La Rentrée, do you know this charming French expression? It’s only the French that a one word reference to the English phrase, “Back to School”. This time of the year has always signified new beginnings for me. It brings with it a renewed sense of purpose that has for more impact than any New Year’s resolution. It’s the sense of possibility and new beginnings that the season switchover represents. Early mornings, plans and dreams, it’s the flurry of activity right before the return to school, it’s a ritual instilled in us so deeply that even as adults we instinctively prepare for it with an honest desire for change. September’s post-vacation return brings to all of us a certain type of newness, like dealing with a long list of school supplies. This sense of renewal is also applicable to the work mood. Here, Cairo East Magazine brings you all you need for this time of change, from the essential school supplies, healthy snacks for your children’s lunch boxes, books to read, to communicating with your children, employment, from dressing for work, to taking a closer look to the online job market. We also bring you ways to reinvigorate your personal space like organizing your closet or recycling your old items. Our celebrity interview this month is screen mastermind Karim Abdel Aziz, whom I loved in the movie The Blue Elephant. He is truly inspirational, read his interview on page 10. Steve Jobs once said, “Stay hungry, stay foolish,” a quote I use as a personal mantra in times of self-doubt or demotivation. Never stop believing that big thinking is possible. I suggest all sorts of never been done ideas every day (which my boss, Shorouk Abbas, cleverly filters). Some of them are extremely foolish and some are great. While we’re still having these blazing summer temperatures that September brings, I hope you continue to enjoy spending time with friends and loved ones.
editor@cairowestmag.com
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Issue No. 28 September 2014
Bags, LunchBoxes, etc..
back to school Communicating with your children
Dr. aBDeL nasser omar Dress for success FaLL Fashion
Art-House Cinema
Zawya
KARIM ABDEL AZIZ The Actor on his Blue Elephant Transformation Cairo East Magazine is now available on your tablet or android.
Our Team
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Contents Interview
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Karim Abdel Aziz
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Marianne Khoury
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Home & Garden Kids’ Rooms
Feature 38
Back to School items
Fashion
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Galal Zekri-Chatila
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Dress for Success
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Recycling – What and How
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Organize your closet
Energy saving light bulbs
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Nina Bakry Body Jewelry
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Top HR Tips for New Grads
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The Online Job Market
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Best Make-up artists
Welcome to my World
Chairman Shorouk Abbas Editor-in-Chief Atef Abdelfattah Managing Editor Lydia Schoonderbeek Asst. Managing Editor Hilary Diack Contributing Editor Nahla Samaha Marketing Manager Nehad Ezz El Din Amer Sales & Adv. Manager Mourad Fayez Asst. Marketing Manager Marwa Magdi Imam Contributors Maggie Balbaa, Tatiana Hafez, Francesca Sullivan, Ines Hanna & Marcus O’Neill Graphic Designers Ahmed Salah & Manal Abdel Rehim Production Manager M. Shosha Accountant Mohamed Ragab Distribution Hamed Hussein & Mohamed Shaker Mekkawy Printing IPH (International Printing House) Produced by Cairo West Advertising
This magazine is created and owned by Cairo West Advertising. Managing Director: Shorouk Abbas Email: shorouk@cairowestmag.com
For advertising contact: Tel: +2 0122 4300 200 / +2 02 337 76137 Email: advertising@cairoeastmag.com This magazine is not for sale.
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All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is strictly prohibited without prior consent from the publisher.
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Contents 32 40
Wellbeing Communication with your Kids
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Parent and Child Counselling
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Tabeebi
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Cosmetic Treatments
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Going Nuts
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Meditation
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Wellbeing Links
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Travel
Eid Travel Deals
Art & Culture Safarkhan
Book Review 50 75 76 52 80 81
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Best Books for Kids 1919
Restaurant Review Barbacoa
Recipes
Kid’s Lunchbox Ideas What’s New East Side
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE interview
In the Driver’s Seat with
Karim Abdel Aziz The Star of The Blue Elephant Reignites the Silver Screen
Interviewed by Shorouk Abbas & Lydia Schoonderbeek Written by Lydia Schoonderbeek
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Charming and offbeat are two of our favorite qualities in a man. So we like this one. We are sitting in a restaurant on the outskirts of Cairo, and it’s a hot evening. Around us, are people enjoying their dinner, talking loudly, and some are laughing. Karim Abdel Aziz is neither noticed nor bothered, protected by a force-field of perfect grooming. Beneath that silken cool exterior, the passion and emotional intensity is undeniable, it is what has gotten him where he is today.
‘Love is, sacrifice’
Abdel Aziz is an actor cut from a different cloth, he could have seamlessly slipped into one cookiecutter role after another in a series of formulaic movies, but he chose something different. Rather than taking the well-trodden path, the actor has not only pursued, but also actively developed films that challenge the audience to engage with characters and circumstances that may bring us beyond our comfort zones. The Blue Elephant is Abdel Aziz’s latest offering which to date has been a mammoth blockbuster. When we had the opportunity to sit down with him recently, the actor spoke about the appeal of working on projects that are not the norm by most industry standards.
Marwan Hamed
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE interview
CEM: Did coming from a family with a strong background in cinema and directing have a big influence on your decision to study in the same field?
language. I also visited the Abbasia Hospital and the wing called 8 West where the patients are assessed to see whether they are mentally or psychology ill.
KA: I studied directing and drama, and my family have always been very supportive in whichever field I wanted to get into. Coming from a family with an artistic background has helped immensely with my career. I was never able to do the standard 9 to 5 job. I can’t do routine, I constantly like change and the ability to challenge myself.
Which actor impresses you most? I loved working with Khaled El Sawy, I’ve previously worked with him on three other movies. He chooses amazing roles, and his acting is outstanding!
What is the most challenging role you have had to date? Dr. Yehia in The Blue Elephant is the most difficult role I have ever done, I have done a lot of challenging roles but this tops them all. The movie isn’t merely suspense - it’s a harmony of drama, horror suspense and romance. How did you prepare for this role? I sat with three different doctors and read a lot of books on self-help, psychiatry and body
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that my fans are used to seeing me in a certain type of role, I felt I needed to push the boundaries with a different genre. The movie took two years to make, we had to stop filming a lot of times because of the political upheaval that Egypt was experiencing so the role stayed with me for a while.
Is it difficult to maintain your own personality when you are deeply involved in filming? Yes, sometimes you get consumed with the character and the baggage that comes with it, especially all the effort and energy I have put into Dr. Yehia. With this role I took a lot of risks, and although I am happy
How did you get your role in The Blue Elephant? Ahmed Mourad sent me the script, which was still handwritten and unfinished, he wanted me to think about the role. I was very hesitant at first, as it’s unlike anything else I had ever done and the movie was a different genre to what Egyptians are accustomed to. After Fasel Wanaood, I wanted to change the types of roles audiences are used to seeing me in. Most of the characters I usually do have 5 to 10%, of my own character, this role had none.
Which is the most memorable film you have ever seen? The Shawshank Redemption is the most memorable movie to date. What advice would you give someone who is starting out his or her acting career?
Were you mentally exhausted after filming the movie?
Treat people well, value your audiences, they are wise.
Playing a psychologist I needed a lot of boosting and recharging for the role, which Marwan Hamed ensured I got. He was great at winding me up and keeping my energy levels up, he is an amazing director with an ability to keep you focused throughout. I felt bad for my wife, as she had to deal with the emotional rollercoaster of my role.
Quick fire round:
Have you read the book The Blue Elephant? I have read the book several times, and the way it was written makes you visualize the story, it actually makes you feel like you’re watching the movie. How do you feel about the film industry today? I love the new trend of movies and the different genres that have recently been out in cinemas, it’s like we’re all experiencing a film awakening. There are now lots of independently funded movies, which is great as it’s no longer expected to have only largely funded blockbusters; the younger generation are a lot more bold with their choices. How do you balance family life and work? I love family life and spending time with my wife and two children means everything to me, so when time allows I make sure to spend quality time with them. When I have to work I am also very dedicated to every project I take on. This becomes another family that is being created with the directors, actors and writers. So balance isn’t always attainable, but I try. Which director do you most admire? Sandra Nashaat, Sherif Arafaa, Ahmed Galal and of course Marwan Hamid. Who is your favorite international actor/actress?
What is your favorite cuisine? French Most recent film you watched? Godzilla and it was horrible! Worst habit? Cigarettes and high irritability (asabeya) Best quality? I’m light hearted What makes you laugh? I laugh at unexpected things Favorite item of clothing? Casual clothes preferably in darker colors Favorite holiday location? Paris Best advice you have received? My father is very disciplined, and one of the many things he has taught me is punctuality Finish these sentences: Success is...... That The Blue Elephant is a box office hit Love is........Sacrifice Happiness is.....Simplicity
Daniel Day Lewis, Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks and Gary Oldman.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE interview
Independent, Art House, & Foreign Films find a home in Egypt By Francesca Sullivan
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Marianne Khoury It’s taken a while, but at last Cairo has its own true art-house cinema: Zawya. In a small street behind the Odeon Downtown, lovers of independent films can now be seen any evening, gathering at an outdoor café more often frequented by local mechanics, or enjoying vegetarian snacks at the bar inside, before heading into the auditorium to watch the latest screening. Following on from the success of the Panorama of the European Film, an annual weeklong event which has been bringing European auteur films to Egyptian screens for a decade, Zawya’s aim is to maintain a base for the showing of independent cinema all year round. It also has an educational role, and plans to expand to other cities across Egypt. The driving force behind Zawya is cinema veteran Marianne Khoury, a producer, award-winning filmmaker and president of the Panorama, whose efforts have been instrumental in promoting and providing a home for art house cinema in Egypt. Khoury comes from a cinema pedigree, being the daughter of one of Egypt’s big producers of the ‘golden age’ during the 1950’s, Jean Khoury, and the niece of famed director Youssef Chahine. Cairo East Magazine met with Khoury to learn more. CEM: How did you enter the world of cinema? MK: Even though I come from a family with a 60 year history of involvement
in cinema, I never thought I was destined to work in this business. But after my father died in 1982, my uncle Youssef Chahine gave me the opportunity to be executive producer on his movie Adieu Bonaparte. I was very young at the time and it was a great challenge for me. I was kind of thrown in at the deep end, but his trust in me gave me the confidence to take it on. Since I’d studied economics it felt natural to me to go into the production side; I began to understand how to translate a film into figures. I went on to produce a number of films, but I have also been a documentary film-maker myself. I have always had an interest in the human aspect of politics, and film
was a good medium through which to explore this. For me cinema is not just about making films, it’s about producing, distributing, showing and watching, meeting other film makers and being involved with other movie lovers. What inspired you to start Zawya? Wanting to share my love of cinema. Nowadays young people can download just about anything from the web, but what’s available on the big screen is just mainstream Hollywood. It is wrongly manipulative not to give people choices, and I see it as my duty, a mission, as someone who’s been educated in this field, to offer those opportunities.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE interview
The idea behind Zawya is not new, but it has materialized partly as a result of the 2011 revolution and subsequent events. Young people have become more motivated and rebellious, willing to reject available cinema and create something different, and it is almost all hardworking young people who have helped to make Zawya a reality. We managed to persuade the Odeon to give us one of their screens, which has an entrance at the back, hence we’ve been able to create our own foyer and give Zawya a different atmosphere from the main cinema area. How have you gone about promoting Zawya? We don’t have a big advertising budget, so eighty percent of our promotional campaign is through social media and networking. We have an active Facebook page which we update all the time, and a core team of workers whose job it is to stay on top of promotion. Which backers did you manage to get on board for Zawya, and how? The CIB is our main backer. They are my bank and I went to ask them if they’d get involved – we convinced them and they said yes! Of course New Century, owners of the Odeon chain, are instrumental in letting us have their property. We
are also backed by UniFrance Films and Wallonie Bruxelles, who are respectively promoters of French and Belgian films. How do you select the films to be shown? We check on what’s going on worldwide in film festivals, workshops and other events. A lot of our networking involves trying to persuade distribution companies that we can be of interest to them. The films we would like to show are not always available or within our budget, and we also have the issue of subtitles. We can usually only take films that already have them, as arranging subtitles ourselves is a costly process. But we also take short films, and Egyptian films that are not mainstream. Our most successful title to date has been Coming Forth by Day, an Egyptian art-house film that didn’t do well in normal cinemas, but we have the audience for it. Can you tell us about your expansion plans? Our idea is not just to have one outlet; we are branding the idea so that other cinemas can show films ‘brought to you by Zawya’. This is already happening in other cities. In Alex we’ve just made an agreement with one cinema owner that we’ll take the 6.30 slot every Sunday, in order to create a model that local people get familiar with.
