Thread: November Nile Group Festival :: Seeking roommate(s) and advice!

Hello! I am a new-to-Egyptian-style dancer and feel compelled to go to Egypt. With flights from San Francisco at only $1000, I feel I should go now before things change and I can't afford transportation.

Is anyone interested in sharing a room at the Pyramisa? I am a clean and conscious person, who will want to sleep at night and attend as many classes as possible.

I will search old threads here but I welcome any advice to someone who has never been to Cairo before (and does not speak Arabic). Are all transactions done mainly in cash? What is the general pricing of the festival workshops?

:-) Annessa

Hello Anessa!

Giving this thread a bump! Also, if no one responds here, try reposting on www.bellydanceforums.net - that's the new Oriental Dancer site. There are a few posters there who regularly attend the Nile Group, and you might have better luck there...g.:

Hi Annessa, if I recall correctly most of the Nile Group workshops were $40 or $60 each (depending on if they were 2 hours or 3). All my transactions were done in cash. It's possible to get $$ at the hotel bank but you will most likely be charged on both ends (there, and by your bank/credit card for the exchange) so it's best to bring as much as you can (kept in a safe spot on your person).

If you're somewhat independent I'd recommend forgoing most of the hotel/NG trip arrangements and visiting the sites on your own. This will save you both money and time. It's very easy and safe to get a cab yourself and travel around within the city, but DO BRING the address and phone # of the hotel wherever you go. For some reason 2 different cabbies couldn't find it after I'd ventured out and was ready to return! Also be sure to visit Eman Zaki, she's not even a block away from the hotel (and Raqia Hassan lives right next door).

I would love to join you but it's not in the cards for me right now. I went solo last year and let Nile Group put me with a roomate, who turned out to be fanstastic (Belyssa, an Australian dancer/teacher on her 40-somethingth trip to Egypt with incredible knowlegde of the workings of Cairo...who also got our room upgraded to a suite and even invited me to attend a 3-day Bedouin wedding with her).

So it may not be so bad to leave it to fate... :)

Good luck, and enjoy!

Hey! I'll be coming to Nile Group Festival this November. Unfortunately I can not help you with the roommate issue as we are all organised already. As for the prices, if you're staying at the festival hotel they are the following:

The prices for workshops are:
40 USD for a 3 hours class
20 USD for a 2 hours class

Yes, cash is preferred everywhere, and the taxis are very convenient - you'll just have to know how to stand for yourself when it comes to price negotiations ..g.:

We can meet up in Cairo and have a chat and a coffee!

Safran

Thank you everyone for the information! I will definitely try the BDForums.net also. Safran I will be in touch! :-) Annessa

I might need a roommate - I am waiting to see if my friend is going to join me & will know in a week or so (if that works for you)

here is my PM
magdelenaraks@yahoo.com

Originally Posted by Annessa

Thank you everyone for the information! I will definitely try the BDForums.net also. Safran I will be in touch! :-) Annessa

I also might meed a roommate, but am not entirely sure I'll be at Nile Fest ... plus I'm thinking of staying somewhere cheaper than the Pyramisa.

Feel free to stay in touch. Email or FB is best (azhaar at azhaardance dot com) :)

Hi all !
I'm a Native (lol) NileGrouper !
my 15th festival on November

If you cant afford Pyramissa the BEST solution is King Hotel in Doqi
Walking distance, big difference in money, what you pay you get but in good way
Now all the greek group is staying there, so be ready for 30 greeks for November if you decide.
If you contact them direct, tell them that Maria Aya (or Malema from Greece) suggested you, they may give a small discount ,r:;

HI,

I too am looking for a room-mate for the November festival, and travel partner.

if any one is interested, let me know.

Angelisa.

Hello again! Well unfortunately the raise & bonus will not be coming through for the 3rd year in a row, although I am extremely grateful to be employed... So I will have to wait & save properly to do Cairo next year. The schedule is up so I'm insanely jealous of those who will be able to make it this year! Thank you to everyone who offered advice to help me get my head wrapped around what it will take - I feel knowledgeable about how to plan my trip for next November. Annessa

Aw, that is such a pity, Annessa. I hope you'll make it next year.

