REPS Fitness Center - Community Services Association
Transcription
REPS Fitness Center - Community Services Association
Oasis Contents Contents Every Month 38 Inside Cover 42 56 5 To The Readers 7Sponsors 9 Welcome to CSA 11 CSA Programs and Myths of Strength Training What is SPINNING? Depression Suppression 56 Services 13 15 17 19 25 27 29 33 37 48 90 Partner Vendors Information and Referral Desk Village Gift Shop La Boutique Events Showroom New to Egypt A Cognitive Adventure Talk Like An Egyptian Trivia Mum & Baby 70 75 The Nubian People and Culture Love Is On Your Bookshelf 76 Features Activities REPS Fitness Center Calendar of Events Community Announcements Columns 51 65 67 69 73 79 81 82 83 20 30 Resolving Marital Conflict the Healthy Way 5 Reasons to Love Living in Cairo 76 85 88 38 Destination Istanbul The Things We Do For Love Exposure in the Soccer Field 88 Nutrition 101 Flavia’s Fab Facts An Expat in Cairo The Life Coach Diner’s Delight The articles and views expressed in this publication are entirely those of the authors and are not endorsed by CSA. February 16 CSA 3 To The Readers EDITOR’S NOTE When you look up the word “love” in the dictionary you get many definitions. Merriam-Webster describes love as “a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person”. Others use terms like passion, longing, connection and togetherness when defining love. Many would say the ability to love is quintessentially part of what makes us human. And yet despite this, love can be something that is regularly pushed aside when things get tough, not only in our own lives but in the broader world around us too. It is in these times I’m reminded of an incredibly powerful message from Canadian politician, Jack Layton, as he was dying of cancer. He said, “Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” It’s difficult for even the most cynical among us to argue with that sentiment. In the spirit of promoting a little more love throughout the world, we’ve got a packed issue that’s sure to get you feeling the love. We’ve got a new column, The Life Coach, which addresses the often overlooked issue of self-love. For couples, we have a guide on Resolving Marital Conflict the Healthy Way. Another author describes her love of living in Egypt in Five Reasons to Love Living in Cairo. And for the more analytical minded A Cognitive Adventure explores the theories in which humans love. Finally, I’d be remiss not to mention CSA’s most anticipated event of the year, the Green & Gold Gala and Golf Tournament is taking place Friday, February 26. Limited tickets are still available. Don’t let the opportunity to treat the loved ones in your life (a shameless plug, I know!) pass by. Marcus O’Neill Editor, Oasis Magazine Writing for Oasis Oasis Staff Editor Marcus O’Neill Advertising Coordinator Perihan Ahmed Information Designer Claudia Dencker Contributors Amirah Ahmed, Jehan Ashry, Supriya Chawla, Jennifer Cole, Carol El Hawary, Lindsay Everhart, Sukanya Ghosh, Kim Hampton, Laura Logan, Flavia Makram-Ebeid, Trevor Naylor, Julie-ann Odell, Marcus O’Neill, Susan Richardson, Riju Shrimali, Tracey Sole, Eden Unger-Bowditch, Lyric UngerBowditch and Amina Young If you have a unique experience, story or adventure to share with us and our readers, we would love to hear from you. For more information contact [email protected] ADVERTISING Oasis is a premier magazine for the international expatriate community living and working in Greater Cairo. With a distribution of 5000 free copies throughout Cairo, we offer exciting opportunities to advertisers wishing to reach a large segment of the expat community. ¼ page 9cm x 12,5cm: 535 LE ½ page horizontal 19cm x 12,5cm: 990 LE ½ page vertical 9cm x 26cm: 990 LE Full page 21cm x 29,7cm + 3mm bleed: 1900 LE Full page advertorial 21cm x 29,7cm + 3mm bleed: 2300 LE Full page front cover (fold-out) 19cm x 29,7cm + 3mm bleed: 3100 LE Full page front cover (inside) 21cm x 29,7cm + 3mm bleed: 3200 LE Acceptance of Advertorials is entirely the discretion of CSA. Oasis printed by: Ads must be presented by email or on CD with all fonts and pictures included; resolution 300dpi; tiff format. Oasis Feedback For placement of advertisements and more information please contact our Advertising Coordinator, Perihan Ahmed at: Tel.: 2358 5284, Mobile: 010 688 28 537, [email protected] Please send your feedback to [email protected] The deadline for accepting the Ads for March’s issue is February 15. Please book early as space is limited. February 16 CSA 5 CSA Sponsors CSA offers a heartfelt “Thank You” to all our sponsors. Your continued support allows us to offer events, programs and services to expats living and working in Egypt. As a non-profit organization, we exist through the support of the local business community and organizations. It is with these partnerships that CSA is able to continue to grow and maintain our commitment to long-term services as well as fulfill our obligation to support numerous charities. Thank you for your support! CSA Sponsors Become a CSA sponsor and receive all the beneficial exposure. If you care to help and would like to become involved, please email us at [email protected] or contact Denden Alcantara at [email protected]. We look forward to establishing a fruitful collaboration with you. February 16 CSA 7 CSA Community Center Welcome to your local CSA Community Center The place to be for information and support, to learn and connect with your local community, and to relax and meet friends Our well-trained staff and volunteers are here to help you find your way around the confusing but exciting city of Cairo. Whether you are in need of a cup of coffee, a good book, that perfect gift, fitness classes or information about Cairo, the CSA is here to provide the expatriate community with everything they need to make their time in Egypt an enjoyable one. REPS Fitness Center The place to be. Executive Director Flavia Makram-Ebeid General Manager Denden Alcantara On-Site Services On-Site Service Manager Heba Azzam Information Referral Supervisor Renate Shehab El Din Information Referral Specialist Sara Salem Gift Shop Supervisor Samia Wadman Gift Shop Coordinator Cecil Reyes La Boutique Supervisor Lisa Gonzales La Boutique Coordinators Natalia Zadaionia, Shaymaa Gouda Operations Department Operations Manager Sherif Hamdy Program Department Program Supervisor Tracey Allard Program Development Coordinator Deliah Adham Language School Supervisor Jehan Al Ashry BLISS Spa Bliss Coordinator Hala Metwally Fundraising Department Events Manager Lama Al Hammuri Business Development Manager Riham R.El-Mograby Manager Sherif El Deib Reception Administrator Tanya Allahham Coordinators Krishanthi Ekanayake, Tanya Allahham, Olwing Martin, Lindsay Everhart, Rana Kang, Heba Marwan Fitness Training Expert Ahmed Agamy Join Now! We have over 100 nationalities and are growing. Individual and family memberships available. Some of the great benefits include discounts to our paid events and free guest passes for visiting family and friends. For more information visit our front desk or download an application at http://membership.livinginegypt.org Communications Department Communications Manager Riham R. El-Mograby Editor / Communications Coordinator Marcus O’Neill Magazine/Digital Coordinator Perihan Ahmed Media & Communications Coordinator Laura Logan Information Designer Claudia Dencker Finance Department Finance Manager Verna Pinto Directions to CSA in arabic from the autostrade, the corniche: Finance Administrator Svetlana Kirnasova Volunteers Carmen Urquiaga, Dominique Krayenbuhl, Jean Wood, Mona ElEmary, Pat Canfield, Radia Belaidi, Renata Grignani, Virginie Lyko, Robert Moss, Tina Cleverton, Ulrike v Rucker IT Services Integrated Technology Services (Karim Abdel Raouf) www.its-egy.com, 01007515123 Digital Services Tittainment www.tittainment.com CSA Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8.45am-7.00pm Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm CSA, 4 Road 21, Maadi , Cairo Tel: 23585284 / 23580754, Mob: 01068828540, Fax: 23802838 www.livinginegypt.org livinginegypt February 16 CSA 9 CSA Community Center CSA Programs and Services Set in the heart of Maadi, CSA has been the top destination for expatriates since 1980. We offer a wide range of programs and services that aim to help you settle in to life in Egypt, discover more about your new home and offer ways to develop new skills while you’re here. Information and Referral Desk Programs Department Village Gift Shop The first place you’ll visit when you come to CSA. We do our best to answer all of your questions about CSA and living in Egypt. Putting together creative trips, tours and workshops that are exciting for you and the entire family. A unique store that offers a range of Egyptian handicrafts, souvenirs, artwork and much more that help sustain many charitable organizations. La Boutique A consignment shop to buy and sell gently used clothing, household items, accessories, children’s toys and much more. Special Events Celebrate a wide variety of events throughout the year like our Christmas Party, Welcome Party, monthly bazaars and our signature event, the Green and Gold Gala. The Bookshelf A much valued resource for newcomers and veteran expats alike, The Bookshelf is CSA’s self-service book exchange. The Showroom REPS Fitness Center CSA Language School Used by various weekly vendors to bring you new and exciting trends in art, fashion, furniture design and more. A safe and friendly environment to help you stay in shape. Offering group classes for adults and children, personal training and nutrition consultations. Practical language classes that teach you how to deal with real life situations and communicate in the most effective, fun and appropriate way. Bliss Spa Oasis Magazine Pamper yourself with signature massages and rejuvenating facials with our expert technicians. CSA’s monthly magazine, Oasis, comes out 10 times a year, and is the prime resource of information for expatriates living in Egypt. Marketing Services CSA offers an extensive marketing platform to help you position and promote your business. www.livinginegypt.org @livinginegypt.org February 16 CSA 11 CSA Community Center CSA Partner Vendors. We’ve partnered with various vendors in the community to bring our members top notch products and services; all available onsite at CSA. Stop by, do some shopping, grab a coffee and get your nails done. Make sure you experience all that CSA has to offer. Antwerpen Fine Jewelry ASTI Daily 9.00am-5.00pm Experience the wonders of Egypt and the world. ASTI can arrange your flights, car rentals, hotels, tours and much more. www.americanstartravel.com Zenny Nail Spa Daily 9.00am-7.00pm Reconnect with nature and free your body and mind. Experience complete relaxation with the numerous services we provide you. Nails, manicure, pedicure, gelish, acrylic, wax, facial hair removal. Sunday-Thursday 9.00am-7.00pm Pamper yourself and enjoy Antwerpen’s beautiful selection of gold, diamond and colored stone pieces and its new stunning and affordable silver line. Nagada Sunday-Thursday 9.00am-3.30pm Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm Surrounded by Egypt… Inspired by the World Caffe Greco L’avenue Sunday-Wednesday 9.00am-7.00pm Thursday 9.00am-6.00pm, Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm L’avenue offers a variety of luxury gifts and homeware, including hollowware, flatware, luxury home linens, crystal, porcelain, handmade artistic glass, indoor and outdoor candles and much more. http://lavenue33.com Sunday-Thursday, 7.00am-7.00pm Friday and Saturdays, 9.00am-5.00pm For the Best Coffee in Cairo, look no further. Aside from freshly brewed coffee and specialty drinks, we carry a selection of pastries. Gourmet Egypt Daily 8.30am-6.00pm Providing you with ingredients for a Gourmet lifestyle. Enjoy excellent quality products at great value sourced only by the finest suppliers from around the world. www.gourmetegypt.com | 19339 BodyFit Egypt STOTT PILATES® 0100-3433111 Dr. Heba Hussein Asst. Professor of Plastic Surgery Laser and Plastic Surgery +2 01223103480 / 0120448 8017 Bodyworx Dr.Noaman Sideek 0100-3103414 The LAB Dr.Waffa Hawas M.D. Sample collection and vaccination 0122-3181995 The AUC Bookstore Saturday-Thursday, 9.00am-7.00pm The AUC Bookstore offers an extensive selection of books, and the highest quality of services. We carry a varied selection suited to the CSA community plus books and gifts. For more information visit our Facebook page, AUC Press Bookstores. Khan Touloun Sunday-Wednesday 9.00am-7.00pm Thursday 9.00am-6.00pm Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm High quality Egyptian handmade crafts, including beautiful recycled glass items, hand-woven shawls and textiles, pottery, tea boxes, trays and coasters. They also have a collection of embroidered leather bags, purses, dolls and shawls by Nevin Altman and angels and nativity sets available year round. February 16 CSA 13 CSA Community Center CSA Information and Referral Desk The Information and Referral Desk is often the first place people visit when they come to CSA. We answer calls and transfer customers to the relevant departments throughout CSA (Library, La Boutique, Programs, Gift Shop, Fitness Training Center, Bliss and our other partner vendors). We respond to emails and face-to-face enquiries to try and give customers as much information as possible. New to Egypt, New to Maadi? Come and see us to buy our Welcome Pack, collect the latest Oasis magazine and answers to your questions! Available at Information and Referral Community Announcements. Next to our three bulletin boards we also have a Community Announcements board. If you have information you think might be relevant to the wider community such as dog poisoning in the area or a charity related event please notify us and we will add the information to this board. Drop us an email or bring your A5 (1/2 page) flyer to the Information and Referral Desk. Flyers and Brochures. Flyers and brochures are a great way to promote your business or service. CSA offers three box sizes where you can place your flyers (maximum size A4/a full page) for 1 month, 3 months or 6 months. Visit the Information and Referral Desk for pricing information. Maximum of 50 flyers per month. Answers to your Questions. Our friendly and helpful Information and Referral staff will do their best to answer any and all questions you might have. Drawing on their own personal knowledge or utilizing our information packed website they will assist you in any way they can. Bulletin Board Did you know… …that we’re always looking for new vendors for our monthly bazaar’s? If you’ve got a unique product or service to sell contact [email protected] to find out more. …that with its designer brands and bargain prices, La Boutique is the perfect place to find your outfit for the upcoming Green & Gold Gala? If you would like to place an advertisement on the CSA Bulletin Board bring a copy to the Information and Referral Desk (maximum size A5 or ½ a page). All advertisements will also be added to the online Classifieds section of our website. …that we have a bi-monthly e-newsletter dedicated entirely to REPS Fitness Center. To sign-up visit www.repsfc.com Give us a call! If you have any questions for us don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email and we will do our best to help you. Tel: 02 2358 5284 / 02 2358 0754, Mobile:0106 882 8540, Email: [email protected] Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8.45am-7.00pm Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm February 16 CSA 15 16 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org CSA Village Gift Shop The Village Gift Shop is a unique store that offers a range of handcrafted items, Egyptian souvenirs, artwork and guidebooks. What truly makes it unique is our commitment to reach out to charities and NGOs, women entrepreneurs and local artisans; you’re one-stop away from a perfect and unique gift. Valentine’s Day What’s New? What is new in the Village Gift Shop? We now carry hand made linens and towels from the local charity Les Amis des Chiffoniers de Torah. This charity (La Mason de Torah) The celebration of the year is coming soon. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to buy a gift for your loved one, friends, and family. If you’re looking for ideas for this special day we have a variety of candle holders that will create a romantic atmosphere, while sipping wine from the amazing colored hand blown glasses by Mostafa. Other unique and thoughtful gifts include original oil paintings by the artist Henry, fabulous jewelry from Liliana, or assorted bags from Nora Mossallem and FanSina. Spread the love to everyone. Be it a smile, a flower, or a gift from the Village Gift Shop! was founded by Sister Emmanuelle in 1985, supports women by teaching them embroidery. Proceeds support the local community. We also have fabric bean bag chairs and fabric stools in many fabulous colors from another new vendor M’YA. Specials We have wonderful specials this month on selected items. Come check us out. You never know what unique treasure might be waiting for you to find it! The Village Gift Shop is run with the help of a team of volunteers who are always ready to help you with a cheerful and friendly smile. If you want to become part of our team fill out an application at the CSA Front Desk and we’ll make sure to find you a position that suits you. We are always looking for new and unique items, please ask our Gift Shop Supervisor for more information. Gift Shop Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9.00am-7.00pm Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm February 16 CSA 17 CSA La Boutique La Boutique - The CSA Consignment Shop. A shop where you can buy and sell gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, household items, accessories, children’s toys and much more. Our ever-changing inventory includes designer labels, vintage, jeans, leather, current basics and one-of-a-kind international items. What’s New? Why sell and shop with us? Advantages selling at La Boutique Advantages shopping at La Boutique • We do the sorting, pricing and selling • Designer, brand, and international names at bargain prices • No need to worry about unnecessary bargaining • No need to worry about setting dates, no shows, and strangers in the home • Just drop off your items and we do the work • Style selection, not just limited to current trends • New arrivals daily • Treasure hunt, you never know what you are going to find • Open Wednesday mornings. No drop offs. • Don’t need a membership to buy • Consignors fee for selling only • “Last Chance” sale items available every two weeks Announcements: Clean out your closets. We’re now accepting spring items! A Simple and Effective Fashion Formula When you just can’t seem to get an outfit together and all else fails the following equation is worth a try. 1 basic piece + 1 interest piece + 1 completer + standard accessories Start with one basic piece (a pair dark jeans, pencil skirt or basic top). Second, find an interest piece (something that makes a statement a piece with a pattern, color, shine or texture). Third, get yourself a completer piece (a jacket, cardigan or belt works well). This piece will make the outfit feel and look more thought out. Finally, accessorize with jewelry, shoes, clutch or bag. The end result is an awesome outfit. Opening Hours Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm Drop Offs: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays 10.00am-1.00pm Wednesdays and Saturday No Drop Offs February 16 CSA 19 Lifestyle Resolving Marital The Healthy Way By Susan Richardson PhD Ahh, February… the month of romance and love, roses and chocolates… not to