South West Cairo January 2016 issue 20

Truly Love Egypt

South West Cairo January 2016 Issue 20

The Nile Memphis Pyramids galore EXTRA: Merry Eastern Christmas!

Recipe: Basbosah

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE The great Mennefer (Memphis) and the region around it!

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EXTRA: MERRY EASTERN CHRISTMAS!

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TRULY LOVE NATURE The Nile; Egypt’s glorious river!

Cont 8 Nature

12 TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES Watch Ancient Egypt come to life and find the artist in you!

16 SCRAPBOOK PAGE 18 TRULY LOVE HISTORY Memphis and its amazing necropolises!

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18 Step Pyramid

tents

24 TRULY LOVE SHOPPING Everything you can think of!

28 TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE A dash of class, a hint of romance and a splash of culture!

32 TRULY LOVE INVESTING One of the largest and fastest growing suburbs in the world is expanding!

24 Shopping

34 TRULY LOVE CUISINES Basbosah; a delicious dessert with Turkish origins

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FEATURED TRANSLATOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER Silvia Pavolini

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UPCOMING ISSUE

28 Nightlife!

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Indicates a pyramid The map above shows south west Cairo (or south of Giza). A suburb of Greater Cairo and is south of the Giza Pyramids Plateau. Its most prominent features are a strip of various pyramids, built during different dynasties (left), and Memphis with its various temples (right).

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE Our mission is to deliver the most accurate, up-to-date information in order to show different kinds of visitors what may interest them.

South west Cairo, also known as southern Giza, is an area in Greater Cairo. As it is a huge area, it encompasses various types of landscapes with different historical backgrounds.

The area to its east, which is the closest to the existing Nile, used to be farmland. The buildings there are relatively new with most of them built in the late 20th century. Many empty plots of land remain which allow for urban expansion, as explained in the investment article.

The middle area of this region is a mix between farmland and areas of high population. The fields, being so close to residential areas, ensure fresh produce daily.

The western part of the region is desert and is where history is prominent. Memphis, founded by Pharaoh Menes in about 3000 BC, was once a great capital of Egypt.

The Greeks named it Memphis; however, it was known to Coptic Egypt as Menf which is short for Mennefer. As it was customary for ancient Egyptians to establish their cities on the east bank of the Nile and necropolises on the west bank, it

is logical to assume that, in ancient Egypt, a wide branch of the Nile was to the west of Memphis. More on the Nile in the nature article.

Today, a narrow canal lies west of Memphis and to the west of that lies the desert with a vertical trail of various pyramids built during different dynasties, including the famous Step Pyramid. Historical accounts of how the pyramids were built also prove that the Nile used to be located between Memphis and the pyramids. Learn about Memphis and its necropolises in the history article.

The northern part of the region is a high-end area with finer hotels, malls, restaurants and embassies.

Read about the malls in the shopping article and the hotels and restaurants in the nightlife article.

South west Cairo offers an assortment of 3 to 5 star hotels and various means of transportation; buses, taxis and microbuses.

Average temp: May to September 35C, October to April 25C Manager, Editor and Designer

Amani Adel Sarkiss

Manager, Editor and Designer Amani Adel Sarkiss Freelance Writers Basma Amer Enas Elmohands Omar Ibrahim Amal Sarkiss Photography: Yasser El-Rasoul: p10 t op , p1 6 & p 17 background, p21, p 38 Silvia Pavolini: bottom, p18, p19

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Amani Sarkiss: p3, p11, p16 & 17 small pics, p24 to p32 Ayman Amer: p2 top, p9 Amal Sarkiss: p34 P36 & 37 : individuals Yahoo images: other pics

Ideas and content are copyright and property of Sarkiss Publicity and Advertising Registered in Egypt: 64958 sarkiss@trulyloveegypt.com 5

Merry Eastern Chri For answers to the following questions, please check out Truly Love Egypt issue 7.

Who are the Copts and what is Coptic?

When and how did Christianity start in Egypt?

How do Egyptian Christians view themselves?

What is the percentage of Christians in Egypt?

Which church do they follow?

Are Egyptian Christians discriminated against in Egypt?

What is the difference between Eastern and Western Christmas?

