Currency Exchange: Banking hours are normally Sat.-Thurs. 8:30am-12:30pm, with some banks open for l-2hr. past 4pm, except on Thurs. Money exchangers are also open in the morning and late afternoon. Bring a passport to exchange traveler’s checks. Convenient banks include the Arab Bank (tel. 31 35 45) across a vacant lot from the Nile Palace Hotel and the Housing Bank (tel. 31 53 25).

American Express: International Traders Travel Agency Office (tel. 31 37 57), 1 block west of Ailah Sq., a few doors from the Ali Baba Restaurant. P.O. Box 136. Open Sat.-Thurs. 8am-lpm and 4-7pm, a couple of hours Fri. mornings if business is good.

Central Post Office: 2 blocks uphill from Ailah Sq. (tel. 31 39 39), next to the large radio tower. Poste Restante and National Express service here, international calls and telegrams next door. Open Sat.-Thurs. 7:30am-7pm, Fri. 7:30am-1:30pm. Telephone code: 03.