mention jilted lovers and quarreling spouses. As a marital therapist, I have often wondered whether Valentine’s Day does more overall harm than good. Don’t get me wrong, I am in favor of romance and passion, but there’s something about Valentine’s Day that sets the scene for unmet expectations and lovers’ quarrels. And, of course, nothing ruins a day– especially a day dedicated to love– faster than harsh words, raised voices, and cold silence. Unfortunately, even among the happiest of couples, these 20 February 16 CSA distance-creating arguments can sneak up at the most inopportune times. How do you avoid the nasty blowups that make you feel like your relationship is sinking? Thankfully, marital research provides us with some helpful tips. The all-important beginning Do you ever feel like an argument with your spouse is going nowhere productive? Trust that feeling-- you’re probably right. This doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed, just that the particular conversation is beyond recall. According to world-renowned marital researcher John Gottman, Ph.D., “96 percent of the time you can predict the outcome of a conversation based on the first three minutes.” Gottman’s research shows that a “harsh start-up” will almost always produce a negative result. His message for couples? First, focus on approaching your partner in a respectful, non-attacking way. Second, if a conversation starts harshly, recognize that your odds of getting back on track are slim. Take a breather, and try again later. Beware of the flood Why is it so difficult to salvage a discussion that has started harshly? Often, harsh remarks trigger intense negative emotions like anger and fear, and when these emotions wash over us, our internal fight-orflight mechanism “floods” us with physiological responses like a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, tightness in the chest, trembling hands, nausea, or a headache. Gottman’s research shows that when we are in this “flooded” state, we don’t think as clearly or process information as effectively. In other words, when we are angry, we are less likely to listen to our spouse, and less able to see our spouse or our relationship accurately. “Isn’t it important to share my emotions with my spouse?” you might ask. Yes, but when working through a conflict with your spouse, flooding is not your friend. This is difficult to remember when you are upset, but if you and your partner can agree in advance to “take a break” from the discussion when either one of you becomes flooded, you are more likely to have a productive conversation when you are both calm again. How do you know www.livinginegypt.org when it’s safe to try again? When the flooding is gone. Twenty minutes can often work wonders. As a final point, it’s also worth noting that Gottman has found that some people, especially men, find flooding so aversive that they try to escape it as quickly as possible. If your spouse tends run away from arguments, s/he may be trying to escape the “flooding,” not the relationship itself. Attacking your spouse as a person Another red flag to be aware of occurs when you switch from complaining about something your spouse does and begin criticizing your spouse as a person. A complaint sounds like, “You didn’t call when you said you would call,” while a criticism sounds like, “You are so selfish! I can’t believe you forgot to call! You only think of yourself!” Yes, we are all flawed in some ways and, of course, we usually have intimate knowledge of our partner’s flaws. However, criticizing your spouse as a person will usually elicit defensiveness rather than the openness to change that you desire. Attacking your spouse as a person can also take the form of expressing contempt for your partner. Once you start feeling contempt, it’s time to take a step back, because anything you say from that moment on will tear at the fabric of your relationship. Gottman’s research demonstrates that criticism (“character assassination”) and contempt are so destructive that their repeated presence in a relationship is predictive of future divorce. Whenever you start thinking, “My spouse is the problem,” stop and try to get perspective before proceeding. If abuse, addiction, or mental illness is at a play, you may be correct in assuming the problem won’t change much until your partner gets help (however, rage and contempt rarely persuade a spouse to seek treatment). If none of these factors are part of your relationship and your spouse is otherwise a decent human being, you are likely losing sight of some important information about the situation or your spouse. Gaining perspective Seeing one’s own relationship accurately isn’t easy, and one’s view of a relationship is influenced by so many different filters (e.g., past experiences, belief systems, etc), that volumes of self-help books have been written on the topic. However, one filter that arises for most couples is the “fundamental attribution bias” (Fritz Heider, 1958). According to the fundamental attribution bias, when we explain our own negative behavior, we often attribute it to situational factors (“I was having a stressful day,” “I was really upset about my dog dying,” etc). In contrast, when we explain someone else’s negative behavior we tend to attribute it to their personality or character (“He’s an insensitive jerk,” “She’s manipulative”). Unfortunately, this means that we fail to give adequate weight to the situational factors that affect our spouse’s behavior, and instead we are quick to cast a dark shadow over our spouse’s character. It’s also important to note that sometimes these situational factors can include chronic conditions like a stressful job, a difficult child, a medical condition, or being the sole breadwinner or the primary caretaker. Repair attempts In the middle of a disagreement, most couples will make occasional efforts to limit the destructiveness and encourage a more productive discussion. These “repair attempts” can take many forms, including: an outright apology, a silly face, an inside joke, a gentle touch, a willingness to listen, agreeing with one of your partner’s points, or requesting a short break. Repair attempts are the “secret weapon” that prevents arguments from spinning out-of-control. To the extent that you skillfully employ repair attempts - and remain open to your partner’s attempts - you’ll find that you spend less time picking up the aftermath of a full explosion. Develop your marital friendship and avoid “Negative Sentiment Override.” According to Gottman, one of the best ways reduce unproductive conflict is to actively create positive moments in the relationship when the two of you are not in the middle of a conflict. What’s the connection? To the extent that the two of you feel generally positive about the relationship, you are much more likely to cut your partner some slack and to be open to your partner’s “repair attempts” during a conflict. However, when your negative feelings about the relationship start to outweigh your positive feelings (“negative sentiment override”), every little problem becomes a big deal and you will be less receptive to each other’s repair attempts. This sounds like common sense, but its importance can’t be overstated. Want to learn more? Check out one of Gottman’s many books, including What Makes Love Last? Susan Richardson, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and sees clients at the Maadi Psychology Center. February 16 CSA 21 CSA Events CSA Events February 2016 Cook’s Day Off Sundays and Thursdays 9.00am-2.00pm For those days when you just don’t have the energy to cook, we can provide a reprieve with homemade, authentic cuisine from Egypt, France, UK, Italy and Thailand, as well as a wide selection of sweets. These specialties are cooked with care and love for you and your family. VALENTINES Spotlight Bazaar Sunday, February 7 9.00am-3.00pm Visit our Valentine Spotlight Bazaar to find just the right gift for that special one in your life. Your favorite vendors will be in the CSA garden where you will find candies, jewelry, clothes, household items and more! Exploring Mortal Designs Sunday, February 7 10.30am-11.30am In this seminar Reem Bassiouney, an award-winning Egyptian novelist and associate professor at the American University in Cairo, discusses the themes in her most recent book. Mortal Designs is the story of a contemporary Egyptian romance of rare grace and wit, played out by characters trapped in their attitudes toward class and gender. Farmer’s Market Thursdays 10.00am-2.00pm Stop by for Tabi3y’s organic vegetables and herbs. Thai Buffet Wednesday, February 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. Garden Bazaar Sunday, February 21 9.00am-3.00pm Calling all ladies! Shop ‘till you 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. GEMS AND JEWELRY Monday, February 8 10.30am-11.30pm This Valentine’s Day join Sharif Begermi of Antwerpen Jewelry for a conversation about gems and jewels. Have all you questions about gemstones and the process of making of jewelry answered. As an added bonus you can bring in your favorite pieces for a complementary verbal evaluation. CHINESE NEW YEAR AT CSA Sunday, February 14 9.00am-2.00pm Come to join us in celebrating the Year of Monkey! Chinese New Year is an annual celebration marking the start of the Chinese Lunar calendar. Each vendor will offer its own unique celebration theme, performances and food. Visitors will experience the Chinese Lion Dance, traditional folk music, cultural games, martial artists and much more. Note, this event was originally planned for January 24. For any queries or questions on events, please contact [email protected] February 16 CSA 25 CSA Showroom... a concept corner This space is utilized by various artists and vendors to introduce you to new and exciting trends within fashion, culinary arts, furniture design and more. January 31 - February 6 Khazana –Collection of Indian Handcrafts Khazana is a treasure house of unique and genuine Indian antiques, ethnic home decorations, colonial furniture, fascinating handicrafts, and captivating objects d’art. Each piece is exquisitely designed and made by Indian craftsmen to beautify your home. February 7 - February 13 Molika’s Brands We provide the highest quality top fashions through our mirror image top brands. Our products include leather products, accessories and woman clothing all at a fraction of the cost of traditional designer brands. February 21 - February 27 El Patio Furniture and Home Accessories by Lamia Hassanein View the exceptionally crafted textiles of Egyptian cotton, linen, and toile. Gaze on El Patio’s custom made furniture, including sofas, tables, beds, chairs and curtains, as well as reupholstery. February 28 – March 5 Jayanti Maydeo Paintings Jayanti Maydeo has been passionate about painting since childhood. Being an ardent photographer, she has transformed many of her photographs into beautiful paintings. She truly believes that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and draws inspiration from nature and the people around her. Her work is mostly in acrylic and water color. February 14-February 20 Ethnica Gallery Browse the unique and exotic Indian handicrafts of Ethnica Gallery Egypt. Their collection includes accent furniture pieces, soft furnishings (bed covers, throws, cushions, tablecloths and runners) and ladies fashions (shawls, handbags, slippers, pareos, skirts, tops and more). February 16 CSA 27 CSA Newcomers New to Egypt? Help us help you At CSA, we understand the importance of positive adjustment and ongoing in-country support Fundamentals of Living in Egypt Seminar Fundamentals of Living in Egypt is a one day orientation seminar for the international expatriate community living and working in Egypt. It is a unique opportunity for those who have recently arrived in Egypt. Next Seminar: Sunday, March 20, 2016 8.00am-4.00pm Cost $160 (It includes an authentic Egyptian Lunch) Fundamentals of Living in Egypt will help you to •understand the importance of cultural self-awareness and the influences of culture in everyday life and in the workplace •improve and adapt communication with the local community, colleagues and family members •adopt new activities and be ready to enjoy an enriching experience living and working in Egypt Customized Seminars If the next scheduled Fundamentals of Living in Egypt seminar doesn’t work for you, know that private customized seminars for businesses or individuals can also be arranged at CSA at any time. For more information, please contact [email protected] Some of the topics covered are •Cross-Cultural Adaptation •Customs and Tradition •Staying Healthy •Daily Life in Cairo •Egypt Past and Present NEWCOMER TIPS - THE MOVIES In years past it wasn’t always easy to catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster in theatres in Cairo, but this is certainly no longer the case. Here in Maadi there is Family Cinema on the Corniche and El Bandar Cinema in New Maadi. Outside of Maadi there’s even more choice with screens at City Stars Mall (Nasr City), Point 90 Cinemas (New Cairo), Americana Mall (Sheikh Zayed), Galaxy Cinema (Manial), Mall of Arabia (6th of October) and Nile City (Downtown), just to name a few. If you’re looking for a more glamorous movie experience Golden Stars VIP theatre is the choice, where the tickets are more than twice the price, but you’ll fight fewer crowds and have leather recliners for viewing! The movie experience itself is probably a bit different than what you’re used to. Most theatres assign seats, so when you purchase your tickets be prepared to choose where you’d like to sit. There is often an intermission half-way through the movie to allow viewers to use the washroom or have a cigarette. And if the movie you’re watching is 3D, you’ll have to purchase your glasses from the concession counter (remember to hold onto them for your next visit). It is always wise to check schedules in advance using websites like www.elcinema.com. Be prepared for the time on these websites not to always match the actually show time (it is Egypt after all!), so it’s always good to give yourself a bit of extra time. Arriving in a new country is exciting and stressful at the same time. Since 1980, CSA has played an integral part in the lives of expatriates by providing practical support in what can be a challenging, yet exciting time. Improve your chances of a successful transition by joining us at our next Fundamentals of Living in Egypt Seminar or any of our other numerous programs. February 16 CSA 29 Culture By Jennifer Cole and enjoy. My husband, young daughter and I moved to Cairo in August 2012 and so as I write, we are in our fourth year of living here in Egypt’s capital. During that time we have lived through a curfew, power cuts, political instability, sandstorms and a lot of negative press from media outside of Egypt. We have welcomed our second daughter, seen our first go to school and we have travelled the length of the country as well as visited many countries nearby. As we sign up for a fifth year in Cairo, I know that friends and family still wonder why we choose to live here. These are just part of the reasons why. Modern innovations to make life easier too. Recently when a tap sprung a leak, rather than having to try and call an expensive plumber, I was able to call Fil Khedma who can send a carpenter, plumber or electrician around to our house the very next day with a reasonable fixed price. I remember it wasn’t that easy when I lived in London. As a busy working mum, I love that I can ‘order-in’ almost anything, be it a doctor from Tabibi 24/7, shopping from many online stores or even souvenirs now that Oum El Dounia offers a delivery service! 1. The New 2. The Old Cairo is a city that is constantly developing and growing. Living in New Cairo, I am surrounded by new housing and entertainment developments. I see new restaurant and food shops opening weekly and can experience first-hand how the newer parts of the city are coming to life. Just recently, we have had Oscars Supermarket, Fuddruckers, Nola Cupcakes and Dunkin Donuts open on Road 90 and a new Carrefour and Gourmet have opened close to Seven Stars Mall. For my family, part of the charm and attraction of Cairo is its diverse history and this metropolis is particularly rich in what it has to offer. From admiring the ancient Pharonic Pyramids by camel or horse to exploring the atmospheric alleyways of Islamic Cairo on foot and haggling for a bargain in the Khan el Khalili. Or from visiting the hanging gardens of Babylon in Coptic Cairo to enjoying a walking tour of the palaces of Heliopolis. Or the eerie history of the City of the From the arrival of IKEA just a few years ago and Cairo Festival City, which recently celebrated its second birthday, I find it easier to find a piece of ‘home’ than ever before. Debenhams, the Lego Store, Virgin Megastore, Hamleys, to name a few new brands that are arriving or creating new stores in Egypt quickly. New cinema complexes are opening too, making entertainment within easy reach. The creation of Family Park has made a new opportunity for a clean open space for kids to run freely 30 February 16 CSA Dead, or the panoramic city views of the Citadel, or watching the colour of whirling dervishes spin before your eyes. Or coming face to face with the funerary mask of Tutankhamen at the Egyptian Museum or seeing the ancient remains of Egyptian kings’ mummies. There is so much to explore in this fascinating and multi-layered historical capital and with some great local guides who help us to unlock its riches; it can be unforgettable. When visitors come to stay with us in Cairo, I am proud to show them all that is on offer and love to see how it surpasses their expectations as they discover the real charms of the city beyond just the magnificent Sphinx at Giza. 3. The Near What to do when you need a break from Cairo’s constant tireless energy? I love that within easy reach of us are numerous Egyptian gems. You can relax amongst the yachts at the plush El Gouna marina, or enjoy a speed boat ride amongst the lagoons or go for a catamaran sail amongst dolphins. It’s easily reachable by car or a short flight to Hurghada. Or head north by car or train to Alexandria on the Mediterranean and enjoy fresh fish and a view of the harbour or an evening stroll or horsedrawn caleche along the Corniche. www.livinginegypt.org For warmer waters, the Red Sea at Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh or even Ain Sokhna are all within easy reach. It’s fun to go diving, sailing, snorkelling, swimming, sunbathing. Enjoy exploring more of Egypt’s history with a leisurely cruise along the Nile, visiting the temples and tombs of Luxor or an early morning hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. Or enjoy a lavish afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel whilst watching the sunset in Aswan... tee off from. Shoppers have a choice of malls. Kids will love the role play fun at Kidzania. History is around every corner for history buffs and the Arabic language is a great challenge for linguists. Apart from the odd sand storm, it’s fair to say we get a great deal of sunshine throughout the year too! Numerous expat community clubs and associations, as well as sporting clubs and activities also mean there is a lot of support from other like minded travellers. For these five reasons, and actually many more, I look forward to enjoying our adopted home for at least another year. Or escape it all with peace and tranquillity of sailing and fishing on Lake Nasser or camping under the stars in the Black and White Desert... 