MOHAMEDSGAP: October 2014

1. Have the right attitude

Remember that you're a guest in their city. Don't come across as the clamorous tourist. Try to keep your voice at a reasonable volume and refrain from drawing attention to yourself by making arrogant demands or complaining about how things are different from what you're used to.
Appreciate your situation. You're in a unique country with a vital and rich heritage that's quite different from your own. Don't expect things to be like they are in your own country. You'll find you'll be thrown a curveball fairly often, possibly when ordering from a menu or when you attempt to "walk in" for a pedicure. Take these things in stride and enjoy the cultural differences.
Good manners are part and parcel of British culture. "Please" and "thank you" will go a long way. If you bump into someone on the street, do apologise. And for goodness sake, don't cut in front of anyone in line (also known as a queue)!

2. Get to Know The People of London.

Be prepared for diversity. As the heart of the British Empire, London saw huge immigration from the Caribbean, India and parts of the Middle East at the turn of the 20th Century, continuing right up to the modern day. Such was the scale of the influx that many people managed to retain their language and accents over the generations: two ostensibly Indian people talking in their own language in a corner shop could be born and bred in England of parents themselves born and bred in England. In London, more so than any other part of England, stereotypes of what constitutes "English-ness" break down, so be careful not to make simple assumptions about where someone is from. For example, over 350 languages are spoken around London (100 more than in New York) and Black and Asian children outnumber White children in London by 2 to 1. Similarly, there is a huge range of religions, from the typical to the odd, the agnostic to the devout and even fundamentalist. A single carriage on the tube, containing only English citizens, can often contain within it a dizzying number of cultures. In recent times new immigrants have begun to arrive from Eastern Europe and China (not to mention tourists!). London truly is a world capital
Don't be intimidated by Londoners' reserved nature. Like the denizens of any other fast-paced city, Londoners have fast-paced lives and are pretty focused on what they're doing and where they're going. They can be quite reserved. You may find a Londoner looking askance at you if you offer up too much personal information at first meeting. It may be difficult for emotionally expressive visitors to read a Londoner. They can be extremely helpful--just don't expect one to strike up conversation on the Tube with complete strangers. Take your time and don't delve into your life story and personal problems for oh, say, at least 15 minutes after meeting. Once a good level of familiarity has been established, British restraint becomes less formidable.
If possible, make some social contacts before arriving in the city (the Internet is a wonderful way to do this). This way you'll make some new friends before even leaving and with your new friends you'll be able to experience London from an actual Londoner's vantage point. And while Londoners are busy as they go about their daily lives, many are extremely social and great about meeting up for dinner or drinks or even showing visitors their London.
Cosy up to many Londoners' wonderfully dry and self deprecating sense of humour. They've elevated understatement to an art form. Caught in the rain and soaked to the skin? You're a bit damp, bless.

3. Dress Like a Londoner.

Women: London women in general dress in casual clothes, jeans are very common. Of course they may need to dress up for work but off duty casual is the rule.
Men: London, men, too are casual in dress. Jeans, sweaters and the like. Like women they may need to dress up for the office - suits are the norm in many such. Even when going to such "posh" places as the Royal Opera House you will fit in in casual wear. The only exception being on gala nights (when the prices are sky high).

4.Learn the Language.

If you're crossing the pond from America to England, you will encounter lots of words used for items for which Americans associate completely different meanings. You don't take the "elevator"; You take the "lift". It's your "mobile"; not your "cell phone." You ask the location of "the toilets", "loos", "ladies'" or "gents'", not "the restroom". The "tube" or the "underground", not the "subway". "Subway" is what Londoners call a walkway under the street to get from one side to the other, or a fast food chain. Wikipedia has a large list of British terms that are largely uncommon in American English which can be found here.
Give unfamiliar phrases the benefit of the doubt. Take into account cockney rhyming slang. Not that many people use cockney slang, but occasionally someone will. Ask them to explain and have a sense of humour when they do.
Brace yourself for a variety of accents. With the advent of the European Union, London is now home to people from all over Europe, not just the UK. The sheer number and variety of accents will blow your mind! If you have trouble understanding someone, you could always smile and nod but usually it's better to ask someone to repeat something. And this is done by saying "Pardon me?" not, "What?" which can be construed as impolite. However, as Nancy Mitford has pointed out, saying "Pardon" instead of "What?" may mark one as working class. Try saying "Sorry?" and engaging the conversation more with your head. Cultures are complicated.
Whatever you do, do not fake an English accent. It is very discourteous, and the natives can spot it instantly.

