June Horoscopes

By Maeri Frances

Feeling the heat? Not just from the glorious summer weather, but from some powerhouse aspects that are challenging you to step up to the mark? Mercury is still retrograde, and in his own sign, Gemini, making it ever so important to be on guard when using appliances, communications equipment and vehicles. And yes, that also means the Facebook posting that you made in a fit of temper and oh-so-wish you could undo.

Gemini

Hey, it’s your birthday month! And it’s hard to miss, with so much action going on. With Mars making his presence felt in your birth sign, along with the Sun and Mercury you could be forgiven for feeling that you’re everyone’s punching bag. Maybe you are feeling a bit feisty yourself, and quick on the draw with a few sharp words. Best to bite your tongue before blurting out home truths better left unsaid. Console yourself with the fact that Venus is first lighting up your financial zone, then your 3rd house of zooming around town, which can indicate good income, and shopping trips!

Aries:

Whatever is going on, Aries wants to be at the wheel, both literally and figuratively. It will be hard to pin you down this month; you are on the go, and expressing your opinions a lot as well. You could be a bit impatient, but try to stay calm as all that energy from your ruling planet Mars — in your 3rd house of short distance travel, neighbors, and communication — could see you in a Tweeting and texting overload. Jupiter is still in your fun zone, your solar 5th house of creativity, sports and flirting, so single guys and gals, don’t waste any opportunities!

Taurus:

Financial pressures step up even further. Maybe you have a deadline to get cash together and need to make an extra effort. Don’t stress about it, doing that will only add to the sense of panic!  Your ruling planet Venus is in your 3rd house of ‘how to deliver the message’ and you will be able to charm your way into anyone’s good books. Financial help may come from a parent, or a real estate deal, so don’t despair. Be patient until after the 12th of June, things will gradually start to improve.

Gemini – See above

Cancer: 

This is your month of the year to make hay while the sun shines. Finances and beneficial circumstances are looking good for you, although with Pluto in opposition to your birth sign the luck could also just as easily slip through your fingers. The final couple of days of the month could make or break you; a change or promotion in your career could see a boost in your finances. That could mean a heavier workload; things are getting busy for you this summer!

 

 

Leo:

Ruled by the Sun, Leos always seem to thrive in the hot summer months.  Venus enters your birth sign on the 6th of June, so not only should you be feeling great, you are probably attracting a lot of admiring looks as well. You have some lucky moments this month, key days are the 20th and 21st, then the 28th and 29th. That great Jupiter energy combines with Venus to bring rare opportunities. With support from Uranus in Aries things may come out of the blue, but be ready to act when the time comes. You should have a great rapport with fellow Fire signs these days, you feed off each other’s energy and enthusiasm.

Virgo:

Your ruling planet Mercury is retrograde until the 12th, and will still take time to get back into form, so Virgo babes and guys may feel that nothing is moving quickly enough for them. Plans you have made that depend on other’s cooperation seem stalled, but trying to push things at the wrong time will be counter-productive. By mid-month career matters may pick up speed again, and by month’s end you can actually indulge in a bit of socializing. Make an effort to get out and about more, stay in the loop.

Libra:

Your patience may have been tested to the limits recently, but that cycle of tough aspects has eased up a bit, giving you a chance to move forward.  Career prospects brighten, and it could be due to a more optimistic attitude on your part. Jupiter and Venus bring support from friends, and that gives you the extra burst of confidence to get out and make your mark on the world. Don’t be frightened about partnering up with someone who has some slightly eccentric ideas, as thinking outside of the box is the way to go as the month draws to a close.

Scorpio:

Saturn may be sliding back into your birth sign for a short period, but see it as a call to refine work half done rather than a burden. You have some dynamic aspects lighting up your career and prestige domain in the 10th house, so knuckle down to clear up unfinished matters and you stand to come out on top. Travel is also likely with planets active in your solar 9th house; this might also link up in some way with work matters. Again, use your superb investigate skills to get the facts in situations, this will give you an edge over your rivals.

Sagittarius:

It doesn’t take much to persuade a typical Sagittarian to grab a bag and hop on a plane, and this is the month when wanderlust could hit you hard. There’s every chance you have a fun-loving partner or friend who is just a zany as you, team up and enjoy all the opportunities that seem to be around this month for Fire signs. One word of caution, postpone signing contracts until after the 12th of June, Mercury retrograde could let you overlook some important points. Best days are around the 29th, make the most of them!

Capricorn:

Capricorn is never one to shy away from an honest day’s work, but this month fortune may smile on you through benefits coming from other people. Property matters and family may be high on your list of priorities, and your credit rating looks healthy if you need to ask for assistance. You might have to watch your health during June, take care of stress, and any injuries or sprains to shoulders, arms or wrists. Mercury and Mars are activating your 6th house of health and work routines. Keep to a steady pace with enough rest and a healthy diet this month, your system may be a bit low on energy.

Aquarius:

A chance meeting with someone new could change the direction of your life in some ways. Sounds too good to be true? It’s just that there is some really good planetary teaming up between Venus, the bringer of love, and Jupiter, the bringer of opportunity, in your solar 7th house of closest relationships this month. The last week could be truly memorable. It could easily be a friendship that initiates online, that Uranus-ruled technology thing going on in your 3rd house of communications. And Aquarians are much more at home in a world of social media relationships, aren’t they? This time, try and connect real time, it could be amazing.

 

Pisces:

Your social life should have been quite upbeat in recent days, resulting in a renewed joie de vivre.  That lovely Venus and Jupiter pair-up falls in your solar 6th house. It means an improvement in health, but with one important caveat, pleasure-seeking behavior and overindulgence in rich food can undo all the potential benefits! OK, just the occasional ice-cream or two, but don’t waste the chance to work on your wellness regime, with the likelihood of getting stunning results. There may be a bit of friction on the domestic front, or a need for home repairs, try to take it in your stride. That means being sweet to the landlady if you are renting as well!