4. The Not So Far Egypt is located just a short plane ride away from some further afield adventures. Within an hour, you can be in Amman and enjoying Jordanian hospitality. Hire a car and drive to the salty Dead Sea or take the picturesque Kings Highway to explore the rose red city of Petra. An hour in another direction can take you to the beautiful island country of Cyprus. Landing down in Larnaca, you have many beautiful places to discover. In just over an hour you can be in the Greek capital of Athens, enjoying the local gyros and souvlaki and admiring the Acropolis. In just over two hours, you can explore the souks or relax in a steamy hammam in Istanbul, Turkey. 5. Something For Everyone Ultimately in Cairo, there is something for everyone. Thrill seekers will enjoy Quad biking at the Sakkara Pyramids. Golfers have many beautiful courses to Jennifer is a teacher at a leading international school in Cairo and has lived in Egypt since August 2012. Prior to this, she has worked, lived, studied or travelled in over 40 countries and 400 cities, including the Middle East, Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa and Russia. She lives in Cairo with her husband Sam and their two young daughters. February 16 CSA 31 CSA Activities Welcome to Programs! We have prepared a wonderful month for you! Join us in many of our diverse events! There is a new team on board at Programs that have put together creative and exciting new adventures for you and the entire family. Keep a look out for details in our Oasis magazine, website, newsletter, or pop in at the CSA. Come for a coffee and chat or bring your ideas … we love seeing you all! TRIPS AND TOURS To guarantee your place on a trip, please book your trip well in advance. Please note that all trips have to be paid at least 5 days in advance either in dollars or equivalent in EGP. Day Trip to the Desert Saturday, February 6 10.00am-3.00pm Cost: $50 The pyramids of Abu Sir originally consisted of fourteen pyramids. Only four are still standing. Of the four, the first you will visit is the pyramid of Neferefre, in which some remarkable finds, including a royal group of statues of the old kingdom and several portraits of other kings were found. In addition to pyramids, there are also various tombs in the necropolis, as well as the sun temples of the kings of the 5th Dynasty. Join this trip and enjoy a fascinating guided tour in the land of the forgotten kings of the 5th Dynasty. Saint Simon’s Cave in Mokattam Tuesday, February 16 9.00am-2.00pm Cost: $30 Escape the noisy city to the serenity of the desert and enjoy a beautiful family day at Wadi Degla located near Maadi. This trip will start with a two hour hike in a canyon that used to supply the river Nile with water. This protected valley is also home to numerous species of animals, birds and plants. The hike will be followed by a Bedouin BBQ lunch and music. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and to bring your camera. Please note that a minimum number of sign-ups is required for tour to run. The Pyramids of Abu Sir Tuesday, February 9 9.00am-2.00pm Cost: $45 The Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church, is located in the Mokattam Mountain in southeastern Cairo, in an area that is known as ‘garbage city’ because of the large population of garbage collectors or Zabbaleen that live there. The Zabbaleen are descendants of farmers who started migrating from Upper Egypt to Cairo in the 1940s. Join this trip for a one hour tour in the cave church followed by a visit to the garbage city gift shop and recycling center. All the money you spend there goes to the APE recycling organization. Monasteries of Ain Sukhna Saturday, February 20 8.00am-7.00pm Cost: $65 If you’re a history buff, don’t skip this opportunity to visit some of the world’s oldest, active monasteries. St. Anthony’s Monastery (Deir Mar Antonios), the Coptic Monastery located at an oasis spring that dates back to the mid-14th century. St. Paul’s Monastery (Deir Mar Boulos) in the Wadi el Deir, a magnificently desolate valley south of St. Anthony’s, is the place where the hermit monk was buried sometime around 340 AD. This will be followed by lunch in Ain Sukhna overlooking the tranquil turquoise water of the Red Sea. note: We provide transportation and guides for all our tours to historical sites and landmarks. For other tours, please check with Programs. All activities are subject to changes and cancellation. Terms and Conditions: All trips are subject to cancellation if required minimum number of bookings is not obtained. Cancellation by the CSA: If a trip is cancelled the CSA will refund the cost of that trip. Cancellation by the customer: A minimum of 3 business days notice is required in order to obtain a full refund. The original receipt must be presented when claiming a refund. For the most up-to-date information on all CSA’s trips, tours and classes please visit our website at www.livinginegypt.org February 16 CSA 33 CSA Activities Trip of the Month Old Palaces of Cairo El-Sakakini Palace Wednesday, February 24 9.00am-2.00pm Cost: $45 Hidden in the middle of a very busy area in Cairo, one instantly wonders how these random and chaotic suburban surroundings must have looked back in 1897 when this architectural masterpiece was constructed. The ElSakakini area was named after the creator of the Palace, Habib Sakakini Pasha (1841-1923), a Levantine businessman whose family immigrated to Egypt at the beginning of the 19th century. The palace now belongs to the ministry of antiquities and after being neglected for many years and closed for reconstruction work, CSA has been permitted to officially visit the palace for the first time. What people are saying about CSA’s Trips and Tours People are raving about CSA’s recent Book Tour, The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: “Loved seeing the house and I can imagine it when she (the author) lived there. Thank you for all your research and work in planning this tour” – Kerri (USA) Arts And LIFESTYLE Please note that all courses have to be paid at least 5 days in advance either in dollars or equivalent in EGP. CSA Pub Tour Friday, February 19 5.00pm-11.00pm Cost:$20 Join CSA for a fun night out exploring Cairo’s night life, make some new friends and discover some new places to enjoy. On this tour we will be visiting several local night spots. This tour will fill up fast and has limited seating so please don’t miss out. Transportation and 1 local beer included, pickup and drop-off will be at CSA (food and beverages not included) Must be 21 years of age to attend. Skincare Workshop Sunday, February 21 10.00am-12.00pm Cost: $25 “Great experience. Loved the history.” - Chris (Canada) “How great Cairo must have been back then. Loved the story.” - Britta (Germany) “Very interesting to connect the book to places in Cairo. It was easy to see the past elegance of the city.” - Miriah (USA) “Loved this tour. Such a treat to see the spots from the book and to feel the feelings of a different time. Great initiative.” Jacqui (New Zealand) To book your group or private tour contact the Programs Department today at [email protected] or 02 2358-5284. Join this professional skincare workshop with Bliss Spa Facial expert Lamis Badr. Learn about the best way to care for your skin by determining what your skin type is, how to clean your skin as well as what products work best and which to avoid. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity and sign up today. Book your private tour with CSA If you have guests visiting or just want a special trip for yourself and a few friends, we can still book a private tour for you. Choose between half and full day tours and we will provide you with the needed transportation and a professional tour guide. All of our guides are very reliable, highly informative and carefully selected. For further information please contact the Programs Department at [email protected] or 02 2358-5284. 34 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Mum & Baby Group Mondays 10.30am–12.30pm Cost: $5 Come join other mums and their infants/ toddlers for play dates, coffee breaks and information exchange. Mum & Baby is friendly group of new mothers who meet at CSA every Monday for the purpose of providing mums and caregivers fun and information in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. WHAT’S COOKING Find out more about food with CSA. We offer a wide range of cooking classes in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our classes are designed for anybody who loves trying out new flavors in good company. Cooking classes are usually held on-site with instructors demonstrating preparation of authentic dishes. During each class you can sample the prepared dishes. Additionally CSA offers cooking classes at special venues with professional chefs: so brush up on basic cooking skills, experience new cuisines and learn advanced culinary techniques. Chocolate Making Sunday, February 7 10.00am-1.00pm Cost: $60 Who can resist chocolate... especially on Valentine’s Day? For this special class you will join Chef Mervat Dissoky from Chocola Exquisite Treats and learn how to create a variety of delicious treats. In this class, Chef Mervat will teach you how to melt, temper and mold chocolate. You will also learn how to make chocolate truffles and ganache using the most up-to-date, refined Belgian techniques and the most premium quality Belgian chocolate. Each of you will make approximately 30 classic chocolates and creme-filled truffles. Why not make this Valentines Day extra special and bring home some delicious treats for that special someone. This class is expected to fill up quickly so reserve your spot today. Persian Cooking Monday, February 15 10.00am-1.00pm Cost: $40 Lebanese Cooking Tuesday, February 23 10.00am-1.00pm Cost: $40 If you love Lebenese food then this is a class you won’t want to miss. You will learn how to make delicious mezzes and learn why these delicious bit size treats are so popular in restaurant menus across the country. This class is about creating simple recipes with amazing flavors perfect for sharing, grazing and snacking. A perfect class for any beginner looking to expand their knowledge about food or for the gourmet in the house who wants to pick up a few extra tips. A Taste of Thailand Monday, February 29 10.00am-1.00pm Cost: $45 Private Cooking Classes: If you would like one of our regular cooking classes set up just for you, your friends or visiting family then contact CSA program department to discuss availability. Please note that all courses have to be paid at least 5 days in advance either in dollars or equivalent in EGP. For those of you who love our cooking classes but live in Katemeya, we could also organize it for you in NCBIS, New Cairo for your convenience. Do contact Programs for more information. If you are a lover of Middle Eastern cuisine then don’t miss out on this cooking class featuring traditional cuisine from Persia. In this class you will learn how to make a stew called khoresh-e-qeymeh. This dish is typically served with polo (rice) and saffron, along with tahdig (crunchy rice) and fresh vegetables/ yogurt. Do you have a small group and would like a custom class or trip organized just for you? Let CSA do the planning for you. Contact: [email protected] If you love the flavors and aromas of Thai cuisine, you shouldn’t miss this chance of learning to create delicious meals at home. In this “hands on” cooking class Chef Mam will demonstrate a selection of delicious Thai favorites to delight your palate. Please note: Cancellations should be made at least 3 working days prior to class in order to receive a refund. To avoid cancellation of classes please sign up 5 working days in advance. For the most up-to-date information on all CSA’s trips, tours and classes please visit our website at www.livinginegypt.org February 16 CSA 35 REPS Fitness Center Welcome to REPS Fitness Center! • improve Your stamina • increase your strength and muscle mass • improve your flexibility • reduce your fat • rehabilitate • improve your overall fitness REPS Services Classes for Adults & Children REPS offers a variety of fitness, dance and sport classes for adults and children. No matter your taste, we’ve got you covered. Rest assured that we only hire qualified instructors who are truly passionate about what they do. Their enthusiasm is contagious! Check out the REPS Fitness Center calendar on the next page or stop by the REPS front desk to find a complete list of our current offerings. New to Cairo? First Time Visitor? The Free Trial Pass allows you to enjoy 7 consecutive days of free use of REPS Fitness Center. Just stop by our front desk and show our staff your foreign passport, and you’re all set. Personal Training Personal Trainers are experts on what fitness regime is the best and safest option for YOU, allowing you to save time and get the most out of your workout. All of our trainers (Agami, Carey, Carmel & Kim) are certified and have years of experience helping others transform their body to meet their goals. If you are struggling to motivate yourself or not seeing the results you think you should be, let our personal trainers help. Contact REPS Fitness Center today to book an appointment with one of our talented trainers. Nutrition Consultations Marcus O’Neill, a Registered Dietitian from Canada, offers one-on-one nutrition consultations in REPS Fitness. In addition to completing his dietetic training at the University of Alberta, he also possesses a Masters degree in exercise physiology from the University of Guelph. Above all Marcus believes in balance and recognizes that health is not measured by a number on a scale. For more information or to book an appointment, stop by the REPS Front Desk. MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES Prices in USD Single* Family (Couple)* Senior (65+)* 1 Year** $555.00 $960.00 $445.00 6 Month $380.00 $660.00 $305.00 3 Months $275.00 $480.00 $220.00 1 Month $140.00 $220.00 $115.00 Walk in $12.00 $24.00 $12.00 incl. 60 day freeze option incl. 30 day freeze option * Current members receive a 5% discount when renewing their membership. ** Those purchasing a 1 year REPS membership also receive an annual CSA membership for FREE. The above memberships give you full access to all the gym’s facilities AND to all the Group Fitness Classes. See REPS front desk for more details. Suunto Sports Watches now available at REPS For more information: REPS Fitness Center front desk, 2nd Floor, #4, Road 21, Maadi REPS Main: 0100 382 9368, REPS Annex Studio: 0120 699 0208 www.repsfc.com, repsfc Opening Hours - REPS opens early! Sunday-Thursday 7.00am-10.00pm Friday & Saturday: 8.00am-9.00pm February 16 CSA 37 Health and Wellness Myths OF Strength Training By Lindsay Everhart 4. Stretch before your workout In the world of “broscience”, the gym is packed with information that isn’t always conducive to our fitness goals. Check out these common myths to be sure you don’t fall victim! This common advice has come under scrutiny in the past few years. Why? Because static stretching while your muscles are cold can potentially damage them. Moreover, it may even minimize their ability to do work at maximum capacity – a big no before a strength workout. What should you do instead? Ideally, engage in static stretching after your workout when the muscles are warm, and foam roll tight muscles as they occur to minimize imbalances. 1. Cardio is the best way to lose weight Sure, with the right diet tweaks and a steady commitment, you will absolutely see the pounds melt away with cardio. Is it the best way to lose weight and keep it off? No. Cardio raises your metabolism only temporarily. Building muscle, either through athletics or weight-lifting, raises your metabolism permanently (or for as long as you keep the muscle through a healthy lifestyle); the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns. Bonus: it gives your body sexy curves you’ll never attain through running alone. So save yourself the hours of mundane training on the treadmill and lift some weights to build curvalicious, caloriebusting muscles. 2. Lifting weights makes you bulky This is only true if you have soaring levels of testosterone, which most men do. Women, on the other hand, don’t have the right hormonal balance to build giant muscles. Ladies, unless you’re taking a hormone supplement or have a rare medical condition, you will never look like Arnold Schwarzenegger from lifting weights. 3. You can spot treat fat away Unfortunately, this is not the case. No matter how many crunches or inner thigh exercises you do, the jiggle will not go away until you lower your overall body fat percentage. Once you do this, your sexy six pack and shapely thighs will shine! 38 February 16 CSA 5. Pregnant women shouldn’t exercise How sad that our expectant mothers, who will soon have little time for themselves and will be chasing after toddlers and doing daily tasks onehanded, are being told to not stay fit! Mothers-to-be, you are absolutely allowed, and even encouraged, to exercise during your pregnancy. While I wouldn’t recommend training for a triathlon, you are most welcome to do cardio for up to half an hour (more than this depletes oxygen supplies in the circulating blood and potentially to the fetus) and to lift moderate weights, with only a few modifications a knowledgeable trainer can recommend. 6. If you work out hard enough, you can eat whatever you want I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this just isn’t true. Yes, you can get away with donuts and a familysize pizza here and there (guilty), but benefits of exercise won’t shine through if you don’t eat well. Pay particular attention to the ratios of your macronutrient intake (lean protein, healthy fat, and whole carbohydrates). Most fitness experts recommend a 45-30-25 ratio (carbs, protein, fats, respectively) for building muscle, and slightly less carbohydrates (and counterintuitively, more healthy fat) if you are trying to lose weight. And of course, math is key – calories in should equal calories out. Come to the REPS Fitness Center to have your body analysis done – this will show you your BMR (the number of calories your body requires to do its basic functions), add your calorie expenditure based on your lifestyle, and incorporate the calories you burn through your fitness regimen. For example, a 30 year old, 170cm female who weighs 60kg, has a moderately active lifestyle and engages in strengthtraining four days a week should consume about 2300 calories per day to maintain her weight. www.livinginegypt.org 7. If you stop working out, your muscle will turn to fat Many people have noticed that when they stop exercising, they gain weight, and they attribute this to losing muscle. This is not exactly what happens. When you stop exercising, your muscle does shrink in an effort to conserve energy; since the body is no longer using the muscle as vigorously, it decides to focus the energy elsewhere. So the muscle is still there, its role has just been minimized. Why does one gain weight then? It’s often because the person is still consuming the same number of calories as when they were exercising, but no longer engaging in the extra activity to burn those calories. So, if you do stop working out, be sure to lower your calorie intake in order to maintain your figure. 8. Deep squats cause injuries How unfortunate that this myth has made the rounds! Deep squats not only activate every single muscle in the legs and glutes, they also activate the core; and the lower you go, the more your bum gets a workout (hello, ladies!). We should rightfully be afraid of injuries while weight-lifting, but form is key to safety – deep squats don’t cause injuries, poor form does. Ask your trainer to give you instruction if you’re unsure of the proper form for any exercise. 