What are the signs of the approach of Christmas in Egypt?

istmas

TRULY LOVE NATURE

By Basma Amer

Map of Egypt in 1450 BC, showing most of the Nile being part of Egypt proper (dark green) and the light green areas being regions subject to Egypt. http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egypt-maps.html 8

The Nile in Aswan

Nilus -known today as the Nile River- is the longest river in the world, extending more than 6,000 kilometers (more than 4,000 miles). The Nile flows northward and is created by the combination of the White Nile River, which drains from Lake Victoria in Uganda, and the Blue Nile River, which drains from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. The Nile River continues northward where it flows into the Nile Delta and then into the Mediterranean. As indicated in the map on the left, the Nile itself has always been part of the Egyptian territory even though it passes through several other countries.

History The river has a significant history, especially

when it comes to Egypt. The Ancient Greeks called it Nilus, which was the name of their Nile River god. But Ancient Egyptians used to call it Ar or Aur (black), because of the black sediments that appear during the yearly floods and make the land so fertile.

The Nile would flood during the warmer months of the year, leading Ancient Egyptians to believe the flood was due to Isis’ tears over the death of her beloved husband, Osiris. Today, however, it is understood that the annual summer floods are due to the heavy rains and the melting of snow in the southern hemisphere where it is then the winter months. Because of the yearly floods, Ancient Egyptians created a three-cycled calendar: Akhet, Peret and Cont.

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The Nile in Minya

The Nile in south Cairo

The Nile in Zamalek

Shemu. Akhet marked the months when the Nile floods occurred, Peret marked when it was time to plant seeds and Shemu marked the months of harvest. The Nile was vital for the agricultural needs of Ancient Egyptians and continues to be so for today’s Egyptians.

Wildlife In addition to the Nile River’s geographical and historical characteristics, there is the river’s wild side. There is a variety of dangerous, exotic and beautiful creatures waiting to be explored. The most famous, of course, is the Nile crocodile. The reptile can grow up to 20 feet in length (6 meters) and weigh 1,650 pounds (730 kg). In addition to this interesting specimen, there are hippopotamuses which were once considered

river horses by Ancient Egyptians, rhinos, African tiger fish, mudfish (Clarias Anguillaris), vundu catfish, marbled lungfish, African knife fish, Nile perch which is a beautiful but fierce silver fish, African soft-shell turtle, Nile monitor which is an aggressive lizard that can grow up to 7 feet, African shoebill, African sacred ibis, African common toad, Nile tilapia, dice water snake, Egyptian goose and red tail catfish.

It is important to note that the Aswan High Dam keeps ferocious wildlife, such as the Nile crocodiles, behind it in Lake Nasser.

Overall, the Nile River has a splendid history with so much to offer in its gorgeous scenery and amazing nature. It is truly a magnificent work of nature’s art awaiting your arrival.

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TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES

By Basma Amer

Greater Cairo, an amazing place full of excitement and fun, is a spectacular getaway.

It is a hustling, bustling city infused with history and culture. There are several activities you and your family can experience.

Located on the west bank of the Nile, on Jacob’s Island, is one of the finest museums in Egypt. The museum is a real-life miniature village depicting Ancient Egyptian civilization. The actors and actresses portray different aspects of Ancient Egyptian life, including agriculture, pottery, sculpture, paper making using papyrus, weaving and more. The museum has beautifully replicated temples from the cities of Luxor and Aswan and, to make it even more exciting, there is a replica of King Tutankhamen’s tomb (a.k.a. King Tut).The tomb consists of scenes from the entrance passage, the antechamber, the burial chamber, King Tutankhamen’s mummy, the shrines in the burial chamber and the treasury.

In addition to the Ancient Egyptian aspect, there are several sub-museums dedicated to Cleopatra, Coptic history, Islamic history, Napoleon and Egypt’s modern history. There are folkloric shows, restaurants, shops, yachts, an art center and a children’s garden. This place, without a doubt, is an interactive museum that makes learning for all ages interesting, dynamic and fun.

Another great place to visit is located 12.5 km down Maryoutia Canal. Imagine an outdoor art arena capturing the different cultures of every visitor. Parents and children can bond over creating art canvases, painting on walls, making pottery, playing with clay, learning carpentry, playing music, dancing, making jewelry etc. It is a magnificent place for everyone to bring out and express the artist in them. The place also includes a playground, horseback and donkey rides and traditional Egyptian bread and fiteer facilities. There is no Cont.

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easy way to describe fiteer but if you imagine bread and pastry having a baby, it would be fiteer. You will definitely have a tasteful experience.

