• 154 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    Who are you? Where are you? What's up in your life? People who attended the Egypt shows are, of course, cordially invited to post their experiences as well!

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • Mr. Pid
    Joined:
    Just a mile to go
    I say do keep on rolling, my old buddy. Are you an expat or a native? Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
  • ikoiko
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    leather belt's buckles!
    the closest encounter i have with a GD experience here is leather belt's buckles and wallets with the logo on them in shopping malls :) i often ask the sales ppl if they know what the logo stands for and i get similar replies: it's a skull, you know .. dangerous :) electric :), n im like well do you know the grateful dead? reply: sorry sir, no undersatnd you! anyways, i have my son's room painted in blue and red with a big poster of Skeleton's from the closet, actually it was his wish for the colors choices and it worked for me. The tunes are playing often in the background of my apartment and some times loud enough to grab my kids attention and they rush in the room dancing like teddy bears. I speak of the dead quite alot and tell my friends and wife about them but they keep dragging me to the hip hop scene, which is olright, i mean i respect and love music in general but the dead is like that saying of Hermes: "The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding". I often find myself walking alone in the black muddy river. GD has been a great companion for my mind at times of stress and sorrow, happiness and highs. It's actually quite a lonely scene but sometimes that's the beauty of it, it amplifies the meanings of their songs. Forgive me if i took this seriously but i'm trying my best to reflect a clear image. A couple of times I stopped hippies with backsacks passing through and asked them if they were heads :) lol, desperate eyy? but i found out that not all hippies are deadheads! anywho, i think i talked too much for now, i'll elaborate more upon receiving your responce. keep on rolling.
  • marye
    Joined:
    hey now!
    tell us about being a Deadhead in Dubai, where few of us will ever travel, I expect.
  • ikoiko
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    deadhead in dubai
    salam, beside myself, the only other deadhead that i know here is me :) been looking 4 any 9yrs now, almost gave up. limme know if your out there.
  • Frankly
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    happy 2 know...
    that u dont accept pms.sorry for bothering u O°L°O....!!!!Peace on earth ...Frankly
  • mazeppa
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Blues for Allah
    Salaam princeofthenile! Hamza El Din--now that makes sense. I am a longtime Hamza El Din fan (though a longer time Deadhead). Hamza El Din was present at a Sufi retreat where a friend of mine (and Deadhead) "took" shahada. But I don't know if Hamza El Din was a member of that Sufi order or whether he was just a guest. In any event, many thanks for providing this information. peace...
  • princeofthenile
    Joined:
    Blues for Allah
    mazeppa,The Egypt shows were arranged by Hamza El Din, who was a Nubian oud player, may Allah bless his soul. He passed away a few years ago,but I was lucky to meet him once in Cairo in the late 90's. Hamza was a friend of the Dead and I am told he performed with them a few times.A friend of mine (an American sufi) knew Hamza very well and i remember he didnt think Hamza was affiliated with any specific sufi shaykh or way. I myself am a Naqshbandi sufi from Egypt but have been living in Canada for the last 8 years. Our Shaykh taught us that even the process of uttering the word Allah with respect alone has huge blessings, so I believe the Dead are blessed for recording this album and singing the words and making others to sing along. May Allah bless us all....
  • mazeppa
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Blues for Allah
    I am aware that "Blues for Allah" was a tribute to the murdered Saudi King Faisal (band friend and Deadhead). About 15 years ago now, I saw a film about the Egypt shows and I swear there was something in it about an Egyptian shaykh who was another friend of the band and Deadhead. Maybe I dreamed this; but my recollection is that this shaykh (who may have been connected with a sufi order) helped to arrange the Egypt shows. Does anybody know anything about any of this?
  • 00
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Israel in the House!!!
    I must say that when speaking of the Middle East I always leave out Israel for some reason. Sorry about that. I have met many Israelis around the world and most are open minded and very interesting people. I work with an Israeli in Africa and he is very serious about his religion and I always try to throw a curve ball at him like how can he explain extraterrestrial life etc and he always accepts these ideas and says that his religion does not reject such realities. Anyway, where there are open minds you have a good chance of finding a deadhead! Also by the way when i used to travel with Phish i had some friends that were from Israel, but i have since lost contact with them. Peace
  • masonskids
    Joined:
    Bahrain?
    I know there is a VERY kind Deadhead in Bahrain named Khalid. I met him there about 10 years ago. We electrically celebrated the Day's Between on the beach in Qatar with some great Jerry tapes. He's kind of hard to miss, about 6'6", and drives a huge Land Cruiser with a custom made Dancing Bear spare wheel cover. He's originally from Qatar and used to work of Gulf Air. Khalid, if your out there get in touch!
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Who are you? Where are you? What's up in your life? People who attended the Egypt shows are, of course, cordially invited to post their experiences as well!
user picture

