Getting the Most out of Seasonal Produce

By Marcus O’Neill MSc RD

 

Even in Egypt, it’s generally pretty easy to get any type of fruit or vegetable you want at any time of year.  However, there’s something to be said for eating produce when it’s at its most fresh.  The best way to do that; eat local and in season.

It is a general belief that locally produced fruits and vegetables are healthier because imported alternatives must be harvested before they are ripe and thus will not have their full complement of nutrients. It is also believed that irradiation and other preservative measures sometimes used can negatively impact the nutritional quality of the produce. There is one characteristic, however, where local, seasonal produce wins hands down every time – TASTE!  My contention has always been if something tastes better you’re likelier to eat more of it.  And frankly eating more fruits and vegetables is something we could all stand to benefit from doing.

 

Here are some other ways to get the most out of your seasonal produce.

  1. Cooking methods count – Avoid methods that can cause the loss of nutrients, like boiling. Eat your produce raw or choose methods that minimize nutrient loss, like steaming, baking or grilling.

 

  1. Hold the fat (and sugar) – It’s also important to minimize the use of added sugars and fats in your preparation of fruits and vegetables. For example, the negatives associated with eating battered, deep fried zucchini sticks (ie. high fat and calories) outweigh any potential benefits gained from eating the zucchini.
  2. Serve it with Salad – Egypt produces an incredible variety of lettuces and other greens. Try serving a salad with most meals. They’re tasty and make for a simple side dish or appetizer.
  3. Experiment with New Recipes – Don’t be afraid to try something new. When you see a seasonal fruit or vegetable you’re not familiar with, buy it. It’s easy to find a recipe for almost anything on the Internet. Who knows, you may just find your new favorite food!
  4. Skin On – When you’re preparing your fruits and vegetables, if possible, leave the skin on. Oftentimes the skin has the highest concentration of nutrients.
  5. Go Vegetarian – If you want to get the most out of your seasonal produce, try incorporating more vegetarian dishes into your weekly menu. It doesn’t mean you need to become a full vegetarian or vegan, but eating more vegetarian meals will give an opportunity for your seasonal produce to be the star.
  6. Get to know your local vendors – This is something I really love about Egypt because it’s so much easier to do than back home. If you’re unsure what’s currently in season, ask them. Find out where your produce is coming from.  They’re usually happy to answer these types of questions.
  7. The Brighter the Better – Choose fruits and vegetables that are bright, deep colors (reds, oranges, purples). This indicates they are high in antioxidant nutrients. Dark green vegetables are also packed with vitamins and minerals critical to good health.

Marcus O’Neill is a Registered Dietician from Canada, currently residing in Maadi. He can be reached by email at marcusoneill79@yahoo.com, or you can follow him via Twitter (@marcusoneillrd), or his website (www.dietitianabroad.com).

 

A New Breath of Life – Kundalini Yoga

A New Breath of Life

Kundalini Yoga Revealed by an Adept

By Hilary Diack

Seva Simran Kaur, also known as Sara Campbell, started Kundalini Yoga over 12 years ago in response to stress-related digestive problems. It transformed her health and her life and she hasn’t looked back since! Cairo East Magazine sought her out to learn more about the benefits for all.

CEM: Why Egypt?

SSK: I first came here almost 10 years ago and my connection with Egypt was as instant and powerful as my connection with my yogic path. It was in the Red Sea that I discovered free-diving, and set my first three World Records. I live and teach in Dahab but also travel and teach yoga, meditation, and free-diving internationally.

In what way does Kundalini Yoga differ from other forms of yoga?

Kundalini is the most integrative and holistic form of yoga. It addresses mind, body and spirit in every single session, giving practitioners access to powerful and rapid transformation. The secret to Kundalini Yoga lies primarily in the breath work, which shifts energy and blockages, and really opens a person up to their true identity and potential. While we practice every posture found in Hatha apart from the headstand, the way the asanas are integrated with pranayama, mantra, mudras, visual focus or bhandas makes it truly unique and the most uplifting form of yoga.

What are the main benefits a person can experience by practicing Kundalini Yoga?

There are countless benefits to starting any yoga practice, but specifically in Kundalini Yoga people typically experience a release of stored up, unhealthy or unsupportive emotions, or personal beliefs. It is an extremely effective way of connecting with the Self again, away from the pressures of work, family, society and life. It frequently happens that one single class can give a person that glimpse of who they really are, and that is a truly magical and priceless experience which keeps them coming back to go deeper and deeper into their own process of unfolding.

How often do you recommend practicing it, and how long for each session?

It is great if someone can get to a class once a week, preferably twice a week, but this isn’t always possible. Classes are normally 1.5 hours, sometimes shorter, and workshops are longer, giving students the chance to go deeper into the psyche. Ideally, students should practice with a qualified teacher, not only to ensure they are doing everything correctly but also to benefit from the group energy as this can be hugely uplifting, connecting and healing.

What is the best time of day for a Kundalini Yoga session?

There isn’t the best time of day. Early morning practice is great for waking up and starting the day on a healthy, positive note, but it is also perfect to unwind and switch off at the end of the day. Really whatever works best-given life’s commitments.

Do you need to keep a special area just for yoga, or can any room be used?

If possible it is best to set aside a corner of a quiet room in your house or apartment to practice yoga and meditation. This area will accumulate the positive energy that is generated during practice, so that after a while, simply sitting there will bring peace and feelings of happiness and love.

Not everyone has the luxury to do this, so you can also set up a small table with a candle, a photo of your teacher or someone who inspires you, maybe fresh flowers, affirmations or mantras, and then roll out your yoga mat in front of that each time you practice.

Is Kundalini Yoga suitable for all age groups?

Absolutely. The beauty of Kundalini Yoga is that everyone can practice. You don’t have to be strong, flexible, or fit to practice. Many people put of starting yoga because they worry that they’re not good enough. Firstly, we practice yoga in order to develop these physical attributes. But secondly, in Kundalini Yoga, we look beyond the physical body and recognize that it is the spirit which is the source of our happiness in life, and address this first and foremost. So if you can sit, and breathe, you can practice Kundalini Yoga.

Can it be practiced alone or should it be done under the supervision of a qualified yoga master?

As I said above, it is best to start with a teacher, but the real long-term benefits actually come from creating and sustaining a disciplined personal practice each and every day. This is where we learn the most about ourselves – how readily we give up on ourselves, let ourselves down; keep promises to others over promises to ourselves. This is an incredibly valuable opportunity for introspection and self-confrontation which can bring enormous benefits to everyone. So, really, a combination of classes and self-practice is optimal.

Where can classes be found in Cairo?

There are several centers in Cairo offering regular classes, and I recently ran morning and evening classes at Nūn Center in Zamalek.

Where can classes be found in South Sinai?

Seva Simran Kaur/Sara Campbell teaches regular drop-in classes in Dahab, South Sinai: Sunday mornings 10:00 am and Thursday evenings 7:00 pm at Coral Coast Hotel. Drop-in EGP 100.

From 7-14th February 2015 she is offering a week-long yoga retreat at RockSea retreat, in Nuweiba, alongside top Danish Hatha-Vinyasa instructor, Joern Noertoft. It includes B&B accommodation, twice-daily yoga, pranayama and meditation and a two-day yoga trek into the Sinai desert. €1000

For anyone wishing to develop further, she is running the first KRI Kundalini Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training in Nuweiba. Although the training started in December 2014, candidates can still join for the remaining modules; Module 2: 25 February – 1 March 2015, Module 3: 22-26 April 2015, plus 4-12 July in France, completing Module 1 in December 2015, or start the full cycle in December 2015. 2014/15 training €1980.

To combine yoga with some quality chill-out time you can join Sara for her Kundalini Weekends (Thursday evening till Sunday midday) at the beach for a relaxed but powerful practice. Each retreat is themed, and run in daily 3-hour workshops with plenty of time for soaking up the sun! Dates for 2015: January 22-25, April 2-5, September 24-27, November 26-29.

