10 Things To Do During The Curfew

Minutes after the curfew ended in Cairo yesterday

The streets are empty,  shops are closed, the only souls on the streets are those of the Military. This isn’t a zombie invasion: this is a curfew.  

Instead of being glued to your television sets, watching your favourite host reveal new information on the endless chaos Egypt is witnessing, there are many more ways to escape the politics and actually enjoy being stuck at home from 7pm each night. So, here are 10 things you can do to make the most of your long hours spent at home.

By Farah Khairat, contributor, EgyptianStreets.com

1.) Work out at home; now this might not sound like much fun, but since it’s summer and everyone slacks off during summer, this is a great way to get in shape while you have the time! Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, workout apps are available on both, or even just check a few work out videos on youtube. If you’re too lazy to do that, just blast some nice music and dance to it, it may seem like nothing, but it’ll actually release endorphins, which will make you feel better, and you’ll also burn off a few calories!

 

2.) Adopt a new hobby; whether it’s singing, dancing, writing, playing an instrument, drawing, reading, maybe even just playing video games, hobbies are always a good way to pass the time, you may even find that you are talented with one of your hobbies!

 

3.) Have a sleepover with a friend; no matter what the situation is, if you have a friend with you, it’s always a lot more entertaining than if you are by yourself. Ask your friend to come over go to a friends a few hours before curfew and spend the night with them. However, please be aware of your safety and make sure your parents and your friend’s parents agree to this and accept the responsibility.

 

4.) Watch TV series/shows or movies; this is the perfect time to find a new TV series to watch (maybe even multiple if you run out of episodes to watch). TV series and shows are a very good way to get your mind off things, maybe even re-watch an oldie such as Friends! Movies are also a lovely idea, with friends, and with family. Pick a few nice movies and make some popcorn, get comfortable on the couch, and enjoy the rest of your night! You won’t even believe how quickly time goes by when you’re watching something.   

 

5.) Bake; baking is always a good idea. Cookies, cakes, maybe even traditional Egyptian deserts like Kunafa and Basbousa! If you don’t have a cookbook or a recipe, don’t stress, the internet is a wonderful place. You can bake for yourself, or you could bake for your family and friends. If your desert is successful you will get compliments about your baking, and as silly as it may seem, it will put you in a better mood! If you’re more into cooking than baking, make your family a nice meal, they’ll appreciate it, even if it tastes dreadful.

 

Do you not just want to eat this right now? Go make it!

6.) Decorate your room; if you feel like your room is missing something, and you’ve been saying you were going to change it up one day, now’s the time! This is also a perfect opportunity to clean and organise your room, while also having a little bit of fun with it. However, make sure to put some fun music on so that you don’t get bored and give up easily.

 

7.) Clean out your closet; go through your clothes, do you really need that sweater that doesn’t fit you anymore? Or those jeans that you don’t like? Maybe even a pair of shoes that aren’t your size! Why are those items still in your cupboard? If you’re one of those people who doesn’t have any more space in their cupboard, take the things you don’t need anymore and donate them! There are many people who would be very grateful and would use them a lot better than you would. Do something to help make a change, it may not seem like much, but it means a lot to them.

 

8.) Get an early night sleep; now although Egyptians aren’t the kind to go to bed at 9, why not give it a try? You will wake up earlier, feeling more refreshed and you will also get to go out for a longer period of time before curfew!

 

9.) Learn something new; there are many websites in which you can take online courses! Or you could do it the old fashion way, and get someone to teach you. There are so many new things to learn out there, like languages, culture, arts and crafts, maybe even learn how to play an instrument!

 

10.) Organise events to help better society; although you can’t exactly do these things currently, once the curfew is over, it would be a nice contribution to simply meet up with a few friends and help clean up a few streets, or maybe even plant a couple of trees. Or if you see a stray animal, contact the SPARE animal shelter. These may seem like they won’t do much, but if you sit there waiting for a change it won’t just come, you have to be the one to make a change.