Another amazing place is the ruins of Memphis, located at the mouth of the Nile Delta. Once a capital and a great city, it is now an open-air museum with a statue of Ramses II lying down and another of an alabaster sphinx.

A great view of the scene is from the second floor pavilion. Located twenty minutes away is Saqqara, an ancient necropolis belonging to the city of Memphis with a long trail of various pyramids, including Djoser Pyramid (also known as the Step Pyramid) and the Abousir pyramids to the north.

These activities will take you back to Egypt’s ancient era and allow you to fully appreciate their massive handcrafts and various works of art. In general, there is so much to do in Greater Cairo and fun is a never-ending

journey for you and your family. So when deciding where to travel on your next vacation, make sure you choose Egypt.

Tips: Interactive museum: located at 3 Al-Bahr Al-A’zam Street, about six miles from the center of Cairo. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm and hours extend to 7 pm or 9 pm during summer months. There are different programs and the entrance fees vary according to your choice of program.

Art arena: The entrance fee is $4 per child.

Parents pay only if they wish to take part as well. You may bring your own food and beverages.

Entrance fees: As of July 2013, the entrance fees to the pyramids are $12, $12 to enter Saqqara and $6 for Memphis. However, while planning your trip, please make sure to ask about prices in case any changes have been made.

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SCRAPBOOK PAGE

TRULY LOVE HISTORY

By Amani Sarkiss

Memphis, located at present day Mit Rihena in southern Giza, was once a great capital of ancient Egypt. It was founded in about 3000 BC by the great King Menes who united the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt. The city was named Memphis by the Greeks, which is the translation of Mennefer meaning “the good place” in ancient Egyptian and shortened as Menf/Manf. It had two other names in ancient Egyptian; Hut-ka-Ptah which means “mansion of the ka of Ptah” -as Ptah was the god of Memphis and a great temple was erected in his honour- and Ineb Hedj or “White Walls” in reference to the colour of the king’s palace.

Many great names in history had connections with the city. Amenhotep II was born in

Memphis and was a high priest there.

Akhenaton built a temple in honour of Aton in Memphis; however, Ptah remained the most prominent god there.

Being an important city over a long period of time, Memphis was strongly affected by political and social turmoil. The Hyksos ruled Egypt from Memphis even though their capital was Tanis. After the expulsion of the Hyksos, Thebes became the capital of Egypt.

Still, Memphis continued to be the political center. During the Roman period, Memphis was still an important capital. But the rise of Christianity resulted in the defacing and destruction of many of its temples.

Nevertheless, it is still worth visiting this open air museum. Most of the temples are in Cont.

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ruins but some statues and other objects remain, such as an alabaster sphinx that dates back to the 18th dynasty. It is 8 meters long and 4 meters tall and is believed to have stood near the Temple of Ptah.

Another object that was found near the temple of Ptah is a massive limestone statue of Ramses II. Having badly damaged legs, it lies on its back inside the Memphis Museum.

Despite its missing parts, it measures 13 meters. Ramses II is known for having more colossal statues than any other pharaoh. His statue shows him as a powerful king, towering high above the land with his left foot in front of his right foot, expressing his authority and control.

Memphis’ cemeteries or necropolises are to its west, located vertically and appear as a long trail of pyramids. From north to south, the pyramid fields are Abou Rawash, Giza,

Zawiyet AlAryan, Abou Sir, Ṣaqqarah and Dahshour. Page 4 shows a map of the area.

The extensive cemeteries of Memphis provide a glimpse of the city’s importance.

The famous Step Pyramid was built by Imhotep for King Djoser of the 3rd dynasty.

There are several unfinished pyramids near Memphis which were built for other 3rd dynasty kings. During the 4th dynasty, Snefru built two pyramids at Dahshour. The Sphinx and the three Great Pyramids of Giza were built for later 4th dynasty pharaohs. King Shepseskaf, of the same dynasty, built his tomb at Saqqarah. However, it is not a pyramid. It is an oblong structure with sloping sides and referred to as the Pharaoh’s Mastaba. There are several other masatabas nearby as well such as the Mastaba of Ti. Moreover, the area has various tombs such as those belonging to Nefer, Ptahhotep, Cont.

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Iy-Nefret, Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep.

During the 5th dynasty, Abou Sir was also used as the burial ground for the pharaohs.