Quodorat Gheir Adeya

Egyptian Film Takes on Supernatural Powers

Interviewed by Shorouk Abbas & Lydia Schoonderbeek

 

Here is a secret about meeting a celebrity: As much fun as the mystery surrounding their “real” personality is, the best thing is when you meet a star and they are exactly the way you assumed (and hoped) they’d be. Most of the time they were all completely, anticlimactically themselves, and I would have had it no other way.

So when I arrive at the Opera House in Zamalek to interview the director Daoud Abdel Sayed, I am very happy to notice that no one refers to him as anything but “Mr. Abdel Sayed.” That his flinty gaze is powerful, his voice a raspy whisper, and that he is completely in control. Just as it should be.

Daoud Abdel Sayed is remarkably consistent, a prominent component of the Egyptian film industry, and widely respected in the film industry. Four of his films have made the list of ‘Best Top 100 movies ever made in the Arab Film Industry’. Cairo East Magazine gets a chance to sit down and chat with this enigmatic director, one who makes a single film every 4 to 5 years.

CEM: How did the idea of QUODORAT Gheir Adeya come about?

DAS: The film has another meaning; it’s not really about supernatural powers that are non-existent. It’s the notion that we all have a superpower in the form of energy that most of us are not aware of it. We are all souls, which are connected to a realm of energy; if we used it we would have access to bigger things in life. Love is a superpower, and accepting others is a superpower. These concepts need to be brought to people’s awareness.

Art is meant to enhance this, to make people more human. The idea of the movie started very small, and as it grew it took approximately 4 years to write. I hope the audience gets something from this movie, whether it’s a form of entertainment, or more thought later on throughout life.

You maintained your standards in a suffering movie industry, and didn’t give into commercial movie-making. How did you keep your balance?

I don’t see this as maintaining a balance. I see it as having a child who is smaller than it should be for his bed. Would you cut off his legs to make the bed fit?  I make some practical adjustments to my work but it’s only shaping it a little bit not amputating it. My family supports me on this, especially my wife who encourages me not to make any compromises.

There are a lot of actors that are really good, how did you cast for QUODORAT Gheir Adeya?

The selection of the actors happens through phases, some of it happens through the writing phase and sometimes at the end. As for the leading roles, we are very thorough with the selection process as it is very rare that we cast the lead role incorrectly.

What don’t you like about your job?

I don’t love or hate my job; I was born to do this. I consider myself a nail in a big machine. I don’t want to be an international film director, for me that’s torture. What more should I want from life. I do my part to the best of my ability but there is a bigger picture, a divine plan. I feel this is where I should be and what I should be doing.

 

What do you enjoy when you are not working?

I love reading. My best moment is when I wake up and have my coffee and a cigarette. This is the moment I really enjoy.

What is in the pipeline now?

Resalit Hob, which hasn’t begun yet but it’s in the pipeline.

Quick fire round

Which person would like to meet?

Baradeiy, I would like to know his perspective on matters that have unfolded till now in Egypt.

Best quote?

Sheikh Tanoush Garageya, who’s Lebanese, once told me, “Life is a dream that goes by fast.” This is how I feel, to have a life without any regret but with some kind of sorrow. To me life is going by like a dream.

What makes you the happiest?

The little things in life: if I watched a good movie, or if I read a great poem.

Your favorite place to travel to?

Rome, Italy,

What is success?

There are certain things that you can label. Success is that, when a movie I envisage to be a success, does succeed.

What is love?

It’s the cement that puts together rocks. Those rocks are people. Love is my home, Egyptians, it ties everything up. Pure cement!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abbas Abul Hassan has more fun than any other Egyptian actor. True, he tells Cairo East Magazine, but as a hard-working actor, and scriptwriter he has charmed us all with his latest role in Quodorat Gheir Adeya. Say his name, and you’ll get a mesmerizing smile. He comes across as articulate, upfront and funny in interviews, he certainly has something of a laissez-fair lothario about him.

CEM: What are your thoughts on the character you portray in Quodorat Gheir Adeya?

AH: The movie is about make believe, it’s an illusion of superpowers. My character in the movie is the only character that doesn’t possess or believe he has a superpower.

Tell me about your character in the movie?

My character Omar is the head of the intelligence department in the government, which is a new department created to bring in people with supernatural powers to help the police cross examine its’ suspects.  All his life Omar dreamt of doing something great for his country, and is very patriotic. For me this is the first time that I play a character that is very humane. You’re not able to hate this character; he goes through an emotional rollercoaster, which possesses the good and the bad. Working with Daoud Abdel Sayed is an honor. He’s a writer and director, and he wrote this role where Omar is between a devilish and an ambitious character. Daoud is not a conventional director, but he’s classic in his sense of directing, which is what I love about him.

Have you personally had experiences that you consider paranormal?

I was exposed to a supernatural power when I was around 9 years old. I used to go to the countryside as a child, and I had these warts around my hands. I was too frightened to visit the dermatologist, so our housekeeper one weekend whilst at our country house, took me to visit this peasant in the village, who was known for her magical powers. I sat in front of this tiny old lady, and she gave me raw beans (fool), which she placed in 2 groups. She circled the beans around each wart, whilst chanting in a very low voice. She kept rubbing them, and said in 3 days they will be gone. Of course I was skeptical, but the warts did disappear from my hands 3 days later, not even leaving a scar.

Where was the movie shot?

A big part of it was shot in Abou Eir, Alexandria. Daoud loves winter in Alexandria especially Nawwah, therefore we had to wait for this weather and it was very difficult working with gusts of wind and an odd climate. The rest was shot in an amazing house, and balancing the effects of the light sometimes took days before it was right. It took 6 and half weeks in total to shoot the movie over a period of time, but the script was written over 4 years.

What moments stand out in your mind regarding the filming of Quodorat Gheir Adeya?

There was an intimate scene that had to be shot with me in a towel and I was meant to seduce my wife. That’s the scene, which really got me very nervous, as there were a lot of technicalities to be considered so it completely kills the moment of trying to be romantic. You become very mechanical, as you have to consider the lights, angles, and sound, and you have the director telling you don’t touch her hair like that, it should be done this way instead. The set also felt weird, it was like everyone was sitting in classroom observing you!

How did you prepare for this role?

In a very traditional way: I did my homework and I read thoroughly. I researched the character, his triggers and mannerism, and I started building the history. I created a reference, and I studied my dialogue and also the character’s emotional vulnerability. My character Omar has so much dialogue, which I found daunting. But this motivated me to take the part. I hadn’t acted in 5 years as I was focused on scriptwriting. I felt like taking on this role was like walking into the lion’s den. Daoud has a great ability to bring out your innermost self, and he might eventually tone it down or give you a key word. He’s a peaceful director, he wants to bring out the truth.

How do you think Egyptian audiences will react to the film’s theme?

That’s a tough one! See, Daoud has done movies in the past that have been very successful in the box office. His films are very special, he wants to tell a story. He writes and directs the movie without having the audience in mind. I guess we will find out soon how it will be perceived by the audience.

What do you have in the pipeline now?

I’m now working as a scriptwriter on a tough project with Marwan Hamed and Mohamed Hefzy, which we’re in the process of writing. It’s a multinational movie, with several countries involved, and I am also working on 2 other projects.

What do you struggle with as an artist?

Reminding myself everyday of what drives me to write; it’s the excitement and the journey and the flight of creativity. I also struggle with being as solid as Daoud, and how very rare it is to be around year in and year out making movies the way he wants to make them regardless of any industry or commercial pressure.

One can easily struggle between choosing to be in blockbuster films with box-office appeal or making select movies out of pure artistic passion, the price of which could be making a movie every four years.

It’s exactly like when someone decides to be a poet – is it for self-fulfillment or for artistic (commercial?) success? It is art and you become an artist. It’s tough, because you have all this doubt in mind for your next movie. You’re giving your audience a journey, and you pre packaged it in an intelligent way, and your making it fresh. It’s exactly like watching a movie, which stays with you after you’ve watched it. It can stay with you for 6 months or a lifetime. Movies, that stay with you, and you tell your children to watch are successful movies. Keeping up the momentum as an actor is very hard, especially if you don’t want to by type-cast.

 

Quick Fire Round:

What is your favorite cuisine?

Lebanese

Last movie you’ve watched?

Interstellar, and I slept through most of the movie.

Worst habit?

