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2256 discussions

Shuttle related questions
by Al Tally 12 Jul '08

12 Jul '08

Hi, I have some questions I really need answering. 1. How do we catch the free shuttle that is being provided for us? Do we need to buy a ticket from anywhere, and get refunded? Or do we just catch the one marked Alexandria without paying anything? Also, whereabouts is it located in relation to the airport? Directions would be nice. 2. When we arrive in Alexandria, how far is the station from the accommodation (the College)? Would we need to get a taxi? Again, directons would be good. 3. When we get to the accommodation, how do we identify ourselves? Just with our name, or do we say "We're with Wikimania"? On getting back: 4. See question one. Which station do we go from? How do we board it? These are basic things that should be on the wiki, in my opinion. I shouldn't have to be asking about stuff like this. Other basic info not included on the wiki is the address of the College Saint-Marc. Why is it not there, and why when ever I ask anything does no one know the answer? I've never been to Egypt before. I've never travelled on my own. I have this awful feeling I'm going to get to Cairo, and be basically stranded because of the lack of information provided by this year's team. Please provide it. Call me paranoid, but I like to know what I'm doing, and I'd rather plan well ahead for something like this. Thank you. -- Al Tally (User:Majorly)

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Jimmy Wales' Lecture
by Ahmed Koraiem 12 Jul '08

12 Jul '08

Does anybody have an idea about how to attend jimmy wales' lecture on the 16th? I mean, does it need to be reserved, or will I need to get a ticket from bib alex to enter?, or is it just free?

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Egypt travel tips
by Aude 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

