Sinai Camp & Musical Culture Tour of Cairo

Middle Eastern Music, Percussion and Dance Workshops in the Sinai at Rocksea Camp 19th to the 29th of November 2011.

with Chas Whitaker, Maren Lueg and Shema.

RockSea Camp is a collection of bungalow / huts situated right on the Gulf of Aqaba near Nuweiba, The Sinai, offering instant access to beautiful coral reefs.

Optional tours available organized by Rocksea Camp, such as an overnight camel trip into the desert, day visit to the
Coloured Canyon, St Catherine Monastery and Mount Sinai.

10 days accommodation with a full large Breakfast, Middle Eastern Music, Dance and Percussion workshops, evening music and dance sessions in the atmospheric Bedouin tent at RockSea Camp and musical performance by local Bedouin musicians are included in the price of £420.

Feedback

“It was the best thing I have ever done, both educational and culturally immersive. It has inspired my passion for Arabic music even further”

“We did everything i wanted to do and more – trip of a lifetime. I would recommend it to anyone, especially those with an interest in Arabic culture” Jeff Dale.

For bookings and more information please contact Maren

Mobile Phone: 0044 (0)7727604212

Email: info@arabicmusicband.com

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Workshops

Rocksea Camp parties with visiting musicians.

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Tours from Rocksea Camp
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Rocksea camp overnight Camel Trip
Rocksea Camp Camel trek into the Sinai with local Bedouin
The accommodation is very basic.
Basic blankets will be provided but we are sleeping on rugs on the ground, so if you like to have more comfort you may like to bring a sleeping bag.

Over night camel tour accommodation

Rocksea Camp tour to St Catharine Monastery and Mount Sinai

One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, St. Catherine’s incorporates the burning bush seen by Moses and contains many valuable icons.

Above the monastery is Mount Sinai (or Jebel Musa, Mount Moses), where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. This area is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

If enough participants are interested Rocksea Camp can also organize a hike up Mount Sinai for sunset or sunrise, which is a fantastic experience. You need warm clothing and good hiking boots for this tour. This is a 2-3 hours hike up and 2-3 hours down

Sunset on top of Mount Sinai in November 2009.

Rocksea Camp Coloured Canyon

The Coloured Canyon presents one of the most magnificent rock formations in the world. The rock formations are an incomparable attraction: they vary from sandstone to limestone; granite and veins of basalt dominate the scenery through the entire hike. At some places, the rocks radiate crystalline colours, at others; they have a smooth velvety appearance. The canyon is almost 800m long.

Dahab
Dahab enjoys large numbers of tourists. There are many restaurants and tourist shops.

Chilling at Rock Sea Camp

TEACHERS

Middle Eastern Percussion – Chas Whitaker

Arabic percussion includes frame drums, goblet shaped drums (Darabuka) and finger cymbals. The rhythms are easy in their basic forms and so several can be learned in the workshop leading to a composition which could accompany melody or dance. Basic technique and correct playing styles are introduced and participants are encouraged to begin improvising and working together as a drum orchestra. Suitable for all levels of drumming experience.

Chas Whitaker- Darabuka / Douf / Riq / Zills.

Chas has been teaching and performing Middle Eastern Percussion for over 15 years . Chas has travelled extensively through the Middle East and North Africa and has studied in several countries. He plays in several bands and accompanies many Oriental dancers, specializing in drum solos. For more information on Chas and Arabic percussion in general visit – www.arabicdrum.co.uk

Middle Eastern Music Workshop – Maren Lueg

The course would provide a unique opportunity for musicians to explore the relationship between Middle Eastern and Western music.

Participants will bring their own melody instrument, which they already have a basic proficiency on and are able to learn simple melodies either by ear or from sheet music (provided). Arabic scales are introduced which do not use quarter notes but sound very “eastern” and melodies based on these scales will be learned. Improvisation is a very important element in Arabic music and participants are encouraged to explore their improvisational abilities in a supportive structure. Arabic music forms and scales with quarter tones are introduced and demonstrated for participants to help in their appreciation of Arabic music.

Maren Lueg – Arabic Nay Flute, Mizmar and Saxophone and Silver Flute.