We do more than just show films, we are also a space where people can learn more about cinema, and regularly hold workshops and master classes to do with film making. Some film lecturers from the cinema institute have begun holding their seminars at Zawya, and we have visiting lecturers also. There are lots of initiatives, and what is starting to happen now is that people are actually approaching us to create events, or to bring Zawya to them in some form – but we would prefer to encourage people to come to our premises! What has been the public and critical reaction to the films? Our opening was like an explosion; critics were thrilled that there was a permanent home for independent cinema at last. For the public, we are building our audience levels slowly, with a good average attendance – better than we expected in fact. I feel that the location, with the outdoor café and the sense of being part of the local atmosphere, has helped in that. There’s a really relaxed, friendly ambience. What’s behind your ‘reasonable price’ policy? Very simply the idea that cinema should not be thought of as a luxury, but an important and available part of life and education.
For more information visit: facebook.com/zawyacinema
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FASHION
DRESS
FOR SUCCESS How you dress in the office can affect your career prospects, yet many of us struggle to get it right.
Yasmine Sewell
By Lydia Schoonderbeek
Watch - Piaget
Earrings - Mappin & Webb Blazer - Zara
Blazer Fun Blazer - Chloe
If you invest in only one jacket this September, make it a cream or an army green blazer. Team it with tailored trousers (matching, it if possible, though it also works with jeans). This look is decidedly a fresh take on warm-weather dressing. Blazer - Stella McCartney
Shoes - Jimmy Choo
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Denim - Paige
Your favourite fashion read is also available on tablet!
Necklace - TIFFANY & CO
Dark Accessories Practical isn’t always fashion-forward, but sleek black accessories can make functional feel chic. Let the stacked heel by your friend for office dressing, team it with an exotic skin handbag, which is an excellent upgrade from the standard black bag.
Shirt - Saint Laurent
Skirt - CHRISTOPHER KANE
Belt - BALENCIAGA Black Heeled Shoes - SERGIO ROSSI
Bag - Saint Laurent
Nail Polish Essie in Coconut & Cocktail
Beauty Tips Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring, aim for a barely there flow with sheer pink lips, bronze highlighter, and a shimmering nude nail.
Highlighting Palette - Revlon
Mascara - LANCOME GRANDOISE
Lipstick - YSL Rouge Volupte in coral jalouse
Isabel Marant
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FASHION
Work Hair Hair is an integral part of our personality. Besides make-up, your hairstyle also plays an important role in defining your personality and making an impression on others.
Ring - CHLOE
Ankle Boots - LUCY CHOI LONDON
Croc Belt - Massimo Dutti
Shirt - MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA
Work Hard
Watch - Tag Heuer
This is not a season for squeezing yourself into your trousers. Slouchy silhouettes are in. The key is proportion, choose highwaisted ones and pair them with a wide belt and a tucked in shirt.
Skirt- VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
Bag - Balenciaga
Michael Kors balenciaga.com - chloe.com - essie.com - int.piaget.com - jimmychoo.com - lancome.co.uk - lucychoilondon.com maisonmartinmargiela.com - mappinandwebb.com - massimodutti.com - paige.com - revlon.com - sergiorossi.com stellamccartney.com - tagheuer.com - theoutnet.com/ChristopherKane - tiffany.com ‎- viviennewestwood.com - ysl.com - Zara.com
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FASHION
ORGANIZING YOUR
WARDROBE IS AS EASY AS
By Lydia Schoonderbeek
1, 2, 3!
Did you struggle to find something to wear this morning? If so you’re probably one of the thousands of women with fashion fatigue. It seems that old line of never having anything to wear could actually be true, as we only use and wear 10 per cent of our clothes.
Find out the best way to de-clutter and organise your wardrobe and the essentials every wardrobe should have.
Use Proper Hangers Proper clothing care calls for appropriate hangers: satin padding for more delicate items and sturdy wood hangers for tailored jackets. Please do not use plastic hangers, it ruins the shape of the items you are hanging. Don’t Hang Bags on Hooks Hanging your bags makes large bags slump and lose shape. Instead it’s best to lay the bags flat on a shelf. See Your Shoes Make sure that all your shoes are organized by color and type. For example all your ballet pumps need to be grouped together and then by color. You should apply this to sandals, closed shoes, boots, flip-flops, trainers...etc.! Stow Out-of-Season Pieces Use large canvas boxes to store away neatly folded winter sweaters or clothes that haven’t been worn. The general rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it for 2 years you need to consider giving it away. Store Accessories in Clear Plastic Drawers Clear plastic drawers make perfect storage quarters for neatly rolled scarves, underwear, swimwear and belts (do not hang your belts, it creates a busy space, instead roll each belt up individually and store in separate compartments).
Denim should be folded Denim jeans need to be folded according to the cut of the jeans, hanging your jeans ruins the shape and fabric of your denim. Group denims by category: Skinny Boyfriend Loose cut Casual Dressy Categorize Clothing It will make putting outfits together a lot easier Group clothing by category and then by colour: Dresses: Party, summer, and beach Trousers: Classic cut, casual/everyday Party dresses, summer dresses, beach dresses
“ I have enough clothes and shoes, I don’t need to go shopping,” said no woman ever.
Tops: Dressy, casual, work Workout clothes: Need to have a separate drawer Color-Code Your Wardrobe Color coding your clothes is probably the easiest way to both sort out your wardrobe and figure out what pieces you need to buy on your next shopping trip. Without a clear layout of your clothes, you can’t see what skirt color you are missing, or if you need another skirt in the first place. Eliminate Clutter Wardrobe Nirvana? To streamline your space, constantly eliminate clutter: Every three to four months donate unused items to charity. Have a big wardrobe clear out twice a year. Edit your summer wardrobe put everything away for the winter and vice versa. This way it will be clear in your mind what you have worn and what not and it won’t be as hard to part with.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FASHION
10 Essential Wardrobe Must-Haves: 1. A Plain white t-shirt It goes with everything and makes it all a lot better. You’ll wear yours under a blazer, tucked into a high-waist skirt/ trousers or with cutoffs …you get the idea. 2. Black Leggings Whether you wear them as pants with an oversize sweater, under billowy dresses for extra coverage, or kicking around running errands, black leggings are a must-have. 3. Ballet Flats Chicer than sneakers and more comfy than heels, ballet flats are the best of both worlds. 4. A Skin-Tone-Matching Vest A skin-tone-matching vest is about
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as basic as it gets. Layer it under sheer blouses or dresses to avoid overexposure. 5. A Black Cardigan Black cardigans are seasonless, timeless, and effortlessly chic. 6. Classic Heels Stock your wardrobe with a great basic, goes-with-everything pair of heels. 7. Dark Denim Flattering and timeless, a great pair of dark jeans can do wonders for any woman’s wardrobe. 8. A White Blouse Nothing says “I have my act together” like a crisp white shirt.
9. A Little Black Dress When you find the perfect LBD…buy two! 10. Classic Black Pants Black pants are slimming and are a wardrobe staple.
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FASHION
Nina Bakry Body Jewelry
Adorning the Body with the Unconventional By Nahla Samaha Knowing Nina Bakry is knowing a world where color, culture, art and life collide. Evident in her own personal fashion and décor style, Bakry has an eye for the unconventional and the flamboyant. Putting her aesthetic vision to work, Bakry fulfilled a life-long dream of creating her own jewelry line after years of making (self-taught) pieces. After enrolling in the Azza
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Fahmy Design Studio workshop, Bakry launched Nina Bakry Body Jewelry in 2014, and has catapulted to immense popularity locally and regionally since! Cairo East Magazine met with the designer to learn more about her line. The first thing we were curious to inquire about was what exactly is “Body Jewelry”? “Body Jewelry
enhances any part of the body, not just the conventional parts like the arms or ears or neck,” says Bakry, “it plays by no rules, an arm cuff that can be worn on the leg, a chain that can be worn around the torso, a neck-piece that can be work on the head. It’s adaptable and can be something different every time you wear it.”
Arm Cuffs
Back Piece
Earrings
Ear Cuff Head Piece
Which all sounds well and good, and quite apt for the hot summer months when arms, legs, and even sometimes backs are bare. But what about the winter? “Because my pieces are adaptable, they can transform an entire outfit. In the winter, the cuff you wore on your arm in the summer, can now be worn on your sleeve, ear cuffs, head pieces, rings, can all add flavor and new character to an outfit and make it stand out more. A back piece can be worn in the front over a sweater; a leg cuff can be worn over leggings. The sky is the limit with your imagination!” she explains.
But isn’t the local market saturated with jewelry designers? Every day you hear about a new designer popping up on Instagram or Facebook, “I believe what sets me apart from the rest is that I don’t follow trends,”asserts Bakry, “I don’t create conventional pieces. I am trying to redefine what jewelry is and how it should be worn.” And redefine she has done indeed, her unique pieces have come to fill a lack in the jewelry design business, literally and figuratively. “When choosing a piece of jewelry to enhance an outfit look for the empty space and fill it,” advises Bakry.
“Wearing a backless halter? Wear a back piece. Wearing a sleeveless tee? Wear an arm cuff. Wearing a busy top? Enhance it subtly with rings. Wearing an all black dress? Wear an ear cuff to make your face stand out!” But not all aspiring designers have what it takes to make it. What makes a good designer according to Bakry is, “Perseverance. No matter the obstacles, don’t get discouraged, where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Photography: Aisha El Shabrawy Styling: Sundos El Ayoub Makeup: Soha Khoury Hair: Raffi
For more information visit: facebook: ninabakrybodyjewelry - Instagram: Nina_bakry CAIROEASTMAG.COM
Where good days start
Scan image to discover more.
Simplify to Enjoy Cairo Festival City, New Cairo E-mail: IKEAcfc@alfuttaim.ae www.IKEA.eg
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Š Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2014
IKEA Catalogue 2015 new products
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE HOME AND GARDEN
Study Play 32
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Sleep
Personalize your child’s very own space with creative ideas we fell in love with.
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FABRIC & WALLPAPER IDEAS
CREATIVE CHAIRS
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For more information visit: www.houzz.com
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
Family Connections Professor Dr. Abdel Nasser Omar on Improving Communication with your Children. By Hilary Diack
Parenting is tough. It’s never been a breeze, but with the goal posts being moved at an alarming rate, the times we live in present a whole new set of challenges. Cairo East Magazine sat with Dr. Abdel Nasser Omar, CEO of Al Mashfa Hospital, to learn more about keeping family communication positive and supportive. CEM: What are the subjects parents tend to avoid discussing with their kids? AO: Sex, sex and sex. It has always been a taboo issue within a traditionally conservative society that has strict guidelines as to what is acceptable behaviour, especially before marriage. Now, as part of a global culture,
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with access to virtually unlimited information young Egyptians are more aware and ready to challenge the old mind-set. Economic circumstances have delayed the chance to marry young for many, so it is inevitable that there is an increase in physical relations prior to marriage. Although it is generally recognized that this situation exists many parents are in denial, preferring to avoid any mention of it, so long as a daughter retains that all powerful fragment of flesh, the hymen, symbol of ‘purity’. We also increasingly see young people wanting to question religion. With so much turmoil in the world spotlighting religious differences it is no surprise that our youth seek more
insight and philosophical discussion on the subject. This does not always sit well with parents who have been raised in households were religion was an integral part of family life and never queried for any reason. It should be noted though that in most cases when a young person appears to have withdrawn from his or her faith, they generally revert back to the family religious observance patterns after a period. How damaging can it be to avoid talking about these matters? It widens the gap between parent and child. No matter how much a parent would like to preserve the status quo it is becoming an impossible
task. In many cases the parents feel at a disadvantage when their kids exhibit a much broader knowledge than them due to internet access and freer discussions with their peers. A parent can feel intellectually inferior and through lack of maturity can refuse to be pulled into a situation where they feel they would lose face. Again, it depends on the level of parenting skills. How would you classify the different parenting styles? There are already very clearly defined categories for this. The first type is defined as ‘authoritarian’, where the head of the family, or both parents, maintains a situation where he defines the rules of the household and will not accept any deviance. The family members are expected to submit to this unquestioningly. This can either disempower their children, or alienate them. The second group is known as ‘authoritative’, where the parents have a clear leadership role, and display competence in providing a secure and democratic environment for the family. This differs from the previous group in that the children feel secure and protected, but still have room to develop themselves and take on responsibilities as individuals. Without this self-actualization process they in turn would not be able to form a healthy parent/ child relationship in later years. We then go onto the over-protective family. Parents try to shield their kids from the realities of life, stifle their freedom, and control their lives in minute detail. No matter how wellintentioned, this behaviour is very harmful, and does not prepare a child for a normal adult existence where he or she will eventually need to take decisions and accept responsibilities.
