Helwa ya baladi (beautiful, my country)

In 1979, Dalida gave Egypt a fabulous tribute in what is probably the most captivating and memorable national song ever performed. Note: the meaning of Helwa in Arabic is much more than just beautiful in English, it is something more like sweetness, like honey.

Freedom Bus

Get on the bus!





The freedom bus is an initiative started by a friend of mine who was concerned about Egypt's upcoming elections and wanted to do something to improve education about rights. Manned by groups if volunteers, the bus travels around Egypt and delivers educational presentations, videos, role playing, and engages the citizens in the street in informed dialogue about the election process and democratic citizenship.





To learn more or support this incredible initiative, visit the group's Facebook Page for Freedom Bus

Egyptian Pizza

Egyptian pizza can be found at virtually all small local bakeries. It is like a mini-sized pizza (about the size of a hand), a bit drier than the North American version (less tomato sauce and less greasy cheese) and more bready than the thin Italian version. Has some mix of Egyptian spices added to it, which along with the Egyptian Romy cheese and the thin slices of green pepper and Egyptian black olives gives it a distinct taste as remote from the Italian original as "Hawaiian pizza" - but every bit as good. Inexpensive, yummy and a relatively healthy version of fast food, it's a fabulous snack/meal any time of day!

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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.

Resourcefulness

A Protestor protects his head
in the Egyptian Revolution
Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Egypt is a country of fabulous resourcefulness.

Walk Like an Egyptian