SAS

your midweek Latin fix 🤩 - Every Tuesday starting at 10PM and ending at 3AM Let’s dance the night away to the charming tunes of Latin & Afro music while enjoying a drink or a bite with friends and peers in the outstanding venue - Twenty Rooftop Bar at Movenpick Grand Plaza, Dubai. Take advantage of the special offers on food & drinks Organized by MOOVnation

**Peru, oh Peru. You really do have to see it to believe it.** Open your eyes - you’re in Machu Picchu, the eternal city in the clouds, renowned as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. **It’s the kind of dream everyone should have at least once – preferably while awake.** **It may top bucket lists around the world, but Machu Picchu is just the beginning**. Peru is a country with over 10,000 years of history, once the proud seat of the Inca Empire. And long before the Incas, it was home to a series of ancient civilizations that left their marks, ones that we still marvel at today: Caral, the oldest city in the Americas; the tombs of Sipán; the giant Nazca lines only fully visible from the sky; and the mountain fortress of Kuélap. In Peru, the past isn’t hidden in museums. It’s carved into cliffs, etched in desert sands and hidden high on Andean ridges. Nature lovers, this one’s for you: Peru is also one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Out of the planet’s 117 known life zones, Peru has 84. That means you can go from dry, dusty desert to icy peaks to rainforests teeming with life, all in a single trip. **The Amazon River Basin alone could keep explorers busy for a lifetime, but let’s not forget the condors, llamas, alpacas or the surreal rainbow-striped slopes of Vinicunca, the Mountain of Seven Colors.** **And then there’s the food.** Once considered “just” local food, Peruvian gastronomy now has the world’s attention, with chefs turning ancient flavors into haute cuisine. Imagine potatoes in every possible color, the freshest ceviche, jewel-toned corn and a national love for pisco that turns every gathering into a party. Pair that with a rich living culture expressed through music, dance and traditional festivals, and you’ll find that Peru offers an atmosphere as vibrant and layered as its landscapes. **Machu Picchu: The Inca’s Enigma** At 2,400 meters above sea level, tucked away in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu is the jewel of the Andes. Built without wheels, iron tools, or cement, its granite stones fit together so precisely you can’t even slip a credit card between them. Was it an astronomical observatory, or a royal retreat for Pachacuti, the Inca emperor with 150 children and possibly even more secrets? Was it built by an engineering genius, or as conspiracy enthusiasts like to claim, the handiwork of aliens? Take your pick – the mystery is half the fun. What we do know is this: the Spanish conquistadors never found Machu Picchu, which is why it survived as the best-preserved Inca city. Whether you arrive by train, bus or the legendary Inca Trail, nothing dulls the awe of standing among its terraces and temples, as clouds drift across the mountains. Some places are overhyped…but Machu Picchu isn’t one of them. The city rises from the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba, a fertile basin once central to Inca agriculture. Stretching nearly 150 kilometers, the valley gets just the right mix of sun, water, and breezes. No wonder the Incas carved terraces here that still cling to the slopes in perfect formation, turning steep mountainsides into productive farmland and picture-perfect landscapes all at once. Part of Machu Picchu’s magic is that no one really knows how it was built. Without wheels, draft animals, or cement, the Incas managed to shape and fit massive granite blocks with a precision that still baffles engineers today. Astronomical temples line up with the solstices, making the site part observatory, part sanctuary, part royal getaway – and entirely mind-blowing. (Theories about alien contractors are still optional.) Why the Incas abandoned such a masterpiece remains one of history’s enduring questions, especially as we still don’t know its exact purpose. Maybe it was Pachacuti’s summer palace, a spiritual sanctuary or even the Inca world’s version of a secret hideout. Some say it was left behind deliberately to protect it from the invading Spaniards. Whatever the truth, its temples – especially the famed Intihuatana, or “Hitching Post of the Sun” – still glow with mystery…and offer us a rare glimpse into a civilization that, for a moment, built a paradise in stone. **The Rainbow Mountain: Where Geology Went Wild** About 100 kilometers southeast of Cusco, at 5,200 meters above sea level, it looks as if a rainbow crash-landed into the Andes. The slopes and peaks of Vinicunca, the