Arrving in Sharm...Good-bye to Ashcraft and Company

As I have eluded to numerous times during our time in Egypt, the expected monetary "tip" upon the completion of even a minuscule task is an annoying feature of the Egyptian experience for travelers. What became most annoying was Ashcraft's persistent reminders to tip anyone and everyone--sometimes for no apparent cause. At this rate we had exhausted our "tip" funds by the time we had reached Luxor and when we parted ways with Ashcraft on our way to Sharm El Sheikh this afternoon, to my admitted embarrassment, we left without leaving a tip for our wheeling and dealing tour guide.

In all honesty, I had intended to tip Ashcraft, albeit a very small amount commensurate with his abilities and performance, but with trying to get everything packed up to go I forgot to leave the money with the front desk. I only realized this after we were in the cab well on our way to the airport. Ryan and Mina, who opposed giving Ashcraft any tip in the first place, felt no remorse and soon convinced me that I should not either. Perhaps it was the fact that Ashcroft could not eat all day, but at times it did not seem like we had a tour guide at all--rather an Egyptian who was trying to displace as much of our money into the hands of his countrymen.

We did leave Ashcraft on a high note, or so we thought, when he arranged for one of his business associates to pick us up at the Sharm El Sheikh airport and drive us to our hotel for a ridiculously cheap rate (almost 60% cheaper that other outfits). Upon meeting Ashcroft's friend and being carried away to the hotel, we quickly realized that Ashcraft had swindled us again, as Ashcraft's friend was trying every trick in the book to have us book our diving through him. At one point he attempted to claim that the dive operator that we had selected (the one run out of the Marriot hotel where we were staying) was unsafe--despite the fact that we showed him numerous reviews of the superiority of the dive operator.

When we arrived to the hotel (sorry, incredible resort) , Ashcraft's friend followed us in and again attempted to make the hard sell and it was not until we started to head to the rooms with bags in hand did he get the clue, and can you believe it...he wanted a god damn tip. Good-bye Ashcraft and company, hello Sharm el Sheikh.