I have been in Egypt for over a month now, living in Cairo, as a student. Since arriving, I have traveled around the country, including Sinai, Alexandria, and will be in Luxor this weekend. With people arriving soon for Wikimania, I'd like to take the opportunity to share advice and experiences as a female. Language - English is widely spoken in Egypt, and you will get by just fine if you don't know any words in Arabic. Though it's good to know a few basics in Arabic: "shukran" - thank you; "aywa" - yes; "la" - no; "la shukran" - no thanks; "kwayis" - okay, good; "low samaht" - please, excuse me; "asif" - sorry (said by a male)/"asifa" (said by female); "hina kwayis" - here is good (useful in a taxi for saying where to stop); "mish fahim" - I don't understand; "betikkallim ingleezee" - do you speak English? Arriving- I found it unusual when arriving in Cairo, when we had to walk down stairs (out of a jumbo-size Boeing 767) and onto the tarmac. We road a shuttle bus from there to the airport terminal. Go ahead and exchange some money in the airport - best to do before going through customs. Getting through customs and immigration was quick and easy for me, though I obtained my visa in advance. Safety - * I feel extremely safe here -- safer than I do back in the U.S. Crime is not much of a problem at all. Also, there is a strong police presence everywhere. In Sinai and other places, there are checkpoints on the highways. Most of the time, our tour groups have been completely on our own, but we had police accompany us a few times. * There is some harassment on the streets, but it's mainly words. Knowing a few things in Arabic helps (e.g. "la shukran"). It helps to walk in groups, but I have walked around my neighborhood and other places on my own without problems. * For the most part, Egyptians are very welcoming, especially with tourism so important to the economy here. I even have some friends here who are Jewish, who are getting along fine here. Getting around - * The biggest difference between the U.S. and Egypt (and elsewhere in the Middle East) is that traffic lights are pretty much lacking here. In a few spots, there are traffic lights and/or police controlling traffic. To cross the street, it's like playing the video game "Frogger", hurrying across the street when there is a small break in traffic. Also, when riding in a taxi, the taxi driver may go quite fast and it takes getting use to the manner that they drive. What to wear - * I brought lightweight long/half-sleeve blouses, pants (linen or other lightweight material), and long skirts. At the last minute, I tossed a t-shirt in my luggage before I left the US. I'm so very glad that I brought a t-shirt, and really wish I brought more short sleeve tops. In the area of Cairo where I live (Zamalek), as well as around the university and many other areas, it is acceptable to wear short sleeves. Same goes for Alexandria (Bibliotheca and other areas), which is located along the waterfront. * If you are going to see the pyramids in Giza or other such sites, anything goes for clothing. It's not a problem to for women to wear a tank top/or t-shirt and shorts. Such attire was also absolute acceptable when I was in Sharm el-Sheikh (in Sinai) and in similar locations. * For all places, sandals are completely acceptable for women. You will even see women covered in hijabs who are wearing sandals. Shopping - * In Khan al-Khalili (Cairo) and other markets, the vendors are aggressive in wanting you to come into their shop and buy. As well, the crowds at the markets can be overwhelming. * Bargaining - The prices that vendors tell you are way overpriced and you need to bargain. For example, they may want 50 LE (khamseen) for a scarf, but you can get it for 10 LE (ashrun) or not more than 20 LE (ashreen). To get out of bargaining and move along, you can say "hagee tania" which means "I'll come back another time". Pretty much all the vendors will know some English, but a little bit of Arabic can help. * Khan al-Khalili is located in Islamic Cairo section of the city, which is more conservative. It's good advice to dress more conservatively when going shopping. To visit Al-Azhar Mosque, women should also wear a scarf. Despite having to put up with all this, it is definitely well worth it to visit Khan al-Khalili or other such places for shopping and souvenirs. Taking a taxi - * Prices - Taxi is a cheap and easy way to get around. It's one flat price, no matter how many people are riding in the taxi. There are no meters. You set the price, and it should be fair for the driver. If you don't know what the fare should be for a particular destination, then you should ask someone (hotel concierge, staff at the dorms, at Bibliotheca, etc.) what's a reasonable price. 5 LE is a fair price for a ride from Bibliotheca to the downtown area in Alexandria, since it's not far. I don't remember for sure exactly how far the dorms are, but I think 5-6 LE is reasonable, since I don't think the dorms are far. I paid 10-12 LE to get from BA to the other end of the corniche in Alexandria. * Getting a taxi - If you are going really far (e.g. downtown Cairo to the Giza pyramids), then you should agree on a price before getting in a taxi. For most places (medium and shorter distances), do not discuss price before getting in. Just say your destination and the driver should agree to take you. A few times, before or once getting in, the driver has asked me about price. If that happens, you can say your price. If they don't agree, then find a different taxi. Really, price should not come up. * Paying the driver - When you arrive, everyone MUST GET OUT before paying the driver. Once everyone is out, then the person with the money should give the driver the money through the window. Then everyone needs to walk away. Most of the time, the driver doesn't argue with me/us, but sometimes they will make a fuss and demand more. The thing to do is keep walking away. You gave them a fair, reasonable amount. As a tourist, maybe you can give the taxi driver a tiny bit more to avoid an argument. * You do not need to tip the driver. Just give them the fare. Eating - I think most meals are provided at Wikimania, but when you are on your own... * Koshari (dish of macaroni, rice, lentils, and sauce) or tamiyya (falafel) make a good cheap meal. A falafel sandwich can be had for 1-2 LE each, and koshari meal w/drink for 7-10 LE. Fast food places (e.g. McDonalds, Hardees, KFC, Pizza Hut) are available most everywhere, though these are not cheap meals by Egyptian standards. A meal at McDonalds will cost ~30 LE ($5-6 USD) or more. A meal at a good sit-down place (American style cafes, and other types of places) will cost a bit more, but I think the prices are comparable or slightly cheaper than in the US. * I been fine eating the food here, though felt slightly ill after eating salad in my university cafeteria. It might have been the tomatoes that were not great. I have avoided salad at other places, though did get salad at McDonalds which was fine. Some caution about eating raw fruits and vegetables is a good idea. Cheap tamiyya and koshari have all been fine. * Alcohol is not difficult to find in Egypt. Stella and Sakara are brands of beer that are available here. There are plenty of bars and clubs around, as well a hotel bar is a definite place to find alcohol. * Restaurants will include a service charge directly on your bill, but you should also leave a tip. Bathrooms - * Western-style toilets are available pretty much most places, though some places (e.g. Islamic Cairo), you might find a squat-style toilet. When I arrived at the airport in Cairo, I had some difficulty figuring out how to flush the toilet. There is a knob on the toilet lid that you pull out and then push back in when finished with flushing. Some toilets just have a button to push. * It's a good idea to carry some toilet paper or tissue with you. Toilet paper is usually available most places I have been, but not always. In some places, there is a staff person manning the bathrooms, who will give you toilet paper for bashish (tip). In some places (e.g. rest houses/stops on the highway), you will need to pay 1 LE or another amount to use the bathroom facilities. In places like McDonalds and other restaurants, as well as hotels, and certainly places like Bibliotheca, you don't pay to use the bathroom and they have toilet paper. Sightseeing - I have been to the Pyramids in Giza, Sakkara, to Alexandria, to Sinai (St. Katherine's and Sharm el-Sheikh) and will be in Luxor this weekend. I don't have a lot of spare time to organize these better, but I have quite a few pictures now posted on Flickr of Alexandria and other places in Egypt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmf164/ Let me know if you want sightseeing suggestions or advice. Questions - http://wikimania2008.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Aude - I have posted all this on my Wikimania user page. Please feel free to ask questions. I'm sure I missed mentioning some things. -Aude -- Aude