Hating to answer my phone, I have a problem with phones.

Best Quality?

Truthfulness, boldness, and my straightforwardness.

What makes you laugh?

I make me laugh, I’m quite funny.

Favorite holiday location?

Nepal, I went with 14 people around 10 years ago, and we rented a bus. We had a brilliant time.

Best gift you’ve received?

Recognition.

Success is…..

Doing what you like to do for a living

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making a seamless transition from the world of television to the silver screen is tougher than it looks. But somehow actor Naglaa Badr has got it just right. With her new role in Quodorat Gheir Adeya  Badr shows how versatile and talented she is. After a solid run of successful TV series and programs she has firmly established herself as a name we can expect to see more often as the film credits roll. Cairo East Magazine chatted with Badr about her latest venture.

CEM: Why did you choose to take on this role?

NB: I was always interested in super powers in general. I read so many books about telepathy, the power of the subconscious and the power of mind over matter. Any strange phenomena would intrigue me and I always strived to know more about it. I believe we all have superpowers. It’s what some people call instinct; others call strange coincidences. I have always dreamed of working with Mr Dawood Abdel Sayyed. He was actually watching the work of Mr Khairy Beshara. That’s how I was chosen, so I believe this was not a coincidence.

Have you personally had experiences that you consider paranormal?

Again, it is what people might disregard as just a weird coincidence. My phone rang and I told my friend who was sitting next to me, “It’s Nevine!” without looking at my phone. I hadn’t even spoken to or heard from Nevine in 3 months! Another time as I was getting into my car, I had a strong feeling that I would be in an accident. I could even see it. As it happened, I did indeed have a terrible accident that day. I was really scared. Until now I don’t have any explanation for this except that on some level we are all connected.

What moments stand out in your mind regarding the filming of Qudorat Gheir Adeya?

There was a scene when I had to swim in the sea in Abu Keir, Alexandria at 5 am in the morning in the winter. It was freezing! I refused to postpone this scene until the weather got warmer as kindly suggested by Mr Dawood Abdel Sayyed. I wanted to physically feel the cold, not just act it. Strangely enough I felt a surge of power and energy go through my body while I was in the water. However, I suffered from hypothermia for the following 3 days!

What do you have in the pipeline now?

I am working on a program for MBC called Cash or Splash. I am originally a mass communication graduate and I was awarded the prize of best presenter in the Middle East twice.

What’s your struggle as an artist?

The first day of shooting is the worst experience for me. I get so anxious; I practically had to repeat a scene 16 times the first day. Mr Dawood Abdel Sayyed had so much patience and that helped me regain my calm.

 

 

Quick Fire Round:

What is your favorite cuisine? Seafood

Last movie you’ve watched? El Feil El Azra’ and El Gezira 2. I loved them both

Worst habit? I forget to drink water and I know it’s bad for my health. I never feel thirsty.

Best Quality? I am a very fair person. I always look for fairness before making any decision. I have the same respect for all human beings regardless of their social or economic status

What makes you laugh? Watching old black and white movies.

Favorite holiday location? Argentina. Latin America in general fascinates me. The culture, the nature and the simple life, It is just what I love. I went to Argentina many times. I stayed there for 8 months one time and practically cried when I was leaving.

Best gift you’ve received? A diamond necklace from someone I do not know and never met. When I received it, I was shocked because it is so expensive.

Success is….. hard work and persistence. I believe in hard work. This is what I know about success.

One of the ‘Most Powerful Women in the Middle East’ Loula Zaklama

By Emad El-Din Aysha

Loula Zaklama, President and CEO of Rada Research & Public Relations, is a doubly blessed business ‘person’. She was blessed by adversity, losing her father as a young girl and almost losing her husband as a young woman, and blessed by good luck during those hard times – all guided no doubt by a little divine intervention. She moved into advertising in 1962, taking over a company owned by foreigners who were leaving, and survived the socialist-to-capitalist economic merry-go-round of the following decades. She went from one end of Egypt to the other studying Egyptian household and consumer habits with scientific detail, something that still isn’t entirely done in Egypt to this day.

Zaklama then moved into public relations, her newfound great love, in 1982 with Rada Research, and had the good fortune to be signalled out by then foreign minister Amr Moussa for the uphill task of fixing Egypt’s international image. She’s bursting with energy and doesn’t look a day over 50 – she’s in her seventies – and no wonder since she plays tennis every morning to clear her mind and goes to the gym twice a week. The most any of us can muster is a brisk walk to but not back from work!

A quick chat with Cairo East Magazine revealed much of this mogul’s story and stature!

CEM: What was the ‘pivotal’ moment in your career?

LZ: 1962 when my husband was detained, held incommunicado for three months. I was only 19 and had two infant daughters and had to make a choice – sit and cry or fight my way and work to provide for my children.

Who was the strongest influence in your life, personal or professional?

Personally, my mother: a housewife from a very strict Assiut family who had to raise four children all by herself when my father died. Professionally, Ted Anderson from Johnson Wax, and Mahmoud Aboulfath and Omar Muhammad from Proctor and Gamble, who taught me everything I know. They gave me their trust and insisted I be educated in all the intricacies of market research.

What are the pros/cons of being a businesswoman? How do you balance family and work life?

I don’t believe in the category of businesswoman to begin with. I’ve never felt discriminated against in my field for being a woman. People work with me for my values. Pros, continuous learning and upgrading one’s self. Cons, the sacrifices you have to make as a woman with small children. I would never advise a woman with infants to go into business unless she absolutely had to. Balance, there isn’t any. One of the two parties has to make a sacrifice. My mother helped tremendously, especially when I had to work abroad. The way I compensated my children was to make every minute count, spend ‘quality’ time with them – saving up all my money to show them the world. It’s certainly better than being there all day long and just yelling at them. And I always made sure to be there to bathe them, tuck them in at night and read them bedtime stories.

Of all your accomplishments, which do you feel most proud of?

Two awards. The Atlas award in 2007, given to the one person in the world who has done the most for public relations and at three levels – locally, regionally and industry-wise. There were only 18 candidates and I was in the top three. The second was a Dubai award for the 200 most powerful women in the ‘Arab world’ – I was number 48!

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned over the years? How do you approach life?

Never give up no matter how many times you get knocked down. Get up and have faith that God is always on your side. My philosophy of life is to always be happy, happy, happy! Enjoy what you have and not what you don’t have and never look back.

Who’s your favorite global personality? What’s your favorite quote?

Sisi. He may not be global but he’s better than Obama and the French President. Quotes: “Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? And what advice would you give to a young a woman who feels ‘stuck’ at the start of her career?

Never give up, what my husband always told me. He was always there encouraging me when things went terribly wrong. My advice, don’t feel stuck. Always look to the future and know yourself. Everyone has one talent. Find it and cultivate it.

 

Khaled Galal’s Latest Production Offers Social

After the Night Falls

                  ( Ba3d El Leil )

Commentary through Comic Relief

Review by Lydia Schoonderbeek

The success of his last production staged at the Center for Artistic Creativity (Opera House), set the expectation levels extraordinarily high for director Khaled Galal’s latest work. But if there was any sense of trepidation at the task of making there was thankfully little evidence that they had buckled under the weight.

Although much is made of the parallels between satirical comedy and cultural issues we are facing today, the true joy of Khaled Galal’s play is cleverly subversive. The show packs a huge feel-good punch offering an evening well spent. The show touched upon real issues we are contending with on a social level, from sexual violence, to poverty, overindulgence in social media, to disability. Galal, tells us there was a time maybe 15 or 20 years ago when family life was substantial, where all we did was eat, sleep and spend time together. Today we are merely communicating with each other on an impersonal level. We have created a wall of social media, which has become most people’s comfort zone and means of escapism. His brand of comedy sheds light on such issues in a non-aggressive manner.

The cast was comprised of 33 actors, all of whom are graduating from the cultural center from a pool of 2,000 applicants. Unlike anything I have seen, with the acting was passionate, sincere, and extremely professional. All performances were uniformly outstanding.

The play is a frenzy of brilliant inspiration, leaving you with an infectious energy palpable throughout Galal’s production.