Mountain of Seven Colors, dazzle with stripes of red, turquoise, lavender and gold, thanks to mineral sediments dating back millions of years. Only revealed about 10 years ago, due to a melting glacial, it has already become one of Peru’s most photographed icons. It seems that nature still has surprises up its sleeve! **Lake Titicaca: Myths on the Water** Then there’s Lake Titicaca, straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, its sparkling waters sitting at nearly 3,900 meters above sea level. Fun fact: It’s both the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. Even more interesting? According to legend, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun itself. The Aymara people say the creator god Viracocha rose from these waters to bring light and humanity into the world. The Incas believed their first ruler, Manco Cápac, emerged here too. This is a place with legends and mysteries at every turn, and one its most intriguing concerns an ancient city known as Wanaku, or the City of Spirits, which is supposedly submerged somewhere in Titicaca’s chilly waters. Apparently, Wanaku was an important cultural and spiritual center, before a great earthquake struck and it was swallowed by the lake, leaving no trace. Still more exciting are the rumors of Inca gold that have long sparked the imaginations of treasure hunters around the world. Legends speak of riches sunk beneath the lake’s waters to keep them safe from the Spanish conquistadors. No one has struck it rich (yet). But through the years, Titicaca has continued to reveal its secrets – for example in the 1970s, when Jacques Cousteau explored the lake and discovered giant, never-before-seen frog species in its depths. Gold may be elusive, but most visitors would agree that the true treasure is the lake itself. Scattered across its vast surface are islands which indigenous communities call home, both those using the pre-Inca language of Aymara and Quechua, the official language of the Incas. On Titicaca’s Peruvian side, floating islands made of reeds – home to the Uros people – bob gently in the water. Further out, Amantani and Taquile islands welcome visitors into traditional communities where, over centuries, their resourceful people learned to make the most of their surroundings and live in harmony with nature. And in case you’re wondering about the name: ask a Peruvian and a Bolivian who owns which part of Lake Titicaca’s name, and you’ll get two very different answers. In Quechua, *titi* means puma and refers to the lake’s shape. *Caca*, in Spanish, means…something less impressive. Since most travelers set sail from the Peruvian side, locals will cheerfully tell you the noble *titi* is theirs – and the other half belongs to Bolivia. **A World of Discoveries** Peru is so much more than a tick on the bucket list. It’s the Andes and the Amazon, Inca ruins and Spanish plazas, mystery and myth, ceviche and pisco…the softness of alpacas, rainbows painted onto mountains and temples that touch the sky. And perhaps best of all, it’s the people…generous, resilient and proud to share their culture with anyone curious enough to discover it. Peru has fascinated travelers for centuries. Once you experience it, you’ll understand why. **Let’s go!** **Day 1 // ARRIVAL** Arrival in Lima, transfer from the airport to our hotel in the Miraflores neighborhood. In the evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner at the Larcomar Center to kick off the trip. **Day 2 // PARACAS** Breakfast and an early departure to make our way from Lima to Paracas, hopping on a boat to explore the largest peninsula in Peru. We’ll admire the famous "Candelabro" geoglyph and then head to the Ballestas Islands, spotting sea lions, Humboldt penguins, crabs, pelicans, cormorants, boobies and maybe even dolphins as we go. After about 2.5 hours we’ll return to port and continue to Ica, known for its wine production. We'll enjoy a tasting of wine, pisco and local liqueurs such as chirimoya. After the tasting, transfer to Nazca for dinner and overnight. **Day 3 // NAZCA** After breakfast we’ll head to Nazca airport for a flight over the famous Nazca Lines and geoglyphs – still a mystery to this day. During the 30-minute flight we'll marvel at these mysterious and incredible artworks and dive into the ocean of theories surrounding them. Then, we head to the Huacachina Oasis for a thrilling buggy tour through the Peruvian desert, the gateway to the Atacama. After a day of adventure, we return to Lima for overnight. **Day 4 // LIMA CITY TOUR** Today we explore the capital city of Peru. We’ll visit the famous Park of Love in our neighborhood, Miraflores, followed by a city center tour including Plaza San Martin, Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the catacombs in