Egypt plans to gradually end visa requirements for Turks

poste by memphistours
Turkey and Egypt may begin a gradual process of mutually ending visa requirements. For this, Egypt will first implement a “white visa” policy for Turkish businessmen and academics, facilitating their entrance to the country and allowing them to stay in the country for up to three months. The agreement will soon expand to cover others as well in the long run.

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said he spoke with Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid over the possibility of abolishing visa requirements between the two countries.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also spoke about Nazif’s plans to ease the strict procedures for granting visas for businessmen and intellectuals. The strategic partnership between Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to improve their economies through increased levels of cooperation is far more important, explained Hisarcıklıoğlu.

The TOBB president also voiced the problems of Turkish businessmen who want to invest in Egypt. “We are here not only to earn money but also to share our experiences. It is straightforward that problems can arise in any country. For instance, Şişe Cam, a leading glass manufacturer in Turkey, wants to invest approximately $500 million in Egypt. They only want to have a natural gas access in their plant,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu.

Separately, Ahmed El Wakeel, chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, announced on Monday that Ro-Ro voyages between Turkey and Egypt would be launched on March 1, 2011. The announcement came during a business visit by a delegation of Turkish businessmen under the chairmanship of Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), to Egypt. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a Ro-Ro line between Mersin and Alexandria at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo.

The idea, first put forward by the company COMMIT Co., was realized after the necessary permission was obtained from the relevant authorities Zühal Mansfield, head of the Turkish-Egyptian Business Council, also stated. “Any transportation and logistics firm will be able to apply for a license to run trips between Egypt and Turkey in the near future,” she said.

Speaking to Today’s Zaman, COMMIT Co. CEO Alper Celen sounded more optimistic and explained that the prospect of launching trips even before March seemed very likely. El Wakeel underlined that two companies from Egypt and Turkey had already reached an agreement on beginning the trips 10 days earlier. He also pointed out that Ro-Ro transport is much more advantageous when compared to road transportation and that such a Ro-Ro line will boost trade ties between the two countries.

In other news, in a meeting organized by a Turkish delegation with their Egyptian counterparts on Saturday in the historic city of Alexandria both sides agreed to establish the Turkish-Egyptian Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was also attended by Rachid Mohamed Rachid, the Egyptian minister of industry and foreign trade.

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that trade volume between the two countries has so far reached $3.4 billion and is expected to reach $10 billion in 10 years, adding that all available resources should be used to increase trade activities. He also suggested the expansion of an already established free trade zone between Turkish, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon to include Egypt as well. El Wakeel responded by saying that there is a free trade agreement between Turkey and Egypt and a duty exemption deal between Egypt-Syria-Lebanon is still in effect and expressed his hope that Egypt would be included in the list of countries Turkey has a common free trade zone with.

Turkish ambassador to Egypt Hüseyin Avni Botsalı also revealed that a visa waiver agreement is about to be concluded between the two countries for businessmen, artists and professionals. Visitors will be able to stay for up to three months without a visa.

Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference : todayszaman.com
Posted by : Shaimaa Ahmed

http://egyptcairoholidays.com/2010/10/27/egypt-plans-to-gradually-end-visa-requirements-for-turks/

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Have you ever sought movie reviews from friends about a newly released film, and been amazed by the dramatically opposing views they express? I marvel at how two close friends can see the same film and yet one exclaims, it’s the best movie I have ever seen, while another asserts, it was a colossal waste of time. Were they actually viewing the same film? Am I schizophrenic for having friends who hold such drastically differing views?

They say, One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Reviews I read recently about a museum in Switzerland remind me of this old saying. La Musee de l’Art Brut, located in the scenic Lausanne, is one of my favorite museums in the world. I discovered it while touring Europe the summer after graduate school. It showcases a collection of art work created primarily by the institutionalized: schizophrenics, manic-depressives, and other psychiatric patients.

I was mesmerized by the collection and recall spending hours there and even buying the souvenir book.

Take a look at these current reviews on a popular travel critic forum:

“Absorbing, thought-provoking, stimulating, emotional...”I discovered Art Brut (Outsider Art in English) because of this museum. My first visit lasted over 3 hours - even though it's a relatively small museum - and I only left because it was closing time. I have since been several times, each time discovering something new and spending more time to contemplate specific works of art.

