"Casual Cairo"-has anyone heard from her lately?
 

A very dear Fodors poster who has helped many of us lives in Cairo and I am worried about her as I haven't seen her post lately.With all that is going on there I was wondering if has anyone heard from her? Is she still there ? Sending her a hug if she is reading this! Thanks-

I just sent her an email with a link to this thread, I bet we will hear from her soon. She is quite an asset to this board.

Thanks P_M-she has always been so gracious about helping those of us who were planning our trips to Egypt and am hoping that all is well with her?

Oh you guys! I'm blushing! Thanks, but don't worry! I've just been out dancing in the streets and dancing on the ceiling! Praise the Lord, we are liberated from the Muslim Brotherhood! YEAAAAAA!

I highly recommend you get on Facebook and look at a page called Egyptian Streets for what is really going on here.

Everyone is SO hopeful now that we can get back on track and get this country back into working order.

Morsy has been told to pack up the circus and get out of town! El Humdualla!

So interesting to follow what is happening in Egypt, particularly with the juxtaposition with the Fourth of July here in the U.S. Stay safe!

Glad to hear you are safe. Hope things quiet down now! Best wishes to Egypt for a better future.

Likewise when I saw what was happening at Tahrir these past two days, wondered where you were. Was so excited to see what the people were doing in the streets and thrilled to know you joined the celebrations. Now we have to hope things move in a more positive direction. Won't be easy and not overnight, but we can hope! But can the Egyptians do this next time if, unfortunately, they make an error in who is voted in?

Darn, wish we could do that sooner than later here in the States :) When was the last time we had a real protest in this country? Shame on us!

What did though upset was hearing that the US State Dept was advising non-essential Embassy staff and their families to get out of town... as well, Americans currently in-country or will be soon to cancel/postpone... here we go again, ugh!

Keep us posted Debbie.

I am so glad to hear you are safe and well, Debbie!

This funny thing called Fodors has made us into a "world family" through the years and when turmoil and events break out we all worry about our Fodors Family members!

I agree! A relief.

Yes, I've been thinking of you too CC while reading/watching news about the recent turmoil in Egypt. Its good Morsy's out, hopefully things get better soon. Take care and stay safe:)!

Thought about you too Debbie and am glad to hear you're still there and are okay.

Things have taken a turn (as they do) and the Brothers are doing their best to put Morsi back in office. They can't understand that is a NON STARTER! The Military and Police are out today to protect the people and the buildings that have been destroyed over the past few days by the Brothers. Please Please Please do not believe everything you read or see on CNN, BBCW or wherever. The only one I've actually seen recently that does state the view of most Egyptians has been on (God forgive me for saying this out loud) FOX NEWS. :( It makes my head explode to say FOX is saying something right, but I have to admit they have it right.... this time.

FYI - the Muslim Brotherhood are terrorists that are thriving on the Western media take on them as some sort of Freedom Fighters - fighting for Democracy. It's just not true. Morsi was not the man that the Egyptians thought he was when the vote was taken - and DO KNOW many of his votes were bought with sugar, oil and other foodstuff....if not a threat of going to hell if you didn't vote for him. :/

Thanks so much for posting. I've been wondering how you were doing and am so glad you're OK.

Did you read this op-ed in the NYT? (Good thing it's an OP-ed). You might want to comment. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/op...licity.html?hp

It's always good to hear your point of view CC, thanks.

Glad you're keeping us updated Debbie and are okay yourself.

yes, good to hear from someone "on the ground" as I know our news outlets are often skewed!

Thanks Debbie and glad my email got thru to you. For awhile thought the powers that be had shut down Internet access. Know you have friends here even if most of us have never met face-to-face.

Appreciate your update, though did gasp with your comment re FAUX. Amazing how we have to listen to all media, even though I feel that the 'liberal' media is somewhat alarmist... and then figure out who is telling the truth, but this I didn't expect. :) Life does surprise, if you feel you can expand why one over the other?

I won't even ask how the tourist business is doing as I'm sure with the latest upheavel, many who thought to visit have postponed for now; if otherwise, let us know.

In the meantime, take care and stay safe.

I have not posted here in a long time, but wanted to check in on you, Debbie. We met nearly four years ago at the Marriott on Zamalek and had a chort but nice chat. I hope you are doing well and staying safe.

Sorry, that should be *short*. Anyway, thinking of you, Debbie.

Would anybody know the approximate cost of a taxi (or private driver/car) to take me from Cairo (Zamalek area) up to Alexandria. I only need this one-way and am looking for reasonable cost, plus safety. Early November.
thoughts, suggestions appreciated.
thanks

I'm back checking on you and here to report that things are getting better here, and thankfully Syria is taking all the media time alloted to the Middle East so Egypt is nearly an afterthought now - I hope. ;) And hope it continues to get better.
While the Brotherhood is still attempting to make the news on occasion, our curfews are extended til 11 p.m. on weekdays and remains at 7 p.m. on Friday only. Unless you are a very young tourist looking for nightlife, it shouldn't bother your travels much at all. If you are a very young tourist and need a party, there are select Clubs holding LOCK IN parties where you get there before the curfew starts and you don't leave until the next morning. Might want to bring a sleeping bag with you for those.
And yes, I don't come look at this page as much as I did before, but will try to do better. I need to start gearing up for work again, as I can feel it is coming back.... (fingers crossed). :D

That sounds hopeful! I'll cross my fingers for you too with the tourism -- I would love to return someday and have more of your yummy tomato sandwiches :)

Good to hear that Syria took the eye off Cairo for awhile and hope things do improve for all in Egypt... such a shame with a good start and then to fall apart.

There was an inquiry yesterday from a couple who have a stop planned for Egypt (Giza and Luxor/Aswan, believe latter a Nile cruise) and they weren't sure if/should continue with plans. Having had no input from you in past few weeks, I did take the libery of providing them your Casual Cairo site and email for inquiry. Hope that was okay.

Lock In Clubs... ingenious, if you're 20-something! Guess you've gotta be creative in difficult times and think positively.

You take care and pop in as you can.

Nice to see you all here. I was actually busy yesterday for about 5 hours answering emails from tourists coming to Egypt in Oct or thinking to come soon. This is ALL good news. Any day I spend more than an hour on work emails, is good.

The curfew is now midnight for any night other than Friday, and ends at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. The poor school bus drivers had to have it opened up at 5 a.m. so they could get to the schools in time to get their bus and get out on the street to pick up the little urchins. ;)

Always great to hear from you Debbie!!
Hang in there.

Media is amazing, moving from one calamity - Egypt, then it was Syria, next Nairobi - no wonder we have to regularly check-in to find out how you're doing dear friend and look forward to your replies.

So glad to read there are possible clients on the calendar and hope they come thru. Am sure things will pick-up between all that's happening everywhere.

Just take care and keep your head down.

This is very good news. I hope the positive trend continues.

Hi Debbie

Was wondering how you were doing there in all that past commotion.

Take care

:) Just fine. Thanks.

Still doing OK. Send tourists though - PLEASE!