Even though these pyramids are much smaller than the Giza ones, they were well decorated with engravings and beautiful reliefs. It was at this same time that the temple dedicated to the sun god, Ra, was erected nearby. During the 12th dynasty, pyramids were built in Dahshour. Each one of the pyramids in this vertical trail is unique; a different shape, a different size, a different stage of construction, some with exquisite reliefs and most full of mysteries with their

underground labyrinths of corridors and rooms.

Other than pyramids and mastabas, there is a wealth of things to see in the area: the Imhotep Museum, the Serapeum, cult center for the Apis bulls and several temples such as a temple dedicated to the cat goddess, Bastet, and “The Doors of the Cats� where hundreds of cat mummies were found.

The Memphis archaeological area became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Archeologists believe that a lot more still lies beneath the surface which is why excavations in the area continue.

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TRULY LOVE SHOPPING

By Amani Sarkiss

Southern Giza, being part of Greater Cairo, offers diverse experiences for every shopper.

So get ready for a wonderful shopping spree that is bound to fulfill your every need and desire.

If you are looking for great evening attire with complementing footwear, swimwear for your next vacation spot or even sportswear and you are willing to spare no expense, then the classy shopping mall on Murad Street is definitely the place to go. Most popular brands showcase their products there.

Another great thing about this mall is that the restrooms are super clean and the restaurant on the ground floor is well lit and quite inviting. The mall is the size that you can

take your kids to without worrying. It is big enough to have all the shops and facilities you need but not the size that might result in your kids getting lost or even you losing your way.

If you are looking for locally made clothes, home appliances and the like, then Giza Street is only a ten minute walk from Murad Street.

There, you will find every gadget you can think of at reasonable prices. Various shops sell plates, cups, children’s clothes, rugs etc. There are also furniture shops in case you are looking for wooden kitchen cabinets, tables etc. There are many pharmacies where you can find all your pharmaceutical needs. All this makes Giza Street a great place to find all your basic necessities.

Cont.

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But the best place for fresh vegetables has to be Al-Bahr Al-A’zam Street. For the whole length of the street, you will find today’s fresh pick straight from the nearby fields.

The in-season fruit and vegetables are sold on various kinds of vehicles; horse/donkey drawn carts, makeshift motorbikes and pickup trucks. The farmers send one of their family members to sell their produce which means that you might see a ten year old vendor. But it also means the produce is always fresh and at great prices.

For handmade products, southern Giza offers you the chance to make your own.

The art arena -mentioned in the day activities article- allows you to create your very own pieces of art. It has an array of activities for you to choose from and the result is art that is 100% unique and personal. Why buy it if you can make it using the exact colour you want it to be?

Southern Giza offers a complete shopping experience, fulfilling your every need. The upscale mall, the abundant fruit and vegetable carts and the self-created handcrafts make it a great place to spend a whole day shopping.

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TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE

By Enas Elmohands

Most of the buzz in Giza swarms the north but there’s a whole other part of Giza with a trendy scene. The south of Giza (or southwest Greater Cairo) has more than its academic and research facilities; it has bars, cruises and clubs that one can fancy.

One of New York’s treasured bars has found its way to southwest Cairo at a favoured international hotel. What better way to introduce the southwest than through its embrace of night culture from America’s North East? As the perfect cocktail of nerd-isms and party-isms, it’s suitable for those looking to re-read the Odyssey with wine-coloured glasses or those looking to have epic adventures of

their own over dry martinis and whatever-thatdrink-is-called-with-the-tequila. This is just some of the trending places you can find along the waters of the Nile. Another great club located on Giza Street has some of the best music in Cairo with a hit DJ, an Asian fusion menu and international spirits. It’s a place where young socialites mingle—I mean it’s only expected considering it’s a five star hotel club. I recommend the sushi. ;) If you want to skip the bar scene and just relax, there are also a wealth of cafes along the water, with beautiful sunset views and subtle aromas of peaches & cream shisha and caramel-nut coffee!

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If you’re looking for luxurious accommodation and some top-notch amenities, there is a country club in Saqqarah, with a renowned equestrian facility. It holds international horse shows with the best Arabian horses in the Middle East. It also offers cross-desert adventure trips. It has a cool pool you can spend the day lounging in, a cigar lounge with a grand fire place and terrace lounges with views of the desert, the equestrian stables and the pool. It’s a perfect place for families, couples and travelers with inspiring activities for all ages.