the Church of San Francisco. After lunch, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Juliaca in southern Peru, near Lake Titicaca. From Juliaca, we transfer by bus to Puno and check into our hotel. **Day 5 // TITICACA** The lake of myths and legends, the great Titicaca, is calling us! We’ll embark on a boat trip to the famous Uros floating islands, made from Totora reeds. There, we will meet the community’s leader, who will explain how the islands are constructed, and what daily life is like there. We’ll continue to Taquile Island, to experience a showcase of local dress, music and dances. While we feast on a delicious lunch of local trout, we’ll learn more about life on this island, and the traditions which have been preserved for centuries. Those looking for souvenirs will have the chance to purchase some local handicrafts before we return to Puno. Optional evening outing to Los Balcones restaurant for a traditional dance show. **Day 6 // JOURNEY TO CUSCO** After breakfast we’ll hit the road to Cusco, making several stops along the way. First we’ll visit Pukara, home to award-winning Peruvian coffee, and then brave the La Raya high-mountain pass. A hearty lunch buffet will energize us before our visits to Raqchi Temple and the Church of Andahuaylillas, known as the Sistine Chapel of Peru. Later, arrival in Cusco and check-in at hotel. **Day 7 // SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS** Today we explore the famous Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley of the Incas). We'll begin with the massive archaeological complex in Pisac, visiting the craft market where we'll have the opportunity to purchase various souvenirs, typical Peruvian clothing and other characteristic regional products. We'll head to a restaurant in Urubamba for lunch, where a buffet awaits us. In the afternoon we'll head to the very end of the Sacred Valley, to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we'll visit the beautiful archaeological complex. Afterward, we'll head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) for our overnight stay. **Day 8 // MACHU PICCHU** After fueling up for a day of discovery, we’ll hop on a local bus and head to one of the wonders of the world – the famous Machu Picchu. We'll also climb to the summit of one of the most important Apu Picchus, where the most important ceremonies and rituals took place. We'll be treated to one of the most beautiful views of Machu Picchu below and a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks – including Apu Salkantay, weather permitting. After exploring the complex, we'll head to Aguas Calientes for lunch and return to our hotel in Cusco. **Day 9 // CUSCO CITY TOUR** This morning we’ll take a tour of the high-altitude city of Cusco, taking in sights such as Plaza de Armas, its largest and most important square, and the famous Coricancha – the site of Inca gold, where Inca rulers were crowned and their mummies were kept. From there, we will visit Saqsayhuaman, a monumental 15th century Inca fortress and ceremonial complex located on a hill overlooking the city, and then Quenquo, where mummifications were performed. We will have lunch at a restaurant in Cusco and then transfer to the airport for our return flight to Lima. **Day 10 // RAINBOW MOUNTAIN** We’ll start the day enjoying a scenic drive with a local breakfast on the way, before hitting a short trail to Rainbow Mountain, soaking in the stunning colors around. Optional horse riding available. Continue with few viewpoint stops of the breathtaking Red Valley. After well-deserved lunch, we’ll relax on the drive back to Cusco, evening at leisure. **Day 11 // DEPARTURE** Breakfast at the hotel, then some free time to relax or do some last-minute souvenir shopping, followed by a transfer to the airport for our return flight. **Trip starts and ends in Lima MAY 20-30.** 2 domestic flights are included in trip budget. **Grade:** Moderate High altitude ahead! (5200 masl) **Activities:** Hiking, boating, encounter one of the worlds wonder, sightseeing. **Duration:** 11 days. **Accommodation & meals:** Hotels 3-4 star - double sharing. Meals except breakfasts, excluded. **Cost: 8,810 AED** incl 2 domestic and NAZCA flights, excl. international flight. **Cost valid until MAY 10.** **Recommended international flight** cost (KLM): approx. 7750 AED. **Specifically excluded:** meals, visa, international flights to Lima. **Visa:** most nationalities get free tourist visa upon arrival / visa waivers. **More info:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Peru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Peru) See yah in Peru xx Trekkup Crew Whatsapp 00971504848238 / [docs@trekkup.com](docs@trekkup.com) Find all trekkups at [linktr.ee/trekkup](https://linktr.ee/trekkup)