Maren has been teaching and performing Middle Eastern and Balkan music for over 10 years playing Western and Middle Eastern wind instruments. She performs regularly with British and Arab musicians around the UK and has studied such traditional Middle Eastern wind instruments as the Nay (bamboo flute) and Zurna (double reed pipe) in Turkey and Egypt. Maren is currently working on her Masters in Arabic Ney and Middle Eastern Music at the School of Oriental and African Studies (London University). For further information and to hear some of Maren’s music please visit www.myspace.com/marenlueg

Middle Eastern Dance to live music – Shema

These workshops will help the dancer to gain greater understanding of Middle Eastern rhythms and melodies and how to interpret them. The main workshop focus will be on musical interpretation, technique, styling and fluidity and developing personal expression in the dance.

Shema, Middle Eastern dance.

“Beautiful and delicately lovely…[her] versatility and musicality…an absolute joy to behold”

Shema is an internationally acclaimed UK-based professional Dance Artist, Musician and Writer, in demand all over the world for her dynamic and authentic performances and exceptional teaching skills. She specialises in Raqs Sharqi (literally ‘Eastern Dance’, or Arabic dances) and Raqs Maghrebi (Dance of the West, or Moroccan dances)
Shema is renowned for her elegant and feminine styling with a powerful yet sensitive approach to Middle Eastern dance. Always interested in the history and development of this art form, she presents Egyptian Cabaret, as well as traditional Folk dances from the Middle Eastern, Arabic and North African world, also exploring how they have developed and influenced modern styles.
These include Tannoura (Egyptian Whirling), Sai’idi (Northern Egypt), Khaleegy (Gulf region), and Moroccan Tanjaoua Sha’abi as. She is also expanding into using styles such as Turkish Oryantal, Debke and Moroccan Gnawa rhythms and she regularly works with live musicians across the UK. Shema has taught, performed and lectured in the UK, Canada, United States, Morocco and Egypt and she is honoured to both study and work with some of the world’s most talented dancers and musicians.
www.shemaraqs.com
www.tangerina.org

Music Session at Rocksea Camp Middle Eastern Music and Dance Holiday.

ROCKSEA CAMP ACCOMMODATION:

RockSea’s accommodation is comprised of wooden bungalows and bamboo huts, which can be shared between two people. Two clean and spacious toilet and shower blocks are within easy walking distance of all accommodation. There is one main communal meeting space where food and drinks are served and several “arishas”, sitting areas covered loosely with canes or other leafy materials scattered around the 400m long beach front. The sunrise in the East, rising over the Hijaz mountain-range of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf of Aqaba is probably the most spectacular sight in this area.
Please visit the Rocksea Camp website: www.rocksea.net for more info about Rocksea Camp.
10 days accommodation with a full large Breakfast, workshops, evening music and dance sessions in the atmospheric Bedouin tent at RockSea Camp and musical performance by local Bedouin musicians are included in the price of £420.

You are welcome to book additional nights before and after the camp at Rocksea Camp.

For bookings and more information please contact Maren

Mobile Phone: 0044 (0)7727604212

Email: info@arabicmusicband.com
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OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Nuweiba

The Harbour town Nuweiba offers golden sand beaches, bazaars and restaurants. Nuweiba is about 20 minutes drive from RockSea Camp . A taxi ride to Nuweiba costs about £4-5 return .Nuweiba is a less developed tourist resort on the coast of South Sinai, 70 km south of Taba and 180 km north of Sharm el Sheikh . In the early 80s Nuweiba was the favourite destination for independent travellers due to its ideal central location and its natural beauty. Nuweiba today is still an insider tip for tourists and travellers who are looking for a holiday off the beaten path.

Nuweiba can roughly be divided into 3 main sections:

Nuweiba Tarabin

Nuweiba Tarabin, the northern part, consists of a thick grove of palms, a shallow bay and the ruins of a Turkish fort. Tarabin is known for its lively orientalatmosphere. Restaurant by restaurant and bazaar next to bazaar gives you the impression of a colourful oriental market place. Along the beach you find lively outdoors restaurants furnished in Bedouin style with carpets and cushions that invite to lay back and relax and let the time pass by.

Nuweiba Dunes:

The Dunes are the extension and connection between Nuweiba Town and Nuweiba Muzeina. Along the shore a conglomerate of many camps and family owned hotels exist on a beautiful sandy beaches with spectacular coral reefs. The Dunes are divided in “Duna” and “Small Duna”. Most of the campsites and hotels are built in the southern “Small Duna”, while “Duna” stayed a romantic virgin place with simple accommodation of thatched beach bungalows, a few family owned small hotels and some small restaurants with brilliant views.

