Dear Catkooooota :) I've been to the Alexandria Library and it was soooo wonderful to check out. I didn't think it was like that at all..it's like a museum and I loved the different exhibits. The architecture too was really nice. I was so impressed too to see women in higab leading different tourist groups in different languages besides English.

Also, everyoneeeeeeeee and their mother has been talking about the City Stars mall. I definitely want to see what the big hype is about as I would think it's just another mall. I actually don't like the mall feel in Egypt...the way everyone hangs out there is sorta creepy and has an inappropriate feel to it and it's uncomfortable walking around...but I definitely plan to go insha'Allah for one main reason I look forward to, which is....FINALLY A HIGAB-FRIENDLY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. If anyone insha'Allah is going at the same time, you'd better do your shopping already as I'm planning insha'Allah to buy every existing long skirt around :)

Thanks for reminding me about the Opera, and the revolving restaurant which I took note of during the last visit. Insha'Allah these are two things I want to visit. Also the Al-azhar park which I've heard is nice, and some Muslim sites that Egypt is famous for.

As for the Panorama idea... :# (two thumbs down, lol) I'm just kidding :) I actually went there once and it was pretty...hmm...how shall I describe it....let's just say that I felt that my high school put out better performances than that one. I couldn't believe that such an important event in our history (the 73 war) is represented in such a silly manner. Unless it is meant to be for children and I don't know? Where are some slide-shows and better sound effects. Where are all of the engineers in Egypt to help put together a better show with effects and all? Or are they just busy producing those disrespectful video clips! One good thing though about the Panorama, is that I was really touched by the names of all of the fallen soldiers on the wall...there were sooooo manyyyy....may Allah yer7amhom and na7sabahom shohada2 3ind Allah insha'Allah.

Gazakom Allah Khayran once again for your suggestions :)

Gazakom Allah khayran for your kind responses and suggestions. I apologize for the delay, but it's just that I was busy shopping for a million or so relatives :):) I think we should open a whole new topic for this issue alone! Elhamdulilah, any gesture that will make them happy is great as one can always restart their financial savings plan upon returning from the trip insha'Allah, lol). Now on to your comments....I actually don't know about the food thing anymore as there are tons of warnings about not eating this or that. I even read recently that the watermelons have poisoned some people due to insecticides or something. This is really so appalling because how can there be a summer in Egypt without watermelons and gebna beda (anyone follow that tradition?) ;). Hmm...I seem to have digressed a bit,... okay back to the topic in the next segment insha'Allah :)

Go to the Opera House and check out what bands are playing. They usually have listings of turkish bands, reggae bands from west Africa, Tunisian bands, Rai bands, etc... It's great entertainment. Also, take the nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan... you'll have a blast.

Oh and i forgot, whats really big with il shabab (esp like AUC and stuff is this place in the Zamalek called "al sa2ya"...
it brings different performers... like for example a very famous 3owd player was performing there once (naseer shama?? cant exactly remember his name) and they bring other performors u could ask about that..
(Aymoon - yes but museums etc can only be gone to once or so... what ELSE is there to do inside cairo??)
(*Also a really nice restaurant at the Grand Hyatt (what used to be the Meridien) it revolves at a rate of about 1 rotation/ hour.. and u get a magnificent view of cairo.. suit and tie for the guys tho)

Of course there is a lot more to do in Egypt than go out and eat. there are underrated places like the opera house in Algazeera which is a piece of art and they have good programs. There's also the Panorama of the sixth of October. it is nice to visit just once :). I assume that you have in your plan to visit the Egyptian, Coptic and Islamic museums in Cairo. I would go also to watch a play in the National Theater. It is another piece of art and it is very classy. If you want to go eat choose a Nile cruise. It is very nice especially before sunset. It is also nice at night. I would even take a boat in the Nile. If you don't do it in Cairo, you shouldn't pass it up in Aswan ;) . That's the most beautiful river scenery you will ever see. And I don't think you should pass on any Sharm suggestions. Actually the prices are going to be very cheap and the security alert will be at its peak besides its a sign of patriotism. After such attacks Egyptians should encourage internal tourism to keep the industry going (H) .

Tonsss of good restaurants.... in fact theres nothing else to do really except go out to eat...
Theres Le Carnival (best known for its desserts, but the restaurant is ultra chic and really good food).. theres one in Masr il Gideeda and one in Mohandiseen, the one in masr il gideeda is definately better
Theres also a chocolate cafe that opened.. havent gone yet.. but it sounds awful nifty (i guess all chocolate related desserts and drinks) its in Mohandiseen near Nady il Sayd.. hope you enjoy your time :)
Oh and if anyone can think of anything to do in Cairo besides go out and EAT, fill me in :)

Oh, and do yourself a favor and eat fateer from fateer il tahrir, and zibadi cake, I THINK its from a place called Bon Appettite or La Poire, but trust me when I say, your trip will not amount to much unless you eat at least a slice. Hope inshallah you enjoy your trip :)

Salam, there are two really nice places I would encourage you to go, one is this new mall, City Star, I think its in Medinat Nasr, its really really really nice, m'shallah. And the other is Al Azhar Park, its very chique, it has really nice restaurents its not the kind of park you go to play soccer. And I don't know what part of Masr you will be in, but you should definetly make it a point to go to Alexanderia....they have a new library (i'm a dork), but its also fairly good to visit.