Children then quickly learn how to manipulate their parents to get what they want.
Do you see psychological problems arising from avoidance of certain issues?
Psychologist Abraham Maslow stated that human motivation is based on people seeking fulfilment and change through personal growth. Self-actualized people are those who were fulfilled and doing all they were capable of. For Maslow, a person is always ‘becoming’ and never remains static in these terms. In selfactualization a person comes to find a meaning to life that is important to them.
Parents can often lack confidence in their roles and avoid responsibility in taking decisions. This is even more evident in societies where the extended family shows an active interest in matters, so ignoring an issue and sweeping it under the carpet can be the popular option. Equally, should a parent attempt to assert dominance over their child in a certain matter and be disobeyed it is a challenge to their parental authority and will play out in other facets of the child/parent dynamic. It is important for parents not to betray a child’s trust, it is difficult to regain once lost.
The Maslow triangle is an easy to understand and recognized guideline for human developmental stages. Good parenting should follow these goals. What things do kids usually avoid telling their parents? Anything that they feel will result in punishment, rejection or restricted personal freedom. This generally includes experimenting with substance abuse, sexual experiences, falling behind with school work, being bullied, and even falling in love. This is where the relationship between parents and a child should be based on healthy respect, where a child feels secure and loved enough to be able to open up and get help with life’s situations without fear of being rejected, judged or chastised If a parent feels their child is hiding something from them it is usually the parent who is at fault.
How honest can you be with your child, especially on sensitive topics? If a child asks questions a parent should know how to answer appropriately, giving an honest response at a level consistent to the child’s age and maturity. Never underestimate their intelligence. Children come up with questions as they develop, and if a parent is not there to respond they will find out from other sources anyway. Sex and reproduction can be discussed in simple terms starting from 5 years of age if a child seems curious, drugs and the dangers can also be discussed in an easy to understand way. It is important for children to learn not to try substances offered to them as well as to avoid being molested. They must know at an early stage what is inappropriate touching by any person, no matter how close. By being involved in their
Unfortunately we increasingly see an increase in submissive or neglectful parents. They basically prefer not to face up to the job of parenting and preparing their children for a productive role in society. In many cases they find it easier to supply their kids with an unrealistic amount of money and allow them free rein to do whatever they like, even if it means being absent from home or school.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
parental guidance. However, if this is a consistent pattern, without any indication of remorse it may mean that more serious personality patterns are at play, such as conduct disorder (CD), a psychological disorder diagnosed in childhood or adolescence that presents itself through a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated. According to DSM-5 criteria for conduct disorder, there are four categories that could be present in the child’s behavior: aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violation of rules. This may be a sign of a psychopathic personality so professional evaluation should be sought.
children’s lifestyles and monitoring their development parents can gauge the best time to open up important subjects for discussion. What is the best time for families to have discussions on topics that are important? Lifestyles have changed, and more time is spent on individual activities. It is vital to set aside at least twice a week where the family get together without TV, or electronic diversions, purely to reconnect. It should also be an opportunity to reinforce shared values through conversation while instilling in children the ability to make reasoned and objective analyses. What positive ways are there to talk to and listen to your children? Share experiences, listen to their anxieties and show them by example how you deal with life’s challenges. It will encourage them to deal with things in a pro-active and selfactualized manner. What are the best ways to get a kid to open up and talk and strengthen the relationship between you? By making sure that enjoyable shared activities are inserted into the weekly agenda parents will build a natural bond that will make it easier to converse. Find out about your kid’s leisure activities and join in where possible, it should be fun for both of you.
Are there times parents should hide personal information from their kids? Children should never be exposed to any signs of marital discord. Any domestic disturbances and disagreements should be resolved in private. In the case of separation and divorce it is a big no-no to criticize the other parent or malign them; the basis for a healthy family relationship is respect, in spite of any differences that may have arisen. What are warning signs in behavior patterns that a parent should be on the lookout for? Don’t let your child shut himself away for extended periods. Everyone needs some privacy, but self- isolation from the family unit may be an indication of depression. Any aggressive or anti-social behavior should be addressed quickly. Other indicators may be development of phobias or bedwetting, a good heart-to-heart talk should help you to get to the root of the matter.
It can be noted that almost all adolescents who have a substance use disorder have conduct disorder-like traits, but after successful treatment of the substance use disorder, about half of these adolescents no longer display conduct disorder-like symptoms. Does Al Mashfa offer counselling services, and if so, what is the youngest age you accept as patients? We handle consultations for children from as early as 4 years of age, in addition to our centre for adolescent counselling for children aged 11 to 18 years. Our team of highly qualified professionals are experienced in interacting with children; parents are welcome to contact us should they have any concerns about their child’s psychological health.
How can you detect that there may be serious psychological issues to be addressed rather than just normal ‘growing-up pains’? A certain level of misbehaviour can be considered normal in the maturing process. If this is a one-off or sporadic occurrence it should be dealt with through discussion and
For more information visit: www.almashfa.com.eg
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Dr. Abdel Nasser Omar
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
Raising
Great
Kids
Parenting Skills with Life Coach Sarah Maamoun By Hilary Diack
When you hold that tiny helpless bundle in your arms for the very first time, can you begin to imagine what the coming years have in store for you? Raising your child to be a happy, well-balanced individual will mean facing challenges as well as enjoying the good times. Cairo East Magazine spoke with Sarah Maamoun, Life Coach and Parenting Advisor to see what advice she could offer.
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misunderstood? And what about relationships with classmates, do they have friends? Then you can set some achievable goals, something that will give your child a sense of accomplishment and achievement. Give acknowledgement when these are reached, this will be motivating. What is the best way to encourage your child to develop his or her best attributes? Listen and watch your child to see her body language and the glow in her eyes. Catch this opportunity and give attention to that attribute. Before complimenting her, let her see it for herself so she trusts your encouragement. She will then believe in herself. How do you encourage a child to be more assertive and selfconfident? We teach a child emotional intelligence, and work on a new vocabulary to help them in their self-expression. If they know how to describe what they feel and what they need from each individual relationship in their lives they will be more outgoing, without
confusion, aggressive behaviour or withdrawal into silence. Each relationship has its own dynamic, different things are needed from each parent or sibling, whether it is understanding, attention or simply companionship. Kids need to feel trust and affection, then they can develop their autonomy through the stages of growing up. How can you teach a child to handle bullying? Research shows that children with high self-worth and developed social skills are less likely to be bullied. In my sessions I help the bullied child verbalise the impact of the whole experience. I assist the parents in truly understanding what the child is going through. It is important to let the child find his own solution, this in itself will be empowering. Resist the temptation to interfere directly, you cannot be with your child all the time, and it can sometimes result in the bullying becoming greater. By asking your child how he feels and showing empathy you are giving them a good coping mechanism.
CEM: Sarah, do you have children of your own? SM: Yes, I have four lively children, ranging from 7-year-old twins up to a 13 and 14 year old. It gives me plenty of hands-on experience. What common issues you are asked about? Parents are often concerned with communication between them and their children, they want to have a better understanding of what is impacting their child and affecting his or her behaviour. They need to know how they can help their children go forward in life. What are the most effective ways of motivating your child? First you need to uncover any road-block the child may have. You need to discuss any fears and anxieties that are being unexpressed. There may be a problem with focussing and concentration, especially in the classroom, so find out if your child has to read passages more than once to understand the meaning. Does he or she do well in tests? If they get a poor result despite putting in a lot of effort it can be very de-motivating. Is there a good relationship with the teacher? Do they feel ignored or CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
What should a parent do if their child starts stealing or lying?
How can we encourage our children to develop empathy for others?
These are done for different reasons. Each behaviour is trying to achieve something. Stealing is often an attention-seeking activity, it is not just about the object. The child knows that he or she will get caught. Lying generally comes from fear, or feeling under pressure. Close-ended questions that demand a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response may elicit a lie. If he or she does lie, try to see the reason behind it, but also make it clear that it is not acceptable to do this.
By really understanding your child, without being judgemental. They need not agree or disagree with someone, but should learn how to consider the individual circumstances of others. Set an example by letting your child know that you understand them, but set behavioural guidelines where necessary. When your child appreciates that he is understood he will be able to open up more to others.
It is better to re-word a question in such a way that the responsibility of the response is placed on the child. Give your child sufficient space to communicate on the subject, it is important to know how they perceive the situation. This will set a healthy pattern for later in life.
really need guidance and support in developing until they are at least 18 years old. They often really want to be unique and have a clear identity, but just need to feel that they have their parents’ empathy and support in finding the path. Under the protective wings of the family, children will develop their confidence and learn to leave the nest as self-actualized young adults.
How can we help a child be his own person and not succumb to peer pressure? We live in a peer-oriented society, and children are aware of this. They attach to their peers and can be influenced by them, sometimes to the extent of appearing like clones. Parents often expect their kids to develop independently, but in reality they
For more information: sarahmaamoun@gmail.com - 01099929805
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Sara Maamoun
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
As summer draws to a close, many families are preparing for the next big transition of the year: back to school! Preparing your child for a new school year takes more than a new wardrobe and a shiny apple. Below are some health and safety tips to make sure your school-aged children are ready for a healthy school year before and while they attend.
School Bedtime Schedule
Straight Talk
Eating During the School Day
During the summer, many children fall into a vacation rhythm, staying up late and sleeping during the day. It’s recommended that parents start gradually imposing an earlier bedtime several weeks before school begins. During the last week, sleeping should be on the “school schedule”.
Your child may be sad that summer is ending or anxious about starting school again. Remind him or her that there probably are a lot of students with the same feelings. Also, make sure to bring back positive memories from the past year. When school starts, spend daily time with your kids to talk about their activities, interests and how their day at school was. Listen to what they say and let them know you are interested in what they think and how they feel. Let them know they can always feel comfortable talking to you.
Children need a wide range of nutrients to help them grow and develop normally. If they eat breakfast early in the morning, they may not make it to lunchtime without feeling hungry again. Adding a snack or two to your child’s lunchbox helps ensure that he is getting the energy he needs to play and pay attention in the classroom. Not just any snack will do, whole grain bread sandwiches with lean meat, cheese or egg filling and salad; fruit; yogurt; nuts and raisins are good choices. Avoid cookies, chips, candy and soda, which are low in nutrients and high in sugar and
While there is a lot of variation between individuals, children need more sleep than adults. If your children are not getting enough sleep, they will have trouble concentrating, seem grouchy and tired during the day or may fall asleep during classes.
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can result in an energy crash not long after they’re eaten. It is also important that children drink enough during the school day as dehydration can cause headaches, tiredness and poor concentration.
Backpack Safety • Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. • Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. • Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
Check-Ups and Immunizations It’s a good idea to take your child for a physical and eye exam before school starts. Also make sure your child is upto-date on vaccines, having children receive all their vaccinations on time is one of the most important things you can do as a parent to ensure your children’s long-term health as well as the health of classmates, and others in your community. While most schools require an up-to-date document of immunization for admission, be sure to keep your own copy of any records. By school age it is important that your child has received full doses of the following vaccines: BCG, DTaP, Polio, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, Hib, MMR and preferably the chicken pox vaccine. The flu shot is recommended annually at the beginning of the flu season, which usually starts in October. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s vaccines
Fight Germs Regular hand washing is one of the single best ways to fight infection. Younger children should be instructed on the importance of proper hand washing before eating
and after using the restroom. For situations where hand washing is not possible, consider supplying your child with packets of hand sanitizing gel.
Developing Good Homework and Study Habits • Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent workspace in their bedroom or another part of the home that is quiet, without distractions, and promotes study. • Schedule ample time for homework. • Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time. • Supervise computer and Internet use. • Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child’s homework for him or her.
Vitamin Supplements Vitamins and minerals are important elements of the total nutritional requirements of your child. The body needs these vitamins in only tiny amounts. In a balanced diet they are usually present in sufficient quantities. Thus, in middle childhood, supplements are rarely needed.
For some youngsters, however, pediatricians may recommend a daily supplement. If your child has a poor appetite or erratic eating habits, or if he/she consumes a highly selective diet (such as a vegetarian diet containing no dairy products. Over-the-counter supplements are generally safe; nonetheless, they are drugs, if taken in excessive amounts particularly the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K)—can be toxic. Always consult your pediatrician before giving your child supplements.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE BOOK REVIEW
Books for Kids Best
By Lydia Schoonderbeek
Eleanor & Park
Rooftoppers
Eleanor & Park is funny, sad, shocking and true - an exquisite nostalgia trip for anyone who has never forgotten their first love.