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Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start - customs
by Geoffrey Plourde 10 Jul '08

10 Jul '08

I was just curious as to whether or not people will be available to assist through customs. ----- Original Message ---- From: Austin Hair <adhair(a)gmail.com> To: Wikimania general list (open subscription) <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> Sent: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 9:10:04 PM Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start - customs On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 10:47 PM, Geoffrey Plourde <geo.plrd(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > The question regards customs. In the event that people don't clear customs, > or if customs delays them for a couple hours, will the ground team have > plans in place to handle that? Handle what? In the event that you're refused entry into Egypt, there's not a whole lot anyone can do about that. If you're delayed "a couple hours," you may just miss the free shuttle. However good the organization team may be, it's not their responsibility to hold every attendee's hand through every step of the process. International travel is serious business, and you should plan for the possibility that everything doesn't go like clockwork. Your plane may be delayed, you may get stopped at customs, your taxi might get a flat tire—that's just how it goes. I wish everyone the best, but I also expect that they can handle life like grown-ups in the event that the unexpected does happen. (Although I assume your question is rhetorical, since you don't appear to be registered to attend.) Austin _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

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Good luck to Wikimania 2008
by Titan Deng 10 Jul '08

10 Jul '08

Hi, I wish Wikimania in Alexandria to be a successful one. I wish the organizing team can deal with all organization affairs smoothly. And I wish everyone goes to WM08 will have a nice trip. I am now preparing for my lawyer exam, so I need to attend classes every evening. It's a pity I can't travel to Egypt. Good luck to Wikimania 2008. Best Regards, Titan -- Support the Wikimedia Foundation: http://donate.wikimedia.org

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[Fwd: Re: Questions about how to start - customs]
by Diana - Sumaq Peru Travel 10 Jul '08

10 Jul '08

I think this list is to ask any question related to the Wikimania 2008 event. All the questions of participants (I am registered by the way) are ok. I think there is no need of rough answers, there is no need to be tough. Diana -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start - customs Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 23:10:04 -0500 From: Austin Hair <adhair(a)gmail.com> Reply-To: Wikimania general list (open subscription) <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> To: Wikimania general list (open subscription) <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> References: <922198.98022.qm(a)web37401.mail.mud.yahoo.com> On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 10:47 PM, Geoffrey Plourde <geo.plrd(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > The question regards customs. In the event that people don't clear customs, > or if customs delays them for a couple hours, will the ground team have > plans in place to handle that? Handle what? In the event that you're refused entry into Egypt, there's not a whole lot anyone can do about that. If you're delayed "a couple hours," you may just miss the free shuttle. However good the organization team may be, it's not their responsibility to hold every attendee's hand through every step of the process. International travel is serious business, and you should plan for the possibility that everything doesn't go like clockwork. Your plane may be delayed, you may get stopped at customs, your taxi might get a flat tire—that's just how it goes. I wish everyone the best, but I also expect that they can handle life like grown-ups in the event that the unexpected does happen. (Although I assume your question is rhetorical, since you don't appear to be registered to attend.) Austin _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l 6

