Beach Picnic at`Ain Sukhna
As a group, we traveled to Ain Sukhna for a day in the sun on the Gulf of Suez. It took around two hours to arrive there. The journey was very nice because the highway was lined with signs of the names of Allah and beautiful desert mountains.
The beach was very rocky and so was the water so we had to wear our shoes in the water to avoid stepping on sharp rocks, crabs and black spiky sea creatures. It was great being able to go in the water fully covered and not have to deal with the usual American pointing and staring. Ahhh, freedom! The water was warm and not very salty. This particular beach was pretty deserted but the neighboring beach was for free and packed with party animals, loud music, rafting, etc. They even had a huge duff in the water and they were playing it the entire time! We had to pay 14 LE per person to get to the private beach but it was definitely worth it after seeing the ruckus at the public one. We packed our own food and drinks :)
You can hire an air-conditioned tour bus from Cairo to Ain Sukhna seating 12 people for a cost of 600 LE roundtrip.
i am a practicing muslim sister from the US .. insh’alah im moving to Egypt in about two weeks .. and have researched lots ..
im moving there w/ my husband and two kids..
would you recommend nasr city or maadi or alrehab?
actually if u could please email me..that’d be great..
umabdullah
Salam,
I’m planning on going to study in Egypt, but am not sure whether to take private or group classes, I’m not sure how much to bring and where my money will go. How easy isit to find good accomidation? what is the average price of private classes, in places like Fajr and AlIbannah?
I am a lil lost so inshallah if you could answer those questions and push me towards the right direction i would be most thankful.
PS i would like to study there for a year to year and half.
Inshallah please answer these questions 4 me?
??????????????
Umm Abdulla, if it’s okay with you I’ll reply here in case any one else asks the same question. Medinat Nasr is ideal for someone like me who came to study and doesn’t want to live too far away from ‘everything’. I was miserable in the Maadi atmosphere because it felt at times like living in Europe and does not compare at all to Medinat Nasr. Maadi is much cleaner and nicer though if that’s what you’re going for. Although if you’re looking for cleaner and nicer and more modern then al-Rehab is the newest and nicest of places to live in, also the most expensive. Honestly if you have more specific preferences or questions I might be able to answer in more detail. But in a nutshell choosing a place to live here is a very personal decision and it all depends on what your needs are and what living conditions you’re used to.
Abu Muhammad:
Wassalaam,
Taking private or group classes all depends on your finances. Private classes are more expensive but in my opinion MUCH more worth your time here. I was able to complete the entire program at Fajr Center (all 13 levels) within 1 year’s time and that’s because most of the year I was taking private classes. Alhamdulillah
Check out a previous post I wrote comparing two of Fajr Center’s Branches and the costs.
Other expenditures will vary depending on if you plan to live alone or with friends. Apartments in Nasr City (Medinat Nasr) - where almost all of the Arabic Language centers are located - range from 1,000 - 6,000 Egyptian Pounds depending on the size, quality, and generosity of the landlord.. lol
I’ll post more about this soon insha’Allah, in the meantime if you have more questions please go ahead and ask!
hey im umabdullah from the earlier post. we’re going to be moving to madinat-nasr tomorrow..right behind the area near abbas al eqaad(bad spelling im sure :-0) )
ive been in the heliopolis area for a few days now at my in laws and been really liking it. in fact, i love egypt so far.
i’m sorting of looking to hook up with poeple and meet new freinds. so, If yur interested in talking, email me! maybe we could chat on the phone..
a little about me: im 28, Im originally pakistani, moving here from va.
i feel like a stalker or like im being really forward..but hey i don’t wana be stuck in madinat-nasr not knowing a soul. :-)
and im also very intersted in learning arabic as well.
Salam,
Jazakallah Khair for that quick answer.
Inshallah money is not a issue alhamdulilah, but i want to get as much as i can while I am there. Inshallah am planning to go Jan/feb2009 inshallah if Allah gives me life until then. I am currently going through the Madinah program here, and inshallah by next summer i should have finished all 3 books. So i wanted to ask, if some1 is at the level of madinah book 3 what kind of program/institute should they go for.
Haa’Yaa Kumullah
Also, are there many decent flats(clean) with with A/C for around 1000-1500(Egyptian pound) per month.
Umm Abdullah, welcome to Cairo :) I hope you have a nice time settling in and adjusting to life over here. I’ll try to be in touch with you insha’Allah. I’m leaving in less than a month so it doesn’t leave me much time, but maybe we can meet at a masjid for Taraweeh in Ramadan? Insha’Allah
Abu Muhammad,
I’m sorry for the delay, I was in final exams..
That’s excellent that you’ve already begun studying Arabic where you are and it sounds like you’ve gotten pretty far if you’re already able to work in Medinah Book #3, masha’Allah tabarakAllah. As for the Medinah curriculum, it is not really taught at the centers here in Cairo but it is a great start to Arabic Grammar and conversation. I don’t know much about the Medinah Arabic books, but I have skimmed through them. I think you’d get placed somewhere between levels 1-3 at most centers based on what you’ve told me. Wallahu a3lam.
I still think it’s best for you to stick to private classes when you’re here…you’ll accomplish more and be forced to push yourself to work to your potential. Though it also has it’s benefits, it’s easier to slack in a group setting.
How long are you planning to stay?
Yes there are many decent flats with AC between 1000-2000 Egyptian pounds although it’s harder to find when you’re on your own. It’s best you make contact with people here that can help you. Ideally if you know someone who can arrange it for you before you come that would take a load of stress off you. Or you can at least move in with friends immediately until you find a place of your own.
Salam,
musaafirah:
Inshallah I’m planning to stay inshallah 1 year - 1 year 4months.
Abu Muhammad:
Ah masha’Allah, that’s the ideal amount of time I’d recommend for someone to stay here if they REALLY want to acquire fluency in the Arabic language. 1-2 years.. trust me brother, you’ll benefit so much in that time if you plan it accordingly and stick to it insha’allah.