Already being proclaimed a classic in children’s literature and compared to the likes of Roald Dahl and Eva Ibbotson, Katherine Rundell’s Rooftoppers merges fantasy and historical fiction with sophisticated lyrical prose and vivid imagery that will delight middle grade readers, tweens, teens, and parents and teachers alike.
By Rainbow Rowell
Geek Girl Veering from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly enthusiastic father and her ubergeeky stalker, Toby, Harriet begins to realise that the world of fashion doesn’t seem to like her any more than the real world did. As her old life starts to fall apart, will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything? The award-winning debut by bestselling author Holly Smale. By Holly Smale
Looking for Alaska The unmissable first novel from bestselling and award-winning author of The Fault in our Stars. “If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.” Miles Halter’s whole life has been one big non-event, until he meets Alaska Young. Gorgeous, clever and undoubtedly screwed-up, Alaska draws Miles into her reckless world and irrevocably steals his heart. Poignant, funny, heart-breaking and compelling, this novel will stay with you forever. By John Green
Open Very Carefully What would you do if you were settling down for a quiet bedtime story and you realised that a crocodile had fallen into your storybook and was - not to put too fine a point on it - furious? This very grumpy crocodile has ended up in totally the wrong book, so he proceeds to eat his way out, in this fantastic debut picture book. He tries to escape a storybook that is all wrong for him, but is great fun for the reader! By Nick Bromley
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By Katherine Rundell
Superworm The wiggly, squiggly superhero is now available in paperback. Never fear, Superworm’s here! He can fish Spider out of a well, and rescue Toad from a busy road. But who will come to Superworm’s rescue, when he’s captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard? Luckily, all of Superworm’s insect friends have a cunning plan... By Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
The Scarecrows’ Wedding The Scarecrows’ Wedding is the eagerly awaited new picture book from the creators of The Gruffalo and Stick Man. Written in Julia Donaldson’s glorious rhyme and illustrated in glowing colour by Axel Scheffler, The Scarecrows’ Wedding is a fabulous love story, with drama, humour, originality - and a happy ending! Two scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, are planning the perfect wedding. But wicked scarecrow, Reginald Rake, has other ideas and almost ruins their special day. Harry must become a hero before he and Betty can have the wedding of their dreams. By Julia Donaldson’s
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE RECIPES
By Lydia Schoonderbeek
1. Tummy fillers Growing kids need 3 meals per day and 2 snacks to fill them up and give them energy. Nutritious meals packed with fiber, protein, good carbohydrates and vitamins will also help your child’s growing bones and provide a healthy dose of brain power for the afternoon ahead. These along with fruit and/or vegetables should form the main part of your child’s lunch.
Recipe: Pasta Salad Pasta salad is nearly always a hit with children and grownups alike. Just boil some pasta - colored pasta seems to appeal to children. Cook around 25g of pasta per child for about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Then throw in your choice of extras from the list below (chopped into bite sized pieces). Mix in a good dollop of mayonnaise or salad dressing and away you go. For an alternative dressing, mix 2 tbsp tomato ketchup (or puree) with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp white vinegar. • Tinned sweetcorn • Cherry tomatoes • Cucumber • Tuna • Cheese • Spring onion • Raw mushrooms • Tinned kidney beans • Tinned chick peas • Boiled egg • Sausages • Peppers
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• Grated carrot • Salami • Olives Variations: Substitute pasta with rice. Add some black pepper and chopped fresh (or dried) herbs for extra flavor.
2. Five-a-day options
Recipe: Flapjack
• Any combination of the following, in a small pot or bag: raisins, sultanas, ready to eat dried apricots, dates or prunes.
• 50g ready to eat dried prunes, chopped
• Whole fruits - Tangerines, apple, banana, pear, peach, plum, grapes, strawberries (whatever is in season).
• 50g raisins or sultanas
• Fruit salad pot - any combination of prepared fruit: strawberries, orange, melon, mango, pineapple, kiwi etc.
• 50g butter
• Fruit jelly made with fruit pieces and pure fruit juice.
• 1 egg, beaten
3. Good for growing bones • Fruit yogurt • Cold rice pudding or custard. • Cubes of cheese or pre-packed lunchbox sized cheese portion, cottage cheese with pineapple. • Dips: hummus, cream cheese and plain yogurt.
4. Snacks If you have energetic kids, you may like to add a snack to their lunchboxes to re-fuel their energy levels! • Savory options - Hard boiled eggs, mini sausages, or falafel. • Small bag of lower salt options, such as whole wheat crackers, crisp bread, rice cakes, cheesy biscuits, bread sticks, unsalted popcorn. Sweet options -Muffin, cup cake, small piece of cake, biscuit or cookie, flapjack, shortbread, jam tart, cereal bar.
• 50g ready to eat dried apricots, chopped • 175g porridge oats • 3 tablespoons syrup OR clear honey
Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180C/Fan oven 170C Lightly grease a small shallow (approx 9 x 7 inch, 22 x 18cm) baking tin. Chop the prunes and apricots into small pieces. Put the prunes, apricots, raisins or sultanas and oats into a mixing bowl and stir until evenly mixed. In a small saucepan melt the butter with the syrup/honey, and then add to the fruit and oats, and mix well. Beat the egg, and when the fruit & oat mixture has cooled slightly, add this to the mixture. Turn the mixture into the greased tin and level the surface. Bake for 15-20 mins until a pale golden brown. Leave in the tin until almost cold and then score into fingers with a sharp knife, and loosen around the edges. Remove from the tin to finish cooling on a wire rack. Can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week and are suitable for freezing. Variation: Use any combination of chopped dried fruit.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
Galal Zekri-Chatila Takes us on his Bicycle Across Egypt By Nahla Samaha
“I’m planning to cover every inch of our dear beloved country,” For most of us, adventure can entail driving across town for a bite to eat, changing our brand of shampoo, or staying up past 1 am. For a very special brand of people like 21 year-old Galal Zekri-Chatila, adventure entails leaving the comforts of home (and car), and taking it upon himself to singlehandedly promote Egyptian solidarity and tourism armed only with a bicycle and a dream.
Galal Zekri-Chatila
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About to embark on a five-month journey across Egypt on his bicycle, Zekri-Chatila sat down with Cairo East Magazine to chat about his insane passion for his country and the road, as well as his upcoming grand adventure.
I did it? Really? Hell yes, I did it Long live the spirit
Inside the tent
19 days, bird’s-eye view Three years later, 17 year-old Zekri-Chatila found himself cycling to Sukhna just as political events were taking a dramatic turn during the Jan 25 Revolution. Despite the threat of road thugs, Zekri-Chatila went ahead with his journey with the intention of proving that Egypt is safe and beautiful, and that there was no reason to feel unsafe.
After 10 &1/2 hours of cycling against the wind, made it to Farafra A Bicycle and a Dream Zekri-Chatila’s love for the desert road began in early childhood on travels with his parents, “I always imagined myself riding a horse mounted with my camping gear for a long adventure travel,” he recalls. His first foray out of his comfort zone came at school age when a young Zekri-Chatila hiked from Cairo to Suez on a school field trip, “a year later I was one of the co-leaders of the scout team, and I joined a cycling journey from Cairo to Ismaeleya,” he says.
Fast-forward to a year later, Zekri-Chatila accomplished another milestone with his cycling journey to Nuweiba. Completing the trip to Nuweiba inspired his touring Egypt dream, and so at age 19, he began with a 19 day, 1650 Km journey across the Western Desert; a feat that further fueled his confidence and determination to traverse Egypt corner to corner on his bicycle. “I’m planning to cover every inch of our dear beloved country,” says ZekriChatila of his upcoming five-month journey, “I’m planning to go west as far as Saloum, and Siwa, and south as far as Shark Owaynat, Abou Simbel, Shalatin and hopefully Halayeb, then north up to Port Said,” he says. A journey that Zekri-Chatila calculates will cover a distance of 8000 Km over a period of five months. Seems like a lot of hard work and a lot of hassle. A lot. But for Zekri-Chatila this is what living is all about, “For some this is the trouble, for me this is life itself,” he asserts. “I’m willing to risk my life for a happy moment in the middle of nowhere. A life that is out of the book, far away from what any lens can project. This is where we actually belong, in Mother Nature,” he fervently contends. “We are now living in a chaotic city, ruled by political turmoil, affected by environmental issues that have destroyed our spirit. We encourage each other not to be productive, not to dream big, we kill the possibility of realizing our dreams or believing in the impossible,” he solemnly says.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
Nuweiba & The Western Desert Taking to the road is not without its obstacles and obscurities, “In some towns people thought I was a foreigner,” he says of his 1650 Km tour of the Western Desert, “Even when I spoke in Arabic they still wouldn’t believe me unless I showed them my national ID.” After being mugged while on the road, Zekri-Chatila’s emergency response team managed to replace all that was stolen. “On the other hand, one day I lost 300 pounds at a police checkpoint, the following day the man called me to inform me that he found 400 not 300 pounds, and he delivered the cash via the Egyptian post office.” It’s situations like this that reaffirm Chatila’s love for Egypt, and further encourage him on his mission of elevating Egypt’s image and uniting its people. Zekri-Chatila also managed to gain some fans along the road that would cheer for him and show their support, like truck drivers and travelers. Some police checkpoints allowed him to pitch his tent on their premises, while others went as far as offering him food and shelter indoors, “I must say that I was never rejected by any ambulance station, they would always host me after making sure that I was clean,” he fondly recalls. Obstacles lay at every turn for ZekriChatila. Road encounters and natural obstacles like weather conditions including high winds, uphill roads, and lack of water, “But we must learn that every problem has its solution,” says the adventurer. While cycling to Nuweiba a police officer at a checkpoint warned Chatila against proceeding any further, “he said the village I was about to pass through didn’t have an ambulance station, or a cafeteria, and that it was controlled by a gang of thugs who had kidnapped and killed some people
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and dumped their bodies,” says ZekriChatila. But Zekri-Chatila’s passion and determination trumped any fears he may have fostered, “I went ahead anyway because my main objective of these trips is to break free from the fears that are limiting our dreams and productivity,” he says confidently. Not one to lose sight of his health while on the road, “To stay hydrated is the key factor for a healthy outdoor adventure,” he says, “I usually eat lots of carbs and proteins on these trips to stay energized.” Five Months on Two Wheels Zekri-Chatila has been preparing for his upcoming five-month journey for more than a year. He planned out every single day of the entire trip, studied weather patterns, wind statuses based on wind behavior of the year before, “this is to plan the direction I shall I be heading in order to estimate the time I’ll need to cover a certain distance,” he says of the exact science it takes to plan his trip. “I also study my maps on a very intensive scale, I locate all the potential stops on the road, all the telecom towers located on the roads as well so I can have an idea of when I won’t be connected.” Zekri-Chatila is also training with coaches from Train for Aim, as well as Revive. He has been undergoing physiotherapy to ensure that his joints and muscles are in the desired shape. And while he’s getting fit, so is his bicycle, which is getting a custom overhaul at Ain Bicycles. Seeing Egypt Differently Cycling to distant locales in Egypt has given Zekri-Chatila a brand new perspective on the country. Certainly one that you can’t attain from the comforts of city living.
“After touring around the Western Desert of Egypt, I realized that the Egyptian personality is so unique, very respectful, and very kind,” he lovingly says. “Egypt is a great place to live, the only issue is that people limit themselves; they don’t chase their dreams because they think it’s impossible. We end up all living in the same way, which is quiet boring. I rarely see Egyptians who know the map of Egypt for example, which is a shame.” “Traveling isn’t about the North Coast or Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt is full of unseen heavens,” says Zekri-Chatila. His travels have also deepened ZekriChatila’s philosophical views, “I started to believe that everything happens for a reason and that with your power, you can turn the bad moments into good ones,” he says. “One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to follow my heart,” he admits. Chatila’s views on money have also changed, “You can never buy your youth, or good times. Working for money in order to achieve happiness is a crazy equation that would control all your moments, and you will never get enough from saving money,” he says. Zekri-Chatila had the chance to inspire many other young potential adventurers when he spoke at the TEDx Youth Talk, “I went on that stage with Cheetah my bicycle, and she was standing there, cheering me on after carrying me for 1650 km across the Western Desert,” he happily recalls. You can follow Zekri-Chatila’s journey across Egypt, which will commence in October, through Cairo East Magazine, on the trip website www. egypton2wheels.com, and through www.facebook.com/galalzekrichatila as well as @galalzekri on Twitter.
