Blood, InshaAllah & Green Burgers - Enta Umri 3/3 by Eddy / علي دين Then, life handed me one of its bigger surprises. I met another teacher. She felt like the Egyptian Pocahontas, wise, rooted, radiant. Our lessons turned into conversations. Conversations into something deeper. And nine months later, we were married. In love, in deen, and in deep mutual respect. I didn’t plan it. But Allah did. Of course, no Egyptian year would be complete without a little unexpected drama. Mine came in the form of a “friend” who said he had serious eye problems and that an iPhone and wireless headphones would really help his condition. I believed him. I wanted to help. I made dua for his healing. Weeks later, I saw him recording high-definition TikToks in perfect health. Was I upset? A little. But part of me also respected the creativity. Still, nothing could break the spell Egypt had on me. I love to complain about it, loudly, dramatically, with full emotional flair, but only to Egyptians. With my Shilla. Outside my circle, I will defend this country like it’s a family member. Because Egypt, for all her chaos, offers a kind of warmth and soul I’ve never found anywhere else. And then there’s Jummah. Something shifts in the air after Friday prayer. The streets slow down. Smiles come more easily. The city exhales. It’s like, for a brief moment, Cairo remembers who it really is and so do I. So here I am. One year in Egypt. No structure. No plan. Just faith, love, street food, kindness, cats, dogs, uncles who never finish painting, because their aunt died again, 3rd time this month. And Um Kalthum or Abdel Halim Hafez always, always singing in the background. And when it all gets too much, when Cairo spins too fast? Hatla min hadoomy. But I’m not going anywhere. Helwa Ya Baladi, ya basha! #masr #cairoegypt #travelblog #bloglife

Blood, InshaAllah & Green Burgers - Enta Umri 2/3 by Eddy / علي دين Meanwhile in Cairo, the ahwa (local coffee shop) became my real school. I sat for hours sipping Yansoon that costs less than a tissue and listening to the uncles solve world politics, neighborhood gossip, and family dramas between backgammon games. The stories shared there? They formed me. Shaped the way I listen, laugh, and think. Then came the 30 cent breakfasts. Ful, mug and tamiya sandwiches wrapped in yesterday’s newspaper, tasting like they were blessed with a life long barakah. I still don’t know how Egypt makes food that cheap, that fast, and that satisfying without some divine help. And of course, there’s the national sport of Taxi Fare Negotiation. Me: “How much to Tahrir?” Driver: “Bashaaaaa, you’re not from here?” Me: “La, bas I know the price.” He smiles. I smile. We both act. Ten minutes later, I pay more than I should and still feel like I won something. It’s not about the fare, it’s about the performance. But somewhere between the falafel, the faith, and the false directions, I realized I wasn’t just in Egypt, I was in Masr. The real thing. Not New Cairo with its designer malls, foreign chains, and WiFi that actually works. No, I was in the Cairo that breathes. The one where street cats roam like they own the place, where neighbors argue and laugh in the same breath, where the chaos somehow wraps around you like a warm, dusty hug. The thousands of cars just ´parked´on the sidewalks with no doors, motors or color… And yeah I prefer the tamiya in Daher in Masr to the greenburger in New Cairo. Every single time. Because soul can’t be delivered in a biodegradable takeout box. Then, life handed me one of its bigger surprises. To be continued… #masr #cairoegypt #cairoscene

Blood, InshaAllah & Green Burgers - Enta Umri 1/3 by Eddy / علي دين So. I converted to Islam. Finally, back to my destiny. I felt I was Muslim since the day I was born, but without knowing. Naturally, I thought: “Let me learn Arabic/Fusha properly, deepen my connection, do things right.” So I signed up on @preply A learning online platform What I didn’t realize at the time was that I hadn’t just enrolled in online language lessons, I had signed up for the full Egyptian experience: faith, food, scams, love, and spiritual whiplash. All in one year. My tutors, Hameed, Mara, Mohamed, and Fatimah (names changed to protect the overly opinionated) were more than teachers. They were mirrors, guides, and occasionally unintentional comedians. My Arabic lessons quickly became life lessons, spiritual reflections, and therapy sessions rolled into one. I learned vocab, sure. But I also learned how to navigate Egyptian sarcasm, when to nod during a rant, and how “Inshallah” usually means “probably not, but let’s pretend otherwise and move on with our lives.” Around that time, I started spending time in Fayoum with my new brother in Islam, Mohamed and his lovely family. What a place. isn’t just a city, it’s a world of its own. It was during Eid that I witnessed something deeply touching. Children, with a kind of joy and reverence, participating in the sheep sacrifice alongside their families smearing their hands in the blood and pressing them on the walls, part of a long-standing ritual filled with meaning, tradition, and BismiAllah. I was humbled. Awestruck, even. It was raw, yes, but also pure, rooted, and sincere. A reminder that this faith, this culture, this land doesn’t filter life. It lives it fully. #cairo #masr #fayoum #cairotales @preply @preply.teaching @wearepreply To be continued…

