Gorgeous Gazebos

On your rooftop, your patio, at restaurants looking over the Cairo skyline, and at vacation resorts --- Egypt has some of the most lovely and romantic gazebos out there.

Fabulous Sunsets

Egypt has some fabulous locations to take in the sunset. Whether it is in a falucca floating along the Nile, or walking along the Corniche, from across the sand dunes in the desert, or in a vacation spot along the beach of either the Mediterranean or Red sea, or simply from rooftops over Cairo or your very own balcony, or even - stuck in traffic.

Travel to Egypt During Ramadan

Ramadan is a great time to come to Egypt. This video is oriented towards tourists from the Arab world, however it shows a glimpse into how special a time it can be to be in Egypt for all tourists. In 2011 Egypt needs your support.

Islamic Museum of Cairo

The newly renovated Islamic Museum of Cairo is a great place to visit to learn about art history in Egypt and the Middle East. It seems while the museum itself has been nicely renovated, its website is consigned to ancient history, so ignore the online site and go in person yourself to witness a fabulous collection of beautifully displayed artifacts.

Source: http://www.islamicmuseum.gov.eg/museum.html

As I wandered through the museum on my last visit, I wrote down a series of vocabulary from the titles on the items on display, the following was my luxuriant list of scribbles:

- Astrolabs
- Sundials
- Arches
- Geometric patterns
- Wood assembled "tongue and groove"
- Mother-of-pearl
- Marble inlaid with colored stones
- Colored glass windows
- Carved marble
- Vegetal design
- Mortars
- Hexagonal kohl container
- Surgical instruments
- Medical instruments
- Perfume bottles and chemical liquids
- Bowls with talisman inscriptions
- Pages of manuscript "benefits of herbs"
- Balance
- Anatomical panel of circulatory system, digestive spine and rib cage
- Prescriptions for treatment
- Ottoman
- Mamluk
- Wide use of geometrical compositions more than 12 centuries
- 12 c. polygon an essential figure of elaborate geometric patterns replaced by a star
- Geometric decoration in Egypt at peak under Mamluk reign
- Star replaced by decentralized composition - creates depth
- Fascinates eye
- Riot and harmony of geometry to enhance elaborate architecture
- Fountain carved marble resembling fish scales
- Blue and white tiles
- Fragments of a frieze with arabesque scrollwork
- Marble inlaid with black paste
- Floral and animal design
- Fish decoration
- Public fountains (sabil) 19c carved and painted marble
- Ceramic lusterware
- Kufic inscription
- Fatamid Ayyubid
- Arabic script, fluid letters
- Boundless inspiration
- Calligraphy
- Rules of proportion
- Lamps from madrasa
- Mihrab
- Colored glass inset in stucco
- Turned latticework (mashrabiyya)
- Wood joined and turned
- Court carpet from Iran
- Wool silk, silver threads
- Prayer carpet
- Textiles
- Spindles
- Knot methods
- No. of knot in each square inch increases value of carpet and durability
- Brocade
- Damask tapestry
- Embroidered
- Rich glass making
- Cameo glass
- Iranian potters
- Resemble ceramic lace
- Rich painted enamels
- Shallow reliefs enhanced with gold
- Decoration with metallic oxides
- Long-necked bottles
- Poet Firdawsi (Iranian) The Book of Kings (The Shahnama)
- 13 c. Mongols promoted great artistic accomplishments in Iran
- Timurid empire / Tamerlane
- Buyids
- Samanids
- Ghaznavids
- Copper alloy jug inlaid with gold
- Candlesticks
- Mirrors with ring of lions
- Quranic inscriptions stand out in cobalt on a metallic luster background
- Turquoise ceramic
- Mongol Ilkhanid Dynasty
- Overglaze painting
- Lapis Lazuli
- Cobalt blue
- White red blue enamels
- Manuscript
- Compass
- Panels from cenotaphs
- Tubercle
- Saddle cloth cotton and silk brocade with metallic thread red and gold
- Fascination with numbers order and structure
- Candlestick with ducks
- Coins
- Salah al Din
- Glass vessels
- Gold dinars
- Panels decorated with birds
- Collection of gold jewellery
- Dishes with dance and music scenes
- Desert hare
- Gazelle
- Lion sphinx and hare

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is fabulous. Next to it, Nescafe (or American coffee) seems like flavored stale water. As they prepare the Turkish coffee in Egypt, it is so incredibly flavorful and strong, they add amazing spices which include delicious cardamom in the coffee grind.


The best made coffee has a nice little thick bubbly layer on top, called wissh (or face in English). You can put a few drops of cold water into this with your finger - I am not sure why this is done, but I think it has something to do with getting the grains to settle at the bottom.

Be careful, do not drink the cup to the bottom! Leave the grains behind!

Interesting facts:
- in Albania they drink the same coffee but with milk

- if you get tummy troubles while traveling in Egypt, be sure to ask for a cup of Turkish coffee prepared with lemon - all of the Nile cruises are well acquainted with this natural remedy.

- Egyptian fortune-telling is done by turning the remains of a clear glass of coffee cup upside down and reading the patterns in the grains.

Palm Trees

 

Gorgeous. Love them. Palm trees always make me feel like I'm on vacation, even when I'm not.