Best 20 songs for Ramadan

NASEER Shamma

Lamouni Elli GharouMinni

 

Marwan Anwer

WahyZekrayat

 

Ali El Helbawi

YaRab

 

NASEER Shamma

Quiet Night in Baghdad

 

Riad Al Sunbati

SahranLewahdy

 

Ammar el sherei

El ZenyBarakat

 

Ahmed Alshaiba

Game Of Thrones (Oud cover)

 

Yasser Abdel Rahman

El Mal Welbanon

 

MICHAEL El Masry

Nights Of El Helmia

 

NASEER Shamma

Awshar

 

marwan anwer

Edaya fi Geyoby

 

Maher Fayez & Ali El Helbawi

Ana 7AY Beek

 

Riad Al Sunbati

Longa

 

Hisham Nazih

Tito El Hekaya

 

Ammar el sherei

Arabesque

 

Yasser Abdel Rahman

El Lil We Akhro

 

Omar Khayrat

Emta-El-Zaman

 

Amro Ismael

Wahed Min El Nass

 

 

tamer karwan

Zat

 

 

Nai Barghouti

BeredakYaKhaleky

 

The Holy Month of Ramadan

Achieving Balanced Fasting Habits

 

The holy month of Ramadan is when we all try to give up bad habits, learn a thing or two about endurance, patience and gratefulness. It’s also all about the gatherings, delicious food and long nights with friends and family. Throughout Ramadan you can’t help but feel at ease and peaceful, if only you can shut out the traffic and heat outside. Did you know that the word ‘Ramadan’ comes from the Arabic root ‘Ar-Ramaad’, which literally means scorching heat or dryness? So this Ramadan, let’s all try to do something new,where we actually learn to forgive and forget and enjoy the true essence of Ramadan.

 

Do’s& Don’ts of Eating

We all can’t help but splurge when it comes to the amazingly delicious dishes of Ramadan, especially after fasting for almost 16 hours. Need I remind you ofkattayef, konafa bel eshta, basboosa and the ongoing list of heavenly desserts that we really never seem to care about except during Ramadan? Long story short, we need to pay a little attention to our eating habits.

 

This year, try breaking your fast with a salad or soup first instead of digging into the stuffed pigeon right away. Then wait for 15-20 minutes and maybe have some rice topped with your mom’s famously delicious molokheya. If there is still room for more, maybe indulge in a small piece of pastawith béchamel. Make sure you leave the dining table not feeling like you just ate everything on the table.

 

Give yourself an hour or two before you start enjoying your Om Ali or puffy kattayefstuffed witheshta. As for the last portion of the evening, and by that we mean the sohour of course, give up the taameya and omelet and try enjoying yoghurt topped with honey and your choice of fruits or maybe go a little crazy with a small serving of homemade foul. Finally, please don’t forget drinking A LOT of water. You have 8 hours so try to drink at least 1.5 liters of water; trust me you will need it.

 

On the occasion of Ramadan, try making this creamy classical rice pudding (Roz B Laban) this year and head over to our Facebook page to tell us how it turned out.

 

Rice Pudding Recipe

 

1 ½ cup uncooked white rice

2 cups milk, divided

1/3 cup white sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon butter

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions

  1. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Once the water boils, add and stir rice into boiling water. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer the rice for 20 minutes.
  2. After the rice is cooked according to preference, in a clean saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt.

 

  1. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

 

  1. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk, and beaten egg; cook for an additional 2 minutes while constantly stirring. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

 

  1. Finally, for additional taste, try garnishing it with caramelized dates or mix date bits while you cook it, for an extra kick of flavor. Could be served hot or refrigerate if you prefer it served cold.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-rice-pudding/?scale=4&ismetric=0

 

 

JUNE MOVIES

Aloha

Comedy | Drama | Romance

A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and re-connects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.

Stars: Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper

Entourage

Comedy

Movie star Vincent Chase, together with his boys Eric, Turtle, and Johnny, are back – and back in business with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold.

Stars: Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven

Jurassic World

Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park (1993), Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor’s interest, which backfires horribly.

Stars: Chris Pratt, Judy Greer

Inside Out

Animation | Comedy

After a girl moves to a new home, her emotions are plunged into chaos as they compete for control of her mind.

Stars: Diane Lane, Amy Poehler

Paper Towns

Adventure | Romance

A young man and his friends embark upon the road trip of their lives to find the missing girl next door.

Stars: Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff

Ted 2

Comedy

Newlywed couple Ted and Tami-Lynn want to have a baby, but in order to qualify to be a parent, Ted will have to prove he’s a person in a court of law.

Stars: Liam Neeson, Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman

Big Game

Action | Adventure

A young teenager camping in the woods helps rescue the President of the United States when Air Force One is shot down near his campsite.

Stars: Samuel L. Jackson

Ramadan Venues

Where To Enjoy Nights with Friends and Family

Cairo Marriott Hotel

Location: Zamalek

You can enjoy Marriott’s delicious menu with your family and guests in the comfort of your own home with their outside catering service. Marriott caters to small events of 20 up to large corporate events of thousands. Spoil yourself and your guests by bringing the entire experience of street food and stations right to your door-step or at any venue of your choice! You can choose between buffet and set menus foriftar and sohouror the family-style menu offering a large variety of delicious home-like dishes.

