Truly Love Egypt June 2015

Issue 13

Alamein & Marsa Matrouh

PLEASE TURN ON YOUR SOUND

Omayed Biosphere Reserve

WWII sites

Cleopatra’s Bath

Leukaspis

Tahini,

Baba Gahnoug & Hummus Dips

Extra: Ramadan

Contents4 EDITOR’S MESSAGE ‘Amunia’ of the ancient world lies

near one of the most memorable battles of the 20th Century!

6 EXTRA: Ramadan Kareem El misaharaty; the human alarm clock!

8 TRULY LOVE NATURE Omayed Biosphere Reserve; an

amazing national park!

12 TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES The best of Mother Nature’s

beaches, Cleopatra’s Bath, Rommel’s Cave, Greco-Roman city of Leukaspis and much more!

16 SCRAPBOOK PAGE

18 TRULY LOVE HISTORY From ancient Egyptian temples to

World War II sites, including those used by Rommel, the Desert Fox himself!

12 Ageeba Beach

6 Ramadan Kareem

The song that’s playing is Law Kont Niseet by Shireen & Tamer Hosney

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Contents 24 TRULY LOVE SHOPPING Unique, rare Bedouin

products and a variety of international ones!

28 TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE Relaxing luxury!

32 TRULY LOVE INVESTING Great potential for business

in a serene environment!

34 TRULY LOVE CUISINES

Tahini, Baba Gahnoug & Hummus Dips

36 FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS

Yasser ElRasoul & Mohamed Gelany

38 OTHER EDITIONS 40 UPCOMING ISSUE

18 German Memorial

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34 Tahini based dips!

Please note that very soon, all our ezines will be placed exclusively on our website www.sarkiss.net

EDITOR’S MESSAGE Our mission is to deliver the most accurate, up-to-date information in

order to show different kinds of visitors what may interest them.

British rule. Alamein became the site of choice for the famous World War II decisive Battle of Alamein. Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, picked a cave near what later became known as Rommel’s Beach and turned it into a command center for operations during the battle. The cave, which was later transformed into a museum, is still there and can be visited. Not far from the battlefield is a series of memorials to honor the thousands of soldiers who gave their lives there. A war museum was also erected nearby and is worth visiting. Several international films have been made about the Battle of Alamein, i n c l u d i n g s e v e r a l B B C documentaries. To get to Marsa Matrouh: By coach from Turgoman Terminal in Cairo (500km in 5 hours). You can fly to Marsa Matrouh from Cairo. Average temperatures: October to April 15 Celsius. May to September 25 Celsius

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Ideas and content are copyright and property of Sarkiss Publicity and Advertising Registered in Egypt: 64958 truly-love-egypt@sarkiss.net

Manager, Editor and Designer Amani Adel Sarkiss Freelance Writers Aisha Abdelwahab Basma Amer Enas Elmohands Omar Ibrahim Amal Sarkiss Photography: Ahmed Yaqub: p40 Yasser El-Rasoul: p36 Mohamed Gelany: p37 Ahmed Emam: cover, p3 top, p14, p16 to p21, p24, p27, p28, p30, p32 Amal Sarkiss: p3 bottom, p34 right Amani Sarkiss: p2 bottom Yahoo images: other pics

Manager, Editor and Designer Amani Adel Sarkiss

West of Alexandria, along the coast of the Mediterranean and extending to the Egyptian-Libyan border is the beautiful region of Marsa Matrouh. It is, for the most part, protected from the high seas by rocks which act as natural water breakers and keep the large bay that is the town of Marsa Matrouh quiet and serene, with long white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Named ‘Amunia’ by the ancient Egyptians, ‘Paraitonion’ by the Ptolemies and Byzantines and ‘Paraetonium’ by the Romans, Marsa Matrouh started off as a small fishing village and was treated as a stopover to Siwa, where the Oracle of Amun was a popular site to visit. However, it seems that Marsa Matrouh was also revered by the ancients. Several sites bear witness to this; Cleopatra’s Bath, the Temple of Ramses II and the Greco-Roman city of Leukaspis. To the east of Marsa Matrouh and west of Alexandria is a site that gained importance thousands of years later, when Egypt was under