Taxi Rides

In Egypt, riding in a taxi can be a real adventure. Taxis drivers are the ears and eyes of the city and talking to them (usually they are quite gregarious and talkative) can reveal tons of stories and insight.

Al Azhar Park

Al Azhar Park was a project by the Aga Khan foundation, a fabulous undertaking, a gorgeous reclaimed green space in Cairo. Beautiful proximity to the Citadel, Khan el Khalili and the heart of Cairo - from Al Azhar park you have a stunning view of Cairo, and on a clear day you can even see the pyramids. Great restaurants and cafes, children's playgrounds, beautiful gardens filled with fresh herbs, summer plays and music concerts, and even statues made of out of the recycled waste from the previous dump that was in the location. Fa-bu-lous.

Beaches that need to be inhabited

Egypt has some gorrrrrgeous fabulous beaches that don't get the recognition they deserve. This summer, the beaches are too empty - tourism has been hit not only from the revolution but also due to Ramadan being in the summer this year.

These beaches are in need of some love. Come visit Egypt people.

(the beaches pictured above are in Marsa Matrouh, a hidden gem).

Geroland

Geroland is one of those fabulous locations in Egypt that does not receive the attention it really deserves. Tucked away behind the GolfCity mall in El Obour City just outside of Cairo, Geroland makes for a great afternoon with little kids. For anyone who has ever been to Toronto - it sort of reminds me of Toronto's Centerville Island. The rides are classics: the requisite carousel, along with bumper cars and a haunted house (which was too spooky for my little one to enter yet). There are flying dinosaurs, whirring boots, gentle rocket rides, and small spinning teacups, and a nice swan ride too. Lots of ice cream stands, fresh juice, cotton candy - typical amusement park fare with some Egyptian specialties thrown in like hummus (chick peas).

Makes for a great day, and another very welcoming place with small kids.

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Unmatched Hospitality

I've been told that travellers are considered to be like orphans, in need of extra care and shelter.

Just a few weeks ago, when the revolution here in Egypt was just getting underway, there was an evening when we found ourselves on the streets after curfew and needed a place nearby to stay. A woman who was a "friend of a friend" took us in. All NINE of us, complete strangers. And treated us as if we were family.

The expression "A friend in need is a friend indeed" can easily be changed here in Egypt to: "A stranger in need is family indeed."

Now, crisis situations do have the tendency to pull people together, but this sort of hospitality is not just limited to emergencies in Egypt; it is the norm.

This sort of welcoming environment makes it easy for foreigners to quickly call Egypt Home.

Night Swimming in January

A few nights ago, I took my daughter to a swim class after sunset.
Quite fabulously, it is January.

My daughter's swim class at the club. She's at the top corner of the pool.
Note the silver orb of the moon at the top left.

This is how children look in Canada in January:

(Randy from "A Christmas Story",
filmed about 10 minutes from where I grew up
for more on Canadian winter bliss watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW4IZ0Flh3M)

Need I say more?

Fairytale Landscapes

Fabulous view of Cairo from Al Azhar Park
(Muhammad Ali Mosque top left)

Whenever my 3 year old daughter passes by the Muhammed Ali mosque (atop Saladin's Citadel), she calls it her "castle". Indeed, Egypt's landscape is dotted with castles, ancient fortifications, minarets, domes, giant pyramids, grandiose temples, exotic dunes, black sands, hallowed valleys and mountains. In fact, there is so much to be captured one eyeful, that sometimes we cannot SEE. 

It just takes a young child's whimsical comments about the castles surrounding her to remind us of the magical history of human culture and civilization that fabulously surrounds us at every corner.

Sandal Weather - ALL YEAR ROUND

Fabulous Freedom of Toes

I think the vast majority of Egyptians really don't know how good they have it when it comes to the weather. As a Canadian, I can attest - its "milla/milla" (perfect!).

In Canada, we would LOVE to wear sandals all year round. There are some who even try (nearing the sanity of those who do the Polar Bear Plunge). Unless you are living in Vancouver, then it's really not a good idea; instead of your toes being happy, they will just have frost bite.

In Egypt however, your toes are uber-happy from the royal treatment they receive: fresh air, sun tanning, freedom to move and not be cloistered by socks. Flaunt them with rings, pedicures, lovely leather Egyptian sandals, strappy high heels, you can wear your sandals ALL YEAR ROUND.

A felucca ride on the Nile at sunset

Sunset while sailing on the Nile in the heart of Cairo

By far, my favorite thing in Egypt. 

A felucca is a traditional small sailboat used in Egypt and the Mediterranean. 

There is something quite fabulous about being in the midst of a great metropolis like Cairo, surrounded by the frenetic cacophony of lights, sights, and sounds - from the unremitting song of car horns to those of wedding singers, from the lights of the Cairo tower to the neon lights of mosques and billboards...

And in the midst of all this hubbub, you find this incredible space of absolute calm.

Warm winds kiss your face and subtle waves rock you smoothly along the water. Golden sunshine turns to rosy and gently melts away in ripples against the horizon. 

This wooden vessel is a cocoon for lovers, families, fishermen, tourists, friends, a great place to have a picnic lunch, or to steal a midnight kiss, to have amazing discussions, or just plain to relax, chill out, and enjoy peace.