The journal
Stories, expressions and everyday discoveries.
Egyptian Arabic: a place to begin
A practical introduction to spoken Egyptian Arabic, the place of formal Arabic, and a slower, more useful way to start listening.
Your first conversation starts with the reply
A compact greeting notebook: Arabic, readable pronunciation, common replies and the small choices that make practice useful.
Ahlan: a small word of welcome
أهلاً · ahlan · A hello that can also make room for someone. A short note on greeting, welcome and context.
Yalla: one word, many moods
يلا · yalla · “Let’s go” is a useful beginning. Tone and context tell you whether the moment is an invitation, encouragement or a hurry-up.
Maalesh, and the work of reassurance
معلش · maalesh · Sometimes “never mind,” sometimes “sorry.” A small expression whose usefulness depends on listening.
Koshary: a bowl built in layers
Rice, lentils, pasta, sauce and crunch. An introduction to a familiar Egyptian dish—and a way to notice the everyday table.
Historic Cairo: reading a living city
Look beyond the isolated monument. Streets, thresholds and public buildings offer a different way to understand Cairo’s historic fabric.
Alexandria: a library facing the sea
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina offers a contemporary lens on a city associated with books, exchange and the Mediterranean.
Tahteeb: the skill is in the restraint
A short introduction to the Egyptian stick game, where controlled movement and mutual respect are central to the encounter.