**New participants are required to contact WhatsApp at 0501497147 before signing up for the event to confirm their slot.** Badminton Active group plying every Tuesday 8-10 PM baseline sports DIP Jabal Ali Cost will be AED 45 /- Per person including court rent with premium feather shuttle New plyers confirm your slots through WhatsApp ( Rensin +971501497147) No cancellations are allowed within 24 hours of the scheduled game time and full payment is required regardless of the reason for cancellation. Join WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CqGaIb53w6f6q5PUTd166y

🏸 **Join Us for an Exciting Evening of Badminton!** Get ready for another fun and competitive session with Shuttle iQ! 📅 **Date:** Every Tuesday 🕗 **Time:** 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM 📍 **Venue:** GEMS Dubai American, Barsha, Dubai 🗺 **Location:** https://maps.app.goo.gl/8XP42s3q4f2HUhePA 💰 **Cost:** AED 40 per person 🎯 **What to Expect:** * Inclusive and friendly games for all skill levels * Smart queuing so everyone gets fair play time * Great opportunity to improve your game & meet fellow badminton lovers. * ✅ **How to Join:** RSVP below on Meetup. Join us on the whats app group - https://chat.whatsapp.com/EPeC5K3IaM2Fa4910p8XpE Let’s bring our energy, rackets, and good vibes to the court! 🤩 ⚠️ **RSVP Policy:** Any changes to your RSVP must be made by **5:00 PM on the same day**. No-shows after this time will be charged the full amount.

**[Learn to dance…your LIFE will change!](https://dubaidance.com)** Nervous about dancing in public? [Private lessons](https://dubaidance.com/dances/classes-for-adults) take the edge off and allow you to really let loose and see what you’re made of! *Private dance lessons are the quickest, most effective way* to improve your dancing. We personalize each lesson based on your individual needs, desires, and goals, adjusting our teaching style to your ability, personality, and expectations. You’ll discover the difference some one-on-one attention can make in your dancing! This ensures the most thorough and rapid learning process, all while keeping it fun, easy, and comfortable. **[Congratulations on your upcoming wedding](https://dubaidance.com/dances/wedding-dance)** and congratulations on wanting to make the most out of your first wedding dance! Ok, you have your wedding prepared: the wedding dress, hairstyle, flowers and even the cake and unique invitation cards are ready! What’s next? It’s the wedding dance – a key part of any wedding. *For Wedding Couples, our special wedding program provides* hours of unforgettable moments of fun, enjoyable practice, stress relief, brilliant music, incredible moves and much more will be learnt and perfected to make the dream of your [Wedding Dance](https://dubaidance.com/dances/wedding-dance)[ ]((https://dubaidance.com/wedding-dance-classes/)) come true! **Turn your wedding dance into your favorite ‘Strictly’ routine at Dance For You!** **Please note,** you will have a full 45min individual dance session with our professional dance coach, who will customized an individual dance program based on your dancing needs and it will cost **[only 100AED](https://pay.nomodapp.com/l/3af86dbb3e4b4d8a)**, which is less than your cost of lunch. For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our studio on: WhatsApp/Phone: [+97145520153](https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=97145520153&text=Hey+Guys+I+wish+to+learn+dancing+with+you+at+Dance+For+You&app_absent=0) [Instagram](https://instagram.com/danceforyouindubai/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/danceforyouindubai/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/danceforyouindubai) [Quick Info](https://taplink.cc/danceforyouindubai)