9. Supplements can be used as replacements While this is largely a matter of personal opinion, by relying on supplements for your meals and macronutrients, you can miss out on many other things the body needs, like fiber and micronutrients. Rather than making whey protein and power bars your primary source of macronutrients, instead opt for eating well-balanced meals, and stick to the supplements when your body needs the extra push. For example, taking whey protein after a workout is a fine option, as your body particularly craves protein (and carbohydrates) within the hour after vigorous exercise. 10. Cravings should be ignored Am I telling you to eat that slice of cake you really want? Not exactly. But if you are craving something obnoxiously sweet, it’s possible your body is telling you it needs more carbohydrates. Try eating a piece of fruit or a healthy carbohydrate, and see if your craving subsides. Another possibility is that you are feeling emotionally unwell and that your brain needs a boost of dopamine (very similar to what happens when an addict craves his vice). By fulfilling your craving, you activate your brain’s reward system, making you feel better (this explains the terms “comfort food” and “emotional eating”). Either way, cravings are your body’s way of saying it needs something. Listen to it, as the body has evolved amazing ways to communicate with your mind. Lindsay is a NASM certified personal trainer and an IBBFA certified Barre instructor. Prior to her fitness career, she was a scientist in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University. She currently teaches the weight-lifting program tailored for women, Lifting Ladies, and the ballet-infused class, Barre Fitness, at REPS. February 16 CSA 39 REPS Fitness Center February News Introducing REPS Annex We’re excited to announce that REPS Fitness Center is expanding its offerings to include Spinning, Pilates, Yoga, TRX and Mat workouts in REPS Annex (formerly BodyFit Egypt). Book your classes online at www.repsfc.com/booking REPS Spin® Marathon Lift 2 Lean 4 Hours, 4 Instructors, 4 Charity and 4 FUN! REPS will be hosting our very 1st Spin® Marathon on Saturday, February 13, 9.00am-1.00pm. Our team of 4 Spin® Instructors will guide you through a 4 hour Spin® ride including a long endurance road, a lot of steep hills, realistic obstacles, and a fulfilling end at the finish line. Good music, fun morning in the sun, with a great cause that simply can’t be missed. Strength and Core There’s more to core training NEW than simply developing your abdominals. Your core encompasses a variety of muscles, ranging from the front of your torso to your back and obliques. In fact, if you’re focusing too much on your abs at the expense of other core muscle groups, you’re putting yourself at risk for injury. All athletes, including runners and lifters, require a balanced core to maintain a stable spine and aligned pelvis for safe, optimal performance. Join Agamy (ACE and ISSA-certified personal trainer with a NSCA-endorsed specialization in strength conditioning) for Strength and Core and he’ll give you the core you want and need. Strength and Core classes are on Mondays at 7.00pm (REPS Annex) and Saturdays at 9.00am. Adult Modern and Ballet Create a dancer’s body NEW shape by following the exercises of dancers which strengthen their muscles and increase flexibility. In addition to learning Modern Dance and Ballet steps, enhance your coordination, balance, and have fun while toning! Adult Modern and Ballet classes are on Sundays at 6.00pm and Thursdays at 1.30pm. Hisham Gohar’s new NEW class is dedicated to one thing, and one thing only - strengthening and lengthening your muscles! Your body will be fully transformed in this intense 45 minute class. Beware, it is not for the lighthearted! Lift 2 Lean classes are on Sundays at 9.15am. Kids Classes It’s a new semester and a new opportunity to teach your children the importance of fitness! We offer all kinds of activities for every age. Check out these classes and see the calendar on the next page for our weekly schedule: Zumba4Kids, Soccer Stars, Taekwondo, Gymnastics, Little Ballerinas, Ballet and Modern, Contemporary and Jazz, Mothers and Daughters Barre KANGOO JUMPS Jump your way to health NEW with instructor Rama Sami in the New Kangoo Jump class at REPS Fitness Center! With regular rebound exercise using the special Kangoo Jump shoes, you’ll very soon see noticeable improvements in muscle tone, endurance levels and weight management. Kangoo Jumps classes are on Sundays and Tuesdays at 10:45am in REPS Annex. Registration for all classes at the REPS Fitness Center front desk. For more information drop by the REPS Fitness Center front desk or call 010 0382 9368 Please note that for all Pre-Paid Classes (Adults and Children), if we do not have any paid bookings before the class then we cannot guarantee that the class shall take place. Schedule Information - Important notice: Please check all information for the classes as there may be changes. Group fitness classes: free for members, $12 for walk ins, $100 for 10 session class card. Pre-paid children’s dance classes: please register at reception. Pre-paid children’s Taekwondo classes: please register at reception. Pre-booked Teddy Tennis: please register with instructor. 40 February 16 CSA Pre-paid adult classes: please register at reception or with instructor. www.livinginegypt.org REPS Schedule February 2016 REPS Fitness Center SUNDAY MONDAY 7.00am Lifting Ladies Lindsay 7.00am Lifting Ladies Lindsay 8.15am Circuit Training Agamy 8.15am Power Pump Carey 9.15am Lift 2 Lean Hisham WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 7.00am Lifting Ladies Lindsay 7.00am Lifting Ladies Lindsay 8.15am Zumba Connie 8.15am More for the Core Carmel 9.30am Fusion Connie 9.30am Step Interval Carmel 10.45am Pilates at the Stability Barre Jasmin 10.30am Tae Bo Hisham 10.45am Pilates at the Stability Barre Jasmin 12.00pm Barre Fitness Lindsay 11.30am Barre Fitness Lindsay 4.15pm Pre Dance & Pre Fitness (3-5 years) Mye 5.00pm Ballet & Modern Dance (9-12 years) Mye 6.00 pm Modern Dance for Adults Mye 7.00pm Salsa Aerobics Francesca REPS Annex SUNDAY 3.30pm Gymnastics (3-5 years) Dr. Khaled 4.30pm Gymnastics (7-12 years ) Dr. Khaled 5.30pm Little Ninjas (Beginner) Moyasser TUESDAY 8.15 Circuit Training Agamy 9.00 Body Action Kim 9.00am Strength and Core Agamy 9.30am Step Aerobics Carey 9.30am Power Pump Carey 10.00am Teddy Tennis 10.30am Barre Fitness Lindsay 10.30am Boxercise Usef 11.00am Teddy Tennis 1.30 pm Modern Dance for Adults Mye 3.30pm Gymnastics (3-5 years ) Dr. Khaled 4.30pm Gymnastics (7-12 years ) Dr. Khaled 5.30pm Ballet LV 1 (6-9 years) Mye 1.00 pm Mothers and Daughters Barre Lindsay THURSDAY Friday 3.30pm 3.30pm Little Ballerinas Little Ballerinas (3-4 years ) (3-4 years ) Gabby Gabby 4.30pm 4.30pm Ballet Soccer Stars (5-6 years ) (5 years ) Gabby Laura 5.30pm 5.30pm Contemporary and Contemporary and Jazz (Pre-Teen) Jazz (Pre-Teen/Teen) Nicole Nicole TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 3.00pm Soccer Stars (3-4 years ) Laura 4.00pm Zumba for Kids (7-12 years ) Francesca 5.00pm Tigers (Intermediate) Moyasser Saturday 8.30am Spinning® Extended Ride 90 Minutes Instructor Rotation 8.15am Spin Fusion Patricia / Carmel 9.30am Mat Challenge Patricia Tyler 9.30am • Spinning® - Kim • Pilates TRX®- Jasmin 9.30am Body Action Kim 9.30am • Spinning® - Kim • Pilates TRX®- Jasmin 10.45am Kangoo Jumps Rama 10.45am Mat Foundation Patricia El-Sayed 10.45am Kangoo Jumps Rama 10.45am Mat Foundation Patricia El-Sayed 11.45am Belly Dance Souhair 4.30pm Ballet (5-6 years) Gabby 6.30pm Spinning® Ahmed 6.30pm • Spinning® - Kim • Classic Mat - Patricia 6.30pm Spinning® Astrid 7.00pm Strength and Core Agamy 7.30pm Gentle Yoga Fatima 6.30pm Spinning® Erin 12.00pm Belly Dance Souhair 6.30am Spinning® Yasmine 8.15am 8.15am • Yoga Blend - Gabby • Spinning®- Astrid • Spinning®- Erin • Pilates TRX® - Carmel 11.45am Belly Dance Souhair 10.00am Pre Ballet (3-5 years) Mye 10.45am Ballet LV 1 (6-9 years) Mye 7.30pm Zumba Francesca 6.30am Spinning® Yasmine 8.15am Spinning® Patricia / Carmel Saturday 11.30am Tae Bo Hisham 6.30pm Dragons (Advanced Class) Moyasser MONDAY Friday 10.30am Self Defense in Unarmed Combat Mariusz 9.30am Yoga Irina 10.00am Dynamic Yoga Fatima 90min This schedule is subject to change. Always check notice boards and/or REPS Fitness Center Reception for more information. www.repsfc.com, Tel: 01003829368, 01206990208 February 16 CSA 41 Health and Wellness What is By Kim Hampton More than 10 years ago, as a student of fitness training, I kept hearing the word “SPIN.” Simply overwhelmed with all I needed to learn, it took me a while to find out what this “SPIN THING” was. And, even after I figured it out, I simply wasn’t won over on the idea of sitting on a bike (which needless to say, hurt my bum a lot) and cycling for an hour. Well, I was WRONG. A friend finally pushed me to try the SPIN® Instructor Course and to my amazement I was pleasantly surprised and simply hooked. Hugh class spirit, stimulating music, great equipment, and effective workout for all levels (even people with knee problems) are ways I can personally describe SPINNING®. And, just plain FUN! It is unbelievable that the fitness phenomenon known as SPINNING®, began in a garage in California. An endurance cyclist named Johnny Goldberg, originally from South Africa moved to California in 1979 and needed a way to train indoors, as bad weather was hampering his training. The indoor cycling workout that he created propelled him to set a record when he biked 544 miles across Arizona without stopping, in a time of 29 hours and 46 minutes. Afterwards, he opened his first indoor cycling center in Santa Monica, California where he created a class that involved a choreographed group cycling workout focusing on heart rate training, breathing, form, and motivational coaching. He was simply on his way to creating an indoor cycling craze that would change the boring stationary bike forever. Johnny Goldberg eventually teamed up with a fellow cyclist named John 42 February 16 CSA ? how best to alleviate that bum pain experienced by many, but seldom lasts for more than 2 or 3 classes. So a word of encouragement, hang in there! Baudhuin to design a better bike; one that was similar to the geometry and ergonomics of a racing bike. In 1994 they founded a company called Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. whose mission was to develop the indoor cycling concept that they had branded. SPINNING® is the original and most recognized method and name in indoor cycling. It is also a wellrounded activity for all levels of fitness that is easy on the joints, fun to learn, and a great form of exercise. It ensures cardiovascular conditioning, fat burning, strength training, endurance and flexibility gains all in one convenient class. The design of the bike’s resistance mechanism guarantees that you work out safely at your level, whether beginner or advanced, as you control your own intensity. The instructors are trained to guide you to make steady improvements in your fitness ability in a safe manner. In addition, they can give you tips on If you have never tried SPINNING®, you must. We currently are offering sunrise rides, morning and evening classes, plus extended and fusion rides (combination between a 45 minute SPIN® class and 30 minute TRX® workout) for your fitness needs. In addition, quarterly spinning marathons are currently being planned to challenge you and keep you in great shape, plus give you a goal to work towards. Our professional Certified SPINNING® Instructor Team will offer you not just a ride on a bike, but an experience to take away with you. The themed classes, variety of music, various simulated terrain, narrative of technique and gentle encouragement, allows for a pleasant experience, while getting fit and seeing results. A single pedal stroke and a little push are all that it takes to get started on your adventure with SPINNING®. Please inquire at REPS Fitness Center for more information on the SPIN® Class Schedule, Introductory SPIN® Ride and Trial Classes, Upcoming SPIN® Marathons, and more concerning SPIN®. We look forward to riding with you soon! Kim Hampton is an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer & Specialist in Performance Nutrition, and a Certified SPINNING® Instructor. Kim along with her fellow SPIN® Instructors would like to welcome you to try SPINNING® at REPS Fitness Center. www.livinginegypt.org REPS Fitness Center Annex CSA proudly presents… (Formerly BodyFit Egypt) We are very excited to announce that REPS Fitness Center took over the well-established BodyFit Egypt, as of December 18, 2015. All previous activities will continue, but stay tuned for new surprises to be revealed soon! Spinning® Pilates® Yoga TRX® Mat workouts Spin !t has moved to a larger room to accommodate the great demand. Classes include High Intensity Power Pilates, and Pilates at the STABLITY Barre™. Revived yoga classes for your meditation and wellbeing. Use your own body weight to improve your core, overall strength, and balance using the US Navy Seal-developed TRX® Suspension System. Develop the basic foundations of Pilates. Courses include Mat Foundations, Classic Mat, and Mat Challenge. Patricia Tyler, founder of BodyFit Egypt, is continuing her involvement with REPS Annex as Lead Instructor of the STOTT PILATES® Reformer Studio. As the first and only STOTT PILATES® Instructor Trainer in Egypt, she is also offering PILATES® Instructor Courses and Workshops to anyone interested in becoming certified in Mat and Reformer PILATES®. SPECIAL OFFER Classes formerly offered by BodyFit Egypt are now available at reduced prices. We are also offering members of REPS Fitness Center an additional 20% discount on packages. For more information about REPS Annex, including schedules and online booking visit www.repsfc.com repsfc REPS Main: 0100 382 9368 REPS Annex Studio: 0120 699 0208 February 16 CSA 43 February 16 CSA 45 CSA Calendar February 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY Mum & Baby Group 10.30am-12.30pm Showroom Khazana Collection of Indian Handcrafts 1 2 Cook’s Day Off 9.00am-2.00pm Valentines Spotlight Bazaar 9.00am-3.00pm Mum & Baby Group 10.30am-12.30pm Chocolate Making 10.00am-1.00pm Gems and Jewels 10.30am-11.30pm Exploring Mortal Designs 10.30am-11.30am Showroom Mirror Brands The Pyramids of Abu Sir 9.00am-2.00pm 7 Cook’s Day Off 9.00am-2.00pm CHINESE NEW YEAR AT CSA 9.00am-2.00pm Showroom Ethnica Gallery 8 9 Mum & Baby Group 10.30am-12.30pm Library Book Sale 9.00am-4.00pm Persian Cooking 10.00am-1.00pm Saint Simon’s Cave in Mokattam 9.00am-2.00pm 14 15 16 Cook’s Day Off 9.00am-2.00pm Garden Bazaar 9.00 am-3.00pm Mum & Baby Group 10.30am-12.30pm Skincare Workshop 10.00am-12.00pm Lebanese Cooking 10.00am-1.00pm Showroom El Patio Furniture and Home Accessories 21 22 Cook’s Day Off 9.00am-2.00pm Mum & Baby Group 10.30am-12.30pm Showroom Jayanti Maydeo Paintings A Taste of Thailand 10.00am-1.00pm 28 29 23 More information on www.livinginegypt.org WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Friday / Saturday 5 Cook’s Day Off 10.00am-2.00pm Farmer’s Market 9.00-2.00pm 3 Day Trip to the Desert 10.00am-3.00pm 4 6 12 Cook’s Day Off 10.00am-2.00pm Farmer’s Market 9.00-2.00pm 10 11 19 CSA Pub Tour 5.00pm-11.00pm Cook’s Day Off 10.00am-2.00pm Thai Buffet 12.00pm Farmer’s Market 9.00-2.00pm 17 Monasteries of Ain Sukhna 8.00am-7.00pm 18 20 26 Green & Gold Gala and Golf Tournament Cook’s Day Off 10.00am-2.00pm Old Palaces of Cairo El-Sakakini Palace 9.00am-2.00pm 13 Farmer’s Market 9.00-2.00pm 24 25 27 CSA Events Arts/Lifestyle Trips/Tours Cooking 50 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Health and Wellness breaking down the complex into more manageable bites By Marcus O’Neill MSc RD Antioxidants: Hype vs. Reality Antioxidants entered the public consciousness in the 1990s when researchers began to understand that damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) was linked to various chronic diseases including clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), vision loss and some types of cancer. This led to a rush of products featuring antioxidants, as well as antioxidant supplements hitting the shelves of supermarkets and pharmacies. But the question remains, how much do they actually help? Let’s try to tease apart hype from reality when it comes to antioxidants. How antioxidants work First, a quick lesson on how antioxidants work. ROS, also sometimes referred to as free radicals, are compounds that steal electrons from others compounds in the body. They are natural byproducts of metabolism or exposure to sunlight, and can be found in the food we eat, as well as the air we breathe. The problem with ROS is that stealing electrons from other compounds can not only result in damage to DNA, cell membranes and basically anything else they come in contact with, but the compounds they’ve stolen electrons from become ROS themselves in a sort of chain-like reaction. Antioxidants are the defense against ROS. They neutralize ROS by giving up an electron without turning into ROS themselves. They’re basically the body’s version of using water to put out a fire. Antioxidants in your diet Our body naturally produces a whole host of antioxidants to deal with ROS, but we can also obtain them from food. Good sources of antioxidants are fruits and vegetables (generally the brighter the color, the better), coffee, tea, nuts, whole grains, wine and, yes, even chocolate (but only the dark kind!). Diets high in antioxidant containing foods are consistently associated with lower rates of chronic disease as well as longer lifespans, but it’s difficult to quantify how much of these benefits can be directly tied to the antioxidants themselves. To supplement or not So, antioxidants from our diet are probably a good thing, but are you getting enough? Should you consider supplementing just to be sure? Some common antioxidant supplements include vitamin C, vitamin E, betacarotene, selenium, manganese, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, flavonoids, phenols, polyphenols and phytoestrogens. Unfortunately outside of very particular situations there is little evidence to suggest that supplementing with antioxidants staves off many of the diseases they are often claimed to and in some cases may actually be harmful. For example, beta-carotene supplements are a bit of a mixed bag. They appear to protect against the development of macular degeneration (a form of blindness), but have no benefit in terms of heart disease or stroke, and actually increase the risk of developing lung cancer in smokers. The Bottom Line Antioxidants play an important role in protecting the body from damage caused by ROS. Your primary source of antioxidants should be food, ideally from varied sources, including fruits and vegetables. Most people do not benefit from taking antioxidant supplements, however if you are considering doing so, you should first discuss with your physician or dietitian to minimize the risks of any potential negative side-effects. Marcus O’Neill is a Registered Dietitian from Canada and Editor of Oasis Magazine. He is available for nutrition consultations at REPS Fitness Center. You can reach him by email at marcus@livinginegypt. org or follow him via Twitter (@ marcusoneillrd) or his blog (www. dietitianabroad.com). February 16 CSA 51 54 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Health and Wellness Depression Suppression Amina A. Young, RPh. Medications: Other: Although mental health awareness campaigns run in the month of October, most of us can agree that February is the most depressing month. This month has little to offer: bad movies, postholiday weight gain, broken New Year’s resolutions and being plain broke from the holidays. For most of us, such occasional mood changes are normal and temporary. Unfortunately, this cannot be said of the 350 million suffering from clinical depression. