Friday, December 30, 2022
Currency
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound. As a rule, the best exchange rates are found once you've arrived in Egypt - US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are the easiest currencies to convert, and you can take cash out at the majority of ATMs.
Visa
British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa. You can either buy it online from the official visa2egypt portal before you travel or you can pay on arrival which is 25 USD in cash.
Alcohol
If you wanting to drink alcohol whilst in Egypt it's best to buy it at Duty Free as it is hard to source. As Egypt is a majority Islamic country, most people do not drink. So you will need to go to expat areas or super touristy areas such as cruise ships/ resort areas to buy if you are not staying at a hotel.
You will also be able to buy alcohol at almost all the high end restaurants, check out Drinkies which is an alcohol delivery service.
Cuisine
The cuisine is very vegan and vegetarian friendly. For Vegan options ask for Seyami foods, which is what Coptic Egyptians eat during their fast which is Vegan (with the exception of fish). In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. So make sure you use bottled water to drink and brush your teeth.
Be prepared to tip
You are expected to tip after every service given, for example if someone just took a photo for you. If you are staying at a hotel the workers prefer USD or GBP as it is easier for them to exchange. Generally, in Egypt, you should tip between 10 and 15%.
Dress modesty
Light fabrics like linen, cotton and athletic clothing are ideal for the heat. Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee, especially at religious sites. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the guys should try and dress modesty as well.
Get a tour guide
Travelling in a new country can be very daunting, so finding a guide could be a godsend. Typically most tour operators come with a driver, and it will save you lots of stress, time, and money. If you are travelling in a group a tour operator can showcase the best Egypt has to offer. Hurghada excursions are great for making the most of your trip to Egypt.
If you wanting to drink alcohol whilst in Egypt it's best to buy it at Duty Free as it is hard to source. As Egypt is a majority Islamic country, most people do not drink. So you will need to go to expat areas or super touristy areas such as cruise ships/ resort areas to buy if you are not staying at a hotel.
You will also be able to buy alcohol at almost all the high end restaurants, check out Drinkies which is an alcohol delivery service.
Cuisine
The cuisine is very vegan and vegetarian friendly. For Vegan options ask for Seyami foods, which is what Coptic Egyptians eat during their fast which is Vegan (with the exception of fish). In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. So make sure you use bottled water to drink and brush your teeth.
Be prepared to tip
You are expected to tip after every service given, for example if someone just took a photo for you. If you are staying at a hotel the workers prefer USD or GBP as it is easier for them to exchange. Generally, in Egypt, you should tip between 10 and 15%.
Dress modesty
Light fabrics like linen, cotton and athletic clothing are ideal for the heat. Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee, especially at religious sites. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the guys should try and dress modesty as well.
Get a tour guide
Travelling in a new country can be very daunting, so finding a guide could be a godsend. Typically most tour operators come with a driver, and it will save you lots of stress, time, and money. If you are travelling in a group a tour operator can showcase the best Egypt has to offer. Hurghada excursions are great for making the most of your trip to Egypt.
Learn a few sayings
If you are wanting to explore the country it is ideal learn a few saying. "La Shukran" means No thank you if you want to politely want to tell someone in the market that you do not want to buy their goods. "Sabah al-khair" means Good morning and "Yalla" means lets go!.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April, temperatures are cooler but you are still guaranteed sun, ideal if you are wanting to spend Christmas in the sunshine. The cheapest time to visit is in May
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Retirement is an exciting part of life that lets you stop and slow down for a while. It's vital that you pick the right area for retirement, or you could find yourself living in an area that doesn't match your needs.
Texas is a vast state with countless types of cities to suit anyone's wishes! If you're eager to move somewhere fresh and aren't sure where to land: consider retiring in one of these areas.
Austin
If you love live music and want to live somewhere that feels like paradise, it's time to head to Austin! This fantastic city has everything from incredible music venues to the best food in the state. Although it's a younger crowd, this is a wonderful place to retire if you want to stay young at heart.
Not only are the roads walkable, but there's so much to do and see here that you'll never run out of fun and interesting activities. This is the best destination for anyone who still feels like they're in their 20s or 30s!
El Paso
Not only is El Paso houses for sale the most affordable on this list, but this community is such a perfect mix of a big city and small town that anyone could fall in love with it! As a border town, El Paso has a wonderful blend of American and Mexican cultures that lets you feel like you live in some third different country somewhere in the middle.
There's a lot to see and do here, and the locals are always welcoming and excited to meet some fresh faces. The low air-moisture content will ensure your joints are a lot nicer to you as well.
Houston
Houston should be considered because of how many older and retiree groups there are! Countless people retiree here and enjoy the year-round golf courses, the incredible views, and the short two-hour drive to the beach.
Houston is also one of the most affordable cities on this list! Here you can really dive into the arts or enjoy watching the Astros play live! There's so much to do and see here that you'll never want to leave once you land.
Arlington
Just a couple of minutes outside of Dallas, Arlington gets the charm of big-city living without all of the terrible traffic. This city is home to the Dallas Cowboys and their cheerleaders! Here you can enjoy the great local walks through history, the fantastic trails for biking and hiking, and the fantastic sense of community amongst local retired people!
San Antonio
With the oldest average age in Texas, San Antonio has been a hotspot for retirees for ages! This city offers individuals the opportunity to escape into a community of like-minded people who are the same age and get to feel like they're the norm. Here you can connect with plenty of elderly and retiree communities, and you'll feel like you belong!
Texas is a Retiree’s Dream
Whether you want to live in a metropolitan area or you're more into the idea of a rural town, any of the cities in Texas will pleasantly surprise you! Consider moving to the Lone Star State soon!
