The times are a changin', or so it seems. Presidential candidates are all over TV to share their visions for what needs to be different so Egypt will prosper, hoping to convince voters that they will lead the country to a better future. An (...)
The Nile is one of Cairo's constants; its timeless movement brings a sense of calm and relaxation in its wake and provides a natural contrast to the dusty concrete that makes up most of the city.
The river offers many different distractions to (...)
As the first round of long weekends has come to an end, the timeline of my social media is filled with beach, pool and general sunshiny pictures. Board-shorts, bikinis and beverages fight for space on the never ending parade of portraits featuring (...)
The change of seasons in Egypt happens rapidly and some last a lot longer than others, depending on where you are. Winter is prominent in the north of the country, while summer seems to last forever in the south and autumn often passes without (...)
Maadi's latest addition to the restaurant scene, Tabla LUNA, is barely a week old and is creating quite a buzz. Serving a selection of inventive South American dishes that tantalise taste buds in a prime location in Degla, the new venue is filled (...)
We all like to be in the good opinion of others. If those on the outside judge that which is on our inside as commendable, our day to day exchanges are a little more pleasant and easy. And if we all fall into line and behave similarly, society as a (...)
I am the Queen of the Office. Having been a garden variety editor for the better part of two years, suddenly, my fortunes changed and I am on top of the heap. And all it took was a few well placed shimmies and shakes.
Until recently I was unaware of (...)
Anubis
A Libyan Novel
Ibrahim al-Koni
Translated by William M. Hutchins
Spirits interfere with a young Tuareg boy when he sets off into the desert to search for his father. While he finds solace on a lost oasis, soon others arrive and, as the (...)
Food will often give you the clues you need to know regarding what is happening in this country. Very smelly fish announces the arrival of spring, the sweet smell of mangoes heralds in summer and there is no winter until roasted batata appear on (...)
Last Saturday, 1 March, in one of the studios in Mohandessin, metal band Enraged presented Jeremiad, a five-song EP. In front of a select audience of friends and fans the band performed a few live songs and then the EP was played in its entirety. (...)
Eating clean, fresh and healthy food is a popular trend. Salad and juice bars offer local organic fruits and vegetables to those who are living a health conscious lifestyle, and more and more people decide to forgo chicken or beef a few days a week (...)
Despite my cynical disposition I actually like the concept of a new start. I love looking at a blank page; it holds the promise that anything can happen, like beautiful sentences flowing out of my fountain pen if only I would sit down and write. (...)
Christmas was both a joyful and solemn occasion for Coptic Christians in Egypt. While normally a highlight in the religious calendar, this time the celebrations were tempered by the remembrance of those lost to sectarian violence in the past year (...)
It has been years since I entered a discussion that centred on the premise that women are equal to men. Not because I do not think that we are, I simply do not see the point in wasting my breath to try to convince someone of this, to me, the most (...)
This Saturday, 28 September, Nawaya is organising the first Date Palm Festival under the header of Celebrating Egyptian date palm and its people. The festival start at 11am and will run for the whole day; it includes snacks, activities for children (...)
Finding high quality ingredients in Cairo to prepare delicious dinners at home is a hassle; it involves visiting several stores and you can never be sure that what you are looking for will be there this time around. Having a gourmet dinner in a (...)
Writing about art and culture has been a challenge the past few months. We were looking forward to reviewing the outdoor concerts that herald in the summer season, but this year people flocked to marches instead of performances to shout erhal in (...)
The Egyptian coast that lines the Red Sea, from the Sinai Peninsula all the way down to the border of Sudan, is peppered with towns that host all varieties of touristic facilities. For many years they have been favourite destinations for those in (...)
Bulldozers at work in front of Cairo University, Photo by Aaron T. Rose
After many weeks of being isolated from its surroundings, the cleanup of what was once the Al-Nahda sit-in is underway. Bulldozers push the remnants of tents, posters, (...)
Death has become a constant companion to us of late. The demise of those slain is brought about in various ways. Sticks, stones, knives, machetes, bullets and pellets of every variety and even bare hands are put to questionable use: all resulting in (...)
Accidents happen and although we may have a few Band-Aids, Betadine and a painkiller or two in our home medicine cabinet, in general we are not equipped to deal with anything more serious. First Aid and CPR in Egypt, a Cairo-based initiative, is (...)
Yoga is thought to be energising, invigorating and relaxing all at the same time, making it the perfect way to exercise during Ramadan. During the holy month, yoga teacher Iman [Amy] Elsherbiny will be teaching four yoga classes per week in Darb (...)
Ramadan starts today, Wednesday, but when you walk around the streets of Cairo it is hard to tell. Normally at this time of year they are filled with throngs of shoppers, stands that spill out from storefronts filled with dates, nuts and packages of (...)
I am sad and angry. Saddened by horrifying reports of sexual assaults that happened in Tahrir Square at night and angry because I cannot understand how the expression of a political view translates into mobs assaulting woman who are expressing their (...)
All around the country people are on the streets making their voices heard. Navigating through these heady times can be challenging, whether you are partaking in protests or not, so here are some tips on how to stay safe.
Getting around during the (...)