hassle and harassment

I wasn't expecting the poverty of this country. Over 50 percent of the country is in complete poverty. Cairo is the dirtiest city I've ever been in, there seems to be a layer of dirt and grit over the whole city. Even some places of the Nile, in Cairo, are completely repulsive. Driving by one area on our way to a restaurant the river was filled with plastic bottles, random trash and even a dead horse.
The people are so desperate for money they just attack the tourists. By the pyramids they would literally pick up people, put them on camels and then the camels would trot away and you would have to pay them to get back to the group. It was crazy. And of course they can spot the americans and only want american money.
No one has messed with me, I think I give off this bitch vibe and they don't approach me but Its remarkable how aggressive they are. I wanted to buy one thing and knew I would have to bargain with the guy. I finally got it down to a reasonable price and took out my wallet to pay for it. Biggest mistake, I had euros in my wallet. When he saw the euros all he wanted was 5 euros, which would be a great deal more than what I was going to pay. Then he tried to give me all this other crap for the 5 euros. Finally I told him Egyptian pounds or nothing and he said "egyptian pounds are worthless, I don't want them" ... No shit.
Even when our boat was docking they were prepared. About 7 rowboats surrounded our cruise boat and they started throwing up dresses and scarf's asking for money, it was insane and hilarious.
Our tour director was telling us about the political situation in egypt and it was really awful. She actually wasn't legally allowed to talk about the current situation to tourist. The people here are so poor and so desperate that its heartbreaking.