Thursday, December 8, 2022
School trips aren’t just a fun day off school for children, they are actually very beneficial for a range of reasons. They can begin as early as nursery level and take students on a range of amazing adventures they’ll never forget. I’ve teamed up with a private school in Surrey to explore the benefits of school trips in further detail below.
Helps Children and Teachers to Bond
Spending time outside of the classroom together is a great way for children to bond with their peers and get to know their teachers a little better. By improving these relationships, children are in a better position to enjoy classroom learning more, because they are doing so with people they have connected with.
Encourages Independence
Depending on the child’s age, school trips are great for helping youngsters become more independent. They have to take care of their belongings and manage money, amongst other things, without their parents there to tell them what to do. What’s more, they might have to speak to strangers to ask for directions or any number of other reasons, which will help them become more confident being away from home and out of their comfort zone.
Heightens Learning
Not all students learn well by reading from a textbook. Experiencing things in real life is a great way to bring learning to life and makes it more memorable. It will be far easier for students to recall information in their exams if that information is attached to a fond memory of a school trip.
Inspires Good Behaviour
If children have a school trip to look forward to, they might feel more motivated to work hard and behave well in class. This is a great way for teachers to keep their class in check!
As well as the benefits listed above, school trips are great fun for kids. After months of studying, it’s nice for them to let their hair down and enjoy themselves outside of the four walls of their usual classroom.
If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen, it’s likely you’re feeling an array of emotions, from excitement to dread. It’s a big project and will likely mean you won’t have anywhere to prepare your food for some time, not to mention all of the noise and the dreaded dust. Then there’s the costs to consider. The good news is, with the right level of preparation, the project should run seamlessly. Read on for some tips from a bespoke kitchen design company in Islington.
Remove Everything from the Kitchen
This won’t be a fun task, but it's important to remove all loose items from your kitchen so that the workmen have an empty space to work with. Add labels to your packaging so that returning items once the project is done will be easy. It’s probably worth ditching anything that’s close to its use-by date as well and be ruthless with any old crockery you think is past its best.
Arrange a Provisional Kitchen
Of course, you’ll still need to eat while the renovation works are underway, so unless you plan on eating out every night you should try and arrange for a temporary kitchen area to be built. You’ll need a water source, and you can move your fridge and microwave into the temporary space. You just might have to go without an oven and stove for the time being.
Ensure the Space is Safe
This is particularly important if you have children or pets but restricting the work area is crucial if you want to keep everyone safe. There will likely be sharp objects and dangerous tools lying around that you won’t want your kids to get their hands on.
Alert the Neighbours
It would be considerate to let your neighbours know you are going to be having some construction work done so that they can make alternative arrangements to avoid the noise if possible.
It may feel impossible at times but try your best to remain calm during the project – it will certainly be worth it in the long run and will likely increase the value of your property!
Mindfulness is a widespread meditation practise that allows a person to feel more grounded in a current moment, which takes their focus away from things that they might be anxious or stressed about. If parents explore mindfulness with their child from a young age, it will help equip them with a coping mechanism that they can use throughout life to calm their mind. Here are some tips from an independent school in Surrey on how you can start exploring mindfulness with your youngster.
Tune Into the Senses
This is a practise that can be done at any time! Whether you’re out for stroll through the woods or just sitting at home in the living room, as your child what they can see, hear, smell, taste and feel. This will draw their thoughts to the present moment and stop them from stressing about exams or something else that might be bothering them, even if it’s just a temporary relief.
Another common practise, and something you could try if your child is having a temper tantrum, is to make them pause, look round the room and list off anything they can see of a certain colour.
Discuss Feelings
This doesn’t have to be an emotional feeling, it could be a physical one, but the idea is to encourage your child to embrace an experience as it is happening rather than letting moments flash by in the blink of an eye. For instance, if you’re eating a tasty meal, you could discuss the flavour and texture and how it makes you feel warm. Again, this draws the attention to the present moment.
Dispel Fear
If your child is anxious about something that may or may not happen in the future, ask them to think about whether or not they are in any imminent danger. The answer will most likely be no, which should help calm them. Ask them if the thing they’re worried about will matter in a week, a month, or a year. The trick is to draw them back to the safety and comfort of the here and now.
As a parent, you’ve probably heard the term “STEM” quite a lot, in reference to your child’s learning and development. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, and encompasses all subjects that fall under that umbrella. With that said, there’s no wonder that STEM learning is a crucial part of your child’s overall academic development, and can help them secure a great job in the future. Below, a prep school in Richmond share some of the ways you can explore STEM subjects with your child at home.
Show Them Your Car
Next time you pop the bonnet of your car to top up the washer fluid or engine oil, call your child over to show them the engine. Explain what’s involved in making a car run and perhaps take it one step further to discuss the environmental benefits of moving to an electric vehicle in the future.
Bake Together
Believe it or not, as well as being super fun and rewarding, baking with your child is a great STEM-based activity. It involves science and maths, especially when you’re measuring and mixing ingredients.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Whether you spend time in the garden or wandering through the woods, spending time outdoors is great for your child’s learning. Perhaps you could build a bird feeder or a bug hotel and observe the living things that pay a visit to your property. When you’re out walking, talk about what species of birds and trees you come across on your travels.
Introduce Water Play
This is a great one for younger children and will encourage them to experiment. Either during bath time or if you’re lucky enough to have a paddling pool in the garden, take some different (safe) items along and ask your child if they think things will sink or float.
These are just a few suggestions to get you started and there are lots of other options depending on your child’s age. You could try some science experiments at home, encourage your child to have coding lessons, or invest in a telescope to encourage an interest in space. The opportunities are endless when it comes to STEM learning.
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