5th-6th October 2011: Don't forget, Egyptian mobile phone numbers are changing overnight, expect some blips in service!
"Egypt's 76 million mobile phone users can expect a temporary blip in services Thursday morning when caller numbers are revised in a drive to meet surging demand. The changes, due to take place in the early hours of 6 October, will make every Egyptian mobile phone number 11 digits in length. The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has warned of a potential disruption to all mobile services between the hours of 3am and 6am, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/23423.aspx
Refer to this post for further info: http://oldbagofcairo.blogspot.com/2011/09/egyptian-mobile-phone-numbers-changing.html
This probably also means that those of us using USB dongly things for our internets might get some problems too!
The phone providers are probably going to supply you with tools to change the numbers automatically from 6th October, so don't panic into changing them all manually just yet!
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Clipp cream redux
Way back in the mists of time, I blogged about Clipp cream which I found useful as a mosquito repellent! It's also a really good moisturizer for feet and hands in my humble opinion. It is silicon-based and lemon scented just so you know in case either of those are not good news for you.
Since then, I have had a small but steady stream of inquiries about where to obtain this fabelled product - normally from people who have been given some by visitors at some point. But narry a supplier could be found on the internet.
Now, however, thanks to a reader in the US, I have been put in touch with a small company based in the US called Derma Beauty who can supply this cream. Please note that it is a very small company with the personal touch so orders may take a little while to dispatch, but Salam says she is happy to supply international orders and if the relevant purchasing links on her site don't work, please email her.
The cream obviously costs more if you buy it via Salam as she has to import it. I have been unable to track down any other supplier in the whole world!
I haven't used the company myself, but 'a satisfied reader' has.
Since then, I have had a small but steady stream of inquiries about where to obtain this fabelled product - normally from people who have been given some by visitors at some point. But narry a supplier could be found on the internet.
Now, however, thanks to a reader in the US, I have been put in touch with a small company based in the US called Derma Beauty who can supply this cream. Please note that it is a very small company with the personal touch so orders may take a little while to dispatch, but Salam says she is happy to supply international orders and if the relevant purchasing links on her site don't work, please email her.
The cream obviously costs more if you buy it via Salam as she has to import it. I have been unable to track down any other supplier in the whole world!
I haven't used the company myself, but 'a satisfied reader' has.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Egyptian mobile phone numbers changing from October 6th 2011
Update 7th October 2011: If you are calling or texting someone from an Egyptian phone, they will receive the call or message for now, BUT contact information is lost so they will not know who is calling or who is texting (unless they have edited all their contacts).
PLEASE SIGN TEXTS WITH YOUR NAME SO THEY KNOW WHO IT IS FROM!
New mobile phone numbers will be 11 digits long, up from 10 at present.
There will be a 4 month overlap period when you can use the old and new formats.
Egyptian mobile phone numbers to change from 6th October 2011
PLEASE SIGN TEXTS WITH YOUR NAME SO THEY KNOW WHO IT IS FROM!
New mobile phone numbers will be 11 digits long, up from 10 at present.
There will be a 4 month overlap period when you can use the old and new formats.
Egyptian mobile phone numbers to change from 6th October 2011
Etisalat
Current 10 digit numbers, which all start 01, will take an extra 1. They will now begin 011
Current 11 digit numbers, which all start 0152, will change the 5 to a 1. They will now begin 0112
Mobinil
Current 10 digit numbers, which start 01, will add a 2. They will now begin 012
Current 11 digit numbers, which start 0150, will replace the 5 with a 2. They will begin 0120
Vodafone
Current 10 digit numbers, which start 01, will add a 0. They will now start 010
Current 11 digit numbers, which start 0151, will replace 5 with 0. They will start 0101
Pictorial display of the changes:
Pictorial display of the changes:
I saw this on Facebook, but I don't know the original source of this graphic. If the originator contacts me, I will be happy to make due reference.
The phone providers are probably going to supply you with tools to change the numbers automatically from 6th October, so don't panic into changing them all manually just yet!
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Important entry visa news - now you see it now you don't
11TH SEPTEMBER 2011: STOP PRESS - EGYPTIAN CABINET REVERSES THIS DECISION!