This play is a huge success and has set a new benchmark for the quality we can expect from The Center for Artistic Creativity, which achieved a new high in energy, wit and spectacle, one that has to be shared.

 

Cairo East Magazine gets a chance to catch up with some of the young actors:

Toni Maher

  1. Why acting?

I have always loved acting, and from a young age I always wanted to be different characters, and have different skills. Acting gives me a chance to do exactly that.

  1. How do you feel you struggle as an actor?

There is no struggle; if you love something, there are no difficulties.

Mohamed Ezz

  1. What is the best part of being an actor?

I can be different people, which I can express in daily life. It’s difficult at first getting into characters, and being able to get out of it.

  1. What is the scariest part for you in doing this play?

Maintaining the same character throughout the entire play as a schizophrenic. It takes a lot of energy to keep my form, and not breaking it.

Sara Ibrahim

  1. Why did you choose acting?

I did a lot of workshops 6 years ago, and I acted in various smaller roles and I fell in love with the experience.

  1. What’s the best part of being an actress?

I wanted the chance to learn and expand as a person, and acting helps me develop this. Also it’s great because my family supports my passion 100%, especially my mother.

 

Details:

– The show is on everyday of the week from 8-10pm.

– Tickets are available at box office of The Center for Artistic Creativity – The Opera House.

– Tickets are not sold, and each attendee must be present and needs to queue from 6:30pm onwards to get a ticket, as there is only a certain number available.

Your January Stars

The year may be winding down, but there is still plenty of action in store for the month ahead. If you know your rising sign we suggest that you read that as well to get extra insight.

By Maeri Frances

Not just a new month, it’s a new year. Are we going to embrace it with passion and optimism or slide into it rather cautiously, not sure which way it should be handled? Those big planets, Uranus and Pluto, still square off against each other. They do move slowly, don’t they? Saturn changes signs, passing into philosophical, truth –seeking Sagittarius, meaning patience and forbearance will have to be applied in many matters. So, globally we will continue to see elements looking for change locking horns with the heavies that hold the cards.  January planetary line-ups hold a mix of challenges and good times, so put your best foot forward and make the most of it.

 

Aries

21 March –20 April

A lot of the planetary action plays out in your career and networking spheres. You may be out and about, jostling for position in the social and business arenas. With Uranus, the planet with a few unexpected tricks up his sleeve, still slowly cruising through your birth sign; you need to be alert to changes as they arise. Inevitably family and domestic life may suffer, don’t let loved ones feel ignored, no matter how busy you are. Your best days could be the 13th and 14th for social occasions and networking.

Taurus

21 April –21 May

It will be hard to steer clear of the spotlight this January, so put in an extra effort on the job and look your best at all times. There may be a chance to slip in a quick trip early in January. So make the most of it, it could be a while before you get another holiday. As the month draws to an end your social life and friendships will be revving up nicely, seeing you spending a lot of time away from family and domestic routine. Again, great days are the 13th and 14th, especially for any important career matters. Take an Aries along to help seal the deal!

Gemini

 22 May –21 June

Saturn lumbers into your solar 7th house of relationships as the year kicks off. You may find added responsibilities in this area, or a cooling off in your closest relationships. This theme will remain throughout the year. It’s not all negative, any partnership that is solid will be able to reinforce itself even further, it’s the shaky ones that might flounder. Your constant craving for change and variety may prompt you take an unplanned trip. The second week of January is a lovely time to catch up with friends you haven’t seen for a while, either close to home or abroad.

Cancer

22 June –22 July

If you have already made your New Year resolutions you might like to add a couple more, namely not to spend more than you earn and to take better care of your health. Cancerians are sensitive and emotional by nature, so can be victims of mood-based eating patterns. Jibes and teasing from a loved one will not help any resolve you have to diet. Tread carefully around the 15th, especially if your birthday falls at the end of the first week of July. Don’t feel left out. January may not traditionally be your best month of the year, it can only get better.

Leo

23 July –22 August

There may be an awareness creeping up on you that the excellent run you have been experiencing could be slowing down. Hopefully you made hay while the sun was shining. It seems this month that someone else is in the driver’s seat, something that never works well for you. Like it or not, let them call the shots, for the moment. The days from 10th to the 13th of January are super for spending quality time with a loved one, or putting together the sweetest business partnership ever. Just read the fine print carefully and tie it up before the 22nd.

 

Virgo

23 August –23 September

Take things easy in the first week, it should have been a busy and enjoyable festive season for you. After that you are back in work mode, and you can expect it to be full on. You can also get any diet and fitness regime back on track, with great planetary support. Don’t worry too much about a tiff with a loved one around the 19th; it is probably just an over-reaction and a misunderstanding. Don’t feed the fire and it will sort itself out in time. Try to get important papers and agreements settled before the 22nd, that’s when your ruling planet Mercury goes into retrograde and it’s ‘Whoops’ time again!

Libra

24 September – 23 October

Get set for a rather romantic month, especially if you are looking for Mr. or Ms. Right.  Again, the magic days are between 10th and 16th of January. Children could be a great source of fun for any Libra parents, so find some good bonding activities and sports you can all enjoy. The second week of January should be one to remember for all the right reasons. Anything to watch out for? Home matters may still need attention, not just family, it could be something that needs restoration or repairs. The latter part of the month is a good time to tackle chores you have been putting off, rather than starting new projects.

Scorpio

24 October –22 November

Things should feel a bit easier as Saturn moves on, but you should be able to look back on some solid progress that you have achieved. Put this down to hard work, strategic planning and good research on your part. So, where is the energy flowing this month? For you, it seems to focus a lot on the home. Cosy evenings snuggled up with your special person, long intimate chats, or even a good movie, you don’t seem to be in the mood for hitting the town. Equally, home entertaining could be fun, throw a dinner party around the 12th or 13th, with a quirky theme to amuse your guests.

Sagittarius

23 November –21 December

It’s likely that you feel the weight of extra responsibilities looming up ahead: it’s Saturn entering your birth sign. You have been there before, think back 28 or 29 years or so, if you are old enough. Mind you, there are always a few added factors in the mix. At core, it is a definite learning curve, onerous though it might seem while you go through it. This month you may feel an urgent need to move, communicate and express yourself. Why not start a blog or keep a diary? After the 22nd the Mercury retrograde may cause mix-ups, so read your emails again before you press the ‘send’ button.

Capricorn

22 December –20 January

It’s your birthday month, in case you were too wrapped up in other things to notice. Financially you seem to be on a roll, so you can clear any backlog of bills that have piled up. Things may slow in this area after the 22nd, even to the point that you need to chase up on missed payments. With your ruling planet Saturn entering Sagittarius you may be entering a more reclusive phase, or may be spending time visiting someone, possibly an older person who is not able to get out and about. Emotions could run high around the 19th.

Aquarius

21 January –19 February

With a whole bundle of planets transiting your birth sign you could be overloaded with action. It may seem that everyone is depending on you to come up with the ‘goods’, flattering maybe, but also hard work. There won’t be much breathing space so get things finished as they arise, circumstances or simply ‘burnout’  may slow you down by the end of the 3rd week of January. Beware of urges to make impulse buys around the 19th, you may regret them later, or find the product faulty.

Pisces

20 February –20 March

Take this month to recoup your energy, hibernate and prepare for a feistier period coming up. It’s winter anyway, and work matters may be sluggish, so don’t feel guilty about having some quality time with yourself. Read those books that have been gathering dust and answer old emails. You may be feeling moody and sensitive as well. As a Pisces, your feet can be a sensitive area, if you detect a minor problem; chilblains for instance, have it taken care of before it really starts to bother you. Then you can party in February!

 

What is your Astrological Job Description?

By Hilary Diack

Are you a square peg trying to fit into a round hole? Are you one of the many people who spend much of their lives struggling to cope with a job that they find unfulfilling and frustrating? And how many employers are bound to employees who seem to lack any joy in their tasks?

That is where the time-honored science of astrology can shed a bit of light. Based on your Sun sign, you could have an affinity for certain types of occupations. According to notable 19th century astrologer, Sepharial (a.k.a Dr. Walter Gorn Old), and as outlined in his classic work, The Manual of Astrology, first published in 1898, there are certain career and work indicators according to the planet ruling each birth sign. Since that early work this concept has been studied and applied in many situations, and even became quite a trend with companies recruiting staff for specific positions. So, let’s see where you fit, but remember that this is based on your Sun sign, and that other factors in your birth chart can exert an influence as well.