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): This is the first, and most popular group of medications. It is also usually the group of drugs most patients try first and the most prescribed for depression. It works by making sure serotonin (5HTP) stays in the brain longer and it has a long history of safety and efficacy. A major complaint is sexual dysfunction. Examples are citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline. Bupropion: Works on both dopamine and norepinephrine. Not usually considered a first choice but great as an “add on” to existing medication to maximize treatment. Also, it is given to those if they are trying to quit smoking or weight loss is recommended. Clinical depression is not a simple condition. Women are twice as likely to be affected and it is estimated that over 800,000 people per year commit suicide from depression. In 2009, a Cairo University psychiatry professor claimed that 1.2 million Egyptians suffer from depression. This is possibly an understatement due to a lack of resources for diagnosing, and the overall stigma mental health disorders may hold in certain cultures. It has many different types and severities (mild, moderate, severe). Likewise, sufferers can experience a number of symptoms that determine the type of depression experienced. More information can be found in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM5) also known as the holy bible of mental disorders. People are treated for depression so they can lead a productive life and be able to function in school, work and other social settings. Treatment helps eliminate or at least decrease negative symptoms, and decrease the number of times depressive episodes occur in one’s lifetime. It is also used to prevent self harm and decrease the risk of suicide. Depression is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Some of the chemicals involved (also known as neurotransmitters) include serotonin (5HTP), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Medications are used to help correct this balance. 56 February 16 CSA Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI): These drugs work by ensuring both serotonin and norepinephrine are in the brain longer. These drugs are usually given after an SSRI has been tried and didn’t work. Earlier it was thought they worked better than SSRIs but when compared, the difference was small and hard to measure. Examples are venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine. Trazodone: This drug is unrelated to the other groups but works by increasing serotonin. It is not commonly prescribed because it causes excessive drowsiness. This is sometimes added to those already on an antidepressant to help them sleep at night. Tricyclic and Tetracyclic Antidepressants (TCAS and TeCAs): These are reserved for when SNRIs and SSRIs don’t work. Usually they are avoided in elderly since it can cause dizziness, and constipation which harder to manage in older individuals. Even though they work well, their side effects are not as tolerable to most. Examples are amitriptyline, nortriptyline, mirtazapine. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI): This group of drugs has been around a very long time. Rarely used unless the 3 previously mentioned groups do not work. People taking drugs in this group need to be closely monitored. There are also a number of food restrictions when taking these drugs. Examples are phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide. www.livinginegypt.org Vortioxetine: This is the newest drug on the market. Like trazodone, it shares no similarities with other medications but also works on increasing serotonin. It seems to be a good option when SSRI/ SNRI are not working. New studies indicate this drug may soon be a suitable first choice. There also may be fewer side effects associated with this option. Only time will tell how it performs, as more studies are in progress. Natural products: St. John’s Wort: Probably the most famous and studied plant for depression. There are studies that show it works, and others that show it doesn’t. When combining the evidence it can be concluded that it does help with depression for mild to moderate cases. It works similar to prescription medication. The downside is that this product has a lot of drug interactions. SAMe (S-adenodyl L-methionine): Through a very complicated mechanism, this molecule increases the neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Unfortunately, good formulations are expensive comparable to prescription medication. Inositol: Formerly called a Vitamin B8, but now downgraded to a sugar alcohol that is not essential to humans since we can self produce it. Benefits have been seen at high doses, however, larger scale studies are needed to confirm this. Vitamins and Essential Fatty Acids: Specifically Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin C have been focused on. Poor nutrition is sometimes a theory thrown around for causing depression. Good nutrition gives positive benefits to overall health, so studying vitamins is important. Unfortunately, lots of conflicting data is reported. Essential fatty acids from fish oils such as EPA and DHA are important for our brains and nervous system. Countries that eat more fish seemed to have lower rates of depression. When looking at the studies, certain groups seemed to benefit when taking fish oils for depression, where as other groups showed no improvement. Hormones: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone made in our bodies, but is also commercially available. The way it is thought to work is unclear, but it was found those with depression seemed to have low levels of DHEA, especially as we get older. The studies were done on a very small number of people and larger studies are needed with better controls to confirm if it really works. Safety is also a concern here, where evidence is needed that taking this hormone at higher doses won’t increase the risk of certain cancers. Neurotransmitter Precursors: These are molecules required to make the neurotransmitters or chemicals that we make naturally anyways. By ingesting the ingredients needed to make these molecules, the idea is it may increase levels in the brain. A few examples include L-tryptophan, 5HTP, phenylalanine. Some of these studies show these molecules work, other show they do not. More information and properly controlled studies are needed. Others: Other agents claiming to help with depression include damiana, lavender, yohimbe, turmeric, ginkgo, saffron and glutamine. Writing about each one would make a very long article! However, saffron is worth mentioning since it is showing some very exciting results. But this became quickly less exciting when the only country taking time to evaluate this is Iran. Because of saffron’s potential, hopefully other studies will follow. Therapies: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): This is still considered controversial by some, but has been around a long time. It is usually only offered for severe cases needing quick results, or where everything else has been tried and deemed unsuccessful. It has an unusually high success rate but factors limit its use, such as needing to do multiple sessions per week for several weeks, cost of treatment and strange temporary effects like amnesia and confusion. Psychotherapy (including cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal): This is a very important part of treatment and invaluable when combined with medication. Therapy can be individual, group or family therapy if needed. This helps with problem solving and coping techniques through exercises that help change how one thinks. Therapy is usually customized based on the specific goals you are trying to reach. Lifestyle Considerations: Coping with depression is more than just taking medication and some therapy. Doing your best to create better sleeping habits, adding some physical activity and healthy eating all contribute to one’s overall wellbeing. Also minimizing caffeine and alcohol consumption is ideal. Lean on family and friends for support, and know there are lots of options not mentioned so talk to a professional and don’t be afraid to do your own research. If you hear about a medication your coworker is on that is working great, remember this doesn’t mean it will work for you. Take time for yourself, to read, meditate and perhaps relieve stress with an adult coloring book. If you have young children (and boarding school and summer camp is not an option) schedule some time apart since studies show a few hours a week of childcare / any assistance can be beneficial. Disclaimer: Always consult a primary care practitioner before initiating or discontinuing treatment. Amina A. Young is a registered pharmacist from Canada. She studied at McMaster University then went on to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. She lives in Cairo with her husband and son. February 16 CSA 57 Family Did you know?…. Flavia’s Fab Facts As we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, did you know these strange and interesting facts about love? Valentine’s Day Origins There are many legends regarding the origin of Valentine’s Day, but the most popular is that Roman Emperor Claudius II did not want his soldiers to marry during wartime for fear of distraction. However, a priest named Valentine went against the Emperor’s wishes and performed secret weddings anyway. He was jailed for his betrayal and executed. Some stories report that while in jail, he wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter and signed it “from your Valentine”. Love & Tennis Why do we use the term “love” in tennis? This term dates back to 1792, where it meant “playing for love” …or in other words, for nothing. Why Diamonds? Why do we give a diamond as an engagement ring? The tradition is said to have started in the 15th century when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave his fiancée Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring. Lasting Love? An extravagant gift of love was the Taj Mahal diamond worth $8.8 million, given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton for her 40th birthday. Despite divorcing for a second and final time in 1976, Taylor would later admit “after Richard, the men in my life were just there to hold the coat, to open the door” Kisses Why does the X symbolize a kiss? In medieval times people that could not write their names used to sign with an X in front of witnesses. They would then kiss the X to show sincerity. Chocolate Today chocolates are a favorite gift of love but it was Richard Cadbury that created the first heart shaped chocolate box that he used on Valentine’s Day in the late 1800’s. The Ring Finger Why was the forefinger on the left hand chosen as the lucky one to wear the engagement and wedding band? The Ancient Greeks believed that the vena amoris (vein of love) runs through that finger straight to the heart. Roses The rose is traditionally the symbol of love, but what do their various colors suggest? Red (passion and true love), Yellow (friendship, but also jealousy), Light Pink (desire, passion and energy), Dark Pink (gratitude and thankfulness), White (devotion or virtue) and Lavender or Thornless (love at first sight). The Aztecs In Mexico, Chief Montezuma thought chocolate to be a love drug. He is known for his habit of drinking 50 cups of chocolate a day before meeting with his harem of 600 women. The Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal in India was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal after she died during the birth of her 14th child. It is often recognized as the most extraordinary gift of love. February 16 CSA 65 66 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Lifestyle An Expat in Cairo By Laura Logan *Snap* I took another picture of the graffiti on Talaat Harb St. “Excuse me, my name is Ahmed,” said a young Egyptian man, interrupting my focus. I generally try to avoid talking to strange men in the street, so I just nodded politely and continued to take pictures. “Excuse me, what are you doing?” he asked. I told him I’m taking pictures of the graffiti. I decided to give Ahmed a chance. Encounters with men in the street usually start innocently (i.e. I just want to talk; you need directions?; graffiti halwa this way!) but nearly always end with either “…you like sex?” or “come see my shop!” Fortunately for everyone, Ahmed was sincere. Boundaries were put up and they were respected. I joined him and several of his friends for coffee at a shop downtown. One friend, Sayyed, works at an exchange place near Tahrir Square. The other man, Mostafa, runs a shop on Mohamed Mahmoud St near AUC’s downtown campus. We talked about Mubarak and we talked about Israel. “Excuse me, I want to talk with you.” Well clearly, I thought snidely. “I really like to talk with people and learn about them. People never smile anymore. Why does no one smile? People should smile...” I let him talk as I continued to peruse the graffiti. Ahmed had grown up in ‘Abdeen downtown Cairo, where he taught himself Japanese and English. His dream is to one day visit Japan. He kept talking for a solid fifteen minutes, before he asked again “It is okay if I talk with you?” I asked about life under Mubarak. “Life was bad. Mubarak robbed this country and now everyone is poor. There is nothing here,” Mostafa declared sadly. Sayyed shook his head in disagreement. “No, you’re wrong. Mubarak was a good man and a good president. It was Sadat that destroyed Egypt financially. Mubarak protected us and created jobs.” I asked whether they knew anyone who was imprisoned under the emergency law. “I went to prison for six years,” stated Mostafa, casually. Shocked, I asked him how he could be so nonchalant about it. “All Egyptian men spent time in prison when Mubarak was president.” He looked over to Sayyed and tattled, “Sayyed went to prison too.” Sayyed smiled proudly. The conversation shifted to the subject of Israel. “I like the Israeli people. I have met some. But you never know who is Israeli because they always lie about their nationality,” explained Ahmed. I suggested that Israelis might feel unsafe revealing their nationality, due to the anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment in Egypt. “Yeah, maybe. I had a friend once who told me he was Canadian. I believed him until I saw his Israeli passport on the table. When I asked him about it, he confessed that he is Israeli with dual citizenship. I asked him why did you lie to me? He said it was because he was unsure of how I would react.” Sayyed chimed in, “A lot of people here don’t like Israelis... or Americans, for that matter. But they don’t understand because most of the time they’ve never had a conversation with one.” “I love the Israeli people, but I hate their government. Same with America,” Ahmed elaborated. *Names have been changed to protect identities Laura Logan is a freelance writer from San Diego, California who has lived in Cairo intermittently between 2008 and present. She attended the American University in Cairo (AUC) for one year before transferring to UCLA, where she majored in Middle Eastern and North African Studies. After graduating, she returned to Cairo to study Arabic and pursue a career in journalism. You can view her work on Harvard International Review’s blog, Scoop Empire, or her personal blog at loganmideast.blogspot.com. February 16 CSA 67 Health and Wellness The Coach See the huge possibility in your life By Julie-ann Odell In our first issue of The Life Coach, appropriately starting in the month containing Valentine’s Day, we take a look at a very important and much forgotten aspect of love: Self Love. We’ve become so focused on showing our love for others that we forget to 5 Steps to Loving Yourself Replace self-criticism with praise: Refuse to criticise yourself, and accept yourself as you are for the moment. When you criticise yourself, you break your inner spirit. Learn to appreciate and praise yourself for even the smallest of achievements. Be kind to your mind: Are you disempowering yourself with negative thinking and fears? If so, evict the intruder and switch your thoughts to a mental image that gives you pleasure. Make positive thinking a habit. Be your own best friend: Be aware of negative self talk. When you find yourself thinking disempowering thoughts about yourself, send the thoughts away and replace them with a powerful, positive affirmation. Spend quality time with yourself: Read personal growth, and self-help books. Listen to positive affirmations and guided visualizations. Learn to meditate. Focus on personal growth: Attend empowering workshops. Commit to learning something new. Surround yourself with positive people who have an uplifting spirit and encourage you to be your best. remember that love first starts within. How often do we take the time to journey inside ourselves and find out who truly lives there and what makes us happy or sad and where did all of those feelings begin. We come into this world as beautiful babies with clean emotional slates and innocent minds, but there are various factors from the time we are born that affect the way we learn to feel about ourselves. This includes negative emotional patterning in childhood from parents, family, teachers, society and even the media with representations of what success and beauty is supposed to look like. We are taught many things in life, not all of them positive; and from the negative emotional lessons, we create limiting beliefs that become part of our values system and determine to a great extent how we live our lives, and what and who we attract into them. It’s a pity that we aren’t all given “A User’s Manual” for our Emotional Operating System as part of our educational process but unfortunately, until now, it does not exist. I recently attended a Louise Hay Teacher’s workshop in the United Kingdom and from the 45 participants in the room - consisting of many different ages and cultural backgrounds - not a single person put up their hand when they were asked the question: “Were you taught as a child how to deal with fear, anger or shame? And when the same group was asked to look at themselves in a mirror and say: “I truly and honestly love you” only a few people in the room were able to authentically do so. It shocked me, and made me realize how important it is to spread awareness around the importance of self-love. When we live life from a place of denial, we spend much of our time sacrificing ourselves for the needs and wants of others to keep relationships going at any cost, and spend a lot of energy in the story of: “Look what they are doing to me”, rather than “Look what I am allowing to happen!” Once we start to see life from the “cause” aspect rather than the “effect” and ask ourselves the question: “What part of me is allowing this to happen?” and “When did that belief system first begin?” is when we start to realize that so many of us were conditioned to believe that we are not worthy of healthy, happy and loving lives. When we gain awareness around the past and its patterns and limiting belief systems, we can start to see that we are truly deserving of love, happiness and success. We can learn to forgive and accept ourselves and others, change our way of thinking and create empowering belief systems. Once we can learn to love ourselves unconditionally, we can accept love from others in a very different way. We attract enhancing relationships into our lives, our passion is ignited and we can finally