Changes to Tourism Visa Suspended
Changes to visa regulations suspended
Changes to tourist visa revoked
So let me see, yesterday I received an email from the British Embassy saying:
" We have spoken to the Immigration Ministry today, who tell us that it is not correct that you can no longer buy visas on entry. They tell us that they have no new instructions and that nothing has changed."
Changes to Tourism Visa Suspended
Changes to visa regulations suspended
Changes to tourist visa revoked
So let me see, yesterday I received an email from the British Embassy saying:
" We have spoken to the Immigration Ministry today, who tell us that it is not correct that you can no longer buy visas on entry. They tell us that they have no new instructions and that nothing has changed."
Yet, it was in fact true, the decision had been made, but following the hue and cry has been reversed.
One is shaking one's head and tutting!
NOTE THAT THIS INFORMATION BELOW IS NO LONGER (WELL TODAY ANYWAY!) RELEVANT!!!
Independent travellers to Egypt please note:
In the pipeline - visitors to be required to get visas before entering Egypt not on arrival
Please be aware if you are planning to visit Egypt and get an entry visa upon arrival at the airport, it is reported that this is likely to change.
According to this link:
Egypt requiring tourists to get visas in advance
this may kick in as early as NEXT WEEK. Be advised especially if you are planning to travel here very soon.
One is shaking one's head and tutting!
NOTE THAT THIS INFORMATION BELOW IS NO LONGER (WELL TODAY ANYWAY!) RELEVANT!!!
Independent travellers to Egypt please note:
In the pipeline - visitors to be required to get visas before entering Egypt not on arrival
Please be aware if you are planning to visit Egypt and get an entry visa upon arrival at the airport, it is reported that this is likely to change.
According to this link:
Egypt requiring tourists to get visas in advance
this may kick in as early as NEXT WEEK. Be advised especially if you are planning to travel here very soon.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Online Mecca finder
I have a visitor in my home from another area who wants to pray and I wasn't sure which way he should face and there was noone around to ask.
Anyway, I found this handy on-line Mecca finder. It uses Google maps and you have to move the map so the place you are is under the red line.
I found my building on there and the direction for Mecca is shown by the red line. I had said to him the direction I thought (but told him I wasn't really sure) and turns out I was right.
Online Qiblah Finder
Anyway, I found this handy on-line Mecca finder. It uses Google maps and you have to move the map so the place you are is under the red line.
I found my building on there and the direction for Mecca is shown by the red line. I had said to him the direction I thought (but told him I wasn't really sure) and turns out I was right.
Online Qiblah Finder
Saturday, 11 June 2011
El Korba Festival 2011 POSTPONED
Stop Press - El Korba Festival 2011 due to take place 1st July is POSTPONED
source: AHRAM - El Korba Festival 2011 POSTPONED
The news is that the El Korba Festival will be held on 1st July 2011 - Baghdad Street, El Korba, Heliopolis.
I urge you to keep updated on this as the date has already moved once!
source: AHRAM - El Korba Festival 2011 POSTPONED
The news is that the El Korba Festival will be held on 1st July 2011 - Baghdad Street, El Korba, Heliopolis.
I urge you to keep updated on this as the date has already moved once!
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
No Daylight Savings Time in Egypt 2011
There will be NO daylight savings time in Egypt in 2011 (and possibly going forward).
Clocks were due to go forward at the end of next week (night of April 28th/29th) but this is NOT HAPPENING.
This means Egypt will continue to be just 1 hour ahead of the UK until late October when British Summer Time ends.
While this means it will be getting dark around 730pm in Egypt through the summer (which holiday makers might want to take notice of), it does mean we won't have the yo-yoing of the clocks which happened last year when they went back for Ramadan and then forward again!
Ahram article
Al Masry Al Youm article
Clocks were due to go forward at the end of next week (night of April 28th/29th) but this is NOT HAPPENING.
This means Egypt will continue to be just 1 hour ahead of the UK until late October when British Summer Time ends.
While this means it will be getting dark around 730pm in Egypt through the summer (which holiday makers might want to take notice of), it does mean we won't have the yo-yoing of the clocks which happened last year when they went back for Ramadan and then forward again!
Ahram article
Al Masry Al Youm article
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