Aries

Ruled by Mars, this Cardinal sign has abundant energy and initiative, along with a competitive nature. If you want to get something off the ground quickly, get an Aries buddy to help. However, when it comes to follow-up you might find that they have dashed off to tackle another challenge, leaving you with the work. In times of yore, they were said to be suited to occupations dealing with fire, iron and steel, sharp objects, and the military. Nowadays they pop up everywhere, but ideal jobs would be entrepreneur, rally-driver (that reckless streak they have), police officers, or fire-fighters (or pyromaniacs). They are excellent promoters and may find the world of advertising and public relations appeals to their outgoing nature.

Taurus

This Venus-ruled sign loves the good things of life, so expect to find them where beauty, luxury, good food and comfort abound. They can do well in design and fashion for this reason. They are often blessed with good voices so can become announcers, public speakers or even professional singers. Taurus enjoys stability so they place importance on good benefits, vacation time, salary, job security. Determined, patient, honest, and methodical, they are excellent team members and extremely dependable. Their affinity for the soil can see them becoming landscape architects, and their material nature makes them good accountants (or debt-collectors).

Gemini

You get double value for your money with Mercury-ruled Gemini. Masters of the written and spoken word, they excel in jobs that allow them to express themselves. Multi-taskers, they do not handle monotonous tasks well, so need variety and stimulation to keep boredom at bay. They are natural teachers, as they have alert and enquiring minds and enjoy sharing their knowledge. Anything involving networking and social activity suits them down to the ground, they love to keep up with the latest news. Great jobs could be broadcaster, journalist or gossip columnist.

Cancer

Sensitive water sign Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which accounts in many ways for their fluctuating moods. They are great home-makers, and conversely, also keen on travelling, which often sees them carting favorite possessions around the planet in their rucksacks. Their love of heritage, family and history makes them excellent historians, antique dealers and museum curators. They are often drawn to catering and the Food and Beverage industry, as well as taking care of anything or anyone. They have strong protective instincts, so kindergarten manager would suit them perfectly.

Leo

Sun-ruled Leo really is the king of the jungle. They love to be in the spotlight, so anything that puts them in front of a captive audience works well. Try actor, rock star, model, celebrity of any sort. Their courage and willingness to thing ‘big’ makes them an asset in most places. They are generally kind-hearted, in spite of the occasional growl, and as natural leaders tend to work towards executive positions. They do not enjoy being a subordinate at all. They can be creative, as well as dramatic, so may do well in interior design, with the rich and famous as clients.

Virgo

Ruled by Mercury, Virgos have a reputation for being so obsessed with details that they cannot see the wood for the trees. They can become a little nit-picky, making them excellent critics, because they do possess quite sharp mental faculties. Health matters deeply interest most Virgos, they make great dieticians or nutritionists. Writing, research, and statistics also come naturally to the meticulous Virgo brain. They are also easy to get along with as they are generally very cheerful. Many Virgos have a knack for languages so can make good translators and teachers.

Libra

Charming and sociable, Venus-ruled Libra is the natural diplomat of the zodiac. If they are not on everyone’s party list they may panic, that’s how important their relationships are to them. They thrive in an environment of beauty and have an artistic flair, so cannot function in dingy or dirty surroundings. Good manners mean a lot to them, so they make great PR executives, formidable party and wedding planners, florists and entertainers. Ambitious businessmen could not do better than snap up a Libra wife, they will be reliably well-groomed, gracious and charming with their important guests.

Scorpio

Ruled jointly by Pluto and Mars, these are the secretive power-players that often cross our paths. Intense, enigmatic, charismatic, they can be the control freaks from hell, but make us enjoy the experience.  They do not reveal much about themselves, so may not be the easiest colleagues in a team situation, they can work better when left to their own resources. Don’t ever try to fob them off with evasive answers, they will dig until the truth comes out in any situation, and have uncanny intuition. That’s why they make such great secret agents, detectives, researchers, psychiatrists and scientists. Their nerves of steel also make them suited for work as surgeons.

Sagittarius

Known for their philosophical outlook on life, these natural adventurers make great buddies and workmates. Prone to pranks and practical jokes they can be the clown in any situation, but are equally likely to suddenly exhibit a rather self-important pomposity. You can put that down to their ruling planet, Jupiter. Higher education and philosophy appeal to them, they often are drawn to religion and teaching. They make good judges and lawyers, justice and fairness count with them, as does ethical behavior towards both humans and animals. Any job involving sport and fitness, travel, or development of the mind appeals to them, so they can be happy as travel agents, tour guides, veterinarians, personal trainers, and coaches.

Capricorn

Capricorns can be very ambitious and need challenges to function at their best. Saturn-ruled Capricorns are determined and persistent and are not easily dissuaded or discouraged. If there is any sign that can set a long-term goal and achieve it, it is Capricorn. This generally makes them responsible and conscientious and good in administrative positions where they will enforce rules and keep everyone on schedule. They also tend to be workaholics and expect the same of you.  Their best jobs are manager, administrator, editor, banker, IT expert, and anything science-related.

Aquarius

Free-spirited Aquarians may seem a bit too quirky at times for their more rational colleagues, it’s that planet Uranus you see. But, there is method in their madness if you stick around to observe. They are the most likely to have an unconventional job, maybe even one of their making. They will rebel against corporate environments, needing freedom of thought and movement. They will not be satisfied doing things the same way they have always been done. They can do well as scientists, astrologers, inventors, organic farmers, aviators, designers, musicians or rebel leaders.

Pisces

The ‘softie’ of the zodiac, kind-hearted Pisces is often seen as an easy touch. This Neptune-ruled visionary is not necessarily naïve or stupid, it boils down to the fact that they actually really care, be it about your hardships, or the planet at large. They often work in charity organizations, shelters, hospitals, orphanages and places where they can feel their contribution making a difference.  Neptune also rules film, so it comes as no surprise that the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor was a Pisces babe. They are highly empathetic and intuitive, making it easy to express emotions on screen.

 

Shaping Our Energy

The Egyptian Roots of Bio Geometry

By Jennifer Wilson

Energy surrounds us. It is both tangible and intangible. The human mind and body may respond to certain energy fields in both negative and positive ways. The ancient Egyptians had an understanding of the forces of nature at work in our world. Natives and locals that closely interact with the land, such as farmers and healers, seem to have a certain instinct that we cannot always comprehend.

They seem to accurately predict whether a piece of land will be fruitful or not.

Ancient healing traditions prescribe certain healing foods and places. Certain sacred spots on earth offer us healing energies and restoration. What if there was a science that could accurately measure, understand and recreate these energies in order to harness them for our benefit and cancel the negative energy fields at the same time? Cairo East Magazine had the opportunity to sit with the enlightened and articulate Mona Hossny to learn more about the science of BioGeometry.

 

 

CEM: What is Bio- Geometry?

MH: BioGeometry is a patented Egyptian modern science which studies the physics of quality as opposed to quantity, which is the physics we usually learn about in school. It is a science that brings harmony and balance into living energy systems and harmonizes their interactions with the environment by using shape, color, motion and sound through resonance and harmonics. BioGeometry is an applied science by virtue of its successful applicability in numerous fields as architecture, telecom networks, industrial design, and vehicles to transmute the effects of environmental energy disturbances from sources such as electromagnetic radiation, structural design, and earth-energy radiation. BioGeometry is also being applied in agriculture and animal farming to increase productivity while reducing the use of controversial chemicals and artificial treatments.

Dr. Ibrahim Karim, the Egyptian scientist, architect and founder of Biogeometry created this science approximately 45 years ago. He was inspired by Radiesthesia; the science of using man’s sensitivity to vibrations to obtain information from the energy levels that are not accessible to our five senses in which simple instruments are used as indicators to measure minute vibrational interactions between energy fields. Radiesthesia has its roots in Ancient Egypt and was revived in the mid-forties by  two French scientists named Leon Chaumery and Andre De Belizal.