see huge possibilities for our future unfold. Julie-ann Odell is a certified Organization Relationship Systems Coach (ORSCC) and a certified NeuroTransformation Coach. She divides her time between her clients in Cairo and Dubai and is passionate about helping others reach their full potential through her personal growth workshops. You can contact her at +20 111 836 1836. February 16 CSA 69 Culture By Supriya Chawla The original Nubia is the dry hot land of about 123,000 square kilometers between the city of Aswan and northern Sudan. Much of this land now lies beneath the waters created by the High Dam Reservoir (Lake Nassar/ Lake Nubia). With its construction an entire population, consisting of about hundred twenty thousand people, was relocated from its ancestral home land. Half of those were resettled in Kom Ombo, about 10 miles north of Aswan, and the other half were repatriated to northwestern Sudan. At the same time monuments in Nubia were also relocated. For example UNESCO’s efforts, at the time, to rescue from the flooding waters the two temples of Ramses II and his consort from Abu Simbel are well known even today. In earlier Egyptian texts, Nubia is mentioned as the land of Cush. It was through this land that Egyptians obtained products of the Sudan like ebony, ivory, leopard skins and a variety of resins. Its people had for millennia inhabited the middle reaches of the Nile and their traditional ways of life were based on agriculture, fishing, transporting goods up and down the Nile, virtually unchanged until the Aswan Dam was built. As we can see, old Nubia served as a link between Egypt and a small part of 70 February 16 CSA East Africa and trade between the two countries was well established (It must be noted, however, because of its barren environment, it was not a regular trade route for the rest of Africa). Egypt had an abundant agricultural surplus and since ancient times Nubians turned to their rich northern neighbor for vital food supplies, specifically grains. In return Egypt was given access to exploit Nubia’s rich mineral resources. At the time when the most recent Aswan Dam was complete in 1970, the relocation trauma to the Nubians was deepened by the fact that it was the fourth time they had watched their homes become submerged by the Nile. The first dam was built between 1899 and 1902. It formed an artificial lake, about 230 km upstream, and Nubians moved back from the fertile strip at the edge of the river and rebuilt their homes going higher up the banks. Then began a period of further trial and error for the construction of the dam and each time it was enlarged to meet the needs of the country the Nubian population was moved. Following the most recent resettlement the Nubians were finally granted at least some compensation. To mention just one type, special days were set for Nubians to do their shopping for merchandise at governmental departmental stores. The prices at these stores were subsidized, demonstrating that the Egyptian Government was well aware of the Nubian population’s plight and considered Nubians very much part of its population. Nubians are a gentle, honest, proud, and as we have seen, are an enduring people. They are tall, slim and darker colored compared to their Egyptian counterparts. In the 20th century Nubia’s working men came northwards to find employment as doormen, cooks, clerks, servants, and can still be found in many Cairene households. However it is www.livinginegypt.org the large black rocks that are situated on its southern tip and resemble bathing elephants. Here is another Nubian village that can be visited. Visitors are welcome in any of these villages and are often invited inside for a drink of refreshing minted black tea. The women take this opportunity to bring out their handicrafts, which consist of color-coordinated small bead necklaces that intricately are woven on small spools and represent a typical Nubian craft and cannot be found elsewhere. Other items are baskets, caps for males that hold the turbans in place. also observed that they seldom marry an Egyptian and eventually return to today’s Nubia when they retire. Many Nubians still speak their own language, which unfortunately is not a written language. The classic modern Nubian villages that were spared by the last rising waters around Aswan are extraordinarily beautiful and practical. They usually are built of mud bricks, with barrel vaulted roofs and domes for air circulation. The living quarters are built around a broad central and shaded courtyard. The village lanes of fine yellow sand, twist past walls painted in vivid shades of blue. A visitor will find that the buildings elicit a feeling of harmony and practicality. They are cool and spacious, and as a family expands the main building is added to with the construction of additional rooms. A felucca ride will take a visitor to Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile. The island gets its name from To bring the Nubian culture to the world and indeed envelope it into tourist packages, UNESCO built a museum in Aswan. The construction is of sandstone and incorporates features of Nubian architecture. There are over 2,000 artifacts that trace the area’s history. The displays include the oldest human skeleton. An exhibit of a prehistoric cave depicts the first attempts at rock carvings and the use of tools. The exhibits of the Pharaonic period demonstrate the former importance of the region to the rulers of Egypt as a gateway to the south and give the visitor a better understanding of the former links between Egypt with Nubia. There is also a section with Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic influences. The colorful exhibits of the Nubian folk heritage emphasize the individuality of the Nubian culture. The most common crafts are pottery and the weaving of baskets and mats from palm fronds. When one remembers that their ancestors came from a very dry land, the Nubians have adapted very well living in the moist environment of the Nile River and many own feluccas and make very fine felucca captains and guides in and around Aswan as well to further up north of the country. One can hire the felucca, its captain and crew at low cost for a group of 20 or so people per boat for two or three days. They will do the cooking and entertaining and at the same time take you to some enchanting archeological sites along the river’s edge. How do Nubians feel about themselves today? The following will give some idea when this writer once made a dreadful mistake. I was sitting in a restaurant in Aswan and was ready to order. For some reason and I don’t remember what it was that made say to a Nubian waiter “but you are Egyptian.” Oh dear, little did I know at that time. He was enraged. “I am not Egyptian, I am Nubian” he said and walked off without taking my order. I then realized that Nubians are extremely proud to be Nubian and often disdainful of northern Egyptians. It is not a question of skin color. It is something else, namely a pride in one’s heritage! Supriya has a diversified employment history in Egypt. In 2000 she came to CSA and served in various capacities as librarian, organizer of tours within Cairo and all major and minor oases including the desert regions. She also led a craft group with the purpose of raising funds for charity organizations in the name of CSA. She retired from CSA in 2009 and now lives in Tunis, in the Fayoum Oasis. February 16 CSA 71 72 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Entertainment & Recreation Diner’s Delight brings you a feast of flavor. Every month Lyric & Eden Unger Bowditch share a new restaurant to add to your favorites! VITTORIO’S Few Maadi residents do not know Vittorio’s. The restaurant opened in 2006 down the street from its present location in Maadi-Degla. It made the move in 2013, now across from Stavolta… convenient, indeed. Restaurateur, Vittorio Fouda, has lived all over the planet. Formerly an accountant in Cairo, he moved to London in 1973 and then to Rome in 1975. He had been a longtime patron of the Leonard Da Vinci Institute, the venerable Italian scuola that that can trace its origins back to the 18th century. He loved Italy, the food, and the language. He moved from Rome to Sicily and worked in import/ export. In Sicily, he began to work as a chef and a lifelong love blossomed. Eventually, Vittorio found his way back to London where he opened a restaurant with a Sicilian friend and partner, and then another in Palermo. It was back in London that he met a Columbian beauty, Maria Teresa, who would become his wife. But his love for his wife only fueled the fires of his love for cooking. “The kitchen,” Vittorio admits, “is my lover.” In 2005, Vittorio and his family moved back to Cairo. He now splits his time between his restaurants in Bogota, Columbia and Maadi. His children speak English, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic and he loves when they all get into the kitchen together. His food is filled with that love. Start your meal with something hot and flavorful, such as the spicy gambaretti al arrabbiata (shrimp in a tomato and chili sauce), or something cooler, like the traditional caprese salad, made with fresh mozzarella from local cheesemakers with traditional Italian sensibilities. Vittorio’s also get their homemade pastas and ravioli from Belle of the Ball: Perhaps the lovely tapenade brought before the meal & the great espresso Dance Lessons Needed: Some might prefer a more designated non-smoking section What’s in the Punch: Wine and beer Homeward available Bound?: Delivery these artisans, and pair the pastas with a variety of savory house-made sauces, from tangy tomato to creamy fungi. Their pizzas could have come right from Italy. The crust is exceptionally thin and the options, plentiful. Among the vegetarian entrees are the rich spinach lasagna and the crespoline di margro (baked pancake filled with ricotta, parmesan cheese, and spinach). Other standouts include the filletto al pepe verde (beef fillet with a green peppercorn sauce), which is well prepared, tender, and flavorful. End the meal with an excellent Italian cappuccino and one of several homemade desserts, like the warm apple pie with a flaky phyllo-crust and vanilla ice cream. Lyric and Eden welcome your comments and recommendations. Please drop them a line at [email protected] February 16 CSA 73 74 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Lifestyle Love is on Your Bookshelf By Trevor Naylor It is February and so of course the theme of this issue is love. One would struggle to find a theme, which is more prevalent in the novel than this, so I imagined, correctly, that finding books to write about would not be difficult. Love as depicted via fictional characters is as varied as this complex emotion can be in real life; and so despite the many books devoted to love-based storylines written over the centuries there are always fresh variations to sustain new books for today, where in bookstores the romance sections remain full of great writing for readers of all levels and all ages. Love, romance, marriage, adultery form storylines in the Arab novel, as much as anywhere else, and the latest fiction title from the AUC Press has a complex love theme at its heart. Mortal Designs, by Reem Bassiouney, tells the tale of Captain Murad, who wishes to be buried in an architect-designed, grand mausoleum overlooking the Nile. In order to fulfill this dream he creates a romance between the architect, Hazem, who represents Egypt’s older class and elitist sensibilities, and a poor single mother named Asma, who embodies Egypt in her resilient patience as she strives for a better life for her children and is prepared to go to any lengths to achieve her ambitions. Things do not turn out as expected once the storyline is established and true love hits Asma hard as the main characters grow into people one likes and dislikes in equal measure. With themes that touch on living and dying, Ancient Egypt, modern life and social class divisions, Mortal Designs is something of a literary boat ride across the Nile which is enjoyable yet unpredictable. It is published by AUC Press, is available now and I highly recommend it. The author is an award-winning writer who has taught in universities around the world and now lives in Cairo. Love: The Joy that Wounds is a collection of love poetry drawn from the work of the great Sufi poet, Jelaluddin Rumi and is a beautifully illustrated work of words and calligraphy which would make a perfect gift at any time of year. Poetry has always been the most difficult medium for writers and even in today‘s hectic times, we tend to look back to the great names of the past rather than to find fresh voices who reflect the world we know live, and love, in. Rumi has a wonderful way of articulating the deepest happiness and worst sadness that love can bring, even in English translation. How amazing it must be to read them in Persian. In his poem, ‘You Are The Drop and the Ocean’, Rumi encapsulates everything to do with that person who is the centre of your life. Rumi was a mystic and founder of the order of the Whirling Dervishes and his legacy of words in thousands of poems has made him the world’s bestselling poet of all time. His poetry reflects the paradoxes of love and devotion which, though written in the 13th century, remain true today. Bestsellers last forever, as do their much-loved characters. Winnie the Pooh is love embodied in a bear and the book Love from Pooh is another great present for everyone of any age. Taking quotations from all of A A Milne’s works featuring this endearing character, we find his homely philosophy both heartwarming and full of quiet observation. Thus under the heading ‘Loving Thoughts’, we read… Pooh thought that being with Christopher Robin was a very good thing to do, and having Piglet near was a friendly thing to have… Find these books and more at The AUC Bookstore’s newest location at CSA. Open SundayThursday 9.00am-7.00pm. Trevor Naylor is Associate Director of Sales and Marketing at the AUC Press and has worked in publishing around the world for 35 years and is the author of two books. February 16 CSA 75 Travel Destination By Sukanya Ghosh “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.” - Alphonse de Lamartine What is it that calls so many of us to Istanbul? Is it the great tales of the Ottoman Sultans we heard as children? Is it the image of a city with a fascinating amalgamation of diverse cultures? Is it the captivating scenic beauty? Perhaps, it is all of these reasons and more. Once the capital of the Roman/ Byzantine (then known as Constantinople) and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul is one of the world’s most interesting centres. With its 76 February 16 CSA natural beauty, historic monuments and rich culture Istanbul is a great option if you’re looking for a change in your otherwise busy humdrum life. Istanbul truly is a perfect destination with one foot on the East and the other in the West. In terms of its location Istanbul is among the most special cities in the world as it spans both Europe and Asia. The commercial and historic center of the city lies on the European side, as does approximately two thirds its population. South is the Marmara Sea and to the north, the Black Sea. The western part of the city is divided from the eastern part by the Bosphorous Strait. Today Istanbul is a flourishing city with all modern amenities and a constantly growing skyline. There are new developments constantly taking place, including new metro lines and an underground transportation project (the Marmaray Tunnel), which make it easy to get around in. Approximately 12-15 million foreign visitors arrived in Istanbul in 2015, making it the world’s fifth most popular tourist destination. Turkey is a secular state, meaning there is no official state religion. Its constitution provides for freedom of religion and conscience. Despite Turkey’s government being secular the vast majority of its population identifies as Muslim. www.livinginegypt.org The climate of Istanbul is a little cooler than many other cities located near the Mediterranean. In the winter the temperatures can drop below freezing, while in the summer high-20s to mid30s degrees celsius are the norm. Turkish cuisine is very diverse and renowned. A few of the more popular dishes are Menemen (a delicious Turkish style omelet), Meze (cold appetizers), Kuyu Kebab (a specialty from the Black Sea region), Adana Kebab (a must if you are a meat enthusiast!), Manti (a hot dish served with cold yoghurt and garlic) and Baklava (the finest example of Turkish dessert passion). It takes less than 2 hours from Cairo to reach Istanbul by air. Within minutes of your arrival you can head to the warren streets of their many bazaars (including the famous Grand Bazaar or Egyptian Spice Bazaar) or visit its stylish art galleries, world class restaurants, electrifying night clubs, magnificent mosques, atmospheric churches, intriguing museums and Sultan’s palaces. The top tourist attractions in Istanbul will give you an insight into the city’s history, culture and development. These include: • Basilica Cistern – The city’s most unexpectedly romantic attraction, the Basilica Cistern, provides a glimpse of the complicated system that once brought drinking water into Istanbul from Thrace. • Hagia Sophia - This sixth century Byzantine masterpiece of Emperor Justinian’s is a famous church-turnedmosque-turned-museum, which is hard not to overstate. It has newly opened tombs of several Ottoman Sultans and their slaughtered sons. • Topkapi Palace - An absolute must see is the Topkapi Palace, home to generation of Sultans and their wives, who were closeted in the harem. • Blue Mosque - This early 17th century Mosque is one of the handful of mosques in the world to boast six minarets facing the Hagia Sophia. • Istanbul Archeological Museum The museum has a range of collections including housing the glorious sarcophagus of Alexander, which depicts the scene from the life of Alexander the Great. You can also have a glimpse of a peace treaty from 1269 BC preserved in the part of museum nearest to the gate. • Suleymaniye Mosque - As you stand and walk by the busy Galata Bridge and look at the city’s skyline, there is a beautiful mosque that was designed by Ottoman architect, Sinan, for Suleiman The Magnificent. It is one of the finest of the 42 surviving mosques he designed for Istanbul. • Galata Tower - You can get a bird’s eye view of Istanbul from the top of the Galata Tower, built in 1838. The Galata Tower is situated in Beyoglu, the modern part of old Istanbul in the pre-republican days which was home to city’s foreign residents. Embellished by some of the finest architectural and artistic sensations in the world, with historic legacy in its every nook and corner, Istanbul is Turkey’s social, cultural and commercial hub. Beaming with liveliness and actions, the city is considered as the ultimate cultural crossroad. Its breath taking attractions, enriching culture and ever mesmerizing history will always be a perfect tourist destination for people around the globe. Sukanya, originally from Mumbai, has lived in Cairo for the past year and a half. In Mumbai, she worked as a lecturer in business and mass communication. Currently, she volunteers with CSA and teaches English language classes. February 16 CSA 77 Culture A Cognitive Adventure… Theories of Love Hello. Hola. Marhaba. I am Amirah Ahmed. I was born in the Sunshine State (Florida, USA) to a Cuban mother and Egyptian father and lived for over 4 years in Egypt. This multicultural mix has provided me with a great interest in international affairs, culture, and people. Therefore, I am very curious about the world and curiosity undoubtedly leads to questions. In the process of nourishing my curiosity, I hope to offer you with some insight into your own lives… Let’s go on a cognitive adventure together! Love can be an array of different feelings, attitudes, emotions, attachment, and attractions. Researchers, scholars, and psychologists all have studied the idea of love and have come up with different theories to try to explain different types of love that seem to exist within relationships. With Valentine’s Day this month, it only seems fitting to explore some interesting theories of love as we try to wrap our heads around this mystical euphoric notion. What is John Lee’s Color of Love Theory? What is Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love? Psychologist Robert Sternberg came up with the triangular theory of love which suggests that there are three chief components of love: commitment, intimacy, and passion. Picture a triangle, comprising of three sides, with commitment as the base, and passion and intimacy the two upper sides. The dimensions of the triangle are not Liking R Int o Pas ma sio nti n+ cL Int ove im acy Intimacy ve Lo nt ate itme ion m an Com mp + Co imacy Psychologist John Lee proposed the idea of love in connection with the color wheel. He came up with six styles of love described using Greek terms. Using the color wheel which has primary and secondary colors, Lee suggested that there are three primary styles of love: Eros, Ludos, and Storge, and three secondary styles of love: Pragma, Mania, and Agape. Eros is that strong emotional and/or physical attraction you instantly feel towards a person and is based on romance. Ludos is that love style that most resembles a game where the focus is simply on having fun and is based on conquest. Storge is the love that grows out of friendship where the building blocks are based on similar interests and commitment. Pragma is made of a combination of Ludos and Storge and is a realistic and practical love style. It is said that the relationships built through this love style are very business-like where people tend to choose partners that share common goals. Mania is a combination of Eros and Ludos; it is obsessive love where jealousy and possessiveness are common traits. Agape is a combination of Eros and Storge; it is selfless love where someone is willing to sacrifice for the person they love because they are whole heartedly committed and love unconditionally. always equal and depend largely on the amount of the components present within a relationship. Eight types of love can then be formulated out of these three components: 1. Non-Love is more like an acquaintanceship where you know someone but don’t share things with them, have any emotion towards them, or are obligated to be with them. 2. Liking is where you are close and share a lot with someone and have a connection but you haven’t developed intense emotions towards them and are not committed. 