Beginner's Guide to Egypt

Culture

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Within Egypt you will see a mixture of cultures blending together which range from Mediterranean and Arabic origins and this is what makes a visit to this great country so unique.

• Painting has been one of the biggest aspect of the arts and from many centuries ago just by looking at the pictorial depictions on the walls of the Giza pyramids you will be able to see a love of painting which can been carried through the modern day world and is still one of the most important factors for the Egyptian population. If you love the art that is on offer then you will be able to find many local bazaars throughout the country where a great piece of art or pottery can be purchased and you can be certain that time and effort would have gone into creating various work.

Another important element that is commonly practised throughout the area and one that you will definitely see whilst on holiday is perhaps the most important factor to locals – music and dancing.

• Belly dancing in Egypt is the most common forms of creative expression you will come across and it is said that many centuries ago this traditional Egyptian dance was founded and still continues today. The dance has been given many names over the years and more frequently known as Raqa al Sharqi (Oriental Dance). It is an acquired art form and belly dancing is suitable for women of all ages, the Oriental dance has been officially dated back to the age of the first pyramids and today it continues to be a popular tradition in which locals and tourists can enjoy themselves and try something that the history has relished for many centuries. You will find that apart from used for entertainment purposes, it is a regular sight at weddings because as the locals know it to be a very lively yet fun loving dance, it is more common at any kind of family celebration.
• Music – The music over the years has changed several times over but when you visit the country today, you will find a wide variety of history and overall easy listening. The first instruments date back to around 4000 B.C. which comprised on harps and flutes and in a space of 2,000 years; there were whole orchestras with clarinets and percussion instruments. Modern day music comprises of Turkish and Arabic mixture the music is known to produce strong beats and great rhythm which makes it very memorable and certainly enjoyable and similar to African Tribal music that you may have come across before. There is a certain amount of religious music within the area and in the Muslim tradition the celebration mulids is held in one of the local mosques and as part of the Sufi Zikr ritual a flute called the Ney is commonly played.

Egypt's Population

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Egypt has a particularly high population rate, a count in 2004 came to about 76 million people, this is a very strong figure and with massive economical growth this country has experienced over the years, it can handle the continually growing number that reside through the entire country.

The figure is 62.2% of residents are aged 15 – 64 and the remaining sum is either over or under this but only a small number of people over 64 do actually live in the area.

In 2001, it was reported that within the area, the birth rate per thousand people was 27.4% compared to 38.6% in 1986 and with a death rate figure of 6.2% per thousand in 2001, considering the size of Egypt the death figure is quite low.

Since 1960 the life expectancy of a man or woman living in the area has risen each decade that has passed and in 2001 it has risen quite sharply and it is a figure that does continue to rise. For men, the average life expectancy is 67.1 and for women is 71.5.

Language

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Records for the Egyptian language have dated back many centuries to 3200 BC and is still known as part of the Afro-Asiatic group of languages which is related to Berber and Semitic – similar languages such as Arabic, Amharic and Hebrew.

This typical form of language remained until the 5th century A.D. in the form of Demotic (which meant it is capitalized in order to distinguish it from demotic Greek) – taken from the ancient Egyptian script of northern Hieratic which was used in the Delta. Shortly after this time, it was replaced by the Coptic language. The lifespan of the Demotic language was recorded as the oldest recorded languages in the world – it remained in Egypt for 4,000 years.

The Coptic language was the direct descendent of the phased out Demotic tongue and as a result is known as the most recent phase of ancient Egyptian. It has been derived from the Hieroglyphic and Hieratic scripts that were once used and is said to be a modified form of the Greek alphabet.

This language was most popular through 200 A.D. to 1100 A.D. and its last known record of use was throughout the 17th century. When Egypt was conquered by Arabians during this time, it was the birth of the language that is still used today – Egyptian Arabic but the Coptic tongue is not completely lost, it is still used in the country’s Coptic Orthodox Church.

Daily Life in Egypt

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As Egypt comprises of many close knit families, each member depending on age will have a certain role in the well being of the household and compared to other countries, it is certainly different how they work together and create a great lifestyle.

Now the country is become more of an industrial based country and has for some time, the working men do tend to be very studious and have a good education so even though the area does have a population of poorer people, this is equally matched by a certain percentage that are in charge of one of the many factories that are found in many of the suburbs.

When younger sons reach the age of 10 or 11 it is their responsibility to look after the farming land that previously the father or another male relative may have cultivated and when the time comes, once the schooling duties have been finished (if they could afford schooling) they would work the fields.

It was mainly up to the mother of the group to prepare the relevant meals throughout the day and depending on the financial wealth of a family would vary greatly on what they ate. The main dishes a local family would eat comprises of vegetables and traditional Arabic bread with some form of meat that would be cooked on a grill and then traditional herbs and spices added.

