"Desert Castle" a Qasr `Amrah Travel Page by antistar

Hazim, the bedouin and his tea.

Hazim greeted me as I entered Qasr Al Amra, he was a fine guide and a genuine Bedouin. After surprising him with my few hastily learned words of Arabic ("salam alaikoum!"), he insisted I come inside and drink tea with him. And more tea. And more tea. He spoke pretty good English, but he didn't seem to understand "no thanks", "I've had quite enough tea now, thank you", and "I've really got be going or I'll never get back to my hotel before the sun goes down."

His tour of the castle was brief, but fascinating, and I regret now not giving him any money. At the time I was unsure whether I was supposed to pay guides, or whether they were part of the entrance fee, but I later learned that all the guides seem to live off the money they get from showing people around. I guess he was to polite to ask, and I felt uncomfortable offering money. I really wish I'd made the effort now.

If you go there, and see Hazim, give him a couple of dinar from me!