Dahab, South Sinai during the Egypt Revolution 2011 – 2012 Part 2
Bedouin crafts at our Dahab Community Market
Its been a while since i have updated this blog! What a year 2011 was, it certainly was a year of learning for me and for appreciation of the small things in life. I think many people in Egypt experienced this last year. I was happy to welcome in 2012, as for me it felt like it must be a better year for the people of Egypt and the people of Dahab.
The end of the year gives you a chance to reflect on the last 12 months and to decide what is important in life for the coming year. My work with the Bedouin at Sheikh Salem House was badly hindered by the revolution. Things became very difficult as numbers of visitors to Egypt dwindled and many businesses struggled to survive. I managed by borrowing and selling things to keep paying the staff. By the end of 2011, a big change happened which will benefit all involved at Sheikh Salem House. The family of Sheikh Salem are now actively involved in the management and are now my partners for ensuring the business moves forward and becomes bigger, better and stronger in 2012.
So with a positive change in place for the New Year, we can now focus on the politics!
The revolution in Egypt, which has been ongoing now for almost a year only impacted on Dahab in a couple of ways. The primary thing was the drop in visitor numbers that effected the incomes of many many families across Egypt. With this loss of income, a few people resorted to theft instead. There seems to be a small increase in house robberies, mobile phone thefts, petty theft’s. But considering the country has been without an elected president for almost one year, the people of Egypt should be proud. The country has remained stable and safe for tourists and at the end of 2011 we were almost full again and Dahab was full of live once more. Resorting our faith for 2012.
There were some shocking demonstrations in and around Tahrir Square in 2011. We hope that this is over with as Egypt continues to vote for the new government and for deciding the new president. The people of Egypt have endured much over the last 25 years, most are happy that Mubarak has gone. But all want to see a return to a stable government and a return to normalcy across the country.
There has been much speculation about the effect on tourism of an Islamic led government. That bikini’s will be banned and that tourism will changed. Despite these concerns the newly elected parties have done much to quell the concerns for the business owners and regular visitors to Egypt. They are assuring that they have no plans to change the current tourism of Egypt and they are doing all they can at the moment to encourage tourists back.
Back to the sleepy town of Dahab, where the victims of the revolution here have been the small businesses. The town is planning its 2nd Dahab International Festival on the 14th – 20th April 2012. Many people are trying hard to make this festival happen, but with little funding it will be a struggle. We hope for a major sponsor so that we can organise something bigger and better than last years festival.
One of the main achievements of Sheikh Salem House in Dahab during the revolution has been the creation of the Dahab Community Market. Which is held every Friday afternoon at the Guest House, either on the beach or in the court yard area. The market brings together sellers from around Dahab of many nationalities. Did you expect to find fresh sushi, alongside organic goats cheese, freshly baked breads, delicious cakes and chocolate brownies in Dahab? Yes you can find many unusual things at the Dahab Community Market.
The sellers also include Radiant Rainbows Crystal Hand Made Jewelry, Sheikh Salem House’s Bedouin Handicrafts made by Bedouin Women in Dahab. Many new and traditional bedouin craft items for sale at the market alongside beautiful works from Cairo and other parts of Egypt. There is also usually New and 2nd Hand clothes, toys, house items and other items for sale every week. The market even attracts sellers from Sharm El Sheikh and Nuweiba including produce from a new Organic Farm at Habiba Village. The market is now becoming a regular tourist attraction and part of the life of many people living in Dahab. It starts from 2 – 6pm, and it is right at the northern end of the beach footpath, just a minutes walk from the Eel Garden Dive site.
Another popular project that started during the revolution in Dahab was the creation of a community library, which has now had 100′s of books donated and opened in November 2011.
So although 2011, the revolution and the impact of it brought some problems to Dahab, at the end of it many positive things happened. This bought the community together, increased the spirit of co-operation and helped us all to appreciate the small things in life. We continue to look ahead to what 2012 will have in store, and one thing is for sure….there will be more turning bedouin in 2012, than there was in 2011!
Made in Dahab by Bedouin Women
For more information about The Dahab Community Market, or our handmade Bedouin Crafts please email: info@sheikhsalemhouse.com or visit our facebook group for The Dahab Community Market https://www.facebook.com/groups/202972743067127/