Egypt is becoming a richer land all the time and it is not often you will come across a family that cannot afford schooling or proper homes, it was the case in the past but with such an economical growth, many thousands of jobs have been created and it is therefore possible to maintain a household and any lands that have been acquired over time.

Egypt - Week Long Itinerary Overview

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As Egypt is one of the larger countries that you could visit, you will find that there is a variety of things to see and do but overall I recommend you should stay as close to Cairo as possible because this area has a lot to offer along with many of the surrounding areas.

The Pyramids Park Intercontinental Resort comes highly recommended and is located less than two miles away from the famous Giza pyramids. It is a fair trek from other attractions such as 13 miles from Cairo such as the Cairo Museum and 19 miles from the famous Khan El Khalili Market, if you wish to visit other areas but despite the distance, there are many great transport links throughout the country to help you reach your desired location.

In each of the 470 rooms you will find many essential facilities that range from colour televisions, telephone, minibar, hairdryer and a balcony overlooking some of the surrounding sights.

The facilities on the grounds are even better and there is something where the children and adults alike to enjoy themselves. You will find a large outdoor swimming pool, children’s play area and mini zoo but there is a fitness centre, Jacuzzi and steam room.

If you prefer then there is choice of three restaurants and five cafes to choose from all on the complex. Prices to stay at the complex do vary completely on the time of year you want to stay, the length of stay and how many people are in the party but the average price is around $150 per person, per night however full prices can be obtained on the website.

Day One

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• As Egypt is known as an area with a great coastline, the area of Fatnis Island (Fantasy Island) found in Siwa, you can enjoy an area that has many lush palm trees and it has a large, quiet freshwater pool area where you can enjoy sunbathing or swimming in the local area. There is more to the area than meets the eye, it is said the trip to the area is best reached by bike and when you have taken in some rays and had a tip in the pool you can head down to one of the coffee shops located close by where at sunset it is said that you should take in the sunset over the Libyan Desert, whether you and your partner are going to witness this beauty or the whole family, there is no disputing that this makes a wonderful end to a great first day in the country.

If you want to finish the day by having some traditional Egyptian cuisine then the Al Omda (The Mayor) restaurant is said to be one of the best places to visit for excellent cuisine and equally good prices.

Found in Mohandesseen, the restaurant serves typical dishes such as kofta which can be served with a choice of salads, hummus (made of chick peas) or baba ghanough – this is aubergine mashed up with tahina, torshi (types of pickles) and bread.

There are many other Egyptian fares to try and if you don’t want something really traditional then you could sample Fiteer (often translated into Egyptian pizzas) it is one of the most popular choices and whatever you decide to select, there are many other options available but it is important to remember this restaurant is not licensed and you will find a selection of jobs that vary from coffee to drinks like mango juices. Meals are served from noon to 2am and you can make reservations with the restaurant by contacting them on +20-2-346-2701.

Day Two

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• If you want to let your hair down during your holiday and just relax for the day without doing anything to strenuous but equally fun then why not stop off at Dream Park found on Oasis Road, Cairo you can enjoy a variety of activities in one complex. Known as the finest theme park in the middle east, you can take part in a bit of shopping, perhaps watching a traditional Arabic or Lebanese show at the entertainment centre or by taking a ride on some of the most thrilling rollercoaster’s in the area. There is something for families of all ages when visiting Dream Park and after all the excitement; you could stop off at the food court where you can sample traditional cuisine to steaks or Italian meals.

If you are a big fan of seafood or Italian food in general then why don’t you pay a visit to La Gondola restaurant found in the Sonesta Beach Resort? There is a wide range of freshly caught fish available for you to try or if this is not to your liking then there is also a large choice of pizzas or pastas on the a la menu and you can choose to eat inside or sit on the patio outside whilst dining and listening to various traditional live music that is played most nights. The price for a main course does vary on your selection but you can expect to shell out a modest $15 - $20 per person and the restaurant is open on a daily basis from 7pm to 11pm.

Reservations are recommended for most nights but especially when the live music is being played so if you want to make a reservation then you can contact the Sonesta Hotel on +20-2-262-8111.

Day Three

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• The well known Pyramids of Giza (one of the seven natural world wonders) give you the opportunity to see a real part of the history that dates back many centuries. There were originally three great pyramids in the area but only one remains today and this was built by the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu around the year 2560 BC to serve as his tomb. This is what started the tradition of the great pyramids and after this time; many were to be used as tombs so it makes an interesting visit by being the best and ultimately oldest pyramid throughout Egypt. When you enter the great pyramid you will be able to witness this ancient style of archaeological wonder and as you head to the centre, you will find the great pharaoh Khufu’s burial chamber.