5. Get Around.

Maps While there are many tourist maps on sale, the best thing to buy is the the small (or "mini") London A-Z (pronounced A to Zed) which is a pocket sized atlas with maps of London extending roughly 7 miles (11 km) out from the city centre in every direction. Crucially, it also has an index of every single road, street, lane and square in the city, so you can always find where you are on the map. As if this was not enough, it also has maps of the London Underground and other useful information. There is a large version available as well, which extends 16 miles (26 km) out, but this is of little use unless you plan on visiting the suburbs. Maps are also displayed at all stations, and on most bus shelters and bus stops (the red letter on top of a bus stop sign shows you where you are on the map).
When asking for directions, don't truncate street or place names. It may be normal in the US to refer to Madison Street as Madison, but that's not the norm in the UK. And it can get confusing, as many streets and places share their names with other English towns and cities. For example, if your hotel is near Liverpool Street (a major railway station in the City of London) and you ask for directions to Liverpool, you may be directed to the City of Liverpool, home of the Beatles (and remember many tourists do want to visit Liverpool). The same is true of Gloucester (Road), Leicester (Square), Oxford (Street/Circus), Lancaster (Gate) and even Buckingham (Palace).
Neighbourhoods. London is broken up into dozens of areas called boroughs. Chelsea, Kensington and Knightsbridge offer great shopping and lovely cafés, wine bars and pubs. Soho, Shoreditch, Camden and Clerkenwell offer amazing night-life. St. John's Wood, Maida Vale and Primrose Hill are quiet, residential areas. Covent Garden, the South Bank and the West End offer loads of street performers, theatres, bars and restaurants.
Public Transport. London has one of the most extensive (and expensive) public transportation (public transport, as it is termed in the UK) systems in the world.
- The London Underground (also referred to as the Tube) in particular is easy to understand if you speak English. Buy an Oyster card at any Tube station. Seven day's unlimited travel on the Tube and/or buses within zones 1 and 2 will cost you a reasonable flat rate. If you'd like to find out if any lines are not running or if a station has been temporarily shut down, visit the London Underground website for up-to-the minute information. When in the stations, be aware that the left-hand side of the escalators is for people walking only: if you don't plan on walking up or down the escalators, stay on the right-hand side.
- Always check the current system failures and line closures when entering a station - those are frequent and could force a reroute. Be aware that in the summer there is no air conditioning on the Underground except on the Metropolitan line and on the newer trains on the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines.
- The DLR (an acronym for Docklands Light Railway) is another metro system in London which serves the Docklands, the East End and the City of London. Its trains, which are lighter than Underground trains, are driverless - their movement from station to station is controlled by a computer. Unlike the Underground, the system is mostly above ground, with only 4 stations being underground.
- There are two types of taxis - Black Cabs and minicabs. Black Cabs are the traditional, familiar looking London taxis, though not all Black Cabs are actually black these days. Black Cabs tend to be the more expensive option and this is because London Black Cab drivers' fares are regulated. A Black Cab, known legally as a "Hackney Carriage", can pick up passengers from a taxi rank or when flagged down anywhere on the street. After hailing a Black Cab, tell the driver through the passenger-side window where you'd like to go, then get into the back of the cab. After you reach your destination, get out of the cab and pay the driver through the passengers' window. A modest tip is appreciated, typically by rounding up the fare to make cash payment convenient and fast.
- The alternative, the minicab, must always be booked in advance, and will almost always cost less than a Black Cab for longer journeys. The saving achieved by using a pre-booked cab can be substantial, particularly for a long journey such as a transfer to or from the airport. Minicabs can be identified by a prominent TfL (Transport for London) "Private Hire" sticker on the rear windscreen and an identification license from the Public Carriage Office inside. Minicab companies typically operate 24-7, and their telephone numbers can be found in the Yellow Pages. An increasing number of minicab companies accept web-based bookings (either through their own websites or the increasing number of online cab booking portals now available), making it particularly convenient for the overseas traveller to book a trip before even arriving in London.
- Like many major cities, London has a ferociously-busy rush hour, running from about 8am to 9.30am and then again at about 4.30pm to 6pm. Avoid travelling during these times if you can, and if you must travel during rush hour, it's best to be travelling against the flow of traffic - out of London during the morning rush hour, or into it during the evening rush hour. The trains, tube and buses are usually extremely cramped, slow and unpleasant during rush hour.

