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Egypt's
arts and cultural scenes can keep even the most dedicated aesthete
busy for a lifetime. For those with energy to burn, Cairo is on
par with the New York's, Paris' and London' of the world. And
if its an authentic life driven experience you seek, as you flit
between various aesthetic realms, you will quickly find that virtually
no city can hold a candle to Cairo, which is the real city that
NEVER sleeps.
Foreigners may well wonder about the seemingly indefatigable Cairenes:
how do they do it? The secret: nap time, either in the really
hot afternoon otherwise anytime in the evening, which happens
to be between 5 and 10 pm, before the real life begins.
Art Galleries:
The astounding volume and perfection of ancient Egypt's monuments,
sculptures, and paintings are unmatched anywhere in the world.
Modern Egyptian artists are fortunate indeed in their heritage,
less so in their patronage since the days of the pharaohs, caliphs,
sultans, and Kings. Nevertheless, Egypt does have a thriving arts
community filled with people for whom creating is a passion. It
is also home to, and inspiration for, a number of foreign artists.
Bars:
It used to be a dirty job, but someone just had to do it. The
best bars are mainly found at major hotels and nearby tourist
areas. The same thing goes for Cairo yet Zamalek and the Pyramids
Road are two areas where bars are widely spread.
Belly Dancing:
What you will see on a Nile cruise boat, which is all most tourists
see, ranges from the sublime to the silly, mostly falling closer
to the latter. It is definitely worth the loss of a night's sleep,
while in Cairo you can equally attend the Oriental/Las-Vegas-like
productions of the big hotels.
Cafés and Shisha:
It is a man's world when it comes to cafes, and it is rare to
see non-Egyptian men, let alone women, in any of them. The exceptions
are to be found in popular tourist cafés of Egypt's cities as
Khan El-Khalili in Cairo. Order apple tobacco (tuffah) in your
shisha - it is cool, delicious, heady in a harmless way, and smells
divine.
Dance Performance:
The Opera House is the main venue for international dance troupes,
including the Bolshoi Ballet, Which has come to Cairo annually
in recent years.
Discotheques:
Discotheques are found in every tourist area of Cairo and more
specifically in Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada. All late night,
of course.
Felucca Rides:
Feluccas, a special brand of broad flat bottomed single sail river
boat, are perfect for catching the breeze on a hot summer night
and for brisker sails the rest of the year. With cushions around
the circumference and a table in the middle, you can surely enjoy
a bring-your-own meal and drink. Enjoy a different view of the
metropolis as your captain tucks his Galabeya (tradition Egyptian
male dress) about his waist and steers with his feet, while busily
drawing and letting the sail to an fro as the vessel tacks up
and down the Nile. They are ideal for an impromptu party after
work, a romantic evening, and for soothing the tots on the weekends.
Films and Festivals:
Cairo is simply the Hollywood of the Middle East. The brand new
Media Production City on the outskirts of Cairo made Egypt the
center of Movie Production and distributions in the region. In
addition, Cairo and Alexandria have always held international
film festivals.
Theatre:
There are a number of lovely theaters scattered around Cairo and
other major Egyptian cities, most of which primarily mount Arabic-language
performances. A particular favorite is the elegant, intimate Gumhuriya
Theater downtown, which also occasionally features foreign language
productions of excellent quality sponsored by international cultural
centers.
Walking Tours:
Are these ' sports' or' entertainment'? Both but here they are.
Most of the women's and cultural organizations regularly sponsor
walking tours, expect in summer, when no sane person would walk
far. If you have reached the point where you are fussing and fuming
about the dust and disarray of Cairo, a walking tour with a knowledgeable
guide and curious companions is the perfect antidote.
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