The iftar buffet menu includes dishes like keshk, roast beef fillet, grilled lamb kofta and marinated shrimp. While the Family-style includes a variety of grills, vine leaves, roqaq, lamb tourly and biryani rice. The sohour menu includes mezze and a variety of chef’s grilled items. There is also the option of foul, ta’ameya, pan-fried turkey and an array of oriental delights to choose from.

From classic oriental dishes of chicken, meat and fish to pasta, shawerma and even ice-cream stations; Marriott’s outside catering will deliver an appetizing experience complete with preparing the setting, providing royal service and hospitable hosts. Let Marriott take care of your next banquet.

Downtown Kattameya

Entertainment during Ramadan

Location: 5th Settlement, Kattameya

Date 10.00 – 10.30 pm 10.30 – 11.00 pm 11.00 – 11.30 pm 11.30 – 12.00 pm
19th June Tanoura Show Kanoun Player Tanoura Show Kanoun Player
25th

June

El Mouled Show Oud Player El Mouled Show Oud Player
26th June Oriental Takht Tanoura Player Oriental Takht Tanoura Player
02nd July Mezmar&Tabla Show Oud Player Mezmar & Tabla Show Oud player
03rd July Tanoura Show Kanoun Player Tanoura Show Kanoun Player
09th July  El Mouled Show Oud Player El Mouled Show Oud player
10th July Oriental Takht Tanoura Player Oriental Takht Tanoura Player
16th July Mezmar&Tabla Show Oud Player Mezmar&Tabla Show Oud Player

 

DusitThaniLakeView Cairo 

Location: 5th Settlement, Kattameya

DusitThaniLakeView Cairo invites you to celebrate Ramadan in style at their world-class Ramadan tent. Enjoy an amazing iftar and sohour experience along with oriental live takhtsharki, a singer, and Dusit’s resident DJ in an open-air setting overlooking the pool. There is an array of delicious items of Arab cuisine to choose from, including oriental Egyptian delicacies, live cooking stations, a large selection of hot and cold mezze, mouth-watering Ramadan drinks, sumptuous main courses and a wide selection of oriental desserts. You will also find your choice of flavored shisha with a superb backdrop of greenery and lake views to highlight this memorable dining experience. For groups, tailor-made packages are available for memorableiftar and sohour evenings to celebrate Ramadan together with colleagues and friends.

 

 

Ramadan at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence 

Location: Giza

Head to a stylish iftarin the La GourmandiseRamadanTent with an impressive twelve food stations that include local and traditional dishes, or opt for a magical late nightsohour at Aura restaurant. Aura offers both indoor and outdoor dining options, overlooking the magical lit rooftop pool area and Nile, and is perfect for a mouth-watering iftar family style set menu, which includes salads, mezze, tagines, stews, and grilled items.

For larger corporate or social events, be it a small iftaror a large corporate sohour event, rest assured that the hotel’s food and beverage and banqueting teams will ensure that your Ramadan event in Cairo is uniquely designed to the finest detail.

 

Hilton Dreamland Yashmk

Location: 6th October

Yashmk restaurant – AklZaman, offers authentic Egyptian dishes in a traditional ambience.  Enjoy mouth-watering mezze, starters, main dishes and shisha on the cosy balcony with a breath-taking view.

 

Hilton Zamalek

Location: Zamalek

The Hilton Zamalek will offeriftar and sohour throughout Ramadan on its spacious Abu Ali Terrace, overlooking the majestic River Nile.

 

Le Lido City View

Location: Cairo Alex Desert Road

Enjoy a panoramic view over the lights of Cairo! This year Ramadan activities at Le Lido in City View will include iftar, sohour and shisha,  served at the authentically styled Baladina restaurant. While away the evening hours with cards, tawla and riveting Ramadan TV series in the garden and pergola area.

 

Palm Club

Location: 6th October

Inviting, warm and authentic, Sehraya at Palm Club is one of the most elegant venues in the city this Ramadan. Truly inspired by the essence and spirit of the Holy Month, it’s where Cairo society comes together to enjoy the fresh breezes of the hilltop location while indulging in eclectic spreads of traditional delicacies and tantalizing Ramadan drinks. Oozing refinement, Sehraya at Palm Club will bring you serenity and relaxation after a long day.

 

Fawanees At Semiramis Intercontinental Cairo

Location: Corniche El Nil

Ramadan festivities at the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo are always sought after as landmark events. You can take in the iftar and sohour spectaculars at the Nile Terrace and international cuisine live cooking stations at Night & Day as Ramadan begins this year. Fawanees at Nile Terrace offers a magical and beguiling atmosphere with colourful lanterns that hold a unique place in Ramadan folklore.

Semiramis’siftar andsohour classic delights featuring shewerma, grills and lamb ouzi,labneh,grilled halloumi, feta cheese, eggs, black and green olives, foul moudames with traditional condiments, fattoush, hummus, babaghanouj, salads, kebbah and sambousek, oriental rice, couscous, soups and sautéed vegetables, tajine selections, fresh cut fruit and dates as well as fresh juices, Umm Ali and gorgeous Oriental sweets.

 

Santorini e

Location: 6th October

The popular Greek restaurant in Americana Plaza, Sheikh Zayed, is rolling out some mouth-watering Mediterranean favorites for iftar and sohour during the month of Ramadan. Diners will be able to sample many of the dishes that their regular clientele has come to love. The attractively priced menu covers a wide range of soups, mezze, traditional moussaka and other baked dishes, in addition to succulent grills and delicious desserts. The menu is discounted for children under the age of 12.

Santorini will be open from 2 pm – 2 am. with a la carte service from 2 pm – 5 pm (before iftar) and again from 9 pm until 12 am (before sohour). Shisha will be offered by Wel2a and TVs will be available to catch up on favorite programs.