The lives of outsider artists are as important as the works themselves, and these are described briefly in short texts on the walls of the museum giving you insight into how the works were made and the circumstances. In my subjective opinion, the most impressive work is that of the life-size horse made of various pieces of wood (I don't remember the artist). It's stunningly (and surprisingly) beautiful- there is much movement and life in it that you can almost hear the galloping. Incredible.

An extraordinary place and one which will stay with you long after your visit.

“the worst place ever”It sucked. I've never been so bored in my life. Just a lot of naked people. I see enough of those at home.

“A clinicians day out!”Although difficult to initially find via the bus, (you need to get off at Beaulieu) this gallery is one of the most interesting that I have had the pleasure to visit. A simple facade hides both the depth and size of the collection, and once inside, the collection is one of abject fascination for both public and clinical interest.

Beginning with a collection of artworks by learning disabled artists, and continuing on two further floors with artworks from a number of other artists with mental health issues, as well as psychics and prisoners, the collection is extensive. Clear and concise histories of each artist are placed alongside each set of works (in both French and English) which allow some insight into their lives.
Altogether, a truly fascinating collection that I feel honored to have seen. However, be aware that this is a very large collection over three floors, and any visit will be a long one!

Finally, for those reading this who have mobility issues, there are three sets of stairs (and no lift that I could find), but the staff are friendly, helpful and approachable.

“Fascinating!”A fascinating but also quite disturbing collection of 'outsider art'.

I wasn't aware of what I was going to see when I visited this museum but was blown away by the kind of artworks that were on display.

As the previous reviewer said, some of the work was quite accomplished but other pieces, very child-like. My conclusion was that there is a very fine line between genius and madness in art.

A memorable visit and would recommend as a must-see if visiting Lausanne.

“Mind-blowing!”Le Collection de L'Art Brut is possibly the most interesting art gallery I've ever seen, and a definite highlight of my visit to Lausanne. It's a collection of 'outsider art' - visual artwork created mostly by schizophrenics, manic-depressives, and other psychiatric patients. Some of the art is brilliant, while some of it is less technically proficient (even childish in its execution) but genuinely disturbing. The staff are helpful (though it helps if you speak French), and the experience unforgettable. After my first visit to the Collection, I found myself drawn back to it two days later, and would love a chance to see it again.

Where do you think YOU would fall on the spectrum of--admirers versus detesters--of these works?

If you are interested, here is the Museum address: Collection de l'Art Brut-- 11 av des Bergieres, Lausanne 1004, Switzerland Tel: 41 21 315 25 70 Fax: 41 21 315 25 71

The French R on Strike AGAIN!!

Some claim that for the French, going on strike is a national sport.
This time it’s really massive, with millions of strikers disrupting air and rail services, while schools and post offices are closed.

The reason: protesters are angry at government plans to overhaul pensions and raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. BTW, France has one of Europe’s lowest retirement ages and they will go down fighting to keep it that way. It’s all about the joie de vivre.

This brings back memories from the days I lived in France as a student. Fully immersed in the University system, (in Normandie) my American compatriots and I marvelled when even the students went on strike, disrupting the start of classes in the fall. What could they possibly have to complain about? It was difficult for us to empathize with their grievances especially since their tuition cost was virtually nil—(their fees for textbooks exceeded what we paid for tuition for the entire year at our U.S. university).

At the same time, we admired their passion and drive to fight for what they believed in. We were busy looking for the best buys on le pain et le vin. (bread and wine).

The topic aroused my curiosity about strikers in other nations. Of course, in the U.S., strikes are far less common. In fact, Airline industry employees are the only national groups that make striking headlines regularly.

Here are examples of recent strikes around the globe:
Civil servants in Greece, doctors in Germany, taxi-drivers in China, coffee shop owners in the Netherlands, teachers and nurses in Niger, general practitioners in Bulgaria, truckers in Spain, and postal workers in the UK.

At the end of one long list of global strikes, it says 2010: the Cast of Jersey Shore. Well, at least we are passionate about something, right!

Do you know the world’s most popular travel destinations?

Do You Know? From: karlascottspeaker.blogspot.com

Where do the world’s travelers go most often? The country topping the list hosted 74.2 million tourists in 2009.

And the winners are:

#5 Italy

#4 China

#3 Spain

#2 USA (Spain and the USA vie for 2nd and third place a lot)


Drumroll………

#1 France

Guess who spends the most on travel??

82 million Germans spent $80 Billion last year. Americans ranked 2nd spending $73 billion.

Source: Bloomberg Business Week

Why Do the Roma Wander?

Because in the old days, they had to.

