I have just returned from the fabulous entertainment offered by the 'characters of egypt' festival held this October in Marsa Alam on the Red sea. This festival operates every year and is rapidly growing it seems in popularity as you can actually camp on site or stay in a nearby hotel as we did. Hosted by the impeccable egyptian tourist authority the event featured traditional singing and activities by bedouin tribes from all over Egypt. I have a suspicion that this great venue will morph into a massive music festival something like the current offering in Mali- it would be wonderful to have all the bedouin musicians of the Arab and north african world meeting in such a great location as this.