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

.Looking forward to the shows! I wonder if they'll do one in Mecca. Just kidding. Imagine that. Go Israel, stay safe! Peace to ALL MidEast Deadheads! absurd thought - God of the Universe says outlaw ALL dancing moving bodies to music must be seen as evil . All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech there can be no real freedom. .
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Any Deadheads in Istanbul, Turkey? I go every summer to visit my in-laws and it would be cool to hook up with a Deadhead there. On my last trip I was riding my bike in a fairly remote area and came upon a VW bus - I was praying for a GD sticker!!! No dice...
user picture

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

Im getting ready to deploy to Iraq as a medic. I'd love to hook up with some deadheads and jam out over there. later, Doc
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

safe travels to you. Feel free to tell us your adventures and let us know how you're doing. And bless you for your healing work.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

keep yer head down, bro.........from an old squid
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 9 months
Permalink

Hey Now, I'm in the UAE for most of Feb and maybe into March, I'm looking for someone to clue me in to some kind of Jam Band scene if it exists. Bike Week(end) was fun. JazzFest is good for a few days but I want a place to hang out. I'm tired of the Philipino cover bands, etc. There has to be some good music in this town if I poke around. Hophead
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

are you in the Middle East?
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

govern tomorrow, before the army fills a vacuum.
user picture

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

sorry so long, in not getting into the group and discussion, I am a universality deadhead, became a Muslim in the states about 1996, after Jerry death, when in 96 i had an accident and was at brown university hospital and was told by the Doc. if i did not quit drinking, i would be "locked up or covered up" this is what i did in my search for Serenity exploring many of man kinds sciences and paths i choose Islam as the religion that appealed to my intellect, (in a philosophical tree climbing way) to channel the good freethinking vibes, to constructive use after years of tour and travel of the globe I took bible study coursed from various sources , went to the oldest synagogue in america, studied, and studied more , on tour I have been to Naroopa, boulder, an ashram out side goose creek Colorado, Lindisfarne, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, in Marin, lived in Italy considered a heretic,(Masonic) i was not catholic but i took advantage of being near RoME, and studied art history, while there also, reading on the real history of the church, as depicted in paintings. I was raised an American in Naples Italy, (origin of the Funiculì, Funiculà) lived there three different times, total of 13 years, between our trips around the globe, (father was Navy) we lived in mare island Vallejo, California, my great great grandfather is buried in Mount Tamalpais cemetery. so i was more local to the area I was about 1982. then stopped a few other places in the USA, between 1980 to 1984, my family did many road trips across the Usa, what i always could remembering all the cool folks on the roadways of America. various tours; been to the 25 reunion of woodstock in Bethel, New York 94, stayed two weeks and got in on the clean up of that site , the freedom fest and camp arrow head. 94 world unity fest in south rim of grand canyon, black mountain in Arizona, subsequent rainbow gatherings, from 92-96. I was in palm springs, California area may to July 95 I greyhounded to Rhode island from California, stopped in Oklahoma city, two weeks before Jerry un timely death, I was in Newport, Rhode island, and was considering a road trip to NY for the annual gathering at woodstock, then catching the Newport folk fest, that years folk fest was; whew... Now being here in Kuwait for 9 years where gas is cheaper than water per liter. I have the only cars in Kuwait with dead head stickers. 2004 Pajero , with 4 inch dancing bears across the rear bumper, and a titanium syf sticker, as well as a STF sticker on a 2003 honda civic 4 door. ,and a 1982 Maserati quattroporte, If i can figure out how to post the photos here would be cool. I married a wonder full Kuwaiti Woman, with whom i met when she was visiting for seminars at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, in 2001, we met through one of her Kuwaiti relatives I knew from the local mosque in fairfax, Virginia.we have 4 little boys and they demand Jerry in the morning, while driving I have raised them on the dead and may of the few "streams" to get them to listen with me. i wear tie dyes on a regular basis, (you cannot show up at a mosque in a tie-dye) I been to the hajj in mecca in 2002. I have taken my other wise conservative Muslim wife to the haight ashbury street fair in 2007, every place between Vallejo and Monterrey, On 9/11, of which I was TWO KM as the crow flies from the pentagon, after all the interrogations from the secret service, I had a yacht repair business on the Potomac river, servicing the marinas, people threw all the work contracts out the window , because i did not keep it a secret that i was a Muslim long before 9/11, at my core i am an american, well I moved to Kuwait, and started supporting the US Army as a mechanic, body shop, As well as working my own angles with the boating and yachting industry in Kuwait. this is a very conservative society so the only way i introduce musicians here about the dead i let them listen to Garcia/Grisman "Arabia" for some reason the song stirs the Arabian soul ; i try to bring out some musical awareness, so most Arabs think we (deadheads) are christian a cult of the dead in america, this is from from a religious point of view, and first impressions, then if you know names of popular Arabian musician, then they get the idea, the deal is to learn the language, and the society in which you live, they are all different in the gulf region, what goes for one does not for the other. thanks for letting me introduce my self
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