 

Seasons Country Club& Resort

Location: Giza

is going to be serving a daily iftar set menu in the main garden.  The set menu changes every day so that regular clients find a variety.  Each night sohour is going to be served at Blossoms Tent.  The venue features comfortable lounges, chic Ramadan decoration, and is set in the middle of beautiful landscaping.  Seasons will be featuring fusion items such as foul &taameyasamosas, karkadeh-flavored ice cream, and tamrhindi smoothies along with  a lot of other items.Seasons’ catering service is also available for on-the-premises events and outside catering.  They have traditional Ramadan items available for delivery or take-away for group iftars and sohours.

 

The Courtyard

Location: Maadi

The Courtyard in Maadi will offer a culinary and entertaining experience this Ramadan.

Featuring over 14 outlets, including: Akala, Cinnabon, Café Supreme, Carpaccio, Casa Di Carne, Casper &Gambini’s, Kazlak, La Fendi, L’Aubergine, Mince, Ogma Café, Paul Bakery, Pottery Café, Ruby Tuesday, there will be something for everyone.

Jiggy Jungle opens its doors this July. The venue’s design also enables mothers to walk around with their baby-stroller hassle free, or take advantage of the  nursing room to care for their little ones.

 

The District

Location: Heliopolis

There will be a full mouled theme, with games, food carts (terms, hommos, batata) and Ramadan characters in the dining area. Entertainment will include a fengan reader, mesa7araty, 3 wara2at, aragoz, 7enna, wada3 and others. Daily entertainment includes an oud singer and oriental shows. Three big events are planned during weekends. Corners are going to be scattered all over The District with games and screens for catching up on Ramadan series.

 

 

The Pick of The Bunch

‘Must Watch’ Series for Ramadan 2015

One of the most eagerly anticipated events of each year is the roll out of Ramadan series for the season. All of our favorite stars have been working long and gruelling schedules to make sure that this year’s offerings not only match, but exceed the drama and humor that kept us riveted to our screens last year. Cairo West Magazine has compiled some of this season’s must-sees!

El Ahd(The Pledge)

Director KhaledMaraie has been busy shooting his new television series Al Ahd (The Pledge), in which he collaborates with writer Mohamed Amin Rady for the third time. Following hot on the heels of El SabaaWasaya (The Seven Commandments) the new series El Ahd is already predicted to be a hit of the season.

Producer Tarek El Ganainy got to work early on this star-studded production, to avoid pressure as the 19th of June launch date draws closer. The cast includes big names like Ghada Adel, ShereenReda,  AsserYassinHana ShihaArwa Gouda and KendaAloush.

 

ShereenReda

CWM: Shereen, what can you tell us about your role in El Ahd?

SR: Working on El Ahd is quite different from some other roles I have played. We are a big cast and we know each other well; we have a nice social time off the set! When I’m filming, I’m carrying that character around with me all the time, even off camera. But Goma, the person I play in El Ahd, is not a heavy load. Without giving anything away I can also tell you she is not what she first appears to be!

Asser Yassin

CWM: Asser, what can audiences expect from El Ahd?

AY: The secret to a successful drama series is that all the different elements must be well-placed; every aspect, from the direction to the editing, cinematography, music, costumes and so on. This series is quite innovative in that it’s historical but not set in a specific time in history, and it’s in modern dialect, so it’s very accessible. It has a large cast of stars, plus the individuals that go to create the whole are outstanding, such as great cinematographer Ahmed Youssef. It just feels like it’s the right combination of talent.

Hana Shiha

CWM: Hana, how different is your coming Ramadan series, The Pledge (Al Ahd), from last year’s series El SabaaWasaya?

HS: In many ways it’s completely different. To begin with, whereas El SabaaWasaya was a contemporary story set in a very real place – the lower class areas of Cairo – Al Ahd takes place in a parallel world of un-named location, and at an indeterminate time. The costuming though is kind of ethnic 19th century. In the story, I play one of several main characters, part of a family dynasty, fighting for supremacy over three lands.

The series is produced by TVision, and heralds a major development in Egyptian TV drama as it will contain a lot of graphics to create the fantasy world, sort of along the lines of Lord of the Rings. We’ve filmed in lots of different locations, including  Siwa, Wahat, Fayoum, and they have even created an entire village set from scratch in Mansouria.

I co-star with more than ten other actors including Arwa Gouda, Ghada Adel and Asser Yassin, and the script-writer Mohamed Amin Rady (he also did NiraanSadiqa or ‘Friendly Fire’) is actually the same as for El SabaaWasaya. He has a slightly controversial way of working with actors, using complex storylines with multiple characters.

Al Sa’look(The Bum)

An action-packed mix of comedy and drama, Al Sa’look promises to keep viewers glued to their screens. With a star-studded cast, including Khaled El Sawy, Hassan Hosny, HishamAbdallaand  SabryAbdelmonem, director Ahmad Saleh looks to have turned out a series to remember.

Elkaboos(The Nightmare)

Director Islam Khairy has created a social drama that is sure to become a ‘must watch’ this Ramadan. Starring the ever-popular GhadaAbdelrazek, supported by Ahmed Hatem, Ahmad Rateb and KarimQassem, the plot centers around a woman living in a slum who owns a garbage dumpster inside the alley where she lives. But her neighbors hate her and how her job affects them, so they get into a series of fierce disputes.

Hawari Bucharest (The Alleys of Bucharest)

Partly filmed in visually stunning locations like Prague and Bucharest, Hawari Bucharest will be a treat to watch, quite apart from the gripping storyline. With big-name stars like Amir Karara,  OlaGhanem, Ahmad Salaama and RashaMahdy, director Mohammed Bakir has put together a drama with enough action and suspense to keep viewers waiting for each episode. The plot? SayedGadallah is a professional boxer living in a poor town. He gets forced to fight battles to save his brothers’ lives, and eventually gets in seemingly endless trouble.

