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A reverse Exodus to Egypt!

4/24/2014

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Delighted to be home after an incredible holiday in Cairo, Egypt. 

It was interesting to see the other side during Pesach. I did look out for jews in the hieroglyphics - But we couldn't see any reference to the Pesach story. So I'll have to look into that-let me know if you have any info.

We did feel a bit of tension - There were rumors of protests around main Mosques and Tahrir Square (next to the Egyptian Museum) on the Friday after lunchtime prayers. And yes, we were mad enough to got to the Egyptian Museum on the Friday. There were loads of tanks parked up next to the museum in preparation, and no, we did not mention we were jewish to anyone! But we had an english speaking guide and driver for the day/week, who kept us out of trouble. 
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in the Egyptian Museum ( we weren't really allowed to take photos in there)
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The authentic mask of Tutenkamun. (taken from a guide book) Did you know he was buried in 3 solid gold coffins and 4 boxes each one fitting inside the other, like a russian doll.
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the royal mummies hall was incredible and well worth the extra 100EP to go, although Alfie was a bit frightened!
So, we were virtually the only tourists there, it's a great time to go-the Egyptian museum in Cairo is incredible. There were no queues to see the authentic Tutenkamuns treasures. (the recent European tours of the treasures are replicas)

We visited the Pyramids in Giza on horseback and by camel-which the kids adored-even Alfie was riding solo, without being led. Unfortunately he didn't know his right from left when trying to direct him-quite funny. Patch went everywhere. (he's had a few washes in hand sanitiser)
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at the Pyramids in Giza
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Giza by camel and horseback
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the Sphinx
We spent a day in Saqqara, visiting more pyramids and tombs-the hieroglyphics are so clear to see (and touch) It's such an aweinspiring thing to see and do, climbing down shafts into tombs, to see walls full of hieroglyphics. you can easily see how its inspired film after film, fashions and architecture and for Sasha-gameshows (think Crystal maze and Fort Boyard). However there's only so many tombs Charlie could take so Harry Potter came out a few times!

Cairo is enormous, we stayed in Giza at a beautiful but empty hotel. The environs outside were rather rundown-and there was litter everywhere. And Cairo is so big and congested that is took a while to get anywhere. On the first couple of days we had our friendly English speaking and expensive driver (useful on the Friday when there was tension) . After that we took the local transport around-buses, the metro and micro buses (clapped out vw campers with the doors open) which was much more fun. -but we had the luxury of being able to hop in a taxi when we had too much.

All the women I saw were covered up. So I felt like I had to dress fairly modestly, although you still couldn't get me in trousers. How they wear jeans and cardigans, sweaters and even coats is beyond me - the temperature was lovely for us - probably 28 degrees. I forgot my costume so had to buy one. That was quite an experience. Standard female swimming garb is a 3 piece lycra suit consisting of leggings longsleeve polo neck body, and tunic, or with built in head cover. I got something far more immodest, kind of a swimsuit with skirt and inbuilt cycling shorts. The pool was a bit cold for me-so it only came out once!
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these are egyptian swimming costumes-I particularly like the full length sporty one on the right
I didn't really talk to any women there. Most of the guest facing hotel staff were male. (there were a couple of female receptions but their grasp of English was not great - Can't say I have any grasp of arabic though.) But there were some women working in shops that we saw.

It does make you appreciate how lucky we are to live in the first world in a democracy, where we have choice and freedom. I hope my children can appreciate it too.

It was a bloody long day coming back yesterday. We woke at 3.30am to catch the 6.45 flight home via Paris to get home for 7pm. Unfortunately I spent the evening with hedrin and the nit comb on all of us. I think we must have taken them away with us, so we can't blame the Egyptians for that!
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catching the train to the airport
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on the travellator at Manchester Airport. Did you know Halliday Meecham designed it?
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We were constantly asked by locals for photos, especially Alfie. They'd take it in turns to stand with us.
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One of our best days was a successful search for an english copy of the second Harry Potter for my daughter. Which involved a trip to the bookstalls in central Cairo by microbus and metro
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We made an evening trip to see the Sufi dancers
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We gave the kids a day to choose what they wanted to do and they found the local themepark on the internet. It was a 45 min bus ride from the hotel in Giza. It was a great way to see locals letting their hair down. We spent most of the time being followed by groups of boys, and girls.
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here we are posing for numerous photos
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inside the tomb in Saqqara-more impressive than Giza
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Sasha climbing out of the tomb
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the ceilings were carved with stars
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incredible hieroglyphics inside the tombs in Saqqara
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coloured hieroglyphics inside the tombs in Saqqara
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Inside the Zoser complex. Designed by Imhotep. He designed the first step pyramid and stone tombs.
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the entrance to the Zoser complex
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A bit of stair porn at Cairo airport
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inside Charles de Gaulle airport on the way back
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RIBA calls for suspension of Israeli Architects

4/11/2014

13 Comments

 
Has anyone been following the RIBA motion for the suspension of the Israeli Assocation of United Architects from the UIA? I need architects to support the withdrawal of the motion.

