use of something    have a good time   
(positive / negative)	
get away from it all	line 21	leave home    escape from the pressures of modern life   get lost
(positive / negative)	
nothing to write home about	line 24	excellent    terrible   nothing special
(positive / negative)	
very reasonable	line 30	cheap  expensive  good value
(positive / negative)	

Discuss with your partner

What is the most touristy place you know in your city?
Think of a place where you would expect to find hustlers.
Talk about a time you were ripped off.
Think of one unspoilt beach you have been to.
When was the last time you had something to yourself?
Where would you go to get away from it all?
Think of a restaurant or hotel you have been to where the food or service was nothing to write home about.
When was the last time you paid for something and thought it was very reasonable?