RAMADAN KAREEM By Amani Sarkiss

Imagine a ‘job’ that only lasts 28 or 29 days a year! There is no application form to fill, no experience or degree required and no idea of how much you will be paid. Each household pays the amount of their choosing, or none at all, at the end of the period. You also get to choose where to work. And from the fact that there has never been an incident of two misaharaties covering the same area, I imagine there must be some kind of agreement before Ramadan as to who is responsible for which area. The only requirement for the ‘job’ is the discipline to wake up at the right time to ensure you wake up everyone in your chosen area for sohour; the last meal before the dawn prayer. El misaharaty is one the oldest Ramadan traditions. They walk through streets, beating a drum to a simple rhythm, stopping in front of each house and

chanting, “Es-ha ya nayem. Wahed aldayem. Ramadan kareem!” (Wake up, you who are asleep and praise God. Ramadan is the month of generosity!) In the early days of Islam, Bilal Ibn Maktoom was the first misaharaty. He used to call on people from the top of a mosque. In Egypt, the first misaharaty was Antaba Bin Ishaq, the ruler of Egypt, in the year 238 AH (Hijri Calendar). He would walk from Fustat City to Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque in Old Ca iro c ha nt ing, “ Eba d Alla h, tasaharo!” (Worshipers of Allah, have sohour!) Later, the drum was used to help el misaharaty in his task. Today, even though most people have either alarm clocks or mobile phones with alarms to wake up in time, the chants of el misaharaty are still music to people’s ears. There is a definite sense of warmth and nostalgia to them. Ramadan kareem!

El misaharaty; the human alarm clock

Do you know who should fast in Ramadan? Do you know what is eaten and when? Do you know what the Night of Fate is? Do you know the culture practices related to Ramadan? Do you know the benefits of fasting? Find the answers in issue 2, July 2014: Gouna & Hurghada

TRULY LOVE NATURE By Basma Amer

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An intricate symbiotic community, 80 km west

of Alexandria, brings a unique character to

Marsa Matrouh. El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve

is set amongst a diverse terrain, uniting a

bountiful collection of wildlife and people.

The protected area is one of two national parks

in Egypt and is an ambitious one indeed. It is

about 700 square kilometers and was declared a

national park in the 1980’s. This “green”

environment hosts many projects promoting a

socio-economic sustainability within the

biosphere to help maintain the natural domain

set along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

The reserve consists of five different habitats:

calcified coastal dunes, shallow soil ridges,

saline marshy depressions, non-saline

depressions and an inland plateau. The reserve

may be considered a six-habitat destination if a

marine habitat were included.

However, the ecosystem is, essentially, a warm

desert and semi-desert ecosystem with more

than 800 species of organisms scattered across

the different habitats.There are several types of

vascular plants, soil fungi, and 20 species of

nitrogen fixing blue-green algae. More than

200 plants, such as olive and fig trees, within

the biosphere have different functions and

purposes, including medicinal, economical and

environmental while other plants are on the

verge of extinction.

The plants are located in various places

amongst the biosphere based on their natural

habitat. The calcified coastal dunes house

various flora species, such as soft sea green

spurge (Euphorbia paralias), the star-shaped

sea daffodil (Pancratiummaritimum) and the Cont.

E u r o p e a n m a r r a m g r a s s

(Ammophilaarenaria). The shallow soil ridges

cons is t o f P la nta goa lb ica ns and

Asphodelusmicrocarpus. The saline marshy

depressions are dominated by granulated

green Salicorniafruticosa, Cressacretica and

rustic green-brown Atriplexhalimus. The non-

saline depressions and inland plateau

encompass other species such as deep green

Artemisia monosperma and Suaedapruinosa,

more rustic green-brown beauties such as the

Hammadaelegans, small reddish pink

Anabasis articulata, Hammadascorpia and

Salsolatetrandra.

The desert inspired ecosystem is also a

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wonderful animal sanctuary. Such animals

include dorcas gazelle, the Middle East blind

mole rat, gerbils, four-toed jerboa, Egyptian

turtle, crabs, fennec fox and red fox. Mother

Nature’s complexity, however, continues to

the several resident and migratory birds,

reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, rare snakes

and insect species extending below the

surface.

El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve is a

magnificently woven masterpiece offered to

us. Its complex variety portrays a picture of

hope and of how people and nature can come

together.