Here is interesting article written by By Juliet Lapidos (published in Slate) that answers the question: Why Do the Roma Wander?

Persecution, initially.

The Roma, also known as Gypsies (though this is a pejorative term), are associated with a peripatetic lifestyle.

The Roma originated in India but left the subcontinent in the 11th century, perhaps following Muslim invasions. From there, they crossed into the Byzantine Empire, and then up to southeastern Europe by about 1300. Generally speaking, xenophobia made it difficult for them to stop in any one place for very long, let alone establish permanent settlements. (Since it's thought that the Roma adhered to strict purity codes, they may also have been reluctant to mix with outsiders, making assimilation unwanted on both sides.) When the Roma arrived in Western Europe in the 15th century, local populations worried they were part of an Ottoman invasion (because of their dark skin color) and the German Reichstag of Freiberg declared them outlaws. Barred from purchasing land or joining guilds, the Roma had no choice but to move about.

Wandering became a way of life, and the Roma fit into the European economy by selling merchandise in rural areas distant from shops. Angus Fraser writes in The Gypsies that "they appeared as purveyors of gossip and news, sellers of cheap wares (often made by themselves) repairers of household goods, seasonal laborers (e.g. for haymaking, pea and fruit picking, hopping); or they could function as itinerant entertainers." With improved communication networks, the Roma continued to do seasonal work that required movement, replacing traditional caravans with trailers and campers. Some Roma now value the freedom of an itinerant lifestyle and consider it part of their culture.

Contrary to stereotype, however, wandering is no longer the default for the Roma. The communist regimes in Bulgaria and other eastern European countries forced the Roma to settle down, pushing them into segregated ghettos. Most Roma today are actually sedentary rather than peripatetic. There are no hard numbers Europe-wide, but it's thought that the vast majority live in apartments and houses. Many of the Roma who do move from country to country are merely participating in the economically motivated and widespread migration out of Eastern Europe.

English Is Challenging

Here is a thought provoking, fun, interactive exercise that demonstrates how challenging English can be. It is written by Mary Beth Marino, The Writing Editor.

It’s time for a good laugh! A belly shaking, rolling on the floor laugh…AND an English lesson to boot! My love affair with words was nourished by an email that was sent to me by a friend. It challenges the English language while giving a good laugh and marvels the astonishment about how things get to be what they are and why. Curious? Read on.

Can you read these right the first time?
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Stockholm, Sweden from Baltic Capitals Cruise

This was our last port of call on our 7-country itinerary. I decided to take the NCL Stockholm by Land & Sea Tour (my 1st ship tour) because the logistics of going to Stockholm (using buses and trains) are complicated and time-consuming.

I met the group at 7:30AM for our 25 minute tender to the port of Nynashamn. From there, we took an hour drive to the city of Stockholm.

Stockholm is a beautiful city on 14 islands linked by 40 bridges. We began our day at The Royal Palace where we saw the changing of the guards. Then, we took a walking tour of Gamla Stan, the historic old town with cobblestone streets and buildings dating back 500 years. The narrow streets brim with bookstores and antiques and souvenir shops, and medieval cellars are now restaurants and cafés. The streets are so narrow that bicycles could barely pass through. The Noble Museum (of Noble Prize fame is located here).

I munched on a muffin and banana I brought from the ship (for lunch).

Next, the coach took us to another island to see Stockholm’s most popular museum, The Vasa Museum. The warship Vasa was the pride of the Swedish Navy. Commissioned by the King to hold two floors of guns, its maiden voyage was to be a celebration for the entire city. Instead, minutes into the voyage, it sank to the bottom of the harbor. It was 333 years before it was salvaged by a determined archeologist. The whole lifting of the Vasa in 1961, was televised live for the world to witness. More than 1200 objects including weapons, shoes, pottery, and tools. It is considered to be one of the most important events in marine archeology. I watched a 25 minute film on the lifting of the Vasa. I wish we had more time to explore this engaging interactive (new:1990) museum.

We completed our tour with a boat cruise along Stockholm’s picturesque waterways. The weather and sites were perfect!

I was impressed to read that Sweden is one of the most generous countries in the world, donating billions in monetary aid and training to nations in need as well as rewarding achievements in science, literature, medicine, and world peace. Her economy is considered Europe’s 2nd most competitive behind Denmark’s. Sweden is so aggressively developing renewable energy that it hopes to be petroleum-free by 2020.

Stockholm is clean, modern, and the people are very pleasant. Yes, they are very blonde.