Dinner

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This is one place when you can enjoy the traditional layout of a four star restaurant without the need of staying in the hotel. The Nesima Hotel and Diving Resort is located in the Dahab area of Egypt and whilst dining you can enjoy views on the ocean from the first floor terrace.

There is an extensive menu available that ranges from traditional Egyptian cuisine but if you would prefer then you could have an Italian meal that consists of a variety of pizzas and pastas. The location of the restaurant is excellent with the resort of Dahab being very sought after for tourists and locals alike. Prices and the exact menu are available by request and f you would like more information or to make a reservation then you can contact the restaurant direct on +20-62-640320.

Day Four

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• Locals Egyptians like many cultures throughout the world take their art very seriously and as a result there are many galleries dedicated to showcasing the various products that have been produced over the centuries. The Coptic Museum found in Old Cairo is open daily from 9am to 5pm, it was first founded in 1910 AD and homes over 16,000 different artifacts that have been discovered and has been displayed in terms of its chronological age. The most modern of attractions in the area and perhaps one of the best exhibits to see when visit is the Babylon Fort which was used throughout the Roman period, it lies over a range of 8,000 square meters and it includes various buildings and even gardens. Apart from the Roman fort you have the chance to see many artifacts from pottery to manuscripts and textiles from different periods of the eras. It is an attraction that is ideal for people of all ages and it gives you the chance to experience how people of the ancient times once lived. The cost of entry to the museum is just 16 Egyptian pounds which for a day’s entertainment is great value for money.

If traditional Italian cuisine is more to your liking then a visit to the highly popular Cortigiano restaurant in Mohandissen, Cairo should sort out your appetite. It offers a relaxing yet inviting dining area and it is known for this restaurant to have massive services so make sure you have the room for one of their well prepared meals. The menu comprises of plenty of salads and soups but main courses and entrees range from pasta to Italian seafood.

If you prefer then there is an equally large selection of pizzas but the best meal to try is the veal cordon bleu which is stuffed with mushrooms and coated with cheese and tomatoes. The restaurant is open from 1pm to 1am daily and booking is very advisable because with a family meal costing around $50 you are getting good value for money and most importantly tasty portions that are large in size. If you wish to make a booking then you can contact the restaurant on +20 2 336 06 20.

Day Five

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• You may have decided this is a day to try and work on that tan so if you want a mixture of beaches and shops in one place then Na’ama Bay is the place for you. Located just a few kilometres north of the resort Sharm el-Sheikh, it has become an area with great beaches but also a large number of hotels, shops and dive operators to really cater for the growing visitor trend or if you would prefer then you will be able to find a large number of water sports to take part in such as windsurfing and paddle boats or if you want a different experience then why not take a trip along the bay in a glass bottom boat? A dive in the area is especially recommended because with fully qualified instructors this is something the entire family can enjoy whilst you explore some of the most beautiful fish that are found in the area. If you prefer just to take in the natural sights then there is the extreme beauty of the bay itself which provides an excellent place for swimming and sunbathing.

One restaurant that you will find comes highly recommended by tourists and locals is the Raoucha restaurant in Mohandissen. Here you will be treated to a high quality restaurant which overlooks Sphinx Square and its speciality is Lebanese cuisine. The decoration is outstanding yet simple where you will find ancient stones make up the walls and ceilings.

The menu is varied and many options are worth trying, it is just unfortunate that you cannot try them all. Try the Kharouf Mahshi which is spiced, roasted lamb served with rice but the ultimate meal is the laban omou – boiled lamb cubes cooked in yogurt and coated with garlic and pine seeds.

The restaurant is open from midday to 1am seven days a week and whilst reservations are not necessary it is highly recommended because on most nights you are treated to an array of Arabic and pop tunes and it is especially heaving during these times, if you want more information or to arrange a booking then you can contact the restaurant on +20 2 303 0615.

Egypt - Major Cities and Regions

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Egypt - Activities and Attractions

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Egypt - The People and the Culture

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Egypt - Week Long Itinerary

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Beginner's Guide to Egypt

Culture

Egypt's Population

Language

Daily Life in Egypt

Egypt - Week Long Itinerary Overview

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Dinner

Day Four

Day Five

Egypt - Major Cities and Regions

Egypt - Major Cities and Regions Introduction

Cairo

Sharm El Sheikh

Luxor

Egypt - Activities and Attractions

Egypt - Activities and Attractions Overview

Activities

Natural Sights of Egypt

Original Communities

Egypt - The People and the Culture

Egypt - The People and the Culture Overview

Culture

Egypt's Population

Language

Egypt - Week Long Itinerary

Egypt - Week Long Itinerary Overview

Day One

Day Two

Day Three