By Basma Amer TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES

Marsa Matrouh is a sapphire gem, permeating

along the Mediterranean shore. It is a collage of

sweet serenity and eras of the past awaiting your

arrival.

Begin your travels at one of the many resorts

offering a relaxing stay. According to your

choice of hotel, you will find private beaches,

pool areas -some of which are designated for

children- and a gym where you can enjoy a good

workout or aerobic sessions. Also included at

some of these delightful retreats are a variety of

sports to keep your adrenaline pumping;

basketball, water polo, tennis, handball and

volleyball.

Obayed Beach

colored beach, Ageeba Beach, on the other hand,

is a picture perfect destination with its breath-

taking waters, natural caves and enchanting

cliffs. So de-stress and unwind amidst the

splendor, while your children enjoy building

sandcastles on the beach.

Detour into the past and celebrate history by

visiting two other beaches. Cleopatra’s Beach is

a bay that holds the bath of this famous queen

but is unsafe to swim at. Reach the bath by

carefully walking into the sea towards it.

Rommel Beach, located east of Marsa Matrouh,

contains Rommel’s Cave, which was converted

into a small museum in dedication to the famous

Italian commander Rommel, leader of the Italian 13

Continue your journey by venturing off into the

turquoise sea for a snorkel, a swim, or a cruise

on the waves. Take advantage of the gorgeous

waters and go sailing, jet skiing, or rent a

motorboat, a pedaling boat or a rowing boat. The

added complexity of Marsa Matrouh is the

sand’s sun-infused warmth and soft texture.

There are a number of beaches with this quality

at your disposal: Al Obayed Beach, Al Gharam

Beach, Cleopatra’s Beach, Ageeba Beach, Ras

El Hekma and Rommel Beach.

The most incredible of these beaches, however,

are Al Obayed Beach and Ageeba Beach. Al

Obayed Beach boasts crystal clear waters and a

white sandy beach. Also known as the seven-Cont.

Ageeba Beach

Cleopatra’s Beach

Cleopatra’s Beach

forces during WWII. The cave is where Rommel

planned his military operations during the war

and the museum contains the military maps he

drew up during that time. If you would like to

see more of this war’s remains and you enjoy

wreck diving, take an underwater diving tour

among WWII vessels.

More WWII sites can be found at Al Alamein.

There are several burial grounds built to pay

respects to the fallen heroes of WWII: the Italian

and German Military Cemetery, a mausoleum

dedicated to Italian soldiers, the British

Cemetery and another cemetery for Greek

soldiers. 15

Other historical sites in Marsa Matrouh continue

to delve deeper into the past. Examples of what

the Ancient Egyptians and Romans left behind

are the Ramses II temple in Om Al Rakhm and

the Marina Ruins in El Alamein; an ancient

Greco-Roman city, Leukaspis; the second largest

archeological city after Alexandria, displaying

tombs, temples and houses.

It is no secret that the royalties of the ancient

world have remained with great perseverance.

However, the key to Marsa Matrouh’s ingenious

elegance can be found in the way the past has so

delicately woven itself within the natural

beauties and created such a tranquil art form.

Leukaspis

SCRAPBOOK PAGE

By Aisha AbdelWahab TRULY LOVE HISTORY

19 Cont.

about 24km west of Marsa Matrouh. The temple was used as a place for sacrifices to the lion-headed war goddess, Sekhmet, and her consort, Ptah. It is surrounded by eight storehouses dedicated to Ramses. The site at which the temple is located is known as Umm Al Rakhm, which houses important hieroglyphic inscriptions, a life-size statue of Neb-Re, a military commander during Ramses II's reign, and a number of other monuments such as the ruins of the pharaoh’s fortress. The fortress is considered to be one of the most significant defense structures built by the 19th Dynasty's pharaohs. There are also the remains of the surrounding brick wall, 70 meters high and 250 meters long, and the remains of four military towers, all