Plebs do it, Celebs do it …
Sell, Trade, Donate or Simply De-Clutter By Hilary Diack
Wardrobe overflowing? Cupboards need sorting out? Tripping over the kids’ toys? All signs that a serious down-sizing of unneeded items is in order. You can turn some items that are still relatively new into cash, or simply donate them and have the benefit of knowing that someone else will be able to put them to good use. Our choice of links worth checking out follows below: Bikya Book Café Bikya has become a cultural hub where art, literature, music, and knowledge mesh with second-hand books. A perfect home for books you have already enjoyed! www.facebook.com/BikyaBookCafe CSA (Community Services Association) CSA in Maadi supports local women entrepreneurs and charitable organizations through sales of items in the Village Gift Shop or donation of clothes through La Boutique consignment store. www.livinginegypt.org
ESMA The helpers at ESMA animal shelter work untiringly to care for homeless pets. The shelter survives on donations from the community, so any items of good used clothing and unneeded furniture are appreciated by the staff and their young families. www.esma.org Freecycle Cairo If you have something to sell, give away or exchange, or are looking for something, this Facebook page is for recycling any items within Cairo, to the benefit of the environment and your wallet. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. www.facebook.com/FreecycleCairo Karama Karama is a community charity development that seeks to assist homeless individuals living on the streets in Egypt. www.facebook.com/KaramaCharity
Kayan Charity Kayan is a non-profit organisation, based in Cairo, whose mission is to make the life of children with special needs in Egypt better. Donations for Kayan can be in the form of clothes, vehicles or money. www.kayanegypt.org RecycloBekia RecycloBekia is an electronic waste recycling company based in Egypt and serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. RecycloBekia gets engaged in the collection of e-waste products ending with the creation of high-quality secondary raw materials, which limit the extraction and the impoverishment of new raw materials. www.facebook.com/recyclobekia
EpiscoCare Your donation of second-hand items helps EpiscoCare combat poverty in two ways. The second-hand items they receive will be sold very cheaply to beneficiaries at their Community Development Centres in the poor local communities, allowing marginalized people to buy things they otherwise would not have been able to buy. At the same time, the money earned on second-hand sales is used in EpiscoCare’s programs, thereby supporting their empowering efforts by equipping people with basic skills, education and health care. www.episcocare.org
CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
Energy Efficient
Light Bulbs
Throwing a Little Light on the Subject Courtesy of El Sewedy company
Power conservation is a hot topic these days, so Cairo East Magazine spoke with Mohamed Salama, Product Manager of leading lighting company El Sewedy to learn more about energy efficient lighting, what is available, and where. CEM: What is the difference between LED and CFL lamps? MS: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are smaller versions of standard
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fluorescent lamps (neon). They consume much less energy but provide light that is comparable to incandescent lights. Also, they can generally replace standard incandescent bulbs. CFLs use onefifth to one-third the electric power of a standard lamp, and last eight to twelve times longer. A CFL has a higher purchase price than an incandescent lamp, but can save over five times its purchase price in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime.
LED is a light-emitting diode (LED) product that is assembled into a lamp (or light bulb) for use in lighting fixtures. LEDs use one-fifth to one-third of the electricity used to power a standard lamp, and last fifteen to thirty times longer. An LED lamp has a higher purchase price than an incandescent lamp, but can save over fifteen times its purchase price in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime.
What are the price, life (working hours) and energy consumption figures of an LED lamp compared to Compact Fluorescent lamps?
CFL: Price 15-35 EGP, depending on
wattage and lamp shape. Life is 600012000 hours, depending on the brand and quality.
LED: Price 40- 120 EGP, depending
on wattage and lamp shape. Life is 15000- 35000 hours, depending on the brand and quality.
What are the available shapes, lighting colors and models for indoor use? CFL lamps come in spiral shape, U-shape, A-shape, mini globe and globe as well as candle shape. There are also indoor reflectors and spotlights. The color options are Cool Daylight (white) and Warm Light (yellow). LED lamps are available in A-shape, globe, candle, indoor reflectors and spotlights in the same color options.
Any model mentioned above can be used in outdoor applications so long as they are protected inside a lighting fixture the same as any normal lamp. For landscaping we can use outdoor reflectors (Par lamps). Price ranges are the same as mentioned above.
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
What are common misconceptions concerning energy-saving lamps? One is that they are harmful for the environment. Another is that they don’t have enough shapes or that they only come in a spiral shape. Many people believe that they are only available in white! Energy-saving lamps are available in both Warm Light and Cool Daylight tones.
Often people think incorrectly that energy-saving lamps are only imported. El Sewedy Electrical Solutions have one of the biggest factories in the Middle East and North Africa for energy saving lamps.
Supermarkets, Carrefour and lighting fixture shops. You could even try any electrician near your house, just ask for our brands, El Sewedy Lamba, El Sewedy Xtra and Megaman.
Where are locations where the lamps mentioned can be bought? They are widely available at places like Hyper Market, Spinney’s, Mahmal
For more information visit: www.elsewedyelectric.com
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
Welcome to
A Day in
By Hilary Diack
Cairo East Magazine brings you a personal glimpse into a typical day for two of our city’s young business professionals.
Name: Mahmoud Farahat Age: 37 Education: Bachelor of Architecture, University of Miami & a Masters in Architecture & Urban Planning from Rome, Italy. Current Position: Senior Project Manager in SODIC CEM: How long have you been working in this position? MF: I have been working in SODIC since April 2010. What were you doing before and why did you change track? Prior to moving to Egypt to work for SODIC, I used to be a Director/ Chief Architect at Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design Firm working on large scale billion dollar projects in Miami and Dubai. This is different from what I am doing now in that before I worked as a consultant, designing and creating construction documents, whereas now, in SODIC, I am working as a client representative managing consultants, contractors, budgets, time and quality.
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I am and always will be an architect. I have worked all over the world in the construction field and as a consultant for more than 10 years; so therefore, expanding my experience to managing projects from the client’s perspective was a natural progression which allowed me to have a more holistic view of managing a project from all angles. This, I strongly believe, makes me a more proficient and skilled architect with a greater understanding of how to ensure a project’s success. Please describe your typical day, from wake up to sleep. I am at work by 8:30 am where I begin with a cup of green tea with lemon. My document controller then brings me all correspondence that must be either answered or distributed. This is followed by a meeting with my staff to obtain updates on progress of construction, tenders, variations, and issues that require upper management. I then proceed to do a site walk-through with contractor and supervision consultant to check on progress and make comments. After that, I proceed to SODIC HQ and coordinate all outstanding paper work and payments with all internal departments such as Procurement, Planning, Costing and Contracts. Finally, I prepare a report on a weekly basis that goes to upper management
indicating progress updates as well as highlighting risks that require escalation. I then drive home through traffic, on the phone most of the way, still resolving work issues. Once home I sit back, relax and have my dinner either at home or with the love of my life. Usually I end the evening with a movie or just interesting conversation before finally retiring to bed. How much time is spent on paper work and correspondence? I would say 20% - 30% of my day is dedicated to paper work and correspondence. What do you normally do for lunch? My lunch is basically a quick sandwich, which is usually eaten at my desk in between meetings. What is the best part of your day? The best part of my day is walking through the project site and watching the project come to life in front of my eyes. What is your tip for success? Work hard and motivate those working with you. Always challenge yourself as well as your team to be more efficient and most importantly to not be Mr. Fix-it, but rather, be the one that is able to foresee and circumvent problems rather than wait for them to happen.
My World
the Life of‌ Name: Tamer Fahim Age: 34 Education: Bachelor of Science, NYIT (New York Institute of Technology) Current Position: GM/Owner of Jupiter Eclipse Training CEM: Tamer, when did you establish JET? TF: I opened the company on the 31st of Dec 2009. We have been operational as a corporate training company focusing on teambuilding/ coaching and soft skills training for the past five years, growing slowly but surely. What were you doing before and why did you change track? I was the Marketing Director for Avon cosmetics and before that the Brand Manager for CHANEL in
Egypt. I have always been a selfstarter and proactive, with my own unique perspective on things. I kept wondering why I should make money for someone else, if I had the skills to create something of my own. So I decided to set up my own business. Of course I was blessed to have a family business already running which I used as a stepping stone: a dynamic teambuilding enterprise that was founded over 14 years ago by my mother. So what would be your typical day, from wake up to sleep? My day starts at around 6.00 am with an early bike ride with my dog and then I hit the gym. A good breakfast is a must, and then I am off to work to be at my desk between 8.30 to 9.00 am. One of the things I love about my business is it always comes with surprises; every day is a new day, working on our team-building projects both inside and outside Cairo for our expanding client list. The JET team exists in an industry that needs a lot of innovation and creative thinking outside of the box, so every day we look for positive ways to develop the business.
What about routine tasks? How much time is spent on paper work and correspondence? Not a lot, maybe an hour during the day maximum. Our work program is hands-on and dynamic and we back it up with a detailed but easily managed planning and communications system. What do you normally do for lunch? I normally bring my lunch from home, nothing can beat that! What is the best part of your day? Landing a team-building or coaching contract with a client. And ofcourse, when a longstanding customer calls us and asks for another training session. We feel a burst of adrenalin when a new or existing client comes to us with a challenge. That is what we work for. What is your tip for success? Innovation is KEY. What separates you from your competition and always keeps you a step ahead is being innovative and creative.
CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
Fresh Grads on the Hunt
Professional Advice on Landing a Job By Hilary Diack Landing a coveted job is all about making the right impression by showcasing your skills and potential in the right way. Cairo East Magazine chatted with Alex Krikor Tcherasson, SPHR, HR consultant, to get his advice for new graduates. CWM: What are the key points to consider when seeking employment? AT: The four points to consider when applying for a job vacancy: 1. CV preparation 2. Before the interview 3. During the interview 4. Employment offer What are common mistakes people make when compiling their C.V.? What should they include and what should they avoid? • A well-prepared CV, comprised of 2 pages maximum, will attract a potential employer’s attention and it should contain the following: • Personal details (name, phone number and e-mail address) • Business objectives and aspirations (2 – 4 lines) • Technical skills if any (summer training for example) • Personal qualities (abilities) • Achievements (social activities, sport activities etc.) • Education Tips: • Avoid long colorful decorated CVs • Avoid copying CVs from the Internet • Use bullets and short sentences • Use Arial or Universe font, size 12 • Focus on your strengths and qualities as a human being How can candidates make the right impression in a job interview?
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Before the interview: • Read about the employer. Being knowledgeable about the business you are trying to join gives an excellent impression • Dress appropriately (preferably formal), be well groomed • Arrive 10 – 15 minutes before the interview time • Bring additional copies of your CV, they might be needed • Bring copies of any documents that might help during the interview (certificates of training, awards etc.) During the interview: • Enter the interview room confidently • Don’t cross your arms or legs • Listen carefully with no interruption • If you are asked to introduce yourself, make it in less than 2 minutes. Focus on your studies and business objectives • Never answer a question you don’t understand. • Say that you don’t know if you have no answer; it shows professionalism • Make your statements short and clear • Always maintain eye contact in a relaxed manner • Ask about the potential for acquiring new skills and career path in the company • Ask about the next step Tip: Don’t ask about the salary at this stage. If they volunteer to tell you, then it is ok to discuss it What qualities does an HR manager usually look for when meeting a potential employee?
The focus is usually on knowledge and mainly abilities such as communication, creativity and customer orientation. Taking this into consideration helps job seekers when preparing for an interview What are the most important things to keep in mind when considering a new job? Most job seekers don’t really know how employers evaluate them when applying for a vacancy which opens the door for irrelevant interpretations when rejected. Employers focus on finding a candidate profile that should match the vacancy competency model. If your application is successful the following points should be discussed before signing an employment offer/contract: • • • •
Position title Start date Offered salary Contract type open…) • Benefits
(annual,
temp,
Other requirements Armed with a positive attitude and a will to work hard you should now be on the path to a rewarding career.
Willing to Work?