Nuweiba Port

Originally Nuweiba port was the summer location for the Muzeina tribe. It was a sparsely inhabited oasis, which came only into life in the late summer, when the Muzeina flocked to the palm groves to pick dates. The thriving trade encouraged the Muzeina clan to settle. They are running their own businesses by renting out their places as shops or other facilities to the Egyptian newcomers.

Nuweiba has a vibrant shopping area and several Banks and ATM machines.

Red Sea Diving and Snorkelling

RockSea : RockSea has its own private access to a coral reef teeming with wildlife and fantastic coral structures.

Ras El Shetan : Another Bedouin-camp that is about 30 minutes walk or 5 minutes by taxi, from RockSea Camp, has two diving places, there are magnificent coral reefs at Ras-Satan, a famous destination for divers, which has been protected for the past fifteen years.

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TRANSPORT:

You need to book your own flight to Sharm el Sheik or Taba for Rocksea Camp and to Cairo.
For example: easyjet.com offers flights from London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester to Sharm el Sheik.
Thomson offers flights from: Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle
Birmingham, Manchester and London Gatwick to Taba or Sharm el Sheik in the Sinai.
www.flight.thomson.co.uk

RockSea’s Airport Transfer

You need to book your Airport Transfer with RockSea Camp they try to get as many people as possible on each transfer.

For more info contact Maren: marenlueg@yahoo.co.uk

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This is a list of important items you might like to bring along on your holiday:

Travel insurance
Please make sure you have arranged adequate cover.
This hopefully goes without saying but it is extremely important.

RockSea Camps website: www.rocksea.net

Temperature

Throughout the month of November daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 28°C. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 18°C by by the sea and as low as 5°C on top of Mount Sinai. Comfort Levels: Given average maximum temperatures and humidity levels generally you should not anticipate any discomfort from heat. There are several cosy shadow places (Arishas) to relax in and keep out of the direct sun and it feels warm all through the night and there is almost never ever any rain.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK citizens must have a valid passport ( must have AT LEAST 6 months remaining ) British nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts only, for up to 14 days, do not require a visa, they shall receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 15-day visa can be obtained on arrival. N.B. – If you are coming to Cairo with us from the Sinai – the same conditions apply as for entering Cairo – Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK citizens must have a valid passport ( must have AT LEAST 6 months remaining ) and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent ( have a crisp £10.00 note ready ) provided the purpose of travel is for tourism.

Rocksea Camp

You will need the following:
• Sun cream and after sun.
• Sunglasses.
• Sandals or waterproof shoes for the beach ( it is pebbly )
• Hat.
• Towels. ( RockSea do NOT provide )
• N.B. there are facilities for you to wash your clothes. Last yerar RockSea did NOT offer a laundry service apart from bedding. Washing powder available at RockSea ) We will try to find out if the can offer laundry services this year.
• Soap, shampoos etc.
• Swimming costume or bikini (it is OK to wear bikinis at RockSea Camp).
• Snorkelling mask, (if you prefer to use your own, otherwise there will be some available to rent at RockSea.)
• Earplugs ( In case the main road going to Jordan through the Sinai Mountains is blocked and the traffic is redirected along the costal road that passes by RockSea Camp. This only happens if there is major flooding in the Sinai Mountains, which is rare but it happened when we were there two year ago in November.)
• Electricity – 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are used – you will need an adaptor. N.B. RockSea Camp generates it’s electricity from a generator and this is NOT on 24 hours, (I’m waiting to hear back from Rocksea Camp at what time the electricity is switched off) hence –
• Torch and spare batteries – you will use your torch regularly.

There will be Wireless Internet access at RockSea camp if you want to bring your Laptop or Notebook it will cost (I’m waiting to hear back from Rocksea how much the internet connection is this year).

WORKSHOPS
You are very welcome to record the lessons for your personal use only ( not to reproduce them ) – e.g. camera, sound recorder etc.
Comfortable clothing is suitable for the dance workshops.

GIFTS / THINGS TO BUY
There will be local Bedouin women visiting RockSea Camp selling some home made wares like jewellery and scarves. For more expensive mass produced fare we can arrange trips to places selling these.

Sinai Tours:

St Catharine Monastery:

N.B – Shorts and tops that reveal your shoulders and legs are not allowed inside of the Monastery.

Mount Sinai and Coloured Canyon.