3. Infatuation is where you are engulfed with intense emotions for someone but don’t share so much about yourself or are yet committed to them. 4. Empty Love is when you have commitment but nothing else. You are not close with the person nor have any desire to be with them. 5. Romantic Love is what forms before a relationship grows into a longterm commitment. It is characterized by intimate and passionate bonds. 6. Companionate Love is where you are with a person and share closeness to them but have no strong desire towards them. This can happen, for example, when you’ve been with someone for very long and lose that intense passion you once had. Consummate Love Intimacy + Passion + Commitment Infatuation Passion Fatuous Love Empty Love 7. Fatuous Love is where you have strong emotions for someone and dedicate yourself to them but don’t necessarily share intimacy. 8. Consummate Love is the ideal love where you are close to someone, are devoted to them, and have strong emotions and desire for them. Passion + Commitment Commitment February 16 CSA 79 CSA Community Center My name is Jeje (Jehan) Ashry and I am the CSA Language School Supervisor. I have spent 13 years teaching Arabic to English speakers. I love learning and have discovered that it is contagious. I have been privileged to meet people from all over the world who have broadened my thinking and in turn, I do my best to educate them, not only about my language, but also about my country, its culture and its people. Jobs in Egypt If you have been living in Egypt for a while you’ll have noticed that there are some jobs here that probably don’t exist in your home country. And since tips are fairly standard practice here, you should expect to have to tip them all for giving you a hand. Bawab: A bawab is a little like a doorman in the fancier apartments you’ll find back home. The job of the bawab is to watch the gate/front door and maintain the building and adjacent grounds. He can also help you personally by washing your vehicle every morning or by helping you carry your bags. Elevator Operator: To prevent some Egyptians from playing with the elevator buttons (or sneaking a kiss in a private place!), some establishments employ elevator operators whose sole job is to push the elevator button for you. Supermarket Bagger: Something probably rarely seen in your home country these days, in Egypt there is still a person whose job it is to bag your groceries and help transport them to your vehicle. Airport Luggage Porter: After you’ve picked up your luggage you’ll often find someone who has appeared with the intent on helping you carry your bags to your car. Parking Attendant: When you park your car on the street, you might be surprised when someone shows up as you’re leaving your vehicle. They will watch your car while you are away. Expect to pay ~5LE for this. For more information about Arabic (or other) Language Classes at the CSA Language School please contact our front desk or email [email protected] Vocabulary Engineer Lawyer Teacher Doctor Accountant Nurse Waiter Housekeeper Cook Driver Pharmacist Carpenter Manager Landlord Salesman Employee Singer Journalist Writer Politician Marketer Officer Security Man Pilot Hostess Mechanic Poet Actor mohandis mohamee modares doktoor mohaseb momareda garsoon shaghaala Tabaak Sawa’ saidalee nagaar modeer sahib il beyt bayaa3 mowazaf moghanee seHafee kateb seyasee Tasweek zabet ragil il amn tayaar modeefa mekaneeki sha3er momasel When you see a ‘3’ written, this symbolizes the a strong “A” sound, where you compress your throat and exhale strongly. February 16 CSA 81 Family February Trivia Test your knowledge with this month’s trivia… 1. Jamaica celebrates a holiday on February 6 in honor of this famous reggae singer/songwriter. 6. Cupid was the son of what female Roman God? 7. On February 9, 1964 this iconic band made its American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. 2. Valentine’s Day is the largest card giving holiday - True or False? 8. On Valentine’s Day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent on what invention of his? 3. The month of February is named after the latin word februum, which means what? 9. Considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all-time, this former high-flying Chicago Bull celebrates his birthday on February 17. 4. On Groundhog Day (February 2) what does it mean if the groundhog sees its shadow? 5. According to legend, it’s acceptable for women to propose to men on Leap Day (February 29) - True or False? 10.Carnaval, a celebration in which major South American city, begins this year on February 5. Place numbers from 1-9 in each empty box so each column, row, and bold box contain numbers 1-9 Intermediate Challenging 5 7 1 4 3 8 6 9 2 8 9 4 2 3 7 6 5 1 2 4 9 1 6 7 5 8 3 7 2 6 1 4 5 8 9 3 4 6 5 8 8 2 1 2 7 5 4 3 2 3 4 9 9 4 7 5 7 1 6 3 8 5 8 2 1 6 2 6 9 2 7 1 7 5 4 5 5 1 4 6 3 6 8 Answers from December 1 2 3 6 7 9 5 8 9 5 7 4 2 8 3 6 1 5 7 6 8 9 2 3 4 1 3 4 8 6 7 1 9 5 2 8 9 1 2 6 7 8 3 2 6 5 9 4 9 4 5 7 8 3 1 4 2 7 5 9 1 6 5 1 3 4 7 8 2 82 February 16 CSA 1 9 6 8 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 4 5 8 7 6 8 9 1 2 3 2 5 4 3 6 7 9 1 7 2 6 5 8 4 2 9 1 8 6 7 3 6 5 3 4 2 9 1 1 8 9 7 2 5 9 3 4 6 8 5 7 8 9 5 7 2 6 1 6 8 1 2 4 9 3 7 4 2 3 5 1 9 2 7 6 1 3 8 4 4 5 9 8 6 7 2 Answer to Trivia 4 3 3 9 8 5 7 3 1 2 3 4 6 1 8 5 9 5 3 9 2 7 4 6 8 2 4 5 1 6 7 4 1 7 3 9 2 8 7 6 8 9 4 3 5 5. True (and men are obliged to accept!) 9 9 3 3 1 1. Bob Marley 3 4 8 9 4 6. Venus 3 7 4 7 2. False (Christmas is the largest) 1 5 1 1 7. The Beatles 6 6 9 8. The Telephone 9 8 5 9. Michael Jordan 2 2 3. Purification (after the festival of purification celebrated by the ancient Romans) 7 3 10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 8 4. There will be 6 more weeks of winter 6 www.livinginegypt.org Family Mum & Baby 5 Simple Ways to Show your Child Love As busy parents we often find ourselves so caught up in our daily routines that we sometimes forget to show our children just how much we love them. It takes a conscious daily effort to make sure that the little people in our lives know just how important they are to us. Here are five ways to do it: Tracey has been living and working in Cairo for two years. She recently gave birth to her first child and is currently helping to run the Maadi Mum and Baby Group at the CSA. 1. Say ‘I Love You’ This sounds obvious, but you can never tell your child that you love them too often. All kids love to hear that they are important, and that they are doing things that make you happy. Think about the last time you praised your child for doing something right instead of scolded him or her for doing something wrong. That praise reinforces to your child that they are loved. 2. Talk Children, whatever their age, love to feel part of the conversation. Whether it be baby babble to your 4 month old or that ‘how was your day’ conversation with your 10 year old that you know can only result in one answer. Talking with your kids helps them to learn that what they have to say matters. 3. Listen When you’re having a conversation, make eye contact and listen to what your child has to say. You will make them feel loved by focusing on them completely while they are telling you a story or asking for advice. 4. Have Fun We all live in a ‘go, go, go’ world and sometimes forget to take time to have fun with our kids. Remember that your children are only young once so put away your cell phones and make time to create memories with your family. Whether it be a swim in the pool or a trip to the Cairo museum, when your kids are remembering a fun time you had together it reinforces the idea that you adore them. 5. Encourage Their Dreams It is sometimes easy to get caught up in our own ideas of how our kids should live their lives. We are all guilty of it. Rather than pushing your children to do what you want them to do, give them the opportunity to explore their own passions and dreams. With your support you will help them to build the selfconfidence to follow their dreams. Finally remember that life is short so live it. Love is rare so grab it. Anger is bad so dump it. Memories are forever so cherish them. The Mum & Baby Group meets on Mondays at 10.30am at CSA. Please check their Facebook group for updates and information: maadimumandbaby. February 16 CSA 83 84 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Lifestyle The Things We Do For Love By Carol El Hawary We sat in the café in Aberdeen Airport and had the usual family conversations about the lack of basil in the tomato and basil soup, the absence of gluten free items on the menu, and the merits (or otherwise) of airport coffee. We didn’t talk about the reason we were there, but it sat on the table like a huge, inappropriate floral display that we each had to peer through to talk to one another. I knew they didn’t understand my decision. I mean, seriously. WHAT was I doing? I was giving everything up and moving to a scary foreign country... for love. I knew no one there except my husband and his son. I had no friends there. No job. No car. I did have an apartment though, so at least I wasn’t homeless. But as I sat there in the airport surrounded by my loved ones, I had no doubts. It’s a cliché, but I didn’t want to be saying “what if….?” in twenty years’ time. Two hours later I boarded the plane and twelve hours after that I landed in Cairo, my new home. The first time in my life I had lived outside Britain. In a way, I feel like I was destined to live in Egypt. My grandmother had six watercolour paintings of Egyptian scenes that had been hanging in her house since before I was born. These were brought back by my great-great-great Aunt Evie who went to Egypt around 1910 to teach British army children. As a child I loved those paintings and longed to visit Egypt. Many years later I went to Luxor. I watched the sunset over Karnak Temple, the stones taking on a rosy glow that seemed to light them up from within. I fell in love with Egypt. And then, eighteen years and several trips later, I fell in love with an Egyptian. In the six months preceding my move to Egypt, I slowly dismantled my life. People questioned if I was also dismantling myself, and speculated that I must be having a midlife crisis. Suddenly I became interesting. For a short while I was the most popular person in the office. People who would normally give me the most cursory of greetings were stopping me in the corridor or by the coffee machine to ask about my “adventures”. So many of my friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues commented on how brave I was to even think about it. I was told many times that Egypt is dangerous! But what are you supposed to do when the person you long to be with is Egyptian? I don’t feel brave, I just did what I had to do. So, four months down the line, how is it going? I won’t lie. I have found many things challenging and frustrating (especially getting a decent internet connection!) I often wondered before I moved if love would be enough to see us through this enormous change, never mind the cultural differences. If the sensitive and supportive way my husband has dealt with my traumas is anything to go by, then yes, love is enough. I love Cairo. The longer I live here, the more I become aware of the subtle complexity of Egyptian culture. Every day brings something new. This city is an assault on the senses - noisy, dirty, chaotic - but also vibrant, colourful and just plain crazy. It’s the city where my beloved husband was born and bred, and now it’s my home too. Carol was born and bred in Scotland and worked for many years in England in the financial sector. In August she moved to Cairo permanently. She writes a blog about her experiences in Cairo at www.carolelhawary.blogspot.com February 16 CSA 85 86 February 16 CSA www.livinginegypt.org Lifestyle in the Soccer Field By Riju Shrimali “Andrea is just not meant for soccer. He is too gentle. He doesn’t hustle and feels sad when the other team loses. He is the happiest when a game ends in a draw”, lamented a mother on grounds of Victoria College after one match. Her voice was laden with extreme disappointment and I could discern, that behind her apparent disappointment lay fear; fear about her son’s future, not in soccer per se, but in the real world. It is ironic that within the cuddly 4-walls of our homes, through bed time stories, we tell tales of gentleness and kindness to our children, but when a child practices it in the real world, we are scared. Scared that he may not be able to defend himself, that he may be trampled upon, that he may lose. The Youth Soccer League, a commendable initiative by parents, brought children and parents of various age groups and nationalities, twice a week, to the soccer fields. A watchful bystander on the field would unearth several unintended hypocrisies among these well-meaning and well-educated parents. After all, sport does bring out raw emotions, natural instincts, and those politically and socially incorrect 88 February 16 CSA facets of personalities that we try hard, all our lives, to eliminate or at least suppress. Four quarters of 8 minutes each and no re-takes! That’s how life too decides its course - 120 minutes, one examination; 30 minutes, 1 interview; 1 whistle, 1 lap…the fate of all hard work, all ability, all hope, all dreams is decided in a few ticks of hands. So, it is not abnormal for adults, to subconsciously extrapolate the outcome of soccer matches to the future of their kids. On a lighter note, I would group parents into three broad groups: Active Assistants These are parents who cannot officially volunteer because of time constraints. They stand on the side-lines and offer live instruction to the kids during matches. They are of great help for 5 year olds, who often get focused on a rusty lawnmower (a fixture in the field) and temporarily forget all about balls and goal posts. I have read that young children cannot differentiate between effort and success. For them effort is success and this explains glee of a young player, screaming with joy at a self-goal, leaving his coach and parents gritting their teeth. Self-Proclaimed Cheerleaders I completely qualify for this category. I graduated from being an embarrassment to my son, to a sniggering-stock for others in the crowd and finally such a nuisance that the coach had to muster all his politeness to request me, “please reign your emotions, a bit”. Well, I was not alone. One of the www.livinginegypt.org players blamed his mother’s passionate shriek of ‘Goooo Jaaaack’ for missing a free kick. Pretenders And then there are these parents who claim “it is all for fun”, “it is just a game”, but who bite their nails, throw water bottles at lost games, purse their lips at chances-lost, pout and hang their heads. Sorry guys, there is sneaky, wannabe writer, recording your every micro-movement! Then there were heroes. A typical phrase used for these kids (by coaches and audience), describing ‘a natural at the sport’, which denotes that the kid is born with capability for the sport. I have never heard anyone compliment a hero by the adjective ‘hardworking’. This phenomenon, as researchers point out, is typical bias of our society for ability rather than hardwork. Natural ability has a sort of romance to it. Some sociologists observe that as a child grows up, they want to be seen by their peers as someone who has talent rather than as someone who works hard to achieve something. This perspective often dissuades an adolescent from working hard, lest they should be scoffed at as a ‘donkey’ or a ‘loser’. My son was awe struck by some such players, who exuded soccer-attitude, although I never saw them perform stupendously different from some other players. But these ‘Heroes’ had an aura about them which ensured that they were the most applauded, most valued players of the team. “He scratched me, pushed me down to score that last goal and the referee didn’t even notice,” I heard a child complain after a match. Well, the world is not always fair, dude. And isn’t it a famous adage, ‘all is fair in love and war’. We try to raise our children on virtues of impeccable work ethics. But he or she is bound to witness numerous episodes where victory goes to rule breakers or to those with abysmal work ethics. We may be absent when Karma catches up with these miscreants but it’s true that not all believers in discipline are rewarded. To each his own. Whatever be the on-field drama, everyone felt sad when the season was over. Everyone had moments of pride. One of the players, the natural category I spoke about, scored a goal in his own net in the finals. After a split second of utter frustration, he carried on playing, helping his team to win the Gold. His mother was proud, of both, the gold and the resilience. Because I happen to be the mother, I say that had