By Hilary Diack
If anyone tries to tell you there are no good jobs up for grabs just spend a few minutes checking out these sites. Add to these the plethora of career sections on the websites of most large companies and you will be spoilt for choice. Bayt
jobs in well-known companies, many of which are multi-nationals. You can upload your C.V. or browse through their database. www.amcham.org.eg/online_ services/recruitment Vacancies for Fresh Graduates
Bayt is a comprehensive site for positions in Egypt and the Middle East region. It offers loads of useful information as well. www.bayt.com/en/egypt
This is a good site for new graduates to check. Jobs posted seem to be with dynamic companies that offer good growth potential. www.facebook.com/vacancies.for. fresh.graduates.Undergrads
EFE Egypt
Linked In
EFE Egypt was established in 2007 to give youth a brighter future while helping businesses find the skilled entry-level employees they need. EFE Egypt has launched programs to prepare unemployed Egyptian youth to succeed as employees and entrepreneurs. www.efe.org/our-network/egypt
If you are a member of Linked In and looking to change your work you can access their database of interesting positions. To top it off, they will keep you posted as to anything in the market that might interest you as well. jobs-listings@linkedin.com
Amcham The American Chamber of Commerce has a great website with a variety of
The site is updated regularly so is a handy resource. www.jobs-eg.com Cantalop Cantalop is a job search engine that aims to revolutionize the way people search for jobs in Egypt; an easy-touse online tool. www.cantalop.com Wuzzuf This relatively new website has a great database of good jobs in many fields. Well worth a look! www.wuzzuf.net/jobs/egypt Dubizzle This well-known resource has a diverse range of job listings for Egypt and the region. www.egypt.dubizzle.com
Jobs Egypt You can actually find positions available throughout the region in addition to a wide selection in Egypt.
CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
Dr. Amin Sharobim’s Comprehensive Guide to Skin Treatments & Procedures By Hilary Diack
Fully deserving the very best care we can give it, the skin is our body’s largest organ. It works incessantly to help regulate our body temperature, shield our bodies from bacteria, and is a good indicator of our general state of health. Unfortunately our skin also bears the brunt of environmental conditions and the ravages of time, so it is small wonder then that cosmetic procedures have carved out a sizeable niche in the beauty industry. Cairo East Magazine met with dermatologist Dr. Amin Sharobim to learn more.
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CEM: What are the best procedures and treatments for maintaining a youthful appearance in lieu of plastic surgery? AS: It really depends on each individual patient’s needs. Every case is different so we tailor the treatments accordingly. That said, it should be noted that Botox is still one of the most widely used in-office procedures. Of course, some cosmetic improvements can only be handled by surgery so a patient must be made aware of what can be achieved with each option. There is also an increase in popularity of laser therapy like Fraxel and filler treatments using hyaluronic acid. How effective are Fraxel and heat activated collagen treatments? Again, it depends on each patient’s requirements. Fraxel is a first generation non-ablative fractional laser treatment, and is used for dealing with fine lines, wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, stretch marks, and crow’s feet. Non-ablative fractional lasers use laser energy micro-beams to coagulate areas of affected tissue that extend through the epidermis into the dermis. This procedure keeps the outer layer of skin in place for faster healing and recovery. The benefit lies in the minimal ‘downtime’; it does not disrupt the patient’s routine. Alternatively ablative laser procedures use laser beams that deliver heat in small vertical columns and vaporize the affected tissue. This requires a longer period for healing while the body creates new, healthy tissue to replace the areas of affected tissue, resulting in healthier, youngerlooking skin. These machines all serve to stimulate collagen renewal so are aiming at the same type of result. What about the new filler treatment Voluma, and how does it differ from Botox? They are two totally different treatments, for very different purposes. Botox is used as a muscle relaxant and targets dynamic wrinkles. It is highly popular and we even see a lot of younger patients coming for preventative sessions, to pre-empt formation of wrinkles.
There are always new developments in this field and it gives good results when done correctly. Voluma is a heavy filler and should be used carefully, it is not for everyone. It is primarily for augmenting cheeks that have lost their natural volume and should not be used for lips. What should we know about Ulthera, the ultrasound nonsurgical face-lift? There are several types of machines for brow lifts and wrinkle treatment, but to date only Ulthera has been FDA approved. The procedure delivers heat and ultrasound to stimulate collagen production. The person handling the treatment can actually visualize the layers of the skin through this ultrasound. A new treatment that has proven to give good results is Fractional Skin Resurfacing, a unique skin treatment utilizing bipolar radiofrequency energy to rejuvenate aged and wrinkled skin. It improves the texture and tone of the skin while tightening it through deep dermal heating that reaches the collagen fibers, creating an immediate and long term tightening effect.
What is Mesotherapy and how good is it? Mesotherapy uses multiple injections of pharmaceutical and homeopathic medications, plant extracts, vitamins, and other ingredients into skin, and occasionally subcutaneous fat. The aim is to target skin components. It can give good results, but they vary according to the situation. Any treatment plan should be discussed in full with the doctor to get an idea of what result can be anticipated. It definitely is a trending procedure, but should be used only when required. What are the most effective methods for removing liver and age spots from our skin? Again, each case must be looked at individually. In more serious instances we would use a Q-switched laser, a technique by which a laser can be made to produce a pulsed output beam. Other cases can be handled by peeling or bleaching creams, depending on the severity. It is essential to remember to use sunblock and avoid exposure during the hotter part of the day.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
What can be done for sensitive skin that is prone to prickly heat rash and irritations in summer? Remember to use an emollient suited to your personal skin type. Keep your skin protected and hydrated, there are some excellent sun-blocks in the market with anti-oxidants and vitamins. If you want to get a light tan choose the hours of the day when the UV rays are at a minimum concentration. How can we deal with pigmentation? There are many causes and types of pigmentation. A common cause is over exposure to the sun, but it can also be related to stress, reaction to a new medication, pregnancy or hormonal changes. A consultation with you doctor is essential, he can
then prescribe the correct type of treatment. Are there any new treatments available for acne? One of the latest topical treatments in the market has a combination of two drugs, Retin A and Benzoyl peroxide. The redness and swelling that can occur with acne are caused by a type of bacteria that can be killed by exposing your skin to different types of light, with blue light being the most commonly used wavelength as a support therapy to medical treatment.
dryness and reaction to detergents. It is important to keep the skin well hydrated as well as using prescribed medications. Most pharmacies also stock specialized soaps and facial washes to help relieve the symptoms. Have you seen an increase in pollution-related skin conditions? Yes. As increasing pollution levels gradually impact the ozone layer we are more exposed to skin damage by excess UV rays. While a certain amount of sun is vital for our health we need to be more aware of ways of protecting our skin.
What can be done to alleviate eczema?
Which vitamins are important for healthy hair and skin?
Sufferers are genetically pre-disposed to this condition, but there can be many aggravating factors such as skin
Any diet should include food items rich in zinc, biotin, calcium and iron. Anyone who has a pattern of extreme dieting or surgical intervention for weight loss may find they suffer a lot of hair loss and weak nails. Supplements may help, along with adjustments in eating habits. With so many new techniques for battling the effects of age do you see a danger in treatments becoming an addiction? It can happen, there is always a danger of a person developing compulsive body disorders with an obsession for chasing perfection. The doctor must consult in depth with the patient before any work is carried out and ensure that a healthy mental attitude is there to support the therapy.
Dr. Amin Sharobim
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Go Ahead! Go by Marcus O’Neill MSc RD Nuts are a staple in diets throughout the world. They are popular in Middle Eastern cuisines where they’re often included in mezzes, desserts and other sweets. But from a nutritional perspective, how much do you really know about them?
Nutritional Benefits of Nuts There is a lot of nutrition packed into these little gems. Nuts are high in protein, fibre, monounsaturated fats (MUFA’s) and numerous vitamins and minerals. It’s no wonder that a diet including a variety of nuts has been shown to promote good heart and gastrointestinal health as well as reduce the risk for developing certain types of cancer.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of certain kinds of nuts: Almonds – Almonds are high in
calcium, which makes them a great option if you are unable to consume dairy products. They are also a good source of vitamin E and contain high amounts of flavonoids.
Peanuts – Peanuts are one of the most versatile nuts out there. They are loaded with protein and are an excellent source of niacin and manganese. Walnuts – Walnuts are packed with
antioxidants, particularly Omega 3 fatty acids, which means they’re great for reducing your risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Pistachios – Pistachios are the
only nuts that contain lutein and zeaxanthin; two antioxidants that play an important role in good eye health. They are also high in vitamin B6 and potassium.
Hazelnuts – Hazelnuts are a great source of folate, which is an important vitamin for promoting good heart health. Folate is important for pregnant women as it minimizes the potential of certain birth defects. Potential Downsides When it comes to eating nuts, there are a few things you should note. First, by volume nuts are quite high in calories. Depending on the type, ¼ cup (60ml) of nuts contain anywhere from 160 to 250 calories. This is certainly something to keep in mind if your goal is weight loss. Another potential problem with nuts is that they’re often mixed into foods that are loaded with sugar, fat and sodium. Trying to increase your intake of nuts by eating things like baklava with pistachios, chocolate covered almonds, bbq-spiced peanuts or Nutella often defeats the purpose of eating nuts in the first place. Let’s not forget the prevalence of nut allergies here. Nut allergies are one of the most common food allergies that exist. If you suspect you may be allergic, it is important to avoid consuming nuts and be tested by your doctor.
Best Ways to Eat Nuts To get the most nutritional benefit of nuts without the downside of added sugar, fat and/or sodium, try incorporating unsalted nuts into salads, stir fries or curries. You can also add nuts to plain yogurt, with a touch of honey or fresh fruit for a tasty breakfast or even dessert. If you’re less adventurous (or skilled) in the kitchen feel free to eat a small handful of nuts along with a piece of fruit for a snack. And finally, nut butters (ie. peanut butter) and milks (ie. almond milk) are a great option for those who find nuts alone unpalatable. The bottom line is nuts are a great way to get more protein, fibre and healthy fat in your diet. Just keep in mind the total calories and try to minimize the amount of added sugar, fat and sodium you’re getting along with your nut intake. Marcus O’Neill is a Registered Dietitian from Canada, currently residing in Maadi. He can be reached by email at marcusoneill79@ yahoo.com, or you can follow him via Twitter (@marcusoneillrd), or his website (www.dietitianabroad.com).
CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE WELLBEING
Meditation 101
Dr. Amit Negi De-mystifies the Process What can help set the mood for meditation? Set a place at home for meditation. It is best to have a special room for meditation, but if this is impossible, as it is for most of us, try to separate off a portion of a room, reserving it solely for your practice if you can. Maintain it as a space to be used only for meditation, clean and tidy, free from distracting vibrations and associations. You can also add up some scented candles and crystals to this area to enrich the meditation experience and the positive energy of the place. Adjust your sitting position so you are seated in a comfortable steady posture, with spine and neck straight but not tensed. A comfortable cross-legged posture provides a firm base for the body. You can also use Yoga Asana such as padmasana, the classic lotus posture or siddhasana, the half-lotus position, or any simple crosslegged position.
We hear many people talk about meditation and its effect on emotional and physical health. But what exactly happens to us when we meditate? Cairo West Magazine met up with yoga expert and naturopath, Dr. Amit Negi for more insight. CWM: What is meditation? AN: Meditation is a process of purifying the mind and making it focused, inward, and tranquil. Through the method of meditation, the mind will help you to fathom the deeper levels of your being and lead you to the highest state of realization. Meditation is when the mind is cleared of everything except the object of meditation. It becomes the only thing that shines in the mind. While meditating, the mind becomes devoid of all thoughts, even the ones of yourself. That state is called Samadhi in Indian, which means absorption. A person attains this state when he forgets himself while meditating. What are its benefits? Meditation has a lot of benefits psychologically and physically. It helps greatly in reducing stress and fighting depression. It also helps in the case of physical problems or illnesses; after all, a relaxed, healthy mind results in a relaxed, healthy body, and vice versa. Meditation also allows you to detox your body, mind and soul.
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Sitting on a cushion will help the thighs relax and bring the knees closer to the ground. In these sitting positions, a triangular path is created for the flow of energy, containing it rather than allowing it to disperse in all directions. Metabolism and breathing slow down as concentration deepens. Elderly or less able people may wish to sit on a comfortable chair. Lying down is not recommended because you relax completely and may find it almost impossible to ward off sleep. The mild muscular contraction necessary to hold the back upright in a sitting position keeps you alert. Try to relax the rest of the body as much as possible, especially the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders. The chest should be open, with the rib cage lifted to encourage abdominal breathing. Initially, you may find it difficult to keep the back straight for more than a few minutes. The practice of asanas (yoga postures) for as little as thirty minutes a day will strengthen your back, making it easy for you to sit comfortably over a long period of time.
Should you avoid meditating if you feel stressed or upset, or can it help you get a better perspective on things? Meditation can help in taming those feelings. As I said before, it is a great stress relief emotional detox tool.