6. Dine Out.

Restaurants in London are diverse, and rival those of some great American cities like New York and San Francisco. If you stick to British restaurants you're sure to find English ingredients like lamb shank on most menus. Restaurants of this calibre are a relatively new phenomenon and their standards have yet to trickle down to most mid-ranged eateries.
If you like ethnic food, London is the place to be. The choices are incredible - everything from street-corner kebab take-away to some of the finest Indian restaurants. Queensway is a great street to check out for everything from Moroccan to Afghan cuisine. Edgware Road is famous for its middle eastern cuisine. For Chinese food look no further than Chinatown in Soho.
Weekend brunch is very popular in London and provides a great opportunity to check out different areas. It will also save you some cash as brunch is always cheaper than dinner. There are some great blogs that give you insider tips on where to brunch such as londonbrunchreviewsbyarea.blogspot.com and londonreviewofbreakfasts.blogspot.com.
It's not uncommon to wait several minutes for a member of staff to acknowledge you. Only at the best restaurants will the staff conscientiously check on you to find out if you need anything. More than likely you'll place your order, get your food and then have to flag someone down to get your bill or anything else you might like. If you request water with your meal, bear in mind that you'll most likely be paying for a bottle of water unless you ask specifically for tap water.
A 10% tip for good service - and only for good service - is the general rule. Be sure to check your bill because a gratuity might already be included, typically itemized as a Service Charge. If you'll be eating regularly at a particular restaurant or café, be generous. They'll remember you for it and treat you accordingly.
It's a good rule of thumb to check your dining bill, as you should in any restaurant. Waiting staff are not beyond making mistakes.
Free refills are uncommon. To Americans every restaurant has free soda refills and it's considered unusually for refills to not be free. However in London it's exactly the opposite. The Majority of restaurants will bring you a bottle/can of soda which isn't refillable. Some restaurants do have free refills such as Pizza Hut or Harvesters but the majority don't.
The term Soda is not used for soft drinks (there is baking soda and soda crystals which are used for cleaning)

7. Carbonated drinks are better known as fizzy drinks, the can, carton or bottle container will normally indicate ‘sparkling or still’

There is normally a good selection of soft drinks available from newsagents and convenience stores.

8. Fizzy/sparkling soft drinks to look out for and try are: Rubicon, Fanta, Ribena, Lucozade, Sanpellegrino, Old Jamaica Ginger Beer, Tango, Rio, Irn Bru, Vimto, Lilt, Cloudy Lemonade, Orangina, in addition most of these will have different flavour options too.

Still/ soft drinks to try include Ribena, J20, Oasis and various fruit and coconut drinks.

9. There is also a good selection of sports and energy drinks.

10. Plan Your Itinerary.

The London Eye can provide an excellent view of Central London. It's particularly attractive at sunset.

The Thames: London is built on the Thames. On both sides of the river you're bombarded by attractions of historical, artistic, architectural and political significance - Big Ben, the houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - to name a few.

The museums in London are some of the best in the world and, with the exception of special exhibits, are free to the public. The Victoria and Albert Museum in Knightsbridge is packed full of articles used in everyday life in England going back thousands of years.

Seeing a show in London is an absolute must! Everything is concentrated in the West End, Theatreland runs neck-and-neck with the Great White Way. And while the large shows attract most of the tourists, locals know to look for productions by long established theatre companies like The Old Vic. For cheap theatre tickets be sure to check out the TKTS booth (the most known one is situated in Leicester Square).

Take advantage of the amazing music scene in London. It's a wonderful opportunity to see up-and-coming Brit bands before they explode in the US. Camden and London's trendy East End are great places to start.

In need of a workout? London parks and green spaces are some of the best in the world. Join other Londoners for an evening run or a bit of exercise at Regent's Park, Primrose Hill, Kensington Park or Hyde Park. Each provides excellent paths and beautiful scenery.

London has some of the finest shops in Europe. Considered among many as the fashion capital of Europe. Make sure you take the opportunity to browse some of the high end boutiques. Many can be found in Bond Street, Regent's Street and Knightsbridge. Dover Street market in Mayfair is particularly famous in the London fashion circles.