Although in ancient Egypt Marsa Matrouh was a simple fishing village, the sea in Marsa Matrouh was (and still is!) so magnificently breathtaking and crystal clear that Cleopatra herself bathed in those tranquil waters. Cleopatra’s Bath is a beach that holds a huge rock formation that is 20 meters off the shore. There are different openings to permit the waves to move in and out of it, allowing those inside it to get fresh, clean water every few minutes. It is reputed that this is the same bath that Queen Cleopatra used thousands of years ago to enjoy Marsa Matrouh’s beauty. Another ancient Egyptian site is the remains of the Temple of King Ramses II which date back to the 19th Dynasty and are located

erected to protect Egypt from attacks by Libyan tribes. Fast forward a few thousand years and we are in Al Alamein during World War II, where the decisive victory of the Allies over the Axis occurred during their North African Campaign and therefore hosts a number of memorials, such as the German Memorial, the British Memorial and the Italian Memorial as well as several cemeteries for different nationalities. Each of the memorials is unique in its own way. For instance, the German Memorial is an octagonal building, situated 7km west of Al Alamein. It contains the bodies of 4,289 German soldiers and an

obelisk surrounded by four falcons, symbolizing Horus, protector of the dead. The memorial is built on a hill, which makes it an imposing landmark, and looks rather like a medieval fortress than a simple building. This location is truly stunning as it overlooks Al Alamein’s beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. As for the British Memorial, which is also known as the Commonwealth War Cemetery, is one of the most impressive sites in El Alamein. It holds 7,367 tombstones of British, Australian, Indian, New Zealander, French, Malaysian and South African soldiers. The rock-hewn tombstones stand in straight rows amidst a fenced garden. The names of about 12,000

Cont. 21

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soldiers whose bodies were not found are engraved on white limestone walls. There’s a hallway inside the memorial that leads to a rooftop which allows for a full view of the memorial and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. The British Memorial is on the 105th km on the Alexandria-Marsa Matrouh road. The Italian Memorial is a high tower fort on a hill. It holds several buildings such as a chapel, a mosque and a museum. It was erected in memory of 4,800 Italian soldiers and, because Libya was under Italian rule, an area was allocated to Libyan soldiers. This memorial is one of the most visited in the world and is also the largest structure in Al Alamein’s battlefield. The tower’s walls are covered with white marble and are a unique

masterpiece. The Italian Memorial is located 12km west of Al Alamein. It is important to note that visitors must not venture into the desert around Alamein as live landmines still remain. Two other WWII sites that are extremely interesting are Rommel's hideout and Al Alamein War Museum. Rommel's hideout is a cave hewn in the rocks. Rommel used to plan his eastward offensive against the Allies there. Rommel’s hideout has been turned into a military museum and displays some of the objects belonging to the Desert Fox, which include a coat, a clothing chest, well-preserved photos and the maps he drew.

Rommel's cave is situated just before Rommel's Beach, 3km west of Marsa Matrouh. As for Al Alamein War Museum, it is one of the best places to visit in order to have a full understanding of World War II. The museum is on the 105th km on the Alexandria-Marsa Matrouh road. The museum consists of five halls, each shedding light on a different country; Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Egypt, and the fifth hall is labeled as the “Mixed Hall” and displays general artifacts and objects of World War II. The museum also illustrates the events of World War II in North Africa. To take your experience to another level, audio recordings are played throughout your visit. They tell the stories of the battles from both sides. The indoor part of

the museum houses weapons, uniforms, statues and other artifacts such as antique portraits, old photos and maps. The outdoor part of the museum is a garden that displays huge army tanks, artillery and various large weapons. As you can see, Marsa Matrouh is home to many historical sites, ranging from ancient Egyptian temples to World War II monuments, and is a true gem of the Egyptian territory. You will definitely have a blast walking through this open museum and experiencing this once in a lifetime journey. Quote of the month: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” - George Santayana.

TRULY LOVE SHOPPING By Aisha AbdelWahab

Cont.

Some will be surprised to learn that Marsa Matrouh is famous for its shopping. There are several reasons for this fame which includes the uniqueness of the shopping experience itself. The fact that Marsa Matrouh is near the Egyptian-Libyan borders means it is the first to receive Libyan products as well products from other North African countries. There is even a Libyan market in Marsa Matrouh in which the locals offer their organic goods that ranges from wool, wooden objects and baskets to fruits and vegetables, oils, etc. The goods include other international products from different parts of Europe and Asia, giving the customer a wider range of choice. Unlike other

markets, the Libyan Market lets you experience the ultimate Egyptian-somewhat-Libyan experience with the locals. It will also blow your mind with the mix of different scents that permeate from various stands and with the mingling of colors that somewhat represents the fusion of different cultures. Another bonus is the quality of goods you find in exchange for a very reasonable amount of money. Other than markets, you will find shops that offer organic products as well and ones that are manufactured in Egypt such as shoes and the all-too-famous Egyptian cotton products. There are also perfume shops with different