Wellbeing Tips to
By Hilary Diack
Mind over Matter
Hooked on Sugar?
How can we keep our cool when the world is getting crazier by the minute? See how some people manage in this insightful read.
It’s not just about the “feel good” factor, our bodies can actually latch on to certain food groups and leave us craving more. Avoid the traps by reading this advice.
collective-evolution.com/2014/07/15/6-traits-ofpeople-who-live-peaceful-lives-they-might-surpriseyou
mindbodygreen.com/0-14423/6-foods-that-behavelike-addictive-drugs-in-your-body
Making a Great Entrance
Banish that Migraine
It’s so simple. These time-honoured design and décor “cures” could really make a difference so why not give them a try? mindbodygreen.com/0-14479/6-feng-shui-tips-toinvite-great-energy-into-your-home
A “must read” for anyone who knows the agony of a migraine attack. Nature comes to the rescue again. wakeup-world.com/2014/04/11/natural-cure-formigraines
Ants in your Pants?
Food to the Rescue
It wouldn’t feel like summer without a trail of ants, would it? Instead of resorting to toxic sprays try discouraging them with more natural methods.
Trying to shed a few kilos that crept on over the holidays? Incorporate these food items into your diet for a quicker result.
naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2014/07/eliminate-antshome-naturally.html#.U8GpIPsE-Bc.facebook
healthdigezt.com/10-fat-fighting-foods-to-eat
CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE FEATURE
Backstage at fashion week and the after party, glamour icons, and model mania
Showing off his way with glitter, his own enviable ombré locks, and super-fresh inspiration photos
@ctilburymakeup
@aarondemey1 “Baby” super models, baby animals, her favorite skincare lines, and enviable gardens
Before and after selfies with SK-II masks, occasional guyliner, and pre-party prep with It girls
@gucciwestman
@beau_nelson
Who to follow on Instagram! The Makeup Artists
The interiors and exteriors of her jet-set life, droolworthy makeup and skincare artilleries, and bathtubs across the globe @hannah_murray1
By Lydia Schoonderbeek You’ve seen the Instagraming, models, photographers, and that get our synapses firing, but we really bow down to a certain set of social-media-savvy professionals—the makeup artists. Below, is a list of our favorites:
Quality over quantity inspiration images and his favorite looks from backstage
British short-hair kittens, pretty and playful makeup, and the products she loves
@jameskaliardos
@lisaeldridgemakeup
Her models-in-the-making family, new editorials, and photo-bombing her famous friends @jeaninelobell
The benefits of blue eyeshadow, theme parties, Vicky Secret Angels, and the very rare on-location selfie @lisahoughton
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Francophilia and her French Pharmacy musthaves (e.g., Embryolisse), behind-the-scenes on her latest editorials, and kittens! @lotstar
Eid al-Adha Packages Sahl Hasheesh
EL GOUNA
Baron Palace (6 stars) - Per person in double room EGP 2550.00 - Per person in triple room EGP 2490.00 - Above rates are per person in a standard garden room - On soft all inclusive basis
Sultan Bey Resort (4 stars) - Per person in double room EGP 1350.00 - Per person in a triple room rate of EGP 1200.00 - Above rates are per person in standard double room - On bed and breakfast basis
The Oberoi (5 stars) - Per person in a Deluxe Suite EGP 2250.00 - Per single Deluxe Suite EGP 4500.00 - Return airport transfers by Mercedes Benz
Club Paradisio (4 stars) - Per person in double room EGP 1500.00 - Per person in a triple room EGP 1400.00 - Above rates are per person in standard double room - On bed and breakfast basis
Sharm El-Sheikh
ASWAN
Mรถvenpick Resort (5 stars) - Naama Bay - Per person in double standard sea view room EGP 1200.00 - Per single standard sea view room EGP 1980.00 - On bed and breakfast basis
Mรถvenpick Resort Aswan - Eid al-Adha package 1 night Mรถvenpick Resort Aswan + 3 nights Mรถvenpick M/S Hamees - Per person per Package in Double Cabin: Egyptians: EGP 2313.00 Foreign Residents: EGP 2648.00 - Per person per Package in Triple Cabin: Egyptians: EGP 2169.00 Foreign Residents: EGP 2503.00
For more information visit: www.amexfranchise.com CAIROEASTMAG.COM
CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE ART & CULTURE
El Hussein Fawzi
Zohra Efflatoun
Ervand Demerdjian
Safarkhan
Katherine Bakhoumgb
Art Gallery
Summer Collective Exhibition 2014 Running from 8th of July till 30th of September, 2014 The Summer Collection showcases the unique dual role that Safarkhan has been working hard at for years by paying tribute to pioneers in the world of Egyptian art as well as introducing young contemporary talent. Modern Artists: El Hussein Fawzi - Ervand Demerdjian - Tahia Halim - Mohamed Ismail - Zohra Efflatoun - Morris Farid - Abdel Ghani Abou El Enin - Ahmed Chiha - Farouk Hosni - Ahmed Nawar Contemporary Artists: Anna Boghiguian - Sabah Naim - Katherine Bakhoumgb - Sarkis Tossoonian - Alfons Louis - Bassem Samir - Mohamed Monaiseer
For more information visit: www.safarkhan.com - facebook.com/groups/safarkhan
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1919 Ahmed Mourad’s Latest Egyptian Saga Reviewed by Ines Hanna
1919
is a thought-provoking, fast-paced, information-packed historical fiction set to the actual events of a significant era in Egypt’s history. Author Ahmed Mourad has created a rich and intriguing world in his new novel, 1919, a vivid recounting of the Egyptian uprising against Britain’s occupation of Egypt through the lives of a diverse cast of characters that include famous and obscure historical figures as well as fictional characters. The novel opens with the story of Ward, an Armenian refugee from the Turkish genocide whose parents manage to escape to Egypt before succumbing to the Spanish Flu, leaving the teenaged Ward to fend for herself among the predators of Cairo’s underworld. Next, we are introduced to Ahmed Kira, by day a laboratory assistant and by night an assassin with the notorious Black Hand network, who poses as an elegant pimp to lure British Occupation officers to their deaths. Abdel-Kader “el Ginn” (“the demon”) is a thug who does a lucrative trade supplying British soldiers with alcohol, cigarettes and cocaine, until his own father is brutally murdered by the British and he becomes consumed with the desire for revenge at any cost. From the back-streets and alleys, we move to the palaces of Egypt’s aristocracy, where the future Queen Nazli is still a young and naive girl experiencing her first love, and where the feminist icon Safeya Zaghloul, Saad
Zaghloul’s influential wife, is leading the protests against the British who have exiled her husband. Under Mourad’s skillful hands, all the characters emerge as flawed but deeply sympathetic, keeping the reader hooked and interested in their fates. Mourad has already earned a strong reputation for producing suspenseful page-turners, and this one is no different, though it offers so much more than a fascinating read. In preparing to write 1919, Mourad immersed himself for a full year in the world of early 20th century Egypt, reading memoirs by artists, journalists and politicians from that era, listening to radio and television interviews from the 1950’s and 60’s of influential individuals whose careers had flourished decades before, watching films from the earliest days of Egyptian cinema, and pouring over letters and official documents nearly a century old. Like an orphan tracing his roots, Egyptian readers will be struck by how little has really changed, and how profoundly our past has shaped our present struggles, as individuals and as a nation.
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CAIRO EAST MAGAZINE restaurant review
Barbacoa
Where diners enjoy authentic Mexican flavours By Tatiana Hafez
Forget your ideas of the stereotypical commercial Mexican restaurant. No cactus or sombreros. Instead of a tourist-trap atmosphere you have a contemporary dining setting. Welcome to Barbacoa Mexican Grill. Maadi Road 9’s latest restaurant addition opened its doors with the purpose of introducing authentic Mexican cuisine. We tried Barbacoa for a midweek early lunch. Once seated and sipping our sangria drinks, we were served a basket of warm, crunchy, home-made tortillas, accompanied by a spicy Mexican salsa. While savouring our fresh treat, we took our time to look at the extensive menu of appetizers, main dishes, grills, desserts, ‘mocktails’ and aguas frescas, which are refreshing fruitflavoured water drinks, similar to rose water but far less sweet. For appetizers we chose very traditional Mexican starters such as Guacamole de La Casa, Mushroom Quesadillas, Nachos and Ceviche de Pescado. You cannot come to a Mexican restaurant without going for guacamole, which is an avocado dip, seasoned with tomatoes, chilli peppers, salt, pepper, olive oil and
lemon, lots of lemon if you prefer the proper Mexican way. In order to maintain the authenticity of the dishes Barbacoa imports its avocado from Kenya and all other chillies and spices come from Mexico. The Mushroom quesadilla consists of sautéed mushroom, onions, and melted mozzarella in a flour tortilla accompanied by three dips: roasted tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and pico de gallo which is a mild spicy dip fresh salsa of tomato, white onion and chilli. It is a very light option, and the portion size is just right. The nachos are served in a small bite ready to eat, fully loaded, ingredients equally balanced and crunchy until the last bite. Ceviche de Pescado is a dish of marinated white fish in lime juice. Until I tried at Barbacoa I thought it was a Peruvian dish but it seems that many other Latin American countries also called it their own. As for main dishes we opted for Bistek à la Mexicana – Barbacoa’s signature and top selling dish, of tender steak fillet, cooked with tomatoes and chilli accompanied by black cooked beans in a pot. This dish can make you sweat but you can always ask for a milder version.
Our Pescado al Pastor was a very fresh tilapia fillet, rubbed in a spicy seasoning, served with green salad and grilled pineapple. For the sweet and sour lovers this is a very tasty combination. Nonetheless, the star of the main dishes was the Barbacoa de Cordero, slow cooked lamb leg wrapped in a banana leaf for 6-7 hours. The meat is served shredded and rolled in a banana leaf accompanied by corn tortillas and the meat consommé. For dessert we ordered Chimichanga, a deep fried burrito, filled with frozen cream cheese and mango, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, and Empanadas, a thin crust, filled with cooked bananas and served on caramel sauce, both of which were outstanding and perfectly sealed our dining experience. Barbacoa Mexican Grill surely takes you into a gastronomic experience into the rich and flavourful Latin culinary trip. Check out for Barbacoa VIP Member card that accumulates credit and gets special offers for those special days!
For more information visit: Facebook.barbacoarestaurant
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Nachos Ingredients:
Method:
3 corn tortillas
1. Fry the tortillas. When the tortillas are ready, dried the excess oil with kitchen paper and spread the refried beans on top of each tortilla.
⅓ cup Pico de Gallo ⅓ cup refried beans ⅓ cup cheddar cheese, shredded 30 ml. sour cream 15 gr. jalapeño, sliced
2. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and bake in a preheated oven until the cheese has melted. 3. Remove from the oven, add the Pico de Gallo and sliced jalapeños on top, cut each tortilla in 4 triangles. 4. Place the nachos in a plate adding the sour cream on top. Serve warm.
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Events in September 2014 at Cooks Day Off Garden Bazaar El Patio Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays Sunday, September 14 and Furniture Monday, September 15, 2014 and Saturdays and Home 9.00am-2.00pm 9.00am-2.00pm Accessories Calling all ladies! Shop till you For those days when you just don’t have the energy to cook, we can provide a reprieve with homemade, authentic cuisine from Egypt, India, Italy, Lebanon, Pakistan and Thailand. These specialties are cooked with care and love for you and your family.
Farmer’s Market Every Thursday 9.00am-2.00pm
Take your pick from our wide range of organic vegetables fresh crunchy greens, organic fruits, chutneys, preserves and much more.
Thai Buffet Wednesday, September 17 12.00pm
Looking for a friendly place to stop in for lunch? Drop by with your friends for a traditional Thai meal. With harmony as its base, dishes in the Thai buffet are prepared with fragrant Asian spices and herbs that will tantalize your taste buds. Don’t forget to mark your calendar because it’s only once a month and the menus are always different.
Welcome Party Tuesday, September 9 6.00pm-9.00pm
Come discover all that CSA is and has to offer. Also a great opportunity to meet our dedicated staff. Dine, Drink, Dance! Featuring the music of DJ Tamer.
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drop at CSA’s Garden Bazaar. Lots of vendors await you with a great selection of items to choose from including clothes, accessories, arts and crafts.