How is BioGeometry accomplished?

Energy waves move in two ways, horizontal and vertical. We have learned that vertical waves are harmful to our living energies. In the human body, energy waves move horizontally.

The science of BioGeometry recognizes sacred places and power spots on the planet, just as it recognizes bad energy spots. In these sacred places, consider the ancient Egyptian temples, Mecca and Lourdes among them, the energy fields that naturally radiate here are the energy fields that we seek to create in all other spaces in order to obtain the natural healing properties. Dr. Ibrahim has coined this energy quality  BG3 referring to the three components of it; horizontal negative green (not in fact the color green), ultra violet and gold, similar to the names they occupy but radiating at a higher octave.

 

How does BioGeometry affect our everyday lives?

BioGeometry can affect our lives in every way and in all environments. All environments are faced with many problems nowadays. There is almost no place on earth that is not affected by electromagnetic fields and radiation. You can even find electromagnetic fields and radiation in the middle of the desert. It has been demonstrated that these frequencies are harmful to human beings; to our immune systems and our general well-being.

How does BioGeometry help people?

We completed a very successful project in Switzerland. After a communications company installed their antennas in remote previously untouched mountainous areas, residents were experiencing a large amount of unexplained health problems, both psychological  and physical in addition to environmental damage to wildlife and the natural surroundings. Migrating birds stopped passing by those villages, bats and field rabbits disappeared, cows had less milk and residents were suffering from headaches and epileptic seizures along with other physical ailments and changes in tempers. Because of how these changes came on so suddenly, the Swiss government wanted to better understand the ramifications of the energy waves and the impact on human beings and the environment.

So in this case, we installed shapes on antennae in the area and in the homes of the residents. We used different shapes both above ground and below ground to address the imbalance and re-create the harmony that was existing in the environment previously.

We also conducted a research project on poultry with Suez university. We studied their mode of production and found that what they fed the chickens and the environment that they bred the chickens in affected the rate at which the chickens were ready for consumption. If the feed was polluted by various means, sedatives, antibiotics and hormones were given, these negative energies were consumed by the chickens, affecting their development, which in turn negatively affected the end consumer. When we changed the feed, stopped the medications and  balanced the energies of the environment the chickens lived in, they were ready for consumption after 36 days rather than 45.

The negative energy from the feed and physical space caused harming effects on the chickens. It was removed and replaced with healing energy which results in a more positive experience for the person who consumes the chicken as these energies are transferred to humans who consume bounty from the earth. Humans who consume the chicken will draw from the same energy that the chickens drew from.

This is just one dimension of the benefits. In addition, knowledge of the energy fields and the changes that we made ultimately reduced the cost of production by decreasing the time the chickens needed to develop before being processed for human consumption. This has positive repercussions for using less environmental resources in a shorter time and saves the business owner production costs possibly decreasing his overhead expenses or increasing profit margins or lowering the cost for the customer.

Which shape, or types of shapes are the most effective?

There is not one particular shape which is most effective. All shapes can be very effective depending on what you are doing. We actually use the color scale to measure the various energies in the universe. Additionally, there is not one type of material that is preferable either, though we do use plexi-glass often as it is durable.

Have you witnessed improvements in people’s lives when using BioGeometry?

Certainly yes. In addition to health benefits that can be witnessed, BioGeometry takes you back to spirituality. As all humans are on the quest to understand oneself, life and the world around us, BioGeometry is the link between spirituality and science. It speaks to our belonging instinct and might satisfy some of the longing questions that some people might not find in religion as we know it. It is a way to understand the harmony amongst all living and non-living things on the planet, by incorporating science and spirituality rather than having them in opposition.

What are the main elements that help create a healthy living space?

Well, the ideal situation is to start using BioGeometric principles before you even begin to build. You want to learn if there is a power spot on the land, or if there are any harmful spots. You want to align the building with the earth energy grid lines and to begin using the balancing energy so that when and after you build, you can channel this energy into your home and bring more of it through the designing language of BioGeometry. Once the home is built, or if the home is already built, you can achieve healing positive energies through design and furniture placement and creation.

Is it possible to have a consultation and if so, what is involved?

At this time, we would rather concentrate on research projects and the dissemination of the knowledge; our impact will be greater if we focus our time and resources on finding holistic solutions and working on big projects rather than going into individual homes.

This is actually why we have created the home kit. The home kit contains small plexi-glass cubes and chips that you can install at the main sources of water and electricity in your home in order to cancel out the negative energy and channel more positive energies into your home.

Can BioGeometry be studied in Egypt?

Yes it can. There are various Masters and PhD level programs in Egypt. Foundational level courses are also offered. We have a BioGeometry Center located in Maadi. You can find out more information on our website www.biogeometry.ca.

Real estate

Market Overview

 

NEWGIZA

Location

Strategically located in 6th of October city with access to all main highways.  NEWGIZA as a whole is a fully integrated community situated within a wider area master plan that comprises residential neighborhoods and a golf course, spanning over 1,500 acres (6.3 million m2). It’s the first upscale destination in greater Cairo situated prominently along the Cairo/ Alexandria road with direct access to all of Cairo’s main roads and highways namely: Mehwar, Ring Road, Wahat Road, Cairo-Alex Desert Road as well as additional roads currently under construction. This allows for an easy access to all of NEWGIZA’s 8 entrances.

Educational Services

NGU will have a world class campus of 52 acres (220,000 sqm) designed by Gensler, one of the leading design studios in the world. The design will recognize and interpret the geometries, scale and character of historic regional development, and synthesis these understandings in the concept plan approach.  The NGU campus will be located near the front entrance of NEWGIZA.

This year marked the proud announcement of the joint venture creation between NEWGIZA and El Alsson British and American International School. It will be relocating from Harrenya to the NEWGIZA premises.  The joint venture creation will establish a new integrated campus specifically designed with state of the art facilities providing students with high quality education.   Design will be complete in early 2015 and construction of the new campus for both British and American schools is scheduled to commence by mid-2015.

Medical Services

The medical town will be one of a kind, fully equipped with all the up to date facilities and services. It will have top notch teaching hospitals and spotless clinics, a specialized home for the elderly and a progressive rehabilitation center as well as pleasant landscape treatment along roads surrounding the medical area with grouping of palms and other exotics and food courts.

Date of delivery

Carrnell Walk’s buildings and townhomes are currently completed while the landscaping is currently in progress. The landscaping works are planned to be finalized by mid-2015. NEWGIZA is currently in the construction phase of neighborhood One.

Latest Launches

Ivoryhil  is set atop one of the highest hills in NEWGIZA, It offers a range of Townhomes, Park villas, Platform villas, Golf mansions, and Fairway villas.

Jasperwoods Residences an extension of Ivoryhill offering new apartment sizes of duplexes and newly introduced studio apartments.

Contact Details

Hotline: 16656

www.newgiza.com

 

 

 

 

SODIC

Human Developments

SODIC is one of the leading real estate development companies in Egypt. It’s a position we have achieved by taking a very different view of what it means to succeed in real estate.

At SODIC we don’t focus on bricks and mortar. We believe in creating Human Developments – environments in which people can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives. This belief propels us to continuously challenge ourselves to create meticulously planned and designed developments that are built around our customer lifestyle needs and aspirations.

SODIC West: Sheikh Zayed’s Cosmopolitan City

Bringing together the fundamentals of residential, social, retail and commercial life into one cosmopolitan city, SODIC West is a community like no other. Vibrant and spacious, families and individuals alike can live, work and enjoy themselves in the comfort and safety of a secure, gated city. Providing all the amenities of downtown living without the hassle and congestion, SODIC West is the largest planned mixed-use development in Egypt’s Sheikh Zayed area.

Boasting 6,000 residents today, the community is made up of several developments interwoven together to create an Egyptian destination like no other: Beverly Hills, Allegria, Westown and The Strip. Westown will act as the heart of SODIC West. Neighbourhoods in Westown include Forty West, The Polygon, Westown Residences, The Courtyards and Westown Hub.

SODIC West will cater to your needs and aspirations. It is strategically located on Km 38 of the Cairo-Alexandria Desert road, and is also accessible from Dahshour road.