11. Take Safety Into Account.

When travelling on the Tube or walking around busy places, be alert. Keep your handbag and other possessions securely with you. You will be warned by signage about pickpockets in the tourist-heavy areas. You can have your back taken and the pickpocket can be out of sight before you even notice, so be very aware. However, there is no need to be scared -- it is generally safe to use public transport and walk around at night.

Never leave your handbag on the seat next you on the tube or in a restaurant or outdoor café. Also, if you hang your coat on a coat rack in a restaurant, be sure you didn't leave anything valuable in your coat pockets, like your mobile phone.

Always be aware of your surroundings and act accordingly. Don't rummage through your handbag or count the money in your wallet when you're riding the Tube or standing in the street.

If you stray off the beaten track chances are you will stray into a more rough and deprived area than the more tourist-friendly parts. Keep your wits about you.

I'm Mohamed Abdel Nasser :)

When I got to the Mosque of Mohamed ِAli . I should take off my shoes to enter the Great Mosque. It is really wonderful. Everyone should visit it.
some Info about this Mosque:
The great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha. Situated on the summit of the citadel, this Ottoman mosque, the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century, is, with its animated silhouette and twin minarets, the most visible mosque in Cairo. The mosque was built in memory of Tusun Pasha, Muhammad Ali's oldest son, who died in 1816.
This great mosque, along with the citadel, is one of the landmarks and tourist attractions of Cairo and is one of the first features to be seen when approaching the city from no matter which side.

The mosque was built on the site of old Mamluk buildings in Cairo's Citadel between 1830 and 1848, although not completed until the reign of Said Pasha in 1857. The architect was Yusuf Bushnak from Istanbul and its model was the Yeni Mosque^[1]^[2] in that city. The ground on which the mosque was erected was built with debris from the earlier buildings of the Citadel.
Before completion of the mosque, the alabastered panels from the upper walls were taken away and used for the palaces of Abbas I. The stripped walls were clad with wood painted to look like marble. In 1899 the mosque showed signs of cracking and some inadequate repairs were undertaken. But the condition of the mosque became so dangerous that a complete scheme of restoration was ordered by King Fuad in 1931 and was finally completed under King Farouk in 1939.

Muhammad Ali Pasha was buried in a tomb carved from Carrara marble, in the courtyard of the mosque. His body was transferred here from Hawsh al-Basha in 1857.
Muhammad Ali chose to build his state mosque entirely in the architectural style of his former overlords, the Ottomans, unlike the Mamluks who, despite their political submission to the Ottomans, stuck to the architectural styles of the previous Mamluk dynasties.
The mosque was built with a central dome surrounded by four small and four semicircular domes. It was constructed in a square plan and measured 41x41 meters. The central dome is 21 meters in diameter and the height of the building is 52 meters. Two elegant cylindrical minarets of Turkish type with two balconies and conical caps are situated on the western side of the mosque, and rise to 82 meters.
The use of this style, combined with the presence of two minarets and multiple half-domes surrounding the central dome — features reserved for mosques built on the authority of the Sultan — were a defiant declaration of de facto Egyptian independence.
The main material is limestone but the lower storey and forecourt is tiled with alabaster up to 11,3 meters. The external facades are severe and angular and rise about four storeys until the level of the lead-covered domes.
The mihrab on the southeastern wall is three storeys high and covered with a semicircular dome. There are two arcades on the second storey, rising on columns and covered with domes. Although there are three entrances on each side of the forecourt, the usual entry is through the northeastern gate. The forecourt measures 50x50 meters. It is enclosed by arched riwaks rising on pillars and covered by domes.
There is a brass clock tower in the middle of the northwestern riwak, which was presented to Muhammad Ali by King Louis Philippe of France in 1845. The clock was reciprocated with the obelisk of Luxor now standing in Place de la Concorde in Paris.

The interior has a measure of 41x41 meters and gives a great feeling of space. The use of two levels of domes gives a much greater sense of space than there actually is. The central dome rises on four arches standing on colossal piers. There are four semicircular domes around the central dome. There are four smaller domes on the corners as well. The domes are painted and embellished with motifs in relief. The walls and pillars are covered with alabaster up to 11 meters high.

Thanks for Wikipedia!

I'm Mohamed Abdel Nasser :))