OstazwaRa’eesQesm(Professor and A Head of Department)

If you are looking for comedy and a tongue-in-cheek peek at situations that arise in Egyptian life, then once again Adel Imam will be delivering a daily dose of laughter for Ramadan viewers. Supporting stars Nagwa Ibrahim, Ahmad Bedear and Ezzat Abo Ouf are a perfect foil for his antics, so it looks as though this clever series, directed by WaelEhsan will capture its fair share of fans this Ramadan.

What to expect? Adel Imam plays the character of a leftist college professor teaching at the Faculty of Agriculture, who is constantly angry about Egypt’s political situation before the 2011 uprising. His wife is unable to have children. He joins the January uprising in 2011 while leaving his wife, and eventually is granted a position in the new government. From then on, he starts a new chapter of his life, full of surprises.

Taht El-Saytara(Under Control)

Everyone has been looking forward to having the lovely Nelly Karim grace the screen again this Ramadan, and one of her ‘not-to-be-missed’ series is Taht El-Saytara. Written by Mariam Naoom, and directed by Tamer Mohsen (who keeps rolling out cinematic hits like Ot w Far), this drama series also stars Hany Adel, Mohamed Farrag and the good-looking Tunisian actor DhafferL’abidine. No plot give-aways here, why spoil the excitement and suspense?

 

Tareeqy( My Road)

Tamer Habib spoke to Cairo West Magazine about his upcoming Ramadan series Tareeqy, starring lead singer Sherine Abdel Wahab. “It is a musical drama, first of a kind in a long time. There are 12 songs and the looks are from the 60’s and 70’s. It is the life story of a girl who dreams to be a singer, with suffering and the emotional drama along the way.”

Directed by Mohamed Shaker, the series also stars SawsanBadr, BasselKhayyat and Ahmed Fahmy.

Zarf Aswad( Black Envelope)

Guaranteed to keep us all on the edge of our seats, night after night, this mystery series offers thrills galore. The big-name cast of stars includes Amr Youssef, Dorra, Salah Abdallah,  andMahmoud El Bezawy. Director Ahmed Medhat co-wrote the script, and from looking at his past work we can expect a gripping plot from beginning to end.

ZihabwaAwda(Round Trip)

Adding to the great choice of action viewing this Ramadan, this crime drama touches on a hot topic. Ahmed El Sakka stars alongside Arwa Gouda, and the series is co-directed by Ahmed Shafik and Emad El Gazwy. Without giving too much away, Khaled, the owner of a big import/export business, gets in trouble when his son gets kidnapped by an organ trafficking organization. Joined by his wife, he travels to search for his son, and decides to infiltrate the criminal organization by working with them. Eventually, he faces several surprises involving his closest friends.

 

Nour Kamel

Capturing the Beauty in Decay, the Color in the Chaos

 

By Lydia Schoonderbeek

 

Photographer Nour Kamel is making a mark with the stunning images she has taken around Cairo. Even the most humble streets of the city burst with life and energy when viewed through her lens. Cairo West Magazine tracked her down to learn more about the passion that drives her.

 

CWM: Nour, can you tell us how it all started?

NK: Growing up with an artist grandmother, and a family of art lovers, I was exposed to art from a very young age. Museums, regular gallery visits and Saturdays at the opera were what made my childhood, and today I can clearly identify their influence. As an undergraduate studying comparative religion, I enrolled in as many art classes as I could without really knowing where it would lead. A few years later, I pursued my Msc. in Arts and NGO management and envisioned a life where both would be present.

Today I am working at EFE|Egypt, an NGO that works on bridging the gap between unemployed youth and private sector employers and still manage to pursue my passion for photography religiously.

 

How did the photography come on board?

I’ve always been a fan of cameras. As a teenager, I was the one with the camera at all the birthdays, but it wasn’t until later that I started street photography- I tried documenting our everyday lives, and the unusual things I came across in the street, the people, the signs, everything everyone else did, really. Later that year I travelled for my Master’s degree and took on street photography to capture the beautiful things I came across in European cities: Sunday markets, flower shops, couples reuniting at train stations… and ever since then it’s been an obsession!

 

What is your favorite location in Egypt to photograph?

Cairo: in all its magic, chaos and glory. Don’t get me wrong, I love travelling locally, and I’ve spent quite some time travelling in Sinai and across the red sea. It takes my breath away- but nowhere inspires me the way Cairo does. It’s incredible how much soul this city has and how multi-facetted it is. Fast-paced but populated with laid back people offering a warm welcome inside their homes. It’s very loud but with some incredibly serene areas nestled between noisy roads, full of dust yet full of color.

 

How often do you go on walks to photograph Cairo?

On average I go on photography walks every Saturday, and honestly these walks are my favorite time of the week. They have such a grounding effect on me; they have evolved into so much more than just photography, almost something of a meditative nature.

 

Best places you would recommend our readers to visit in Cairo especially to photograph?

Fatimid Cairo is especially charming, as it is somewhat of a seamless blend of old and new, young and old, royal and kitsch. Its’ people are warm and welcoming, they’re used to visitors and passersby. The main roads are lined with some of the city’s landmarks and the side streets hold incredible charm. A perfect walk would combine a little bit of both.

 

What do you use to take pictures with? Your camera or a smartphone, and why?

Both. I started off using my phone, I’m a big believer in phone photography- especially for street photography: It’s handy, discreet, quick and very user friendly, allowing you to capture fleeting moments as you come across them. However, recently I have been using a camera for a few reasons of which not getting lazy is a main one. Phones make you lazy. Everything is so easy, so quick.