Ron Gonshaw, the new SPG chair and I have sent a response to the president of the RIBA demanding Portland Place abandon its controversial motion against Israeli architects. (I stepped down as chair at last week’s AGM at the end of my 2 year term)

Here’s some background taken from the RIBA’s initial press release…

RIBA Council on 19 March 2014 passed a motion for the Institute to call on the International Union of Architects (UIA) to suspend the Israeli Association of United Architects’ membership until it acts to resist projects on illegally-occupied land and observes international law and accords.

The RIBA Council vote was passed with 23 for, 16 against, 10 abstentions.

The full RIBA motion, proposed by RIBA Immediate Past President, Angela Brady, was:

Since the Israeli Association of United Architects (IAUA) has paid no regard to the UIA resolution 13* of 2005 and 2009, the RIBA calls on the UIA, as the international guardian of professional and ethical standards in our profession, to suspend the membership of the Israeli Association of United Architects, until it acts to resist these illegal projects, and observes international law, and the UIA Accords and Resolution 13.


*UIA's Resolution 13 (2005 and 2009) states that “The UIA Council condemns development projects and the construction of buildings on land that has been ethnically purified or illegally appropriated, and projects based on regulations that are ethnically or culturally discriminatory, and similarly it condemns all action contravening the fourth Geneva Convention”.

And here’s our response as reported in the Architect’s Journal….

The Solo Practitioners Group (SPG) has demanded Portland Place abandon its controversial motion against Israeli architects

The linked society of the RIBA has written to institute president Stephen Hodder calling for a U-turn on demands for the International Architects Union (UIA) to suspend the membership of the Israeli architects’ representative body.

The North West of England-based organisation spoke out against the motion after its annual general meeting on 1 April ruled the policy was ‘not representative’ of its membership.

Adopted on 19 March, the motion tabled by past president Angela Brady followed the IAUA’s continued failure to punish architects breaching the UIA’s 2005 Resolution 13 condemning the building of settlements on occupied land.

The letter from SPG chair Ron Gonshaw said the agreement failed to support the RIBA’s aim of promoting architecture and that insufficient time had been given to debate the issue and gain a balanced view from members.

He added: ‘The RIBA in this motion is involving itself in the complexities of international politics [but] the first debate should be to establish if it is the wish of the membership to examine and scrutinise the civil rights records of every country.’

The letter continued: ‘This motion implies that the RIBA is partisan in the complex political situation in the Middle East, which is more damaging to the perception of RIBA and it’s members than the likely effectiveness of any possible resulting outcome.

‘We believe that the motion is ill judged for the above reasons and should therefore be withdrawn.’

The SPG’s criticism comes shortly after the Israeli Association of United Architects called on Prime Minister David Cameron to block the motion.

In addition, the issue was raised at the RIBA regional council meeting, where I held a seat as chair of the Solo Practitioners (until our AGM last week) and the following will be minuted…

NW Regional Council noted the concerns around this motion and would make known these concerns formally through Nations & Regions Council (and through Matt Brook’s representation on Nations & Regions Council).

And at the MSA where I also hold a seat, I raised the issue and we will invite local members of the RIBA council to a Q and A.

If you are an architect or know of any architects, who like me, thinks the motion should be withdrawn, please let me know and we can organise another letter.
The issue made front page of the Jewish Telegraph this week - 11th April 2014
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13 Comments

Shortlisted for 2 awards

4/8/2014

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We are delighted to be shortlisted for 2 awards, well actually 3! (ok so we didn't actually win)

The first was the Women in Construction Architect of the Year won by Fiona Welch of Collective Architects Click here for the full list of winners. Sian Lloyd hosted and Francesca Martinez was the very funny after dinner speaker. Much fun was had in the photo booth as you can see...

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The second was for the Grafters NW best Independent Architects Practice -won by Annabel Tugby Architects and the third was for Grafters NW best use of Social Media - won by Grant Erskine Architects. Click here for the full list of winners. Phil Jones from Brother was on hand to give a truly motivational speech.
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    Author

    Founder Manchester Curious, RIBA National Council Member, Forward Ladies award winner, Sister of David Raynes Outreach Service User, Past Chairman of Women in Property 
    NW. RIBA Chartered Architect, mother of 3.
    Proud Mancunian 
    and eco aware 
    recycler.

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