Thread: Who will still be going to Cairo this April?

New Thread -
We all know the April Nile Group was canceled but there are several of us who will still be go will going to be in Cairo. I will be there for 10 days with another friend.

Any one else?

I'll be there as well, with another Estonian dancer.

Yes, come on people! It`s perfectly safe, and YOU are in control of the bargaining now since everyone is desperate to earn money

And all the teachers and designers who are usually so busy (and sometimes too busy for you) during the festivals now have a lot of time on their hands. My very good friend Lorna Gow who works here, just wrote on her blog about why you should still come to Cairo:

BellyLorna: to come or not to come to Egypt...?

Ahlan wa sahlan to all of you!

I'll be there but I wasn't going for Nile Group! so I'll probably miss most of whomever is going . . . returning to States on the 10th of April :-)

Oh, Catherine, indeed we'll miss you. But then again, I am still not sure when we'll arrive to Cairo, as our flight itinerary keeps changing.

I know . . . I anxiously picked up the itinerary from the travel agent today as I was worried the departure might have changed again . . . but I am definitely leaving Dallas next Tuesday

Outi and I are going to try to meet up on the 9th . . cutting it so close as she gets back on the 8th,lol.

Hey Catherine - As we had discuss at the shop, I land on the 11th, a day after you guys are leaving.

I'll keep in touch & we can see if your stay is extended at all...
xoxo
Magz

Andrea & I arrived safe & sound. Hope to see Safran soon :o)

Cairo was awesome!

We stayed at the King Hotel in Dokki (it's no frills, clean, inexpensive & has a good free breakfast plus free wi-fi). Bonus - it was just a block away from the metro - which we took everywhere! It very close to the Paramissa - just a short walk and the best perk is both Raqia & Eman Zaki is just a few blocks away.

We met up with fellow Bhuzzers - Outi, Safran & Elena and it was great to see them (hi guys - waves). We saw a lot of the costume designers & went to a ton of shops in the Khan el Halilli. This is the first time that I have been in Cairo & not taken any classes but thats ok - did a lot of other stuff this time. OMG!!! LOVED the Um Kalthoum museum!!! It is small but worth the treck & it's only 2 EP. I finally went inside the great Pyramid - no lines at all, just a ton of guys trying to sell sell you stuff. We also had a wonderful tour of the Al Hussein Mosque.

For the most part, if you are planning on meeting up at a costume designer Atelier, plan to be there for a minimum of 2 1/2 hours. We were at Mamdouh Morise's one day for 10 hours - he is a great guy with an amazingly talented family of designer/seamstress!!! Hanan was quick by comparison - only 6 hours the first time. There hospitality is very gracious & it was fun just visiting. I am having costumes made to measure by Mamdouh for the girls in my troupe. The work is great & the prices are even better! I emailed Eshtamagnuna was anot able to meet up with them this trip but Alisa said she was just 10 minutes from the hotel. We also saw Amira & I was fitted by here. She is going to be making me the best bra's ever!!!

Soooooo - if your are thinking of traveling over there but are worried, dont be! Just use the same common sense you would use in any big city & you'll be fine!

Lastly, if your are flying on Egypt Air, make sure to keep checking the status of your flight as mine was cancelled & they only fly 1 flight to JFK in New York a day. The good news is they put me up at the Airport Novotel & it was lovely (and had a garden patio too). I had a voucher for a meal as well so everything worked out

Go to Cairo & support the local economy!!!
xoxo
Magz

Gee, Maggie, you forgot to mention that you saw me!!!! :-) . . . not that it is an experience not to be missed since I saw you in Dallas right before I left, lol!!! Next time, I think I'll try to stay somewhere near the metro so I don't have to taxi out of Mohandiseen (like on this trip).

Hey! Indeed, I too suggest resuming with all the trips to Egypt that were planned, and to plan those that weren't. Maggie, it was great meeting you and Andrea too!

And Cathrine, I did not meet you, however I saw "you" in Yasmina's guest book

Originally Posted by Safran

Hey! Indeed, I too suggest resuming with all the trips to Egypt that were planned, and to plan those that weren't. Maggie, it was great meeting you and Andrea too!

And Cathrine, I did not meet you, however I saw "you" in Yasmina's guest book

Funny!!! Did you stay with Yasmina? I was thinking about going out to check out her renovations. If I had known that my trip was going to be extended to the 17th and that Maggie was going to meet up with you . . . . well, who knows :-) . . . maybe next time? I have a list I keep of ppl that I might possibly meet up with "Next Time" . . . It keeps getting longer and my meet ups start to take up more of my time, which is quite pleasant actually. I am already thinking about next February

Sorry Catherine - I guess cause I see you over at Dee Dee's quite often, it slipped my mind. I also met Lorna of the famed BellyLorna Hotel

Cairo was awesome & hopefully next time the NG festival will not be cancelled and we can arrange a big ole Bhuz party!

Soooo - anybody going in June???