الكتاب يتوفر مطبوعا والكترونيا (يرجى متابعة الرابط للتفاصيل) المرض هو الجانب المظلم من الحياة. إنه مواطَنَة مرهقة وشاقة، فكل شخص ولد مواطناً في مملكة الأصحاء، وفي الوقت نفسه يُولد مواطناً أيضاً في مملكة المرضى. ومع أننا جميعاً نفضل أن نحمل جواز سفر مملكة العافية، فنحن مجبرون آجلاً أم عاجلاً على الأقل لفترةٍ من الزمن، أن نعد أنفسنا مواطنين في مملكة المرض. أريد أن أتكلم، ليس عن معنى الرحيل إلى مملكة المرض والعيش هناك، ولكن عن الأوهام العقابية أو العاطفية الملفقة عن المرض، وليس عن الانتقال مكانياً، بل عن نماذج لهذه الأوهام التي أخذت طابعاً أو صفاتٍ قومية. إن موضوعي ليس المرض نفسه، بل استعمالات المرض كاستعارة. موضوعي هو أن المرض ليس استعارة، وأن أصدق نظرةٍ إلى المرض، وأكثر الطرق صحةً في نظر الشخص المريض لمرضه، هي أن يتطهر منه، وأن يكون أشد الناس مقاومةً للتفكير البلاغي واستعمال الاستعارات. إلا أنه من الصعوبة بمكان النظر إلى السكن في مملكة المرض دون تحيُّزٍ، باستعمال الاستعارات التي وَصَفت المرض وصورته. إنني أكرس هذا التحقيق لشرح هذه الاستعارات وتفنيدها، وتحرير النظرة إلى المرض منها. المرض كاستعارة – سوزان سونتاج https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57300713 كيف أحصل على الكتاب؟ مكتبة غاف التواصل عن طريق الموبايل او الواتس اب +971527798773 سعيد (متجر لتوصيل الكتب داخل الإمارات) التواصل عن طريق الموبايل او الواتس اب +971508386699 تطبيق أبجد على الآيفون والآندرويد [https://www.abjjad.com/](https://www.abjjad.com/) Kinokuniya [https://uae.kinokuniya.com/](https://uae.kinokuniya.com/) مؤسسة هنداوي [https://www.hindawi.org](https://www.hindawi.org) Storytel [https://www.storytel.com](https://www.storytel.com) نيل وفرات المتجر الاكتروني للكتب [https://www.neelwafurat.com/](https://www.neelwafurat.com/) وراقون المتجر الاكتروني للكتب [https://wrraqoon.com/](https://wrraqoon.com/) Google Play الكتب على متجر [https://play.google.com/store/books](https://play.google.com/store/books) Amazon الكتب على متجر [https://www.amazon.ae/](https://www.amazon.ae/) Virgin الكتب على متجر [https://www.virginmegastore.ae/](https://www.virginmegastore.ae/) Iqraa shelves on goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/44694](https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/44694) Iqraa on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iqraaarabicdubai/](https://www.instagram.com/iqraaarabicdubai/) Iqraa on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArabicBookClubDubai](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArabicBookClubDubai)

**[What is it dancing per se?](https://dubaidance.com/dances/salsa)**[ ](https://dubaidance.com/dances/salsa) Why have so many people been into dancing over the decades? The answer is quite obvious, especially for the ones who have been valuable members of [Dance For You community](https://dubaidance.com/about-us/our-students) for a while now. *Every single one of us is different*, an individual with their own outlook on life where dancing is an outstanding way of self-expression…through movements, through music, through step combinations, through a variety of DANCING! **Dance For You team is happy to make people happy.** That’s why we are delighted to launch a brand new type of our usual group classes – [“Enchanted Salsa”. ](https://dubaidance.com/dances/salsa) **Salsa** is an unforgettable way of communication where smooth and rhythmic movements say much more about your personality than words. **Come and learn with us**, a professional team of dancers. We have already been sharing the Standard and Latin-American skills with our dearest students. And now it’s high time for SALSA! Even if you’ve never danced before…it’s never too late to start or…at least give it a try! **Believe us, once you’ve tried it you WILL love it.** * **[LA Salsa](https://dubaidance.com/dances/salsa)** * **[BACHATA](https://dubaidance.com/dances/bachata-dance-lessons)** * **[Cuban Salsa](https://dubaidance.com/dances/salsa)** The whole variety of styles, the whole variety of step combinations, the whole variety of music, the whole variety of emotions… all this you will find at our fantastic **[GROUP DANCE SESSIONS:](https://dubaidance.com/dances/dance-levels)** * every TUESDAY t 08:15 p.m. - 09:00pm * every THURSDAY at 08:15 p.m. - 09:00pm **We are waiting for YOU!** Something tells us you can not help but jump into the dancing now! That’s why be the one of us having fun at the [ENCHANTED SALSA!](https://dubaidance.com/dances/salsa) **Please note,** the first trial group dance session will cost [only 100AED](https://pay.nomodapp.com/l/ad2bc95ad25d4b98 ), which is less than your cost of lunch. For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our studio on: WhatsApp/Phone: [+97145520153](https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=97145520153&text=Hey+Guys+I+wish+to+learn+dancing+with+you+at+Dance+For+You&app_absent=0) [Instagram](https://instagram.com/danceforyouindubai/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/danceforyouindubai/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/danceforyouindubai) [Quick Info](https://taplink.cc/danceforyouindubai)