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insane scents; some that give off the impression of travelling back decades in the past, some are more oriental than others, etc. In addition, Marsa Matrouh is quite famous for selling the most popular Egyptian salted seeds, “lib”. So if you love eating them, you will love these freshly roasted ones they have there. If you enjoy shopping for Bedouin products, there is one specific shop near a famous hotel which sells all of the Bedouin products in Marsa Matrouh. It has a unique collection of genuine, handmade products such as the rugs given to a bride on her wedding day. Those rugs are hardly ever made anymore since primitive colors are used to dye them and, in

order to preserve them, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight or washed. They are not only unique, rare and of great quality but their colors add a cheerful vibe to any room. Customers have the choice between three patterns: “Al Husseiny” consists of endless colorful shapes separated by white rows, “Al Hawaya” consists of only two rows of colorful geometric shapes on a white background and “Al Noweiry” has red dominating its patterns. This shop’s Bedouin silver collection includes necklaces in the shape of horseshoes that are believed to bring luck. Their collection of gems and precious stones such as rubies and garnets are hundreds of years

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old. Their collection of Bedouin clothes includes a bride’s wedding dress with colorful rows sewn onto the dress with each row telling the story of a different era in Egypt. There is also a collection of Bedouin beauty products such as the all-too-famous “kohl” which is natural, authentic, thick eyeliner that Bedouin women wear to reflect sunlight. Another reason for Marsa Matrouh’s fame in the shopping department is the fact that its location in the north western desert allows for the cultivation of many organic products such as special herbs, oils and various kinds of food. The herbs are used for beauty as well as medicinal purposes. Some cure

different illnesses such as coughs and other lung related problems, headaches etc. And the herb that is the most recommended among those is the desert mint, which is by far one of Marsa Matrouh’s best. There are several restaurants with different cuisines to choose from. Pharmacies are well-stocked but pack any prescribed medicine or specific pharmaceutical product in case there is a shortage. There are plenty of bazaars, endless kiosks selling fresh drinks, fresh vegetables and fruits, henna etc. Marsa Matrouh is a city that has grown over the past years but preserves its primitive and unique ways. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds.

TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE By Enas Elmohands

so that they are kept for these relaxing bike

rides. There are plenty of cafes to go to if

you are interested in sharing a cup of coffee

and a shisha (hubbly bubbly) with friends

or loved ones. You can also get a bite to eat

there.

If you’re looking for food, there’s a

buzzing shisha lounge that serves delicious

Lebanese food, a wealth of cafes and

restaurants that offer traditional Egyptian

food (kofta, tamiya, you name it) or if you

are nostalgic for pizza, there’s a popular

pizzeria with street-view seats. And, of

course, there is seafood fresh from the clear

During the summer months, the

Mediterranean town of Marsa Matruh is

full of holiday makers; the white sandy

beaches now a flourish of colors and

sounds clashing with the waves. At night,

the town is brilliantly lit with shop vendors,

street food and musicians. Marsa Matruh is

truly a relaxed beach resort town that

mostly satisfies the easygoing traveler and

families.

Nightlife in this part of the North Coast

isn’t full of clubs and bars, and liquor is

pretty much BYOB. At night, people often

rent bicycles and certain streets are closed

29 Cont.

are a couple wishing for some more alone-

time, you can securely have your children

entertained while you re-bond.

Marsa Matrouh is a quaint seaside town

that centers its daily activities on the crystal

waters. Bring a couple of books, portable

speakers, some good friends, a soccer ball

or volleyball, and of course, bring your

own drinks. It is a beautiful, affordable

beach-town-a must try! Even as a layover

to Siwa, it is the perfect getaway from the

sweltering summer heat and a hydrant for

the senses. So bring your mosquito

repellent and bathing suit and stay a couple

of nights. Treat yourself, you deserve it.

waters of the Mediterranean.

