Egypt's economy relies on two major factors: a $6billion tourist industry and a hefty cash inflow from the USA. When some bad apples set off bombs and hijacked buses at tourist sites some years ago, the government reacted by establishing a huge "tourist police" force and instituting travel convoys in certain areas. These steps are pure fantasy. The police are likely the most lethargic, bored and ineffective employees in the whole country. Most are just harmless - rather than helpful; a few, however, are out to make some extra money.
The ones in the picture above were clever enough to get hold of a few camels and then push you into having pictures taken with them. Some backsheesh is then demanded and they usually ask for a chunk of coin. This can be awkward, especially when there are no other people nearby.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the police who direct traffic at intersections throughout Cairo. Dressed in crisp, white uniforms, these guys control the uncontrollable. They are fearless in the midst of a storm of cars and they let no infraction pass. Any driver that disobeys them is stopped and gets an earful. If the traffic police were to run the government in Cairo or in Egypt for that matter, the place would be far better off.