• Solid walking boots/walking shoes (the ground is rocky and uneven).
• Sturdy daypack/rucksack.
• Warm fleece (It can get very cold on the top of Mount Sinai.)
• Torch and extra batteries (We are walking back in the dark )
• Something to carry your bottle of water in (It can get very hot and you need a lot of water walking up Mount Sinai)
• Sun cream.
• Sun glasses.
• Hat.

Overnight Camel Trip
Basic blankets will be provided but we are sleeping on rugs the ground, so if you like to have more comfort you may like to bring a sleeping bag.

Walking boots or solid walking shoes.

Daypack/rucksack.
Sun cream
Sunglasses
Hat

Medicines.
Travelling abroad often means your system will need to adjust to the local conditions and diet and you may find keeping a personal supply of medicines to help you will be a good idea.
Acidophilus is a good way to keep up your resistance to stomach bugs and Imodium is also useful when travelling.
N.B. at RockSea Camp we are in a wonderfully isolated spot – and there will be a small supply of medicines on site but it is a good idea that you bring along any medications for personal use yourself. The nearest town is not too far away if you need to get supplies. For women – please note sanitary towels, tampons etc. are comparatively very expensive and sometimes hard to find in Egypt, bring a good supply.
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Musical Tour of Cairo 11th to the 18th of November 2011.


Our Musical Holiday to Egypt was great this year we saw amazing music in Cairo and in the Sinai and I have made a lot of good contacts with musicians and good teachers of Egyptian Folk and Art music for our next trip. We can offer very good one to one tuition with professional Egyptian musicians and music teachers for instrumentalist and singers in all Egyptian Folk and Classical instruments, as part of musical tour of Cairo on the 11th to 18th of November 2011.

Middle Eastern Music and Dance Seminar in Cairo :

Cairo
Tour to the Pyramids

Pyramids of Giza

Sakkara Pyramid

Red Pyramid

You might find cheap offers for flights to and from Cairo on the following website:
www.farecompare.com
www.flightcentre.co.uk

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Our Musical Holiday to Egypt was great this year we saw amazing music in Cairo and in the Sinai and I have made a lot of good contacts with musicians and good teachers of Egyptian Folk and Art music for our next trip. We can offer very good one to one tuition with professional Egyptian musicians and music teachers for instrumentalist and singers in all Egyptian Folk and Classical instruments, as part of our musical tour of Cairo on the 11th to 18th of November 2011. For more info click here.

Feedback

“It was the best thing I have ever done, both educational and culturally immersive. It has inspired my passion for Arabic music even further”

“We did everything i wanted to do and more – trip of a lifetime. I would recommend it to anyone, especially those with an interest in Arabic culture” Jeff Dale.

Cairo

Throughout the month of October daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 30°C that’s about 86°F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 19°C, that’s 67°F. The average daily relative humidity for October is around 60%. Comfort Levels: Given average maximum temperatures and humidity levels caution is advised. Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity for those in high-risk groups of possible heat disorders. Cairo is very big, bustly and very exciting !! It can take its toll on you and we advise taking it gently. Remember we are there to take care of all organising, which can be a bewildering and exhausting experience, so you will be able to focus on enjoying soaking up all the amazing sights and sounds. However we urge you strongly to realise that it is not like a European city and the state of the roads and pavements ( where you find them !! ) are in a very poor condition. When we do go off exploring on foot we strongly recommend you wear very stout boots or shoes, leave the high heels and soft shoes at home or for when we arrange transport to and from venues.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK citizens must have a valid passport ( must have AT LEAST 6 months remaining ) and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent ( have a crisp £10.00 note ready ) provided the purpose of travel is for tourism.