SODIC Developments in East Cairo

Eastown:

Launched in 2013, Eastown is strategically situated on Road 90, immediately adjacent to the American University in Cairo’s new campus, a short drive from Cairo International Airport and in the midst of the flourishing communities of New Cairo and Kattameya. Built on 860,000 square metres of land, Eastown will provide premium residential, retail and office space while offering the best in shopping and entertainment.

Here, residents, retail staff and office employees can enjoy a vibrant environment where buildings are integrated into the landscape, where traffic is kept to a minimum and the air is clean. Eastown Residences is Eastown’s purely gated residential neighbourhood, offering apartments, duplexes and townhouses, with delivery is set to start in 2016.

Kattameya Plaza:

Located in the heart of New Cairo is Kattameya Plaza, offering 474 apartments. Located minutes away from Eastown and the American University in Cairo, Kattameya Plaza marks a new standard in contemporary apartment living.

Kattameya Plaza is designed and master-planned by ArchGroup, the renowned firm that designed the Grosvenor House in Dubai. Facilities include: security, concierge, 24/7 grounds management, secure underground parking, in addition to open green spaces, swimming pools, barbecue areas, and children’s play areas.

Delivery is well under way and families have begun moving into their homes

Contact Details

Call Centre: 16220

www.sodic.com

 

 

MOUNTAIN VIEW – October Park

Location

This premium location overlooks the great Pyramids of Giza in the heart of 6th of October City, adjacent to the ring road. It is 5 minutes away from the Mehwar and also accessible from the Ring Road and the Cairo- Alex Desert road.

Available units for sale now 

Villas, Townhouses, and Twin houses, ranging from 220 m2 to 324 m2.

Date of delivery? 

2019

Most attractive features in the compound

– Crossover bridge: : Mountain View October Park’s ingenious overhead bridges cross over walkways ensure that vehicles will never interrupt the pedestrian experience.

– Crystal lake: One of the most stunning features of Mountain View October Park is the Crystal Lake. The lake combines natural beauty with a touch of refinement. Leisurely unwind by gently canoeing along in the water.

– 2 Km Pedestrian Trail: The pedestrian trail in Mountain View October Park can be used for jogging and cycling, or for gently strolling through the natural environment. The Swedish Vita Parcours concept is a new way to exercise on a fitness trail in the woods. It is an outdoor gym for enjoying a refreshing workout in the crisp air.

Upcoming projects

Chill out Park

Changes in pricing as of 2015

Yes

Finishing Specifications

The units are not finished yet. Idrak, the sister company in DMG, handles all the finishing specifications.

Occupancy rate of the compound

The compound is almost sold out.

Payment plans & facilities: .

-10% and the balance to be paid over 4 Yrs.
–20% and the balance to be paid over 5 Yrs.
–30% and the balance to be paid over 6 Yrs.

 

Contact Details:

Address: 36 Nehru St., Merryland, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.

www.mountainviewegypt.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KATAMEYA 2

Location

Katameya 2 is located at the Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort in New Cairo City (Fifth District), by the Ring road. Just 20 minutes away from Cairo’s International Airport, Katameya 2 is conveniently located between Cairo’s elite districts of Heliopolis and Maadi.

Available units for sale now

Administrative and commercial offices that vary in sizes from 70m2 to 400m2

Date of delivery

December 2015

Most attractive features in the compound

  • Golf course
  • Club houses
  • Manicured gardens
  • 24-hour security
  • Restaurants, spas, pools, golf & tennis, etc.
  • Landscape area
  • Special entrance for villa owners
  • Meeting rooms
  • Car parking
  • Fiber-optics network
  • High level security
  • Standby generator
  • Full maintenance team from common area
  • Housekeeping services

Changes in pricing as of 2015

Increase of EGP 1,000 per m2

Finishing Specifications

Highest Standard

 

Occupancy of compound

550 Villas – 70 Offices

Payment plans & facilities

For information on payment plans, please call the construction department, (Eng. Magued Aboul Nasr), on 022758 0512 – 17.

 

 

 

Iwan – Jedar

Location

In line with the trend of moving to the outskirts of Cairo, Jedar is located in a premium location on the 26th of July corridor. Directly overlooking  Nile University, JEDAR is minutes away from 6th of October’s key attractions and shopping malls.

 

Available units for sale now

Jedar offers a variety of spacious living spaces, from villas to twin houses and duplexes. Villas start from 260 m2 up to 460 m2, twin house areas start from 250 m2 up to 400 m2, and duplexes range from 200 m2 to 260 m2.

 

Date of delivery

The project is under construction, so will start delivery around 2018.

 

Most attractive features in the compound

  • This compound is the first ‘energy balanced compound’ in Egypt. Development, choice of land, design, and features have all been aligned to serve the ‘balanced home theory’.
  • The compound will have a huge commercial area that overlooks the 26th of July corridor, and will have leading-name restaurants. Inside the compound we will also offer pools, a spa, a clubhouse, green areas, and a kids’ area.

Upcoming projects

Major developments and projects will be revealed in the upcoming year.

 

Changes in pricing as of 2015

Prices are on the rise yearly due to changes in the economy, and market supply-demand. The variation in the prices is unknown at this point.

 

Finishing Specifications 

We offer semi- finished units.

 

Upcoming projects

Future expansion is a must, our plan as a major developer in the market is to expand within other areas of Egypt. We could even start an expansion plan abroad.

Payment plans and facilities

Offered are a variety of options and payment facilities.

 

Contact Details:

IWAN Group

Villa 3, Ismailia St. off Michael Bakhoum,

Shooting Club-Dokki,

Giza- Egypt.

Tel: +202 3335 3948 – 3337 0064

Website: www.iwangroup.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green IV – MABANY

Location

Green IV is a luxury twin-house compound situated in a prime location in 6th of October City. It aims to attract residents who appreciate calm and relaxation. Over an area of 25 acres  on a hilltop overlooking the Mehwar, Green IV is strategically located with direct access to the highway, making a trip into the city a matter of minutes. It is also at a convenient spot in the 6th of October, with commercial and business districts just a short drive away. We take pride in developing residential communities with homes designed and built to match different lifestyles.

Available units for sale now

178 Twin-houses

Date of delivery

December 2017

Most attractive features in the compound

  • Biking trail
  • Walking track
  • Meeting lounge
  • Courts and fields for sports
  • Bar-B-Q and picnic spots
  • Day care
  • Laundry / Dry Clean
  • Car wash unit
  • Security
  • Kiddies Play Park
  • Security cameras for the streets and gates
  • Maintenance
  • Housecleaning
  • Newspaper and Magazine Home Delivery
  • Messengers/ Runners
  • Landscaping
  • Management of the Town Center/ Clubhouse and Common Facilities
  • Storage facilities
  • Staff housing
  • Drivers’ Lounge

Payment plans and facilities

  • Payment of reservation 10%, payment period 5 years, number of instalments – 20
  • Payment of reservation 20%, payment period 6 years, number of instalments – 24
  • Payment of reservation 30%, payment period 7 years, number of instalments – 28

 

 

 

Palm Springs

Location

Located near the Pyramids of Giza Egypt on the Cairo-Alex Desert Road, Palm Springs is exactly situated midway between the 26 of July Highway (Mehwar) and the Ring Road, allowing easy access to Mohandessin, Sheikh Zayed, 6th of October and Maadi. Only a short drive from Remaya Square (6 Km), Smart Village (9 Km), and a large number of facilities and commercial developments, the residents will not feel isolated from the urban setting, yet will enjoy living in a small, calm community.

Available units for sale now

  • Twin houses from 305 m2 to 316 m2 with plots of land from 377 m2 to 482 m2
  • Large apartments from 340 m2 to 418 m2
  • Medium and smaller apartments from 144 m2 and 182 m2

Date of delivery?

End 2017

Most attractive features in the compound

  • Palm Springs is a boutique development, with a niche community of like-minded people sharing similar lifestyles.
  • The project itself represents a serene, minimalist approach in its architecture and unique landscape.
  • Restaurants, spas, pools, golf areas, resorts, etc.
  • Club house, restaurant/lounge, gym and multi-purpose tennis court.
  • Around 18% built-up area and around 82% private gardens, public landscape, roads and service areas, the size of the compound is 116,000 m2.

