And, speaking of baksheesh, you will notice that when you are using the museum's restrooms there will be janitors in there, hovering over the sinks. When you go over to wash after doing your business, they will hand you paper towels and then wiggle their fingers in front of you, as if to say "gimmie money." That is just what they're asking for -- baksheesh, which means "share the wealth." It's just like being in a 5-star restaurant's bathroom, only without the mouthwash.

Just about every restroom you use in Egypt will have a "baksheesh bandit" inside by the sinks. The only way to deal with this is (a) don't wash your hands after using the restroom, which is a bad idea in Egypt (b) shake-shake and drip-dry, or (c) bring your own travel-sized packets of paper towels. Not only are they handy and economical, but the look on the bandits' faces when you whip them out is priceless.

But if you do have to use their paper towels, or feel like contributing to the local economy in every way possible, don't tip them more than 2 pounds.

Over the portico, just above Hathor's horns, is an inscribed motto. It means "stop looking at the front of the building, stupid -- go inside, already."