Some of you may be tired of land at this point, after a desert trek or two later, and that’s perfect

because you can opt out for a Nile dinner cruise.

The river is practically frothing with them!

Typically, they have buffets with a variety of Italian or Middle Eastern food as well as romantic lighting, imported drinks and fantastic entertainment. And hey, there’s one cruise that is reputed to be an Agatha Christie inspired experience! It’s a great way to have an intimate evening along the banks of the Nile.

All in all, as in any part of Egypt, you can always find a dash of class, a hint of romance and a splash of culture. Enjoy your stay and let us know what you think!

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TRULY LOVE INVESTING

By Omar Ibrahim

This section is dedicated to small and medium sized investors looking for possibilities to invest their money from afar or move to a country where sunshine, sea and relaxation are a way of life.

In terms of the huge possibilities in its business arena, indicated by the extremely vibrant human presence for approximately 7 millenniums, southwest Cairo has considerable opportunities to capitalize on.

Being within the informal boundaries of the Egyptian capital, it’s well understood that its business climate is one of the most favourable in the country, taking into account the vital location, the availability of workforce and the high population density.

A number of projects are proposed to facilitate public transportation and also to decrease road congestion. For example, Cairo’s Nile ferry service has long been left to decay under the influence of rust and a quiescent administration. At the time of this publication, the whole fleet (41 boats) is for sale. The investor is expected to revamp the service in order to expand the routes, restore the 16 old terminals and build 12 new ones.

The cost of the project is estimated at USD 78 million.

The area, part of the largest Middle Eastern metropolis and one of the largest and fastest growing suburbs in the world, is expanding in terms of population and urbanization.

Various real estate projects, from economic housing to luxury integral residential compounds, are spreading by leaps and bounds. Whether you’re a small or a medium sized investor, Egypt’s exceptionally facilitated business climate will help you start your most apposite real estate project.

The growing population also aggravates the burden on the healthcare system, especially that of Greater Cairo, which entails the need for building new hospitals. Announced by the Ministry of Health is an opportunity for foreign investors to cooperate in the building of a general hospital in Giza which will serve to increase the number of hospital beds, alleviating the persistent crowdedness in large public hospitals.

Moreover, pretty much self evident is the

feasibility of all kinds of recreational services for both the growing population and the large number of tourists. A trend which has recently been promulgating -or rather increasingly treated as a necessity among middle and upper class Egyptians - is private sporting clubs, which also serve as exclusive social spaces. In addition to providing all the adequate services, think of decorating the project with a special flare which would guarantee fast and pervasive publicity.

In southwest Cairo, tourism is undoubtedly nonnegligible. The pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur and the Memphis area are expected to receive serious scrutiny from the government in its endeavor to increase the competitiveness of a highly vital sector like tourism. Once a plan is actualized, investors will be welcomed to reinforce the tourism infrastructure and to inject capital into hospitality services like hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities.

All this, added to it Egypt’s recent tendency towards facilitating direct investment, indicate a hospitable ambient for your project to start and a fast and secure return on investment.

Regulations and Safety Issues 1. Do not drink tap water and do not eat food sold on the street.

2. If you want to use taxis in Cairo, it is best to stick to the white ones and ensure they turn on their meters when you get in. It is up to you whether or not to tip them.

3. Cairo is cosmopolitan so residence are used to foreigners. However, some parts of south west Cairo are conservative so ladies who wear shorts may want to have a slip on skirt/trousers handy.

4. Although there is no real reason for it, it’s safer to keep your passport at your hotel.

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TRULY LOVE CUISINES

By Amal Sarkiss

Basbosah

Basbosah is a popular dessert in Egypt and other Arabic speaking countries. It is particularly favored during the fasting month of Ramadan as a dessert after breaking the fast. Its name is derived from the Arabic word “bas” which means mixing flour and ghee together by hand. In some Arabic speaking countries, basbosah may be called “namorah” or “harisah”.

Basbosah is one of a group of desserts known as “Shami Desserts”. “Shami” refers to the Syrian and Lebanese region; a region that is famous for making this delicious dessert. However, it was actually brought to Middle Eastern and North African countries by the Turks during the Ottoman reign. In most of these countries, including Egypt, basbosah is eaten cold but preferred warm in Saudi Arabia. Egyptians added their touch by using yogurt instead of milk, which adds to the flavor as well as to its nutritional value.

