Enjoying Egypt 217programmes (see a partial listing of this in the Resource Guide,
page 318-319). Among these are representatives of the
Anglican, Protestant, Catholic, Christian Science, Quaker
and Mormon groups.
There are also several women’s groups that generally
welcome new members and especially those with interests
they would like to share. Women should check on the
Maadi Women’s Guild. This group arranges get-togethers
and lectures, and offers opportunities for volunteers to help
several Egyptian charities. The Women’s Association of Cairo
also offers many opportunities. The Community Services
Association is a gem, offering lots of classes on a large variety
of subjects. (See the Resource Guide pages 315-318 for more
information.)
Cinemas
Egypt’s cinemas are relatively inexpensive by Western
standards except during the International Film Festival.
There are numerous places to see films and you can always
find the latest Western films in Cairo close to when they
open overseas.
It has been my experience that almost all of the seats
are good for seeing the films (except the seats at the very
front) and are quite comfortable. Some of the cinemas, for
example Genena I–VI and
Wonderland I–VI, are in huge
malls that provide lots of
additional entertainment for
before or after the show. And,
don’t forget the MGM at the
Maadi Grand Mall. These are
just a sampling for cinemas in
Egypt. If you want to see films in Arabic, go to Cinema Rivoli
on 26 July Street in Azbekiya.
Libraries and Bookstores
Freed from Persian control in 331 BC by Alexander the
Great, the Egyptian city now known as Alexandria became
home to the world’s most famous library and the world’s
You can fi nd the mainstays of
Western cinemas here in Cairo
too: popcorn, food and soda
pops! One thing that may be
a little different from the US
is that when you buy a ticket
for a show, you purchase an
assigned seat.