Finishing Specifications

Semi-finished

Payment plans & facilities

4 & 5 years plan

Contact Details

www.palmsprings-community.com

 

 

 

Na’ama Springs – Sabbour

Location

Na’ama Springs is located on a magnificent hillside in the heart of the famous Na’ama Bay in Sharm El Sheikh, and is within walking distance of Na’ama Bay’s famous promenade where shops, cafés and restaurants are located.

Available units for sale now

Studios, apartments and villas

Studios 55 m2 – 56 m2,  two-bedroom units 115 m2.

Date of delivery
April 2016

Most attractive features in the compound

Swimming Pool view and landscape from most of the apartments.

Sea view apartments available.

All ground floor units have a garden

All top floor units have a roof equal in size to the unit.

The project is on elevations with a magnificent view of Na’ama Bay.

Modern design, high quality building and European style finishing.

5 Swimming pools

Pool bars

80% Green area and water

24-Hour security

Housekeeping

Parking area

Kids area

Waterfall

Wi-Fi

 

Changes in pricing as of 2015
There are expected to be.
Finishing Specifications

High quality local ceramics, oak doors, Swedish lumber for internal doors and handrails. Windows and terrace doors are aluminum and glass sectors.

Occupancy rate of compound

56% of the project has been sold.

Payment plans and facilities
Type D – Studios priced at 405,000 EGP:

-50,000 EGP contract payment

-50,000 EGP delivery payment

-Balance of the unit price in installments over (60) months (until Dec 2019).

 

Type B -Studios and Two bedrooms (the latter from 775,000 EGP to 825,000 EGP):

-20% Contract payment

-80% installments over (60) months (until Dec 2019).

 

 

Amlak

Golf Extension Community

Location

In a prime location in 6th of October City, the Golf Extension Community is a new extension of Palm Hills, covering 324 acres.

Available units for sale now

Modern Contemporary Villas, Twin houses, and Townhouses ranging from 375 m2 to 410 m2 and 486 m2.

Date of delivery

3 Years from signing of the contract.

Most attractive features in the compound

  • Pools and sports courts
  • 2 Clubhouses
  • Commercial area
  • Golf courses
  • E-compound
  • Smart home, including the needed preparation for smart TV and air-conditioning.
  • Gardens sited to catch the morning sun.

Changes in pricing as of 2015

Yes

Finishing Specifications

Finished and Semi Finished

Method of payment

-10% reservation and contract.

-10% upon delivery.

-Balance up to 6 years in quarterly instalments.

 

Makadi

Location

Makadi is an integrated gated community on the Red Sea, located in the heart of Makadi Bay area, 30 Km away from Hurghada and 30 Km away From Safaga.

Available units for sale now

Units range from 57 m2 to 158 m2 in a total area of 3,750,000 m2.

20% of the land is devoted to residential units and amenities, 80% of the area is devoted to green landscape.

Phase 1: 2700 units on 380,000 m2.

Date of delivery

2 years from contract signing.

Most attractive features in the compound

  • School, Cinema, Hospital, Hotel, Sports Club

Method of payment

-20% advance.

-20% reservation and contract.

-Balance up to 5 years in quarterly instalments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B2B for Investment & Real Estate Marketing

The Rundown of West Cairo Real Estate

Business to Business for Investment & Real Estate Marketing is a leader in Egyptian premium Commercial and Residential real estate marketing services. B2B is also a specialized research and analysis advisor, identifying various real estate investments.

We offer the client the advantage of working with a team of professionals with knowledge that has been refined through many years in business, and through extensive training and educational programs.

6th of October is becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons. It is 17 km from the great Pyramids of Giza and 32 km from downtown Cairo. The city has a total area of 97.4 thousand acres and is expected to eventually have 3.7 million inhabitants. There is an increasing demand in the 6th of October area, which fortunately correlates with the high level of supply. The 6th of October area includes a large variety of compounds that meet the current market demand. So, if you’re looking for your dream home, 6th of October is the place where you should be looking.

Not only is there a sufficient supply in 6th of October, but there is also a large percentage of habitable compounds or “ready to move in”. Around 70% of Sheikh Zayed compounds are occupied and include fully functioning facilities. Those compounds include, but are not limited to, Palm Parks, Palm Hills 1 and Hay El Ashgar. This gives you a great opportunity if you are looking for a unit and want to move in directly.

If you are looking for your dream home right now, the following is a brief of the availability in 6th of October. Apartment areas start from 130m2, available at Ashgar City, and 150m2 available at Palm Parks. As for duplexes, areas start from 200m2 at Palm Parks. Townhouses start at 270m2 and stand-alone villas 300m2 available at WoodVille. So whether you’re looking for an apartment, duplex, townhouse, twin-house or a detached villa, you’ll find availability at 6th of October, as opposed to the current scarcity in New Cairo.

There is a consistent price increase in each project from one phase to the next. Price increases also occur at the beginning of each year. By the beginning of 2015 there is an expected price increase of 10%.  So if you were thinking about searching for your new home, now would be the right time.

Concerning the finishing specs, most of the compounds deliver the units semi- finished which, is fortunately suitable for client demand.

Payment plans differ from one project to another, but here is a brief of what you will find in the market. Down payments range from 20% to 25% and installments range from 3 years up to 6 years. So if you prefer paying over a long period or a short one, you’ll find options. Also, the nearest delivery of units in the 6th of October area would be 2015, so it’s this year.

In the year 2014, a lot of projects were launched in 6th of October, such as Mountain View Chill Out Park and The Courtyards, and they have witnessed great response. There is an expected increase in project launches by different developers in the year 2015; as well as the launch of new phases in Westown, Palm Hills, Edar, M.V Chill Out Park and The Courtyards.

B2B associates can provide the knowledge to help our clients make informed decisions and design the ideal real estate solutions that meet your needs.

 

Coldwell Banker – New Homes

Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Egypt Network consists of 8 offices serving clients all over Egypt.

  • First Launched in San Francisco in 1906.
  • One of the premier Real Estate franchise organizations in North America and the Middle East.
  • 108 years of experience in real estate.
  • More than 12 years in Egypt.
  • Has a global reach in 47 countries.
  • Investment Opportunities.
  • Residential Real Estate Brokerage, buying or renting.
  • Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, leasing retail and office spaces.
  • Real Estate Auctions, a different, legally approved way for selling properties on a large scale.
  • Training academy. Coldwell Banker offers Real Estate sales certification and many specialized Real Estate soft skills training, certified by Coldwell Banker Academy in the US.

I have a unit I want to sell/ buy or rent, how can Coldwell Banker help me?

You can call Coldwell Banker hotline, visit the website or contact via e-mail. Coldwell Banker will market your property, or provide you with the property you need, follow up and conduct the negotiations for you through its’ agent.

 

New Homes

Meet New Homes, Egypt’s leading real estate consultancy service. From handling sales and marketing for real estate developers, to helping home-owners and clients through home buying/selling/renting process, New Homes offers these services and more.

Who are we?

  • New Homes has the best-in-class, reputable and qualified Real Estate developers under one roof.
  • New Homes portfolio of projects (residential compounds) covers different districts in greater Cairo and caters to A and B market segments, with Zero% buyer commission.
  • New Homes works as a sales and marketing arm for credible developers.
  • New Homes’ role is to act as a gateway for both local and International sales.

What services does New Homes offer?

  • As an added value for developers, New Homes acts as a sales arm and marketing platform for developers’ projects.
  • New Homes supports its’ clients through their buying and decision making process, essentially becoming their consultants. New Homes helps clients compare between the best projects suited to their needs.
  • The company enhances the real estate market in Egypt by increasing sales volumes for the developers.

What are the changes in price in Real estate industry over the past year and what are the expectations for the upcoming year?

It varies according to each district, in general the average increase runs at a 15-30% price increase from the previous year, the expected increase for 2015 is around 20%.

Why should you be interested in life in a gated community?

  • Security
  • Landscape
  • Special facilities
  • Privacy
  • Community lifestyle
  • Well-designed unit
  • Moving away from parking problems
  • Club houses
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