Hey now .. I hope you're all well and happy.Last time I posted here I was living in Dubai, but now I moved to Amman/ Jordan. I wanted to let everyone know that I have a cool & creative business center & Fine Art Gallery on the main rd. to the DEAD SEA (also the Amman airport rd.). I named it GD (Gallery Docart). If you happen to pass this way please come and visit me and as a member of the "clan" :) I'll make sure you have a good time and try and help with anything you need, beside, The Dead tunes are always playing in the background (i use gdradio). Coffee, Wi-Fi, laptop usage are on the house for Deadheads. In return, if you're coming from the states, please bring me a GD something! anything, a sticker for example ... that would be very kind of you. In addition, if you like to learn more about the place and investigate the potentials of trade for Tie Dye t's, tapestry, beads,..etc. drop me a line, maybe we can do something. You can find more details on Facebook: Smaik Design Center or Gallery Docart or even on my personal page: Nedal Smaik. I really look forward to see you!! THX.. Love+Peace+Happiness
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

thanks for the info ikoiko. Last time I was in Amman was 1997... no GD hangout there then I am sure, but I have many happy memories of Jordan. I'll be sure to look you up if I get back there.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

long time no see! Nice to hear from you!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

It's good to hear from you too! and just incase you wondered why i disappeared, I was in jail in Dubai then Sharjah/united arab emirates for 13 straight months for smoking a cannabis joint!! originally sentenced for 4 years then got out with a pardon and deported, lost everything i built in 15 years including my business and my wife too! but now im back on my feet again, my wife is back too and i hve a nice business setup in Amman/ Jordan. I look forward to seeing any fellow deadheads visiting Jordan, you all know you have a a friend here. thx again.. Peace
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

well, that's certainly a cautionary tale! glad things are better now! Ay-yi-yi!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

Hi Marye, I hope you're well. From your experience, do u think there is any chance that Further would consider coming to play here in Jordan or Egypt (again)? if "things" quite down in the region some time in the near future? and if guarantees and precautions on top levels concerning security are provided .. i personally think it would be magical! The Dead Sea, Petra, Pyramids .. we have a couple of fantastic (functional) and ancient amphitheaters. Jordan is a peaceful place that cherishes freedom and thrives for democracy. The whole experience for both sides would be .... historical! just a .. persisting .. thought. Peace
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

about that! You might go over to Furthur.net and post, and see what kind of conversation came about!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

thx for the tip .. i'll do tht when i gather enough ... confidence or something!
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

They used to have a Jazz Festival at Amman Amphitheatre in the Spring. Do they still do that? Or what about Jerash Amphitheatre? .I saw Fairuz there many years ago. That was quite something.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

thx cosmicbadger for corresponding .. Amman amphitheatres Jazz fest. is still on so as Jerash, wow Fairuz, lucky u :) .. I imagine Wadi rum, deadsea, aqaba, petra would be future potential venues, amazing but not expolited magical places -in my opinion-. com by n visit sometime pls. :) peace
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 1 month
Permalink

...considers the conflict in Afghanistan to be the "good war", and basically hasn't done anything different than "W" over there, including "murdering brown skinned people", will the "Deadheads for Obama" still vote for him in November?? ANSWER: Of Course They Will !!!!!!!!!
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Just moved to Abu Dhabi this year and it's a great place. But I haven't met a single head out here! Is there anybody around that wants to get together and play some tunes together or even just swap some music? There's only so much pop music a girl can take!
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