 

From the photos you have taken, do you have a favorite?

Hmmm… that’s quite a difficult question. I’ve liked different pictures at different times- but if I had to pick one, it’s ‘Partly cloudy|Chance of wind’. It depicts a ceiling fan I came across in a barbershop. When I took the photograph, I didn’t think it would be anything special, but I keep going back to it, and often think of going back to that place.

 

How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Idealist, childlike curious, wanderlust-struck.

 

Tell us about a memorable situation that happened while on one of your Saturday photo walks?

 

Each Saturday holds something special and unique. To me, the Saturdays that stay with me the most are the ones where we share extensive one-on-one contact with a person or a family, and they let us into their home. For that to happen, we need to be very few in numbers. I remember almost two years ago, we were on a walk at Bein El Kanayess, and this older man welcomed us into his home, and later into his backyard and the alleyways it led to. To this day, I remember this man and his home and how much I was fascinated by this encounter. On one hand, the man turned out to be the father of the store manager of a café I visited frequently in Zamalek, so it felt like I almost knew a part of his family already, and that it was a story coming together- and on the other, he lived in a beautiful albeit rundown home. The peeling paint on the walls, the beautiful thick wooden doors and the patterned tiles in this house were unbelievable. It was truly one of the most beautiful homes I’ve seen on our photography walks. I keep thinking of that setting and would love to revisit it.

 

What are the most frequently asked questions you get from people on the street when they see you photographing what seems to them to be an old wall, or a rundown door?

 

Often the question is why are you photographing this? Why do you seek to portray Egypt in such a negative light? Go take pictures of the beautiful mosques, Khan El Khalili (or the closest touristic landmark).

 

For many it’s challenging to perceive beauty in decay, or in imperfection. However most people are open to hearing your point of view, and if given enough time and shown previous beautiful pictures of rundown doors, they end up appreciating them too. Sometimes, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find locals who did understand and appreciate the old walls, buildings and doors – and addressed above all, their saddening conditions.

 

With the onset of instagram, there are a lot of amateur photographers now, what are some of your favorite accounts and why?

 

Locally, Eslam Abd El Salam is one of my favorites, he’s a huge cinema fan and it’s very obvious through his photographs- I especially enjoy following his account (@eslamuhammad). Nour Amar (@NOUR_EL_DIN) is from Alexandria and following his account is a constant reminder of how beautiful that city is. @Everydayiran is a very cleverly curated account, one of my current favorites. It features different amateur photographers that capture the day-to-day lives of Iranians and if this account has taught me anything, it’s that Iran is one of the most beautiful and underrated countries in the world.

 

What has Instagram done to photography in your opinion?

 

Instagram has given mobile photography a platform to exhibit, explore and express. I love it. On one hand, it allows you to discover otherwise unheard of talent, and to follow people that inspire you. On the other, it allows you to post your photographs, receive feedback and connect with people who share the same interests. Instagram and mobile photography in general have made photography accessible to a much broader audience and for me that in its’ self is its’ greatest achievement- and it is incredible to see the photography trends that are coming out of it!

Little People Lying

An Un-noble Act with a Noble Goal

By Noha Abu Sitta

Truth and honesty have become rare elements in our world! From fairy tales, to media to everyday matters: lying has spread like an ugly virus that has inflicted almost all entities in our societies and even worse: In some places and with a few people, it has become expected and acceptable!

When children start lying to you, it hurts you as a parent as it makes you feel angry and worried that this is just a beginning of a future full of lies. However, what most parents don’t know is that lying in childhood is actually done with good intention! It is a convenient survival technique, which children happily discover for their self-preservation. Lying in childhood is a technique with the intention of escaping a negative consequence: be it a punishment (physical or psychological), or a negative emotion of disapproval and rejection.

 

Lying in childhood is not a moral issue!

A child who lies does not have questionable morals. Lying is simply a (wrong) choice for problem–solving. It is a defense technique driven by fear to survive a situation that will cause you more pain. Truthfulness and honesty are life skills that need to be acquired and learned, they shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Let’s Face It!

1- There is no child in the world who won’t try lying at some point in their life. For children, lying doesn’t hurt anyone compared to verbal or physical aggression for example! If we don’t deal with lying wisely, we’ll most probably encourage more lying in the future.

2- Adults lie too whether we admit it or not! We lie, by giving false facts, by omission, exaggeration, fake compliments or false promises! We, sometimes, even lie to ourselves about so many facts we know just to escape reality.

3- Lying is helplessness. When your child isn’t given another alternative tool, he’ll keep on lying.

4- Even if you as parents don’t lie, kids will learn about lying from media, their friends, other family members, or even from their fears.

5- Don’t label your child a liar. People live up to their labels. When you label your child a liar, you run the risk of your child submitting and living up to that label for the rest of his life.

When do kids lie?

At the very centre of the problem is “power”. When a child first comes in to this world, they realize they are not as powerful as adults. They can’t rationalize whatever happens to them in their lives as adults do. They can’t protect themselves from the world around them without the help of adults. They seek any possible way of controlling their power. A child would lie:

  • To establish identity: to make him sound more impressive, admired or respected among his peers or other family members.
  • To gain attention.
  • To keep a secret.
  • To avoid hurting other’s feelings.
  • To avoid trouble: punishment, rejection or shame.
  • To explore and experiment with the authoritarian figures’ responses and reactions.

Unfortunately, lying becomes plan A for many of us (not just children) when our experience in life teaches us that our mistakes are never accepted or forgiven. So we quit using plan A, which should be:

confrontation and taking responsibility for our actions, which builds people of integrity.