Hotels and resorts offer luxurious

accommodation with fine cuisine, private

beaches, and a variety of activities and

facilities to choose from such as sports,

swimming pools, bars, restaurants, indoor

games and shopping bazaars. There are also

live music shows, dancing and cabarets

regularly. There are animation teams placed

in several of these hotels who serve to

design daily activities around your needs so

that you get the fullest experience out of

your stay at Marsa Matrouh. And, yes,

there are kids clubs where children can be

left to take part in fun, organized activities

with supervision and care. That way, if you 31

TRULY LOVE INVESTING By Omar Ibrahim

This section is dedicated to small and medium sized investors looking for possibilities to invest their money from afar or move to a country where sunshine, sea and relaxation are a way of life.

Marsa Matrouh is one of the most popular vacation havens in Egypt. It is the annual summer destination which guarantees the best getaway from the hustle of everyday life. But Marsa Matrouh is not just the perfect summer destination. It is a small coastal town, with sprawling satellite settlements and attractions, where some axiomatic business ideas have not yet been looked at. Although the town itself is beautiful, bright and calm, it is astonishingly rare to find a luxurious hotel in or near the town. Most of the few good hotels and resorts are situated tens of kilometers away from the town center, which doesn’t help alleviate tourists’ reluctance to visit the town, go sightseeing or taste the town’s mesmerizing fresh seafood. The reason why some tourists may find it daunting to go touring around downtown is only partially due to the rather long distance between their hotels and the town. Another more apparent reason is that downtown Marsa Matrouh still requires more allure for such a tourist welcoming town. Shopping centers, franchises for world renowned clothing brands and famous coffee shops are pretty much needed and would attract foreign and Egyptian tourists, as well as many locals. Furthermore, popular tourist sites like the beaches of Ageeba and Cleopatra’s Bath would become even more inviting if they were supplemented with good nearby restaurants, or better yet, rest houses with supermarkets and pharmacies. Also passing by garment stores and souvenir bazaars would become the second most favorite activity for visitors after getting the most out of the serene, spectacular scenery those two previously mentioned attractions exhibit. With attractions and settlements widely scattered, a travel agency which provides comfortable and reasonably priced trips

between the famous hotels and the distant attractions is what a visitor to Marsa Matrouh would find indispensable. Despite its predominantly touristic essence, Marsa Matrouh would never reject contributions to other fields of its economy. Certain parts of Marsa Matrouh, like El Hammam and El Dabaa, are rich in mineral resources like limestone and dolomite, which can provide some great opportunities for chemical industries such as quicklime, slaked lime and cement to flourish. Contrary to what you would expect from a coastal town backed by a desert, Marsa Matrouh has vast potentials for agricultural investments, especially pharmaceutical and fragrant plants and certain desert favoring fruits like figs. In addition to investing in agriculture, building factories to turn the resultant crops into higher value products is an even greater win. With all the incredible beauty and diverse tourist attractions, Marsa Matrouh has great potentials waiting to be unlocked, especially that the locals welcome development endeavors. The whole area has what it takes to become one of the focal points of economic development in Egypt in the future.

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Regulations and Safety Issues

1. Do not drink tap water.

2. You must hold a permit to travel to the oases or into the surrounding desert. Local guides may be able to arrange for these permits and your passports are needed. Permits are valid for only one day, so overnight trips aren’t always permitted.

3. Avoid walking on the rocks inside the sea as most of them are covered by algae that makes them very slippery.

4. Do not wander off the road into the desert around Alamein as not all WWII landmines have been found.

TRULY LOVE CUISINES By Amal Sarkiss

Tahini, Baba Gahnoug & Hummus Dips

‘Tahini’ comes from Arabic, ‘ṭaḥīnah’. The word appeared in English by the late 1900s, introduced by Middle Eastern immigrants to English speaking countries. Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds, the smallest and oldest oil producing seed known to humanity, grown in tropical regions since prehistoric times. There are different varieties of sesame, with colour ranging from white, to yellow, red and black. Tahini is made from white or yellow sesame. In Ancient Egypt, sesame was called “sesemt” and was probably imported from Ethiopia. Ancient Egyptians appreciated the benefits of sesame and added the seeds to bread dough as documented in a 4000 year old tomb drawing. They used it to treat asthma, according to the Ebers Papyrus dated 1500 BC. They also used sesame oil in mummification as it is exceptionally resistant to rancidity. The cultivation of sesame was introduced to Egypt much later; in the Ptolemaic era around 300 BC near Fayoum Oasis. Besides being rich in protein, oil and fiber, Tahini is packed with important minerals and trace elements like copper (known for reducing pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis), magnesium (useful in preventing airway spasm in asthma), phosphorus, calcium & zinc (for bone strength and prevention of osteoporosis), vitamin B1, selenium & manganese (for good metabolism and a healthy nervous system) and Iron. It is high in omega 6 and phytosterols which lower blood cholesterol level and enhance the immune response. Special antioxidants in Tahini protect the liver and decrease the risk of certain cancers. If you love healthy food, then these 3 Tahini based dips are for you. 34

