Last month, 23-year-old Jacob Williams from Kingstanding, Birmingham, ventured abroad for the first time to celebrate his birthday in Egypt. This proud Brummie vlogger captured the journey on his YouTube channel, Brumtown UK, which has over 25,000 subscribers. His videos highlight the thrilling peaks and frustrating pitfalls of international travel.
Marveling at the Pyramids
Jacob relishes the iconic Pyramids, calling them a “breath of fresh air” that eclipses Birmingham’s BT Tower. The ancient wonders provide a refreshing change of scenery, offering a stark contrast to his usual West Midlands filming spots.
Facing Persistent Scammers
Taxi drivers and opportunists challenge the adventure. One driver diverts Jacob to a family business promoting horse rides instead of heading straight to the Pyramids. After intense haggling and offers of tea plus a shop tour, he finally reaches his goal on a second attempt.
Jacob Williams shares his insights: “I wanted to showcase this first experience and I did it solo. It gave my audience, people who resonate with me, a chance to join me on this journey for my first ever holiday.”
He anticipates the haggling due to the strong pound but draws a line at aggressive tactics. “I already knew the scammers were going to haggle me, I’m aware our currency rate is stronger. They can spot tourists and I can understand it’s a hustle… but there’s a way to go about it.”
Another incident involves an Uber driver canceling the ride and demanding cash, inflating the cost. “I asked the taxi driver to take me to the Pyramids. He drove to his uncle’s business where they ride horses to get money. I booked an Uber one time and the taxi driver cancelled. He asked to pay him in cash and it ended up costing me more money. It’s forceful to an extent. I didn’t want to call them scammers, but they were taking advantage, that’s a scam.”
Next Adventure Awaits
Undeterred, Jacob plans his second overseas trip. Audience feedback points to Pakistan as the top choice, fueling his ambition to explore further beyond Birmingham.