Lying by age

  • Children can learn to lie as early as when they are only three. At this age lying is called fantasies. They also usually have an imaginary friend at this age.
  • You can’t punish them for it or think of them as liars.
  • As they grow older 4-6, they have more reasons to lie. They don’t want to disappoint you or any authority figure. They also want to avoid being punished or feeling rejected.
  • When children reach school-age, they lie more often and more professionally so they start to learn how to get away with their lies.
  • By eight, children can lie successfully without getting caught.
  • Tweens and teenagers: Bullying, peer pressure and self-image are added to the equation so they start keeping secrets, omitting a few facts and glossing over details.

So what’s our role as parents to help our kids survive this “lying phase”?

  • Acceptance is the key! Showing them that we accept them with their failures (not reject or condemn them!).
  • We live in a powerful culture that exerts a lot of pressure on us to “fit in.” Filling your child’s emotional tank with love and acceptance, building self-esteem and confidence, and is an effective way to diminish lying. They rarely co-exist with lying!
  • Think positive: Think out loud with your child about lessons learnt from each of their setbacks and how to avoid falling into the same problems in future. This way we encourage them to try more of plan A.
  • When your child starts to lie, don’t rush into punishing him or calling him a liar! This will only make things worse and will most probably lead to more lying in the future. Seizethe opportunity to teach him something about life; this is when the training should begin! “Mistakes are opportunities to learn!”
  • Lying brings with it a painful “sense of guilt and fear” so if we add to it physical or psychological or emotional punishment (pain), we are just adding more pain and ultimately killing this sense of guilt. So we are causing more damage than benefit!
  • Dig for the reason behind your child’s lying. Lying is born out of fear. Check what your child is scared of. Deal with the root of the problem to cure the disease. Punishing him might temporarily cease the symptoms just like a pain-killer but will never cure the disease that is secretly growing more vicious.
  • Foster communication: Make the connection with your child your first priority. Lovingly discuss with your child after you both have calmed down, not in the heat of the moment. Explain to your child why lying isn’t an effective way of solving problems because it adds more to it. If he is trying to hide a wrong deed by doing another wrong deed, this will only add on to the problem and might cause more pain and rejection from the society around him. Explain to your child how lying can damage his credibility and future relationships.
  • Watch movies and read stories together that either teach honesty or show the bad side of lying. Tell him real stories about your life and how lying has put you in more trouble sometimes.

 

  • Help your child avoid getting into situations where he feels he needs to lie. If you know he spilled the milk, don’t ask him “did you do that?”. Tell him instead: “Oh this must have been an accident, let’s clean it up together.”

 

  • Know that lying is a learned yet changeable behavior, so it is not the end of the world! Don’t worry you still have time to fix it.

 

  • Lead by example! Be a good role model Robert Fulghum says, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you. Worry that they are always watching you.”

 

  • Praise your child whenever you catch him being honest! Tell him it makes you so happy when he chooses to tell the truth and that it requires a lot of courage. Usually it is much more difficult for us to catch our children while doing a good deed, unlike a wrong one!
  • If all this doesn’t work and your child still lies chronically, then he might need professional help.

 

 

 

Noha Abu Sitta is a certified Health Coach for children up to 12 years old, by the Dr. William Sears Wellness Center. She is also a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator by Dr. Jane Nelson and Dr. Lynn Lott. Noha regularly conducts parenting, health and nutrition courses covering a variety of topics. She also makes regular appearances on TV programs to dispense her expert advice. Noha is available at City Clinic in Nada Compound, Sheikh Zayed for health and parenting coaching.

Keeping your Little Ones Busy in the Summer

Day Camps All Over Cairo

 

American University in Cairo

Summer Junior Program

Location: New Cairo &Tahrir Square Campuses

Tel: 2797 6881

Age: school grades first primary – first secondary

Dates: four 10-day sessions ranging in the period from June 7th to September 3rd

Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Facebook: AUC School of Continuing Education

The program brings a new dimension of fun through educational, recreational and cultural activities that allow young learners to explore their creativity and discover their interests through: Fun with English, reading, living values, etiquette, going green, drama, Model United Nations, arts and culture, debate, computer, crafts, sports.

 

Bloom Wellness Center

Location: Swan Lake, 6th October  

Tel: 01223105312

Ages: 6 – 16 (depends on class)

Dates: During Ramadan

Time: 2:00 – 5:00

Facebook: Bloom

Meals: healthy snacks available

This summer, Bloom is committed to making Ramadan daytime special for little kids, and calmer for their moms. Bloom is offering a collection of fun classes in the afternoon period such as: photography, photography field trips, fashion designing, gardening and planting, beading, cooking/baking, fondant techniques, drawing, jewelry design, boot camp fitness (boys and girls).

 

Busy Bees Preschool

Location: Karma 2 Mall, Sheikh Zayed

Tel:  3851 8538

Age: 2 – 10

English & French sections

Dates: June 28th – July 16th

Time: 8:30 – 2:30

Facebook: Busy Bees Preschool Sheikh Zayed

Meals: Breakfast & Hot Lunch

Each session follows an engaging theme: “Beach & Seashore”, “Health & Nature” and “Around the World”. Activities include arts and crafts, science, Bricks 4 Kidz, gymnastics, cooking, story-telling, water fun, outdoor painting, story telling, pony rides, clown, magic shows.

 

Cairo American College

Location: 1 MidanDegla, Maadi

Tel: 27555528

Age: programs are designed for specific age groups from 4 – 15

Dates: 3 sessions from 21st June to 30th July

Time: 4/5 years 9:00 – 2:00 / older children: 8:00 – 3:00

Facebook: CAC Summer Program Fun

Meals: food can be purchased from CAC catering service

A set schedule of action-filled, character building activities each day including some unique and intriguing new additions such as fashion recycling, pets first aid, computer game programming and Spanish caravan.