What if Life is a Football match of 90 Minutes? That thought came to me as I was inspired by the magic of Studio Ghibli and the gentle wisdom of its director, Hayao Miyazaki. His films reminded me how stories can touch the heart, spark imagination, and reflect the beauty of everyday life. When I reached the halftime of my own game of life, I looked back—at all that had happened, the lessons I had learned, the dreams I had chased, and the moments I had missed. Living only 100 meters from Camp Nou in Barcelona, it felt natural to let football become the language of those reflections. And so, 90 Minutes was born. In these pages you’ll find 11 stories, each one a little match of its own, where life’s challenges and joys play out as if they were on the pitch. The wonderful artist Steven Woudenberg gave them form with illustrations full of spirit and feeling. This reissue of part one is my invitation to you: to step onto the field with me, to read, reflect, and maybe even recognize your own moments in the game. 90 Minutes is completely free to download—in 8 different languages and 3 unique versions—so that anyone, anywhere, can join in. I especially hope it inspires the young generation to dream, to play, and to never give up—because life, just like football, is full of chances waiting to be taken. Eddy de Heij, Author 90 Minutes PS: Life continues! 90 Minutes: The Second Half is now in the making. It’s still a work in progress, but we’re excited to keep writing and to bring you along on this journey. Stay tuned!

This November, in Cairo Egypt, we are proud to announce the arrival of a special guest, DEAMS — a true pioneer of Hip Hop. With an impressive career that includes collaborations with iconic artists such as Ice-T, De La Soul, Chuck D, DJ Premier, and Big Daddy Kane, he brings with him decades of experience at the heart of the culture. As part of his visit, he will present an exclusive Masterclass designed to guide aspiring artists and professionals through the realities of today’s music industry. The session will focus on mindset, strategy, branding, and practical steps to successfully position yourself and your work in a competitive landscape. 📢 Further details will be revealed soon. #cairo #musicbusiness #masterclass #egypt #hiphop

From the neurons in our brains to the algorithms driving machines — and even to the flow of water as a model of adaptive intelligence — this seminar explores what it really means to be “AI.” Join us at Casa Cairo for a thought-provoking session where we connect: 🧠 Biological AI — the wisdom of living systems 🤖 Artificial AI — machines that learn and evolve 💧 AI Water — intelligence as flow, resilience, and adaptation 📍 Casa Cairo 🕒 September 12, 19:00 and 21:00 12/30 Spots Available 🎤 50-minute seminar | Open to all curious minds

Join our waiting list for the next entries #egypt #cairo #investing #cairoots

🚀 Huge thanks for the amazing response to Cairoots Startup Programme! 💡 Missed it? 👉 Join the waiting list for November. Cairoots resides in Casa Cairo #casacairo #cairotalent #startupbootcamp

Now available in Casa Cairo: YOUR BOOK IN 2 DAYS A MINI RETREAT IN SUNNY SPAIN or EGYPT, TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR BEST BUSINESS BOOK AND DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS #bookin2days Meet Ron Immink @ronimmink Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Strategy Ron is a Dutch/Irish entrepreneur with extensive experience in the fields of publishing, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, strategy, innovation, and His books about books—covering future trends, innovation, strategy, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, mindset, and leadership—are a reflection of these models. Ron has worked with universities such as Teeside University, Arizona State University, Dublin City University, Trinity College and University College Dublin, membership organisations such as the CPA, CIMA, British Irish Chamber of Commerce, corporate clients such as ICM, KPMG, Deloitte, AIG, PM group, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, etc Useful links: Book in 2 Days: https://www.ronimmink.com/book-in-2-days/ His latest update on AI: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-newsletter-august-2025-ron-immink-ua61c/?trackingId=J1aPGkH5T8a0mNEGApAOHw%3D%3D

Flipover or Flipchart? #casacairo #office #retreatyoself #masr #coworkingplace

Long tables for long thoughts.. your notebook or screen is your canvas #casacairo #egypt #cairo #retreat #retreatlife

It is Melon Season…. #casacairo #cairo #masr #fruit #melon #workandtravel #airbnb #workspace

Everyone can become everything in Casa Cairo #masr #egypt #cairo #oldcairo #lawrenceofarabia #cheguevara #drzhivago #umkalthoum #cinema #workspace #airbnb #creativeroom

Can you feel the picture? #OldCairo #CairoThroughMyLens #CairoAesthetic #VintageCairo #StreetsofCairo #CairoVibes

Just outside Casa Cairo: where the city fades and creativity begins. Hashtags: #JustOutsideCasaCairo #CreativeCairo #WritersRetreat #ArtInCairo #SlowLivingEgypt #CasaCairoVibes #InspirationAwaits #cairo #masr #airnbncairo #workspacevibes

Casa Cairo – Creativity lives in beautiful places. #CasaCairo #CairoCreatives #CoworkCairo #WritersRetreat #ArtistStudioCairo #CreativeWorkspace #BoutiqueStay #DigitalNomadsCairo #WorkFromCairo #stayinspiredalways

The front door of Casa Cairo isn't just an entrance — it's a promise. Of stories waiting inside, quiet mornings, and nights filled with creative fire. Welcome. #CasaCairo #CairoCreatives #WritersRetreat #ArtistSanctuary #FrontDoorMagic #CairoAesthetics #BoutiqueEscape #CreativeResidency #SlowLiving #HiddenGemsCairo #PoeticPlaces #CairoRetreat