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Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start - customs
by Geoffrey Plourde 10 Jul '08

10 Jul '08

The question regards customs. In the event that people don't clear customs, or if customs delays them for a couple hours, will the ground team have plans in place to handle that? ----- Original Message ---- From: Delphine Ménard <notafishz(a)gmail.com> To: Wikimania general list (open subscription) <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> Sent: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 1:48:30 AM Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start - customs On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 08:42, Geoffrey Plourde <geo.plrd(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Actually, I have another question for the organizing team. Are provisions in > place in the event of people not getting through customs? Can you be a little more specific? I am not sure I understand your question. Delphine (PS changing the subject for clarity) -- ~notafish NB. This gmail address is used for mailing lists. For Wikimedia related correspondence, use my dmenard(at)wikimedia(point)org address. Ceci n'est pas une endive - http://blog.notanendive.org _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

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Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start - customs
by Delphine Ménard 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 08:42, Geoffrey Plourde <geo.plrd(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Actually, I have another question for the organizing team. Are provisions in > place in the event of people not getting through customs? Can you be a little more specific? I am not sure I understand your question. Delphine (PS changing the subject for clarity) -- ~notafish NB. This gmail address is used for mailing lists. For Wikimedia related correspondence, use my dmenard(at)wikimedia(point)org address. Ceci n'est pas une endive - http://blog.notanendive.org

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Re: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start
by Geoffrey Plourde 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

Actually, I have another question for the organizing team. Are provisions in place in the event of people not getting through customs? ----- Original Message ---- From: Ahmed Koraiem <amkoraiem(a)gmail.com> To: Wikimania general list (open subscription) <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 4:40:47 PM Subject: [Wikimania-l] Questions about how to start Hi, I'm Ahmed, a Cairo resident I actually wanted to know what should I do as soon as I arrive to alexandria? because I reserved in the saint marc dorms starting from the 16th. but when I arrive at alex, should I go there directly or should I go to the bib 1st to get a confirmation to get the room or what? because I rgistered online, and I don't know whom should I talk to when I arrive or where any idea??? thanks all Ahmed Koraiem _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

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Hotel and train reservations
by effe iets anders 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

Hi all, I would like to ask this question here, hoping for a useful answer :) I would like to ask some information about hotels and trains and reservations. I will arrive the 16th very early in the morning in Cairo, and would like a cheap hotel near the airport or main train station (assuming there is a good connection to that station from the airport) to sleep a few hours *before* I head to Alexandria by train. * Does anyone know what ho(s)tel would be good for this? (note: I arrive 2 am at the air port, and just want 5'ish hour of sleep, and being tired, it should be very good to find :) ) * Do I have to make reservations, and what will it roughly cost me? * Do I have to make reservations for the fast train service to Alexandria from Cairo, is it hard to get on board, how do I get tickets? * How far is it from the Alexandria station to the dorms? * What time can we drop off stuff in the dorms? After Wikimania, I would like to travel around a bit, going after two days or so to Luxor by the night train. First I want to stay one or two nights in Cairo. * Does anyone know a ho(s)tel that is good for this? (not too expensive, not per se next to the station) * Again: do we have to make reservations? * For the night train, do we have to make reservations? We would like to stay in Luxor for one or two days, and one or two days in Aswan. *Again, is there a nice ho(s)tel here, price, reservations? Thanks a lot, and I owe you a stroopwafel if you can help me out! Best regards, Lodewijk

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