This is a Paid event and will be deleted from here. Please register on the link below. [https://concon.eventbrite.com](https://concon.eventbrite.com/)[/?aff=Meetup](https://launchpadme.eventbrite.com/?aff=Meetup) QUESTIONS ? Please Reach out to; Ridhi - [https://wa.me/971552525078](https://wa.me/971525012234) ( WhatsApp Only)

If you are sick and tired of going to networking events where you feel uncomfortable, walk away without results, or only speak to a couple of people and miss the others, then this event is for you. These sessions are focused on the construction, design and consulting industries so that you can: * Find clients * Build your contacts * Find suppliers * Find resources At Super Connect, we follow a comfortable system that generates real results in a fun and structured environment. [See here how it works](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6UUk4t7JU) In our previous sessions some of our attendees shared why they love SBC LIVE Super Connect: [Neil Hamp Adams](https://youtube.com/shorts/BAw4KYqLbag?feature=share) [Abhishek Chatterjee](https://youtube.com/shorts/BAw4KYqLbag?feature=share) [Dina Chautan](https://youtube.com/shorts/Np7KR6RRdls?feature=share) [Mandy Priestly](https://youtube.com/shorts/Ls99W3Zep74?feature=share) [Yujin Koola](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_6pi1mIJZFY) There is a fee for this event because we find it attracts more motivated and successful type business owners, and let's face it, we all want to network up and not down! Only 195aed +VAT There is no entrance on the door because we prepare in advance to maximise the effect and send tips. Details and [book your place ](https://www.strategicbusinessconnect.com/networking-opportunities)

**From mesmerizing Machu Picchu to peering over the edge of heart-stopping cliffs**, to walking salt planes, gazing out across breathtaking landscapes, and feasting your eyes on some of the world’s most treasured wonders. And as if that isn’t enough, set against this spectacular natural backdrop we will dive headfirst into the unique history and culture of the Andean region, as we party the nights away to a soulful soundtrack that uncovers regional sounds from Bolivia’s traditional folklorico!! **Brazil** is a fascinating country of contrasts. On one hand, it is the country of the best footballers in the world, on the other – home to endless rainforest where you can still come across Indian traditions. **Iguazu falls** is an 60-82 mts escarpment over which the Iguaçu River plunges and divide the falls into some 275 separate waterfalls. It is approx. 3 times wider than Niagara Falls. **Argentina**, with its spectacular nature, cosmopolitan cities and mix of different cultural influences, is one of the favorite destinations in South America. It extends over about 4,000 kilometers, from its subtropical north to Tierra del Fuego, encompassing in its territory a wide variety of climates and ecosystems. **Bolivia** \- A country of extremes\, landlocked Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America\. One of the most secluded and underrated travel destinations in the world\, Bolivia is a country like no other\. Offering up surreal landscapes\, unique cultures\, fun\-filled festivals\, vibrant cities\, bustling markets and adrenaline pumping activities\, it’s not a question if to visit Bolivia\. **Peru** \- A country with 10\,000 years of history was once a seat of the fabulous Inca Empire\. However long before that\, ancient civilizations left the world with magnificent samples of a glorious past like Caral; the royal tombs of Sipan\, the most lavish burial in America; the enigmatic Nazca lines; and the mighty fortress of Kuélap\. **Machu Picchu**, one of the new seven wonders of the world, is the best-preserved Inca city located at an altitude of 2090-2400 masl, 112 km from the city of Cuzco. We have packed a **must-see list of South America** in extra ordinary journey where you will **not only visit 4 countries** but most importantly spend time immersing yourself in Latin culture and nature, definitely some of the most picturesque and unique on this planet! We have a detailed itinerary far too extensive for meetup word limits. **Lets go!** Day 0 :: Flight DXB-IGU Day 1 :: **BRAZIL** Arrival to Iguazu at midnight. In the morning visit Brazilian side of the falls. Day 2 :: **ARGENTINA** Salta - Purnamarca - Tilcara Day 3 :: Humahuaca - crossing to **BOLIVIA** \- Tupiza Day 4 :: Tupiza - Uyuni day 1 Day 5 :: Quetena - Laguna Colorada - Uyuni day 2 Day 6 :: La Paz City - Moon Valley - optional Cholitas wrestling Day 7 :: La Paz - Ruta de la Muerte Day 8 :: La Paz - crossing to **PERU**: Titicaca lake - Uros islands - Puno Day 9 :: Drive Puno - Cuzco via Rachq'i Day 10 :: Machu Picchu Day 11 :: Cuzco free day Day 12 :: Flight to Lima + departure LIM-DXB TRIP STARTS ON **MAY 23 MORNING in IGUAZU** and **ENDS ON JUNE 03 in PERU, LIMA.** You can arrive anytime on MAY 22, depart in the afternoon on JUNE 03. Our schedule is based on EK connection via GRU (cost approx. AED 8,500 - excluded from trip budget): MAY 22 DXB-GRU-IGU JUNE 03 LIM-GRU-DXB. **Grade:** Easy - available for everyone. **High altitude ahead**, optional activities such as downhill cycling. **Activities:** Trekking, cycling, boating, swimming, sightseeing. Optional Cholitas wrestling show. **Duration:** 12 days **Cost: 13,500 AED** incl. 3 connecting flights until **MAY 02**. On this date we will close the list. **Connecting flights:** Dubai - Iguazu and return Lima - Dubai **excluded.** **Visas:** Most of passports are visa free regime / USA visa waiver. Any visa support is not available for this program. **Accommodation & meals:** 3-4 star hotels - double sharing. Meals excluded. **Excluded:** Return flight from Dubai, visas, restaurant meals. See yah in South America x Trekkup Crew [Whatsapp 050484823](https://wa.me/971504848238) Find all trekkups at [linktr.ee/trekkup](http://linktr.ee/trekkup)