Basbosah is mainly made from semolina which comes from durum wheat. It contains important trace elements like potassium (for good kidney functions), phosphorus (for bone health) and zinc and magnesium (for a healthy immune system). Semolina also contains vitamin E (an antioxidant) and B group which are important for the health of the nervous and immune systems.

Basbosah is an especially sweet dessert; high in sugar and fat. So if you have a sweet tooth like me, my advice is make basbosah only when you have company to share it with.

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Preparation time

Cooking Time

Serves

10 min

40 min

10—14

Ingredients: For the basbosah dough: 2 cups semolina 1 tsp baking powder 1 cup melted butter or ghee 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup plain yogurt 2/3 cup shredded coconut (optional) For the syrup: 2 cups sugar

2 cups water 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp rose water/ orange blossom water/ vanilla extract

For the topping: ½ cup of your desired nuts: almonds, pistachios or blanched hazelnuts (optional) ½ cup shredded coconut (optional)

Directions: Start by making the syrup. Add sugar and water in a pot and place over high heat. When the sugar completely dissolves, add lemon juice, turn the heat down and let simmer for about 10 minutes to make a light syrup.

Remove from heat and add rose water, vanilla extract or orange blossom water. Set aside.

There is no need to cool the syrup down. It will be used warm.

In a bowl, add melted butter -after it cools down a bit- to semolina and gently mix by rubbing them together between the palms of your hands. Make sure the butter is evenly distributed into the semolina.

Add the rest of the ingredients by stirring them in gently. Then mix by hand until you get a homogenous consistency. It is important that you don’t use a blender or a mixer as that would initiate the formation of gluten in the dough and make it harden.

Grease a shallow pan with butter and pour in the dough. Spread the dough evenly to about ½ inch thickness.

Spread the desired nuts on top of the dough and slightly press them down so they are well imbedded in the dough.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180 *C for ½ hour or until golden.

Pour half the syrup onto the basbosah while it is still hot; just out of the oven. Wait for a couple of minutes for the syrup to be absorbed and then pour the other half.

Let cool. Cut into squares or diamond shaped pieces and serve.

Variations:  Basbosah can be plain with no coconuts or nuts, or it can contain a combination of them.  It is usually eaten cold but may be eaten warm.  Coconut may be added to the mix or sprinkled on when served or both.  It may be served with fresh cream.

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Silvia Pavolini Silvia Pavolini, born in Rome, Italy and currently happily living in Alexandria, Egypt, is a passionate and curious person in constant search for new adventures to enrich her mind and soul.

After studying history, anthropology and archeology and graduating with a BA in Egyptology, she headed to Egypt to discover its people and beautiful but lost civilization.

A year ago, after joining one of the first photography clubs in Egypt, she began studying professional photography and started to capture the beauty of modern Egypt and its people. Egypt has plenty of breathtaking panoramas and Silvia will always remember the astonishing beauty of lights and tones of colors of her first dusk on the peak of Mount Moses, her first sunset in the White Desert and the view of the Nile surrounded by green fields and palms from the top of Mount Tayar in Minya.

Travel comes first on her list. She never regrets even the most unplanned trips.

Her preferences are relaxing and regenerating herself at the sunny beaches and crystal blue sea of Ras ElHekma on the North Coast, the vertigo deep blue under the coral reefs of Ras Mohamed and the Blue Hole in Dahab. She enjoys the peaceful environment and the warm welcoming of the Coptic monks of St. Paul’s Monastery on the Red Sea and the White Monastery in Sohag, embraced by the smell of incense, beeswax and fresh orban.

She always practises sports even when she travels. She truly enjoyed biking in

the countryside of the west bank in Luxor, trekking in the rocky desert around St. Catherine’s in Sinai, swimming with dolphins offshore Berenice and scuba diving with funny Picasso fish and sea turtles in Ras Mohamed.

She loves cooking and testing the benefits of herbs and spices, sharing knowledge with spice sellers and discovering new flavours in Aswan Market, picking golden dates from Siwa palms and sipping rabble infusion with Sinai Bedouins.

In winter, she likes watching movies, specially black & white classics, listening to good jazz music, reading novels and sketching or painting in watercolor. On sunny days, she enjoys the pleasure of gardening and taking care of her plants; mostly sprouting from seeds from every corner of Egypt.

Silvia Pavolini

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