he not won the gold, I probably wouldn’t write about his resilience. Hypocrisy touches us all. Sports is a microcosm of life. That is why, it is cathartic. Those nail biting moments expose us completely - all our biases, selfishness and price we are ready to pay for success. That is why I feel sport is pure and forgiving. Because all of us are part of this exposure, we understand, we forgive and move on. Then there are some beautiful, unadulterated seconds which unite even arch enemies - the serve of Roger Federer or the swing of Sachin Tendulkar. Here’s to a happy, sporty year ahead. Riju was a consumer research director in Indian Market Research Bureau, Delhi. After moving to Egypt, she has been a homemaker and devotes her spare time to freelance writing and learning about cognitive sciences and child development. February 16 CSA 89 Community Announcements SPORTS CAIRO AMERICAN SOFT BALL LEAGUE We have both Men’s and Women’s teams to join or bring your own! We have a children’s playground as well as food and beverages available. Games are in the evenings and on Fridays. For more information please contact: Ways and Means Mgr Suzy Werner at [email protected] or Chairmen Monte Davis at [email protected] or Rodney Stephens at [email protected]. HELIOPOLIS WOMEN’S COFFEE MORNING Meets every Wednesday. Contact Ans ‘Noordermeer’ langeans@hotmail. com or call 01025506344. ITALIANS IN EGYPT GROUP Italians in Egypt host a monthly coffee morning every Sunday. For more information please contact: Faiza Frigido 01222163463 or email info@ giegypt.net or visit www.giegypt.net CAIRO CYCLISTS CLUB (CCC) Organized road rides occur every Friday at 6:30 AM leaving from the front gate of CAC. A typical road ride will consist of 5 to 15 riders and cover distances of 40 to more than 100 km. Skill level is divided to three groups CCC1, CCC2 and CCC3, each of them teaming up for the ride, and all groups meeting together at the finish line in CSA for refreshments. Extraordinary rides are organized a few times a year. Visit us in http://cairocyclists.wordpress.com. MAADI COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA Attention all current and one-time string players! Dust down that violin, polish up your cello, dig out your viola and come and join us in music making. We are a group of adult and student players who meet weekly at CAC and are keen to welcome new members. We have a varied repertoire from classical to modern. For more information, please contact Lucy Fletcher-Jones [email protected] or Kerri Zeelau-Guerin [email protected]. CAIRO HASH HOUSE HARRIERS (CH3) We meet every Friday afternoons for fun interesting runs and walks in the desert areas around the city. A typical run is 9 kilometers in length with a 4 kilometer walk for the more sensible. Physical fitness is not essential but a sense of humor is mandatory. CH3 is family oriented club, leashed dogs and even children are welcome. You can catch a ride from our meeting point is in front of the ACE club in Midan Victoria. For more information call Lurpak on 01092442570, email [email protected] or visit www.cairohash.com. MBA INTERNATIONAL LADIES We usually meet every second Tuesday of the month for Coffee and Refreshments. Please join us to learn more about our activities which include book club, bridge, golf, knit and natter, mah-jong and scrabble. We also enjoy mornings out with coffee, lunch and visits to places of interest in and around Cairo. For more information please email us at [email protected] CAIRO RUGBY Men’s and Ladies training, Tuesdays 7.00pm-9.00pm, Maadi Olympic Sports Village. Juniors training, Thursdays 6.00pm-7.00pm, Victory College playing fields. Beginners and experienced players welcome. Contact Juniors rep: Paul 01223794779 or Seniors rep: Mathias 01274930208. Visit: www.cairorugby.com MAADI RUNNERS Maadi Runners meet for long runs early Friday mornings in front of the CAC main gate. Runners of all abilities are welcome. For more details contact Mohsen Alashmoni at [email protected] RADIO AUTO CLUB OF EGYPT Race is a club which promotes the building and racing of radio controlled cars. Races are held twice a month at Victory Field on an outdoor track. For more information call John Klingler at 01001690402 or send him an email at [email protected] or check the website, www.racegypt.org SOCIAL AND INTERNATIONAL GROUPS 6TH OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL GROUP FOR WOMEN, MEN AND FAMILIES Coffee mornings, cocktail evenings, special events and day tours. For more information please contact Anne Harden at [email protected] AFRO-ASIAN WOMEN’S GROUP Ours is a socio-cultural, non-profit organization of ladies representing Asia, Africa and Egypt. It is also a socio-civic association aimed at giving aid and is involved in charity. For more information please contact Sarra 01001267671, Mahsit 0111104659. AUTISM Autism rates have been rising throughout the world in recent years. In the US, the current Autism ratio is 1:91 in children. Many Egyptian societies are there to offer support to autistic children and their families. If you have an autistic child and would like to talk about it contact Reem Samy 01006369473 or email [email protected] Caire Accueil (FRENCH SPEAKING GROUP) Our monthly coffees are held every 3rd Sunday morning of each month at the following address: 33 road 15 in Maadi. We also have coffees morning in Katameya. For any information, you can contact Caire Accueil president: Carole Brena, mobile: 01095049061, email: caireaccueil@ hotmail.com or visit our website www.caireaccueil.com Cairo Chinese Speaking Women’s Association Cairo Chinese Speaking Women’s Association is an energetic and dynamic group committed to promoting Chinese cultural awareness and appreciation through community services, charities and cultural activities such as Chinese language courses, Chinese cooking class, martial arts, mahjong, business networking and organize cultural exchange tour to China. For more information Tel: 01206202999, Email:[email protected] FINNS IN EGYPT ASSOCIATION (SEFE) Open to all Finnish-speaking expatriates in Egypt. For more information, please go to www.finnsinegypt.org French Abroad Network (UFE) Nonprofit organization supporting childwood associations in Cairo (orphans and young people). Meeting held permanently in the UFE’s house (every morning, road 14 in Maadi). Coffee and networking, every first Thursday of each month in the garden of the house. Multiple cultural activities and entertainments (body workout, English conversation) proposed to all nationalities speaking French. Please contact UFE secretariat: 01062104334 / [email protected] or website: www.ufe.org 90 February 16 CSA MUM & BABY GROUP Mondays 10:30am-12:30pm (0-11 months). Cost 30LE at the door. Mum & Baby Group is a great way to meet other mothers who are going through, or have been through the same experiences as you. Use this time to chat, ask questions, play with your baby and interact with others. This is not a childcare facility, so babies must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Expectant mothers are welcome to join. Join our Facebook group ‘maadimumandbaby’. NVICINEMA NVICinema screens mostly Egyptian, Belgian and Dutch films with English subtitles at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute of Cairo (NVIC), Zamalek. Weekly lectures on Thursdays at 6.00pm and film evenings on Sundays at 7.00pm. Free Entrance. Visit: http://institutes.leiden.edu/nvic/ OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS IN CAIRO Do you have a problem with food? Are your problems with eating too much (or too little) affecting your life? Maybe Overeaters Anonymous can help. For more information visit www.oa.org. SOUTH AFRICANS IN EGYPT email: [email protected], tel: Tania: 01277701756 SPANISH SPEAKING LADIES GROUP Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of the month. For details please contact Cecibel Elshaer on 01227483993 or Rosa America on 0100- 1071181 or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ CDHHCairo2011Y2012 THE INDIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION, ANNAPOORNA It has been functioning in Cairo since 1976. The monthly meetings take place on the second Wednesday of every month. All women who are Indians/Indian origin/married to Indians are invited to join this very special organization. To get in touch with us please send an email to our group site [email protected] or call our President Urvashi Mehta at 01225413434 or our treasurer Renuka at 01003309229 THE TREE LOVERS ASSOCIATION (TLA) The Tree Lovers Association is an environmental NGO focusing on nature conservation and propagation. Founded by Mustapha and Saffiya Moyine El Arab in May 1973 with a group of dedicated residents from the green suburb of Maadi, they initiated several programmes and projects, and developed guidelines and codes of conduct on how to interact with the environment. For more information about the group or to join one of their walks email Samia Zeitoun: [email protected] TOASTMASTERS Toastmasters can help you improve your public speaking and leadership skills. There you practice delivering speeches, receiving and giving constructive feedback, time management and leading meetings. For more information about Cairo Professional Toastmasters Club, visit http://cairotoastmasters.org or contact Ahmed Samir on 01019586501/ [email protected] or Mohamed Zamzam on 01005249195/ [email protected]. TURKISH SPEAKING LADIES COFFEE MORNING Meets every month, open to all Nationalities (Turkish Speaking). For more information please contact Nidal El Beheiry at [email protected] WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF CAIRO Welcome all English speaking women. For information a schedule of events please contact the WA Center at 11 Yehia Ibrahim St., Zamalek, Cairo Tele: 27364187, mobile 01006319888. Or email [email protected] WOMEN’S GROUP FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, CAIRO The Women’s Group now meets on the full moon each month. We use the energy of the full moon for illumination. We discuss the astrological trends of the day, and do a group meditation as well as setting an intention for www.livinginegypt.org ourselves. Our purpose in gathering is for our own spiritual growth but we come together to assist each other in our journey. For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] WOW - WOMEN OF THE WORLD We are a diverse group of women with one thing in common - a strong interest in new people and unique experiences! Our activities include: coffee morning meetings, out-to-lunch day trips and holiday parties, special interest groups (Canasta, Bunko, crafts...), travel opportunities and evening social events. Join the fun! Expand YOUR world with WOW! For more information email us at [email protected]. CHARITIES, VOLUNTEERING AND SUPPORT GROUPS AA IN CAIRO AA meetings schedule - Women’s meeting: Sunday, 5:45-6:45, 8A;Road 10 Maadi, Monday 7:30-8:30 pm, Tuesday 6-7 pm, Wednesday 7:30-8:30 pm, Thursday 7:45-8:45pm Kasr El Maadi Hospital Corniche. Friday 2-3 pm, St. Joseph’s Church Zamalek. For more information check www.aaegypt.org on meetings in other parts of Egypt, Al-Anon contacts and AA contacts. African Hope Learning Centre An English Speaking school for Refugees in Maadi needs help with volunteers. All sorts of possibilities from tutoring to running special programs to mentoring teachers or fundraising. No previous experience necessary, just a willingness to help. Please contact [email protected]. More information is available on our website (www.africanhopelc.com). BETTER WORLD FOUNDATION We are a local NGO that helps empower Egyptian youth to impact their communities through inter-cultural exchange and education. We are in need of native foreign language speakers volunteers. For further information please visit the website http://www.bwngo.org/ or email [email protected] CARITAS - EGYPT THE “OASIS OF HOPE” CENTER Our center provides free counseling and rehabilitative services to drug addicts through the assistance of a dedicated professional team. If anyone is interested in volunteering or is qualified professionally in drug addiction/ rehabilitation issues and would like to offer their services, visit our website www.caritas-egypt.org or email us at [email protected]. Egyptian Advance Society for Persons with Autism and Other Disabilities The Egyptian Advance Society for Persons with Autism and Other Disabilities, is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in the daily program, the Saturday Recreational Club, and a variety of areas for our Autism Awareness Month activities and events. We also need volunteers who enjoy being creative and working with the public. Maadi Address: 329 Road 262 cross with 277, New Maadi Cairo, Egypt. New Cairo Address: Ahmed Ismail St, 14 Avenue, 5th District, El Narges, New Cairo. Tel & Fax: (+202) 25177471 or 2 or 3, email: [email protected], www.advance-society.org EMRO The Egyptian Mau Rescue Organization - This is a non profit, charitable, animal organization rescuing indigenous native spotted Mau cats, and offering these for local and international adoptions. Please help through adoption, donations, sponsorship or volunteering of time. EMRO Office & Veterinary Clinic - Villa 11, El Togarayeen City, El Mokattam, Cairo. Tel: 25076946 or 01507157525 www.emaurescue.org - [email protected] FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER The wards for the poorest of the poor have beds for 80 children from all over Egypt who look forward to our visits. We offer them time, comfort, encouragement, and gifts we can provide. Items needed for donations are coloring books, crayons, notebooks & pens, flight bags, playing cards, baseball caps, stuffed animals, bubbles, small trucks or cars, dolls, or anything that is appropriate for children from 1-18 years of age. Please contact Susie 01222105835 or 2358-5627. HADARET SAKKARA Our organization helps the numerous child rubbish collectors we often see sifting through Cairo’s streets. There is an economic pressure on these children to work rather than to attend school regularly. We are looking for volunteers to teach or to prepare food and also for donations of any kind. For more information please contact Dr Luciano Verdoscia 01227782305, email [email protected] S.P.A.R.E Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (S.P.A.R.E.) is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Egypt through education and awareness. While we no longer operate an animal shelter, we are happy to offer advice to fellow animal lovers as well as provide medical care to strays and owned animals. For more information contact Amina Abaza (0122 316 2913) www.sparelives.org THE JOINT RELIEF MINISTRY (JRM) We offer cleaner, baby sitter, domestic helper, a program striving to assist refugees and displaced people in Cairo to meet the challenges of life here. We have a basic skill training program equipping people for domestic help. Please call Amira- 27364836 or 27364837 VISIT CHILDREN WITH CANCER If anyone would like to join a group of ladies and bring a smile to those children in hospital for cancer treatment, then please join us on Thursday mornings leaving Maadi at 9.00am returning around 12.30pm. There are 25 children in the ward aged from babies to 18. We need 25 juices, some small gifts, soft toys, cards, puzzles, caps and toiletries for boys and girls. Transport from Maadi provided. For further details please contact Jane on 01002760003. RELIGIOUS SERVICES Buddhist Meditation Are there any other Buddhists out there who would like to meditate together regularly? If so, please contact Maureen on 012753-36442. HELIOPOLIS COMMUNITY CHURCH An International and Interdenominational English language church where people from over 25 countries meet to worship. Located at St Michael’s Anglican Church, 10 Seti St, our weekly worship service starts at 9am (including children’s classes). Seti ST (City St) is just off Baghdad St in Korba, Heliopolis. For more information, please call +02 2414-2409, email to [email protected] or visit our website www.hccCairo.com. Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Maadi 55 Road 15, Maadi, Egypt. Tel.: 2358-2004. Weekend Masses: Friday: 9 am (English with Tagalog hymns), 7 pm (English/Korean). Saturday: 10:30am (Italian in chapel), 5:30pm (English), 6:45pm (French). Sunday: 8:00 am (French), 11:00 am (Sudanese), 5:00 pm (Spanish), 6:15 pm (English). MAADI COMMUNITY CHURCH An oasis for refuge and renewal.....where the nations gather for worship. Over 40 different countries and many denominations come to together on the weekend at the corner of Port Said & Rd 17 on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church. Come join us Fridays from 2:30-4:00pm (Africa Live) and from 5:00-6:15pm Visit our website (www.maadichurch.com) for more information. You can also contact us by phone at 23592755 or by email at [email protected]. ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH OF CAIRO St. Andrew’s is an international, interdenominational congregation in the heart of Cairo. We invite you to join us for worship and fellowship on Fridays at 10:00 AM (year-round) and Sundays at 7:00 PM (September-May). If interested in volunteering with refugees and displaced persons at StARS, please call (02)25759451. For more information, please call 01276666843, email [email protected], or visit www.standrewschurchcairo.com. St. Andrew’s is located above the Nasser Metro station at 38, 26 July Street. SAINT MARY’S COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH Our church carries out lots of charity work please come and give us a hand Coptic Orthodox Holy Mass in English. Saint Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church (Ard El Golf, Heliopolis, Shams Iddeen Il Zahabi Street), 8.00 am to 9.30 am (Communion served to Orthodox). Followed by Bible Study in English, third Saturday of Each Month. All are Welcome! Please bring others! Snacks and Drinks served. For more information contact Father Youssef (Phone & Text: 01223476343, Email: [email protected] THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS (LDS) holds services on Fridays at 9:00AM in Maadi #21 Road 17. For more information please call 01000767392 I.A.F. Information for partners of foreign nationality. I.A.F. supplies information for women who wish to marry or are married to Egyptian men. I.A.F. answers questions on family rights, visas, working permits, marriage contracts and marriage, safety for children and immigration, hate and racism, women and sexual discrimination etc. Address: 2-4 Ludolfusstrasse 60487 Frankfurt a.M. Germany Telphone: 0497075087/7075088 THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, MAADI We are “A Spiritual home away from home” -- a welcoming international Church with three congregations in the Anglican tradition. Come to an English–speaking service at 10 AM Fridays with Nursery and Church School; or, our Contemplative Prayer service with beautiful Taizé music on Thursdays at 6.30 PM (Sept. to May). We offer Home Groups, youth groups, and courses on exploring the Christian faith. Call Rev. Michael Dobson on +20 127 0220993 or email [email protected]. We are at the corner of Road 17 and Port Said Rd in Maadi. Website: www. maadichurch.org and Facebook. RESALET NOUR ALA NOUR NGO We are a non profitable organization that helps the underprivileged all over Egypt and our work is based fully on donations. For more information about what we do visit www.rn3n.org or call 01228602602. Please note: The above is for informational purposes only. CSA accepts no liability for any of the services advertised throughout the magazine. For changes or additions to Community Announcements please contact [email protected] February 16 CSA 91 February 16 CSA 95