Along the banks of the River Congo on the western side of Central Africa are two capital cities, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kinshasa, and the Republic of Congo’s Brazzaville, both home to dapper Sapeurs, gateways to vibrant tribes of mystical dancers, gorillas, geologic wonders in heart of darkness rainforest jungles, and kingly incarnations among ancient tribal kingdoms. If you haven’t heard the term before, **Sapeurs are followers of a fashion culture** in Brazzaville and Kinshasa, members of the Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People, made up of day labourers, taxi drivers, or even gardeners, but dressed to impress in dapper designer suits and treated like rock-stars in their communities for the joy and colour. We’ll find these Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congo in both capital cities and they’re looking forward to meeting you! Beyond Brazzaville and into the heart of the Republic of Congo we’ll find the **Téké Kingdom and it’s own capital village Mbé** where we’ll meet the modern incarnation of their King Makoko. The village has preserved the vestiges of this once heroic kingdom which once spread across 85,000 square kilometres extended into Congo and the former Zaire. Expect to hear stories from village elders, chieftains painting their faces in bright yellows and reds, and tribal ceremonies to keep you up at night. Our trip would not be completed without meeting **eye to eye with lowland gorillas,** for which one of best spot is on our way in Lesio Louna. Further on into the rainforests is the **Nkila Ntari Caves, a descent of more than a kilometers deep underground** will take us past cave paintings. **Let’s go!!** **Day 1 // Kinshasa Arrival** After arrival and immigration formalities, we’ll have a first look around Kinshasa and take in the high fashion of the Sapeurs before dinner and overnight at hotel. **Day 2 // Kingdom of Kuba** Congo coffee and fufu breakfast before we hit the bumpy road to Kuba Kingdom. The Kuba village we will head to, is one of the remnants of what was once powerful 17th century empire. They are renowned for rich artistic traditions, particularly intricate geometric raffia textiles, and had a complex, centralized political system with a royal army and administration. **Day 3 // Voodoo ceremony** We start the day with traditional voodoo ceremony and continue taking in the best of Kinshasa, including National Museum and artisan galleries. **DAY 4 // Crossing to Brazzaville** In the morning we head to port for boat crossing to Brazzaville! Take in the Sapeurs performance on the other side and wander around town before we check-in to hotel. Enjoy a dinner and toast to our border crossing into the Republic! **Day 5 //** **Lowland Gorillas** **and Teke Kingdom** Departure to Lesio Louna Reserve for encounters with the **Lowland Gorillas.** Then we’re off to Mbé village to meet King Makoko in the capital of the old kingdom of the Tékés! Village elders will tell tales of the old kingdom, chiefs will paint their faces in red and yellow, and we’ll have a chance to talk to the King himself. After our encounters with kings, head to our lodge in Ngabé for dinner and rest. **Day 6 // Queen Ngalifuru and Kebe-Kebe in Ngabe** This morning we meet Queen Ngalifuru and deliver a few gifts as tribute. Be mindful, she has a few magical powers! We have much to explore and people to meet in Ngabé before the mystical dance of the Kébé-Kébé in the evening, a performance not to miss! We’ll spend the night in Ngabé lodge. **Day 7 // Nkila Ntari Caves and Punu Tribe** Very early breakfast before drive to the Nkila Ntari Caves where we’ll have a speleologist-led look around the rock arts and formations of this kilometre-long tunnel. Afterwards continue on to Nkayi to meet and see the Punu tribes’ performances. Overnight in the hotel. **Day 8 // Pointe Noire** Quick look at this coastal city before souvenir shopping and return flight home. **Activities:** Experience raw and authentic Africa, gorilla trekking, participating in local ceremonies, boating, cultural immersion. **Room & Meals:** Lodges and hotels - **double sharing**. Restaurant meals excluded. **Cost: 11,990 AED** excl. flights until MAY 10th. **Flights:** by [Ethiopian,](https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/ae) excluded from trip budget. **Specifically Excluded:** international flights, restaurant meals, visas. **Visas:** **\- DRC \-** Pre-arranged visa at 350 EUR + 100 USD visa stamping **\- ROC \-** Pre-arranged visa at 240 EUR + 100 visa stamping **YELLOW FEVER Vaccination Certificate is mandatory to cross inter-african borders.** This is a travel to malaria endemic region, prophylactics is compulsory for all participants. See yah in Congos x Trekkup Crew [Whatsapp 050 4848238](https://wa.me/971504848238) / [info@trekkup.com](http://info@trekkup.com/) [Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup](https://linktr.ee/trekkup)