Originally Posted by magdelenam

I might need a roommate - I am waiting to see if my friend is going to join me & will know in a week or so (if that works for you)

here is my PM
magdelenaraks@yahoo.com

Hello Magdelena, and the rest of you fabulous ladies!

I'm looking to share a room for the Nile Festival too - The Kings Hotel looks good (especially knowing that it's less than half the price of the Pyramisa!) Is anyone looking to share with me? Looking forward to your reply!

Lana Diamond
Home - Elemental Belly Dance

Originally Posted by Angelisa

HI,

I too am looking for a room-mate for the November festival, and travel partner.

if any one is interested, let me know.

Angelisa.

Hello Angelisa,

Me too! My email address is lanarama@hotmail.com. Please feel free to message me and we can have a chat about nile fest accomodation!

Lana Diamond
Home - Elemental Belly Dance

We will be at King hotel with a big group of greeks
Anyone there just follow the fun voices its us lol
And I'm also very happy as teaching first time at NileGroup, so see you there ;)

Hi to all of you ladies,

Went two times to the nile group, i won't repeat what you all said, just that you are very strong if you manage to sleep at night in Cairo (i had most of the time breakfast BEFORE going to sleep :D)
We share a triple room at pyramisa so the price was not too high.

Also, Raqia Hassan (who lives one minute away) and Mamdouh Salama ateliers are walk distance form the pyramisa ;) (about 10 minutes walk each).

oh yes, bring cash... :D !

Hope you will enjoy it, we will probably attend the nile group next april :)

Pierrine

Hi Cairo experts !

Please advise ... I googled but couldn't find the updated information so please help!
I'd like to go to a bellydance show while I am in Cairo... does anyone know who dances where ? Are there any way to check other than calling all the hotels?

Originally Posted by Kraliche

Hi Cairo experts !

Please advise ... I googled but couldn't find the updated information so please help!
I'd like to go to a bellydance show while I am in Cairo... does anyone know who dances where ? Are there any way to check other than calling all the hotels?

It is sometimes easy sometimes not easy lol to know who is dancing because it changes depending of the day of the week and whether the dancers are in Cairo or abroad (for festivals for instance).

You can see Dina at the Semiramis Hotel (phone before for confirmation and reservation), Aziza still dances sometimes here I guess...
Cherine at the Mena House, Soraia at Marriot, Randa on Nile Maxims... This is for dancers that you won't see in nile group... Hope for those who will be there that Camelia will perform at Nile group this time, i really love her.

Anyway, i'm sure you will be able to find all the informations with all the bellydancers you will meet at the nile group :)))

Please note that the shows are quite expensive...

Enjoy !

Me and Lorna in Nile Pharaohs, Joanna in Nile Maxim...

If you haven't yet read my articles, do it. They give you extra info about Egyptians, life in Egypt and just about the things you never find anywhere else.
Outi of Cairo

I also have a few restaurants listed beside the Pyramids hotel. The list is a little bit outofdate (sorry!), but it still helps.

TablaDuo, thank you so much for your detailed reply. Too many good choices and can't decide!! Lucky me, I will be with my hubby ( read : who pays ) so I can just pick where I want to go.

Outi, I didn't expect to get a reply from a pro dancer there!!! Thank you so much. Your site is full of information ... I need to make another cup of coffee and sit down. Thanks!

[QUOTE=Kraliche;759965]TablaDuo, thank you so much for your detailed reply. Too many good choices and can't decide!! Lucky me, I will be with my hubby ( read : who pays ) so I can just pick where I want to go.

..l;,..l;, lucky you !!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Nile Fest! :)

Organizer of Festival



Opening Gala show



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Asmahan





Kamelia

Closing Gala Show

Liza Laziza



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Dalila





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