Egypt - Almuhit Egypt

ALMUHIT EGYPT

EGYPT BEYOND THE PYRAMIDS

Tell me THREE WORDS that you think of when I mention the country of Egypt.

In a conference held in her hometown titled “L’Egitto oltre le piramidi: un oceano dale mille e una sorprese” (“Egypt beyond the pyramids: an ocean of a thousand and one surprises”), Veronica asked the attendees to do this mental exercise.

While reading the answers, the most common words were:

pyramids, camels, terrorism.

Well, we can find these three things in Egypt, but we can go far beyond!

If we can think of Egypt, on the one hand, as the country of the pyramids, a great ancient civilization, fancy resorts by the sea and, on the other hand, we associate it to terrorism, instability and danger, we try here to go beyond this limited portrayal of a country with thousand and one surprises.

Living in Alexandria, Cairo, Dahab and travelling into different areas in Sinai (Nuweiba, St. Catherine), Upper Egypt (Asyut, Luxor, Aswan), the Western part around Siwa Oasis and the city of Suez, Veronica has experienced in first-hand the many surprises that Egypt can offer.

Take a look at the map and check out some of these places.

Cairo

Cairo, the capital of the country known as “The Mother of the World” (“Umm al-dunya”) can seem at first sight an excessively chaotic place. If traffic jams, overcrowdings and pollution are objective problems, this city hides many surprises.

I was lucky enough to be introduced from the very beginning to a vibrant community of young Egyptians, who accompanied me into the discovery of the spirit of this city. Cultural spaces, artistic venues, musical events, civil society initiatives and never-ending conversations at the local cafés can offer another view of a city, definitely crazy, but also full of life.

Advice: take some time to have a lonely walk by the Nile, stand by the bridge Qasr el-Nil, observe the rich interaction happening around you from an observing standpoint.

Alexandria

Alexandria has been a major centre of exchange and we can feel it until now. Many languages, cultures and people passed through this port city. For this reason, Alexandria is often referred to as a “cosmopolitan city”. You can feel here Mediterranean vibes, while wandering around the downtown called “mahatat al-raml”, walking by the sea, tasting the local seafood.

Alexandria also offers much inspiration, from which creativity sparks. Many Egyptian musicians, rappers, artists, photographers and poets come from Alexandria. Besides visiting the historic landmarks of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Citadel among others, you will be surprised by the mixed energy of this city resulting from centuries of exchange.

Advice: take a walk at sunset by the Bahary area, while tasting the corn (‘dhurah’) cooked on the carts moving along the Corniche.

South Sinai

Known as the “Land of Fayrouz”, Sinai sparks energy. Travelling around South Sinai (North Sinai is closed to foreigners), you find various natural landscapes, including mountains and sea.

Not far from Sharm el-Sheikh, there is the city of Dahab, a suitable basis from where exploring the area. Going upwards, the city of Nuweiba offers the perfect environment where to enjoy the extraordinary peace of the place. Then, going deeper inside, the area around St. Catherine is rich of vibrant places to hike through.

Living for around one year in Dahab, I could experience the different sides of Southern Sinai, thanks to the presence of authentic local projects that accompany you in the discovery of the place and yourself. Each experience in the wilderness of Sinai has left a deep mark, carrying many lessons for a lifetime.

Advice: allow yourself to leave the town and go in the desert for a couple of days, you might find the much needed time and space to enjoy being.

Upper Egypt

Upper Egypt is the right place for people passionate for history and the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Luxor and Aswan are the top destinations to visit the temples and the Pharaonic monuments.

Yet, going to Upper Egypt can be the opportunity to go deeper into the history of the Nubian civilization, its history and culture. There are many Nubian families available to host visitors at their home, where you can have a unique and enriching experience of the place.

Advice: take a boat and stay a couple of days in one of the islands on the Nile. There, you will be able to rest, see the beauty of the place and get to know the Nubian culture.

Western Desert

I visited the Western desert around the Siwa Oasis only once, but I definitely want to come back.

The silence of the place was the first thing that took my heart. Then, the different experiences around the desert, including having baths in the hotsprings, walking through the Fossil desert, enjoying amazing local food, discovering the Amazigh culture, add great enjoyment to your visit.

Advice: you cannot miss trying either the duck or the chicken cooked in the traditional way under the sand.