**New participants are required to contact WhatsApp at 0501497147 before signing up for the event to confirm their slot** Badminton Active group plying every Thursday 8-10 PM baseline sports DIP Jabal Ali Cost will be AED 45-50 Per person including court rent with premium feather shuttle New plyers confirm your slots through WhatsApp ( Rensin +971501497147) Payment is applicable once confirmed the slot and no cancellation on game day. Join WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CqGaIb53w6f6q5PUTd166y

More than a transaction: Product thinking in modern retail We’re back with another evening of product thinking, real talk, and good company. This month, ProductTank Dubai brings leaders from the Chalhoub Group to explore how product discipline is reshaping modern retail — from omnichannel experience design to the role of e-commerce in luxury. Whether you’re a PM, designer, engineer, or retail enthusiast, this is a conversation worth showing up for. **AGENDA** Thursday 21st May • 6:30PM: Doors open, Drinks & Networking • 7:00 PM: Introduction & Welcome • 7:15 PM: Panel: More than a transaction — Product thinking in modern retail • 7:45 PM: Interactive Q&A • 8:00 PM: Networking until late **SPEAKERS** •Kimberley Roditi — VP of Product Management and Design, Chalhoub Group •Ruairi McVeigh — Omnichannel Product Director, Chalhoub Group •Darine El Sabbagh — GM of E-commerce & Omnichannel, Chalhoub Group **LOCATION & LOGISTICS** Venue: Reform, Social Bar and Grill — The Lakes Address: https://share.google/xlSAP2ybLx6BKSUON Parking: Free limited parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage arriving by taxi or Careem to ensure a smooth arrival. **ABOUT OUR SPONSOR** Discovered is the region’s leading digital and technology talent solutions provider. Since 2016, they have been at the forefront of the industry, helping to turn start-ups into unicorns and supporting the hyper-growth of the biggest names in the world. Their expertise spans Product Management, Design, Engineering, and beyond.

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

We will show how to build custom agents with Microsoft Agent Framework. Attendees will learn how to build and custom host agents when Microsoft Foundry is not a viable option.

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message \*\*Chris (the organizer)\*\*with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)

**✅ Bachata Mondays with Todd Smith!** **👉 Beginner Bachata Class** **$15 In Advance / $20 At the Door** . 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm … Registration 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm … Beginner Class . **👉 Intermediate Bachata Class** **= $15 In Advance / $20 At the Door** . 8:15 pm – 8:30 pm Registration 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm Intermediate Class . **👉 If You Take Both Bachata Classes** **= $25 In Advance / $35 At the Door** . **👉 Buy Advance Tickets Now at:** . https://columbussalsadancing.com/bachata-mondays-dance-class-tickets/

**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9