A. Tahini Dip Prep time: 10 min No cooking needed Servings: 4 Ingredients: 1 cup tahini paste ½ cup water 2 lemon squeeze 3 Tbs vinegar 4 garlic cloves, minced ¼ tsp cumin Salt to taste 1 Tbs olive oil and 1 Tbs parsley leaves for garnish Method: In a food processor or a deep dish, mix all ingredients. B. Baba Ghanoug Dip Prep time: 30 min Cooking time: 20 min Servings: 6 Ingredients: 1 medium sized aubergine (eggplant) 1 medium sized onion + All ingredients for tahini dip Method: Wash whole aubergine, prick its skin with a fork a few times and leave the stump on. Bake with peeled onion on medium heat for 20 minutes till both are soft and the onion is golden. Cut off the stump of the aubergine and squeeze its content into a deep dish or a food processor with the onion and mix

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them into a paste. Add the rest of the ingredients of the tahini dip and mix well. C. Hummus dip Prep time: 15 min Cooking time: 20 – 30 min Servings: 6 – 8 Ingredients: 1 cup chickpeas 1 tsp sodium bicarbonate + All other ingredients for tahini dip Method: Soak chickpeas in water with sodium bicarbonate overnight. Boil for 20 – 30 minutes. Then drain the water and mix it into a paste in the food processor. Note: one 400gm cooked canned chickpeas may be used instead. Add the rest of the ingredients of the tahini dip and mix well. Presentation, variations & tips: * You can make tahini paste by roasting sesame seeds, adding olive oil and turning them into a paste in a food processor. * Garnish with olive oil and parsley leaves. * Peri peri or paprika may be added to the mix of these dips or sprinkled as garnish. * The dips freeze well. When thawed, add a small amount of water and a lemon squeeze and mix well. * Tahini based dips are popular toppings for vegetables and meat dishes in Middle E a s t e r n c u i s i ne l ik e fa l a fe l , Kebab and shawerma and are always served as a side with fish.

Reading, especially history, geography and travel literature, has always been one of my most important hobbies. Books have taken me to all corners of the Earth. My love and passion for discovering the world led to other hobbies such as photography and studying the effect of the environment on customs, traditions, clothing and cuisines. I used to cycle to the villages surrounding my town, ElMahalla AlKubra, and return home to draw a map of the roads, canals and villages I had visited. Bit by bit, I wandered farther away to discover every inch of Sinai, the secrets of Aswan and Luxor and the beauty of Bahariya and Siwa Oases, the Red Sea and so on. I returned home loaded with pictures and maps and displayed them at my University (Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University) to help advocate domestic tourism. Everyone waited for my return to rediscover Sinai, Aswan etc. My hobby began 25 years ago to discover every inch of Egypt with only my camera and my dreams, at a time when there was no Google Earth or GPS and domestic tourism was “excessive luxury”. Recently, I began to organize private trips -each with a different group of friends- to increase the number of people who discover the secrets of Egypt and its treasures. Yasser ElRasoul

Yasser ElRasoul

Mohamed Gelany Mohamed Gelany Abd ElMalek was born and raised in Farafra Oasis. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences and teaches bee keeping. He believes in self-development, which led him to attend several courses to develop his desert driving skills, marketing skills and knowledge of IT.

He adores the desert to the point that some of its attributes have become a huge part of his personality. He is passionate about the Farafran culture and heritage, which -he feels- is on the point of extinction.

In his spare time, he loves doing volunteer work. He has learned a lot from his grandfather; most importantly his love for socializing and meeting new people.

Mohamed Gelany

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