 

 

Campiology / Kidiology

English, French & German sections

Location: Palm Hills Club, 6th October  

Tel: 01224243114

Ages: 3 – 12

Dates: June 21 – End of August

Time: 9:30 – 2:30

Facebook: Kidiology

Meals: hot meal

Transportation: available

Fun meets nature at this lively day camp where children will make new friends, and will also get to develop their leadership skills, creative abilities and team work. Activities include: science, dance music, gym, games, music and sport.

 

Creative Academy

Location: The Curve Mall, Sheikh Zayed

Tel:  01280070000

Age: 3 – 10

Dates: June 21st – August 27th

Time: 8:30 – 3:00

Facebook: Creative academy

Meals: 2 meals

Transportation available in 6th October

Interesting themes like environment, recycling, planting, and travelling around Egypt incorporate various activities including water activities, gymnastics, Zumba, art, swimming, drama, cooking, magic shows, drama and Bricks 4 Kidz.

 

CTC Summer Camp

Location: Arabella Country Club, Katameya

Tel: 01063479551

Age: 4 – 13

Dates: June 21st – July 16th (per day and per week bookings available)

Time: 9:00 – 3:00 or 11:00 – 3:00

Facebook: CTC Summer Camp

Run by the Australian Helen O’Grady Academy, which stresses building children’s confidence and self-esteem, CTC is all about fun, creativity, team building, communication and making long- lasting friendships!  Activities include: sports, drama, arts, dancing, master chef, treasure hunts, adventure and theme days.

 

Fun Yard

Location: Cairo/Alex Desert Road 

Tel:  38387044

Age: 5 – 11

Dates: June 21st – July 9th

Time: 9:00 – 2:30

Facebook: Fun Yard Nursery &Summer School

Transportation available to Sheikh Zayed, Mohandessin, Dokki, Zamalek

As a pioneer in the area, Fun Yard has been running a summer program for over 20 years and is famous for its huge grounds and nature. Kids enjoy a full day of sports, crafts, cooking, science, yoga, and drama.

Main themes this summer are the folkloric traditions of Ramadan, and teamwork.

 

 

HEWAYA

Location: Tara Compound, Sheikh Zayed

Tel: 01001031870

Age/Date/ Time: 2 – 5,  June 28th – July 16th , 10:00 – 3:00 (meals available for this age group). 5 – 12,  June 21st – July 16th,    9:00 – 3:00

Facebook:  Hewaya – Art Center

An exciting fun-filled program including pottery, planting, arts and crafts, dancing, cooking, water fun and soccer for the little ones. As for the older age group, Hewaya aims at creating young engineers and discovering new geniuses with the global Engineeius program which includes robotics, airplanes, bridges and movie making. The award-winning AdliRizkallah Art classes will also be taught here. Other activities for the 5-12 age group include: pottery wheel, soccer, self-defense, mini Olympics.

 

KIDDLES

Locations:  Arkan Plaza

Tel:  012 2247 4190

Downtown Katameya Mall

Tel:01227018805

Age: 3 – 10 (must be potty trained)

Dates: June 21st – July 30th (per day and per week bookings available)

Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Meals: nutritional meals, water & snack

Facebook: KIDDLES

Campers are led through a variety of games, art, cooking, healthy eating awareness, science experiments, gardening and music activities. A new theme is introduced weekly. Kiddles program is designed to broaden a child’s learning and experiences, and stress cultural diversity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madarek Workshops

Location: Crayons Nursery & Preschool, off  Road 90, New Cairo 

Tel: 01002565622

Age: 4 – 9

Dates: May 17th – September 10th

Time: 9:00 – 3:30 (early & late hours available)

Facebook: Madarek

Meals: 3 meals breakfast, lunch & snack

Transportation available for residents of New Cairo, Nasr City & Heliopolis

The program is full of unique themes such as aviation, architecture, drama, public speaking, how to draw, science fun, cooking and healthy eating, art appreciation, glass painting, jewelry making, etiquette, environmental awareness, research, trips, sports.

 

Rizkallah Summer Camps

Location: Roots School, Nasr City (began in May).

Katameya Heights, Katameya         

Tel: 01211112671

Age:  4 – 12

Dates: starts June 21st (at Katameya Heights) – August 20th

Facebook: AdliRizkallah Art for Children

Transportation available at Roots School only

This program applies the method of the award-winning artist AdliRizkallah. Camp activities include creative arts, English, robotics, sports, swimming, cooking, dance and fitness, team building, trips and lots more.

 

Seasons Country Club

Location: Behind Oasis Hotel, Cairo/Alex Desert Road

Tel: 115 836 6028

Age: 4 – 12           

Dates: From June 21st

Facebook: Seasons Country Club

Since we want your little ones to enjoy their vacation to the max in a fun and safe environment, Seasons Summer Camp offers an endless number of fun activities including swimming, tennis, activations, football, cooking, arts and handicrafts and much more. 10% special discount for club members.

 

Urban Toddlers

Location: 3 Yemeni St. Zamalek

Tel: 01007070014

Age: 4 – 13 (younger program is only for Urban Toddlers existing students)

Dates: June 28th – July 16th

Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Facebook: Urban Toddlers Child Development Preschool

We will introduce our young students to the Egyptian heritage and culture using modern teaching techniques. Different weekly themes (classic Egyptian theater, Egyptian authors, contemporary Egyptian theater) will guide the students to explore this rich culture through music, drama, dance, art and short films. Classes conducted in Arabic.