Clothing.
Generally Cairo is hot in the day and warm in the evening – lightweight comfortable clothing is best.
Due to the cultural differences we advise you not to wear shorts – men never wear shorts in Egypt ( except the beach and very touristy areas ) and only boys wear them. For women you are very unlikely to get unwanted attention if you follow these guidelines – try to be accompanied by a fellow male ! It is as simple as that – people will assume you are married or related and you will not get unwanted attention. If you want to explore Cairo without a male companion or as a group of women the level of attention you will receive will increase but it is often gentle and good-natured. To help you minimise the sort of unwanted attention you would like to avoid then dress sensibly and in accordance with how other women do. So we advise for an easier and more enjoyable time you may wish to avoid exposing as much bare skin as possible so e.g. tops, which reveal your shoulders, shorts which reveal your legs. You can wear a modest headscarf if you wish or tie your hair back. It is up to you. Warmer clothing for the evening as temperatures might drop to 19°C.
Comfortable but stout shoes / boots to walk around Cairo – the surface is very uneven and not clean.
Solid daypack /rucksack, something to keep a bottle of water in.
Sun cream
Sun Glasses
Hat
Earplugs – if you find it difficult to sleep with background noise – Cairo is a 24 hour city like many other capital cities and is gridlocked with traffic most of the time and drivers use their horns every few seconds. It is impossible to escape the sounds of Cairo but it is not unbearable where we are staying.
Mosquito spray – Unfortunately there are mosquitoes in Cairo – you are not at risk of contracting Malaria but to avoid bites the hotel will provide you with anti mosquito tablets for an electric device used in the bedrooms and they do have meshing on the windows. They are partially successful and you may want to add some spray to your arsenal! Do not be too alarmed – in comparison to other places in the world the discomfort caused by them is minimal but do bring some bite relief spray in case you do get bitten.
Street theft is extremely rare in Cairo and you will be able to walk quite freely around and take pictures etc. without any hassle in the non-tourist areas – if you wish to go to more touristy areas then all sensible precautions to avoid pickpockets etc. should be taken and leave all visible valuables behind. Cairo is seen as one of the safest cities in the world crime wise, so do not be overly concerned about safety.

MONEY
It is a good idea to have changed some money in advance so you have a supply of Egyptian Pounds when you arrive. N.B. small denomination notes are very rare in Cairo and hence getting change from people can be very difficult – try to bring as small as possible denominations. ATM’s are found all over Cairo BUT we advise you to NOT rely on them – we have had and heard of other people experiencing problems with them not dispensing cash but actually debiting the account. If you do want to use them we will advise where it is safest to do so. Do remember to inform your bank you intend to use your card abroad otherwise they will block your card after one transaction as they will assume it has been stolen. A much better idea is to bring some American Express Traveller Cheques – we will show you where their branch is in Cairo to safely exchange.

HOTEL – PENSION ROMA

£15 a night per large room with shower.
You can visit their website for a preview of the rooms and there facilities - http://www.pensionroma.com.eg/english/pensionroma.htm
N.B – they do have free wireless internet so if you want to bring your laptop along you can check your emails etc. They do NOT have computers to use – we can take you to Cyber Cafes nearby if you need access to the Internet. They do have secure lock up facilities for your valuables. There is a basic breakfast available but no real restaurant facilities to speak of, we will be often eating out.

EATING OUT

It is better to eat in places were Egyptian people eat – they know where places serve good healthy food and we will take you to a range of eateries. N.B you have more chance of getting food poisoning in 3-5 Star Hotels and tourist eateries ( we know – we have had the dubious pleasure ! ) There are not too many places to eat out at, but we have found a nice selection, some for more traditional Egyptian food and others which have a bash at Western style dishes. We didn’t have too many problems in Cairo with stomach upsets ( once we realised to avoid those touristy joints ) but it is a good idea to bring Imodium just in case – if you do get a stomach upset, the quickest cure is Antinal, which you can buy in every pharmacy in Egypt . Antinal kills all the stomach bacteria both good and bad; you need to take Acidophilus after a course of Antinal to build up your healthy bacteria. Hopefully none of us will get anything but it is best to be prepared.

WATER
When in Cairo and Egypt as a whole, avoid drinking any tap water unless it has been completely sterilised by either boiling, filtering or chemical treatments. Travellers from outside of Egypt will not be used to the high levels of bacteria found in Cairo’s tap water and will be sure to suffer from diarrhoea when drinking local water. Therefore, it is essential to stick to bottled water when in Cairo, which is readily available at most grocery stores – although do make sure that the cap is sealed. Don’t rinse your mouth out with tap water when you scrub your teeth – use bottled water. Don’t accept a bottle of water in a restaurant unless you’ve seen it being opened. It may have been an empty bottle which they have filled with tap water. Also worth noting, avoid any uncooked fruit or vegetables, including salads, in case they have been washed with tap water. Food from restaurants is safest when piping hot. This is the standard advice copied from a travel site and we broadly agree – we will help you with buying “untampered” water bottles.

EGYPTIAN SIM CARDS / MOBILE PHONES

You can by Egyptian Sim cards for a mobile phone quite cheaply in Cairo and then it is possible to make cheap calls in Cairo – a good way to keep in touch with us if you decide to do some exploring without us. Also calls back to the UK will be cheaper.

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