Art Exhibition Featuring the works of Conja Youssef September 7 -November 6, 2014 Preview and Reception: Sunday, September 7, 2014 6.00pm-8.00pm Meet the artist and enjoy complementary wine and cheese
CSA is proud to host an exhibition of the work of the artist, Conja Youssef. Conja has lived in Egypt & Canada and with that comes her love for diverse subject matter in different mediums, whether charcoal, water colours, acrylic or oil, with a bold stroke here and there & vibrant colours her paintings come to life. Her mother was her first inspiration as she too painted & always encouraged her. Conja usually has favorite paintings and hopes they get happy homes when sold!
African Store – Amr Gabr September 28-October 4
We believe that the world is a grove of art and beauty. We are interested in choosing the best flowers of art, history and heritage to give a magic touch to your home office or company. Keep your space up-to-date with the best modern handicrafts. Achieving your dreams is our priority.
September 21-September 27
View exceptionally crafted textiles on Egyptian cotton, linen, and toile. Gaze on El Patio’s custom made furniture, including sofas, tables, beds, chairs and curtains, as well as re-upholstery. By Lamia Hassanein.
H’Art Gallery (Halla El Sokkari) August 31-September 6
H’Art is a virtual and dynamic gallery for promoting and exhibiting contemporary works by renowned and up and coming Egyptian artists. The idea for H’Art was born through a long time appreciation for art. A great channel to promote and enjoy Egyptian art. H’Art holds numerous exhibitions throughout the year at various venues.
Khazana – Collection of Indian Handcrafts September 7-September 13
Khazana is a treasure house of unique and genuine Indian antiques, ethnic home decorations, colonial furniture, fascinating handicrafts, and captivating objects d’art. Antique doors, hand-painted items, traditional brass and wood dowry-chests, assorted gift items each piece is exquisitely designed and made by Indian craftsmen to beautify your style of living.
Community Services Association (CSA) 4 Road 21,Maadi ,Cairo Tel:23585284/23580754 Mobile No :01068828540 Facebook:csa.egypt Twitter:@csamaadi www.livinginegypt.org
WHAT’S NEW EAST SIDE
Now open in Heliopolis
Now open in Cairo Festival City
Bludan El Demishky Syrian restaurant 4 Elasry Mohamed Nafe Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt Delivery Tel: 24522224 - 24522227 - 0122 3555820 Catering: 22593334
Level 2, Cairo Festival City
Now open in maadi
85 Road 9, Mostafa Kamel St. Intersection, Al Maadi Tel: 01017333689 Now open in The District
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EAST SIDE
The New Porsche Macan The world’s first sports car in the compact SUV segment, the Macan is available now by Porsche Centre Egypt, SMG Engineering Automotive Co. The New Porsche Macan poised to set new standards in driving dynamics and enjoyment, both on and off the road boasts the typical sporty handling characteristics that have become synonymous with the Porsche brand. Many of the design and performance elements have been inspired by the brand’s sports cars, including the iconic 911 and the revolutionary 918 Spyder, making it clear that the compact SUV heralds the first of its kind. The compact SUV is unrivalled in its flat and broad profile on the road. The wrap-around bonnet and gently sloping roof-line accentuate the overall impression of sporty elegance and powerful dynamics. Two derivatives are available at Porsche Centre Egypt for order: Macan S, and Macan Turbo. The Macan S is equipped with a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine, delivering 340 hp and also features an active all-wheel drive with an electronically controlled, map-controlled multi-plate clutch. This all-wheel drive is fitted on all Macan models. From the outset, the Macan boasts the recently developed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), which transfers power as required and almost free of interruption in tractive force. This enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, when equipped with the optional Sport Chrono package, and reaches a top speed of 254 km/h. As the top derivative, the Macan Turbo is set to be the most powerful petrol-powered vehicle in the compact SUV segment. The 3.6-litre V6 biturbo engine, which is being used in a Porsche model for the very first time, achieves an unrivalled 400 hp and catapults the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds (with Sport Chrono package), reaching a top speed of 266 km/h. The name Macan comes from the Indonesian word for tiger, a spirit the car truly embodies. Boasting pure Porsche power and assertiveness, the Macan is also a nimble yet tenacious off-roader. The latest stage of evolution of the all-wheel drive – known as Porsche Traction Management – has produced one of the world’s most powerful drive systems. CAIROEASTMAG.COM
EAST SIDE
Ramadan Nights at the Patio of the Cairo Marriott Hotel The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar El Khayyam Casino held its annual media sohour this year at the Patio. The Patio is set in the middle of the khedivial gardens on magnificent marble floors with fountains that date back to the time the Gezirah Palace was built. The setting had a traditional Ramadan flair with authentic food and beverage stations that served traditional items such as grilled sweet potatoes, grilled corn on the cob, and many more Ramadan delights. The sohour was attended by a select group of publishers and media personnel representing the top media scene in Egypt. Guests were welcomed by Omar Tantway, Resident Manager and Heba Eissa, Director of Sales & Marketing and Ghada Abdel Khalek, Director of Marketing Communications. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful Ramadan atmosphere while watching traditional Egyptian Tanoora dancers and while listening to the live band playing oriental themed music.
Maha Osman, H.E Panayiouts Vlassapoulos
Ghada Abdelkhalek, Mohamed Ibrahim, Yasmine El Gammal, Hend Seif El Din
Nehad Ezz El Din, Ghada AbdelKhalek, Marwa Magdi
Dusit Thani LakeView Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo names Ahmed Helmy as Assistant Director of Sales- Mice & GCC and Maha El Beltagui as Assistant Director of Sales. Joining from Starwood hotels, Ahmed brings 11 years of experience in hospitality working to this new role. Joining from JW Marriott and Renaissance multi property, Cairo Marriott and Le Meredien Luxor, Maha brings 15 years of experience in hospitality working to this new role. Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo Appoints Sherif Hamdy as Director of Sales. A well-deserved promotion, Sherif brings 15 years of experience in hospitality working to this new role, starting his career with giants such as Le Meredien, and Grand Hyatt. Sherif Hamdy has been promoted with an outstanding experience leading the hotel’s leisure and corporate business to ongoing success.
Maha El Beltagui
Ahmed Helmy
Sherif Hamdy CAIROEASTMAG.COM
The Golden Trip at Mirai - Zamalek In celebration of the rich cultures of South East Asia, Mirai is presenting you with a new adventure, The Golden Trip. It’s your opportunity to explore Thailand’s hidden cultural secrets of the exotic city Chiang Mai during the time of the most awaited Thai festival of the year, the Loy Krathong, also known as the “festival of lights”. It’s the perfect get-away to pamper yourself with breathtaking views of the mountains, waterfalls and rivers of Northern Thailand. By dining at Mirai five times, you become part of a draw to win The Golden Trip for you and a loved one. Mirai, which sits along the Nile in Zamalek, features Pan-Asian cuisine including a classic Teppanyaki grill, sushi bar and fusion recipes that marry the traditional and the contemporary. The contest runs until the 30th of September. To enter to win you must provide a valid mobile number, and present a valid photo ID when you visit Mirai. The winner and travel companion must have valid travel documents to Thailand between the 4th and 11th of November. To enter, you must make a minimum of 5 visits with a minimum charge of EGP 1000 per visit, regardless of the number of guests with you. For more information about the Golden Trip visit: facebook.com/Miraioonline or call 02 27350014. For more information about the Loy Krathong Festival visit: www.chiangmai-alacarte.com/loy-krathong-festival-november-5-6-and-7-2014-0
Eid at The District The District witnessed an incredible Eid with Sharmoofers band rocking the night with their songs, their fans cheered; clowns, stilts and jugglers mingled with the crowd and people had amazing time. The shows continued to the next day, where El Moled theme was happening in every way. People enjoyed el moled games accompanied with several shows; fire, tanoura, oriental show, mezmar show and hasaballa show.
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HOME FROM HOME... Let’s face it - the day can sometimes wear you down, physically and mentally. Business travellers facing a long stay in a strange city definitely feel it. And even for the sightseeing family on holiday, eventually enough is enough. So let us introduce you to Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars, your ‘home from home’ reassuring comforts of home life and the chance to unwind in a friendly atmosphere with fellow guests and travellers. The 140 suites incorporate studios plus one, two and three bedroom accommodation. They feature a fully-equipped kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals, stateof-the-art entertainment and communications, including complimentary WiFi throughout. There is more space compared to conventional hotel rooms, making them a winner with business travellers and families alike. Staybridge Suite’s heart is the hub kitchen, where breakfast is served every morning at The Gathering Table. This is also the venue for The Evening Socials, held three nights a week including a BBQ, when guests enjoy complimentary drinks and nibbles with a chance to relax while meeting their neighbours. Adding to the cosy appeal is The Living Room, complete with open fire. Other added comforts include The Fitness Room, free use of The Laundry Room and the convenience of a 24/7 deli-style Pantry and coffee machine. Privacy and quiet when you need it, socialising when you fancy it … and all supported by the facilities, services, dining, retail and leisure options of InterContinental and Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars.
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SPOTLIGHT STAYBRIDGE SUITES
Cairo Festival City Mall Gives Away an All-New BMW In a grand celebration held on June 27, 2014 at Cairo Festival City Mall, an all-new 2014 BMW 316i was presented to Passant Attia after winning the Shop & Win promotion and answering the competition question. The celebration was attended by Al-Futtaim Group’s management – one of the largest investment groups in the Gulf and the Middle East and the owner of Cairo Festival City – as well as Coca-Cola’s management representatives, in addition to mall guests and representatives from the media. Passant Attia, the winner of the promotion said, “I consider this a double win, one for the car and the other for the great deals and purchases I made at Cairo Festival City Mall. I send out my sincere appreciation to the organizers of the promotion that created a sense of confidence and loyalty among Cairo Festival City Mall visitors.” With full transparency, the draw was held under the supervision of The Ministry of Social Affairs and attended by thousands of Cairo Festival City Mall visitors whose purchases valued EGP 250 or more during the promotion period. Purchase receipts were redeemed for coupons at the customer service desk to participate in the draw. Cairo Festival City Mall introduces a new concept of shopping, dining and entertainment to Egypt. The mall brings together major international and local brands, including fashion, furniture, jewelry, electronics and footwear, in addition to the most popular restaurants and cafes.
The Park event in Marassi United Group (Samia Aboul Fotouh, Nevine Shawarby, Alia Hassouna, Malak Madkour) organized their second Hello Summer event in cooperation with Emmar Group at The Park in Marassi. With an aim to promote Egyptian-made products the event included Egypt’s top designers who offered exclusive designs especially made for United Group guests. The event was powered by Oriental Weavers, Juhayna, Sallab, Shahrazad Frozen Food, L’Oreal and Sweetal Sugar.
Nevine Shawarby, Alia Hassouna, Malak Madkour, Samia Aboul Fotouh & Sally Shouman
Houda, Yasmine & Sara
Hello Summer guests enjoyed their shopping while listening to the beautiful music of a talented violin artist, while kids enjoyed some fun at The Park. United Group hosted a number of NGOs as part of their corporate social responsibility scheme. With the belief that their biggest objective is to play a positive role in society. Sally, Esraa & Miral
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Ikram Barakat & Habiba
Merna & Rana Madkour
EAST SIDE
An oasis of well-being in the city-Citystars Slap bang in the middle of Heliopolis, with all the noise, dust and frustrations a city like Cairo throws at you, LifeStyles Health & Spa at InterContinental Cairo Citystars is a true oasis of rejuvenation. Relax, recharge and refresh … whether you are a guest at InterContinental or paying the very reasonable day use charge, LifeStyles is an escape route to those essential moments needed to put your body, mind and soul back on an even track any time of the day or night 24/7. LifeStyles is an entire universe of health and well-being. Fitness studios for boxing, aerobics and Pilates add an extra dimension to LifeStyles, along with options for squash and tennis. The comprehensively-equipped and professionally-staffed gym features a bank of running machines with mini TV screens overlooking the pool area, supervised weights area and a whirlpool. Then when it comes to putting your body back together again allow yourself to be pampered. The hydro pool has built in airbeds, neck massagers and body jets as you relax in the hot tub; the candlelit hydrotherapy bath suite and dry flotation suite offer the ultimate in body treatments with private showers and luxurious aromatherapy bath. There is a wet massage suite plus more massage and treatment rooms for essential beauty treatments, a steam room and sauna with individual locker rooms for men and women. All 12 treatment rooms and two Thai treatment rooms are self-contained with individual changing facilities and showers. This is a place for that precious ‘me time’, but for those who can’t totally loosen their grip in the outside world the Sports zone and Internet Stations give gym rats that option of checking their emails and watching their favourite sports programmes. And don’t spoil all the good work by hitting the fries and burgers! The LifeStyles Bar offers light meals, healthy bites and nourishing refreshments. CAIROEASTMAG.COM