I came over to help start the newly created special education department in a private non-profit school for local kids (mostly-- there are a few expats in the mix but not many) It's amazing and fulfilling work. The teachers are from all over the world and it's been incredible getting to know everyone. Still, it gets a bit lonely at times not having any heads around to talk to. More than ever I am realizing how much of a unique culture we deadheads have and how it shapes who we are and how we view the world. My friends and colleagues here are quite tolerant of my "crunchiness" in a place that is renown for decadent lifestyles and glamorous ways, but I don't feel that connection that I get when I'm at shows. Luckily, I will have my summers off and can go on tour!
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Are the Muslims in AD "Jack Muslims"? (Backsliders, for want of yet another term). I know they do ridiculous things in the desert like ski in climate controlled warehouse-like buildings. The disconnect from the rest of their culture must be massive.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

Hey now .. I left the UAE scene last year and i now reside in Amman/Jordan about 1 hr away from the Dead Sea. I still have few friends in Abu Dhabi, non are dead heads :). Enjoy your stay, look at the bright side of things while in this region (if any). If you get a chance pls stop by and visit, you have friends (and fellow deadhead) here. If you come across any trouble while in abu dhabi, pls let me know, I may be able to help. All the best .. Good loving vibes .. nedal smaik (nedal smaik on facebook) IKOIKO
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Nice to see you again.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

its always nice to see you too, thanks!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

hey now Anna, i hope ur well, safe and happy. lol re. "jack muslims" or backslider, i had to dig the meaning from the dictionary: To revert to sin or wrongdoing, especially in religious practice. not all of the muslims my fellow dead head are backsliders, but most of them, just like any other faiths that went astray, i'd say maybe half the population or even more! im a muslim by birth and geographical region .. but i also realize that i'm a child of the universe and all faiths and believes, i appreciate all "the others" and realize myself as any ordinary man, free from all the unnecessary burdens and lies of .. The Backsliders, being muslims or not.. if the "others" show the same sentiments and emit the same vibes as mine, i get along with any "other" ethnic or religious fellow humans, regardless of any discrimination of any type. my motives and beliefs is to see every human live in peace and harmony, no poverty, no wars and no pain for a mother, child or man. share the same goals and concerns, share the wealth that is given to all of us through out the history and the entire globe. we're all one and share the same fears, hopes and desires, we cry and laugh the same way, we love the same love, the one true and only love, but when we hate .. we hate in many ways that were planted by backsliders :) have a grateful day .. love and peace nedal
user picture

Member for

12 years 9 months
Permalink

It is quite true. Though I wouldn't agree with the sentiment that it is the backsliders that cause most of the conflict. In fact, it is the true believers who tend to be most intolerant. A cursory examination of all the world's religions would show this to be as true as a generalization can be. Looking at the conflicts in the world today, it seems to be the true believers among the Muslims who are causing a lot of conflict and problems for people on almost every continent. I do also fault the economic designs of industrialized countries for encroaching where they don't belong for some of the problem. Not to open a whole other can of worms here, but I am very close to the Nepali people and their culture. Many of them are servants in the homes of even ordinary people in most Middle Eastern countries and they are treated like dirt by a minority of the families because they are "non-believer" Buddhist and Hindu. Some of the abuses are egregious in the extreme - so graphic I can't go into detail here. I am not impugning your culture or religion in any way. The "True Believers" of every religion all over the world act in much the same way. Do have a grateful day, Nedal
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

thnx so mch for ur comment and yes what u reflect is valid regarding "true believers" (but who are the true believers or think they are?!) and being the main cause of conflicts through the entire world. i wish we can discuss this further and exchange views and visions, perhaps some time soon.. kindest thoughts .. nedal
user picture

Member for

12 years 9 months
Permalink

i thought about that while writing my post
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Just wanted to say thanks for the good wishes. I am having a lovely time here (it helps that my job is amazing) I have been hoping to get out to Jordan next year, so I will certainly try to get in touch if and when I actually get that together ;-)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

its great to hear that ur having a lovely time and enjoying your job! travelling to Amman from AD is not costly (400-450Dhs) and there are no complications. Once here (if u come :) we'll visit dead sea (search for some scrolls :), petra and wadi rum, jerash and mt. nibo,..etc. pls keep n touch. :) kind thoughts and peace, nedal
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 3 months
Permalink

Hi deadheads im a 30years old male from Iran im new here Am i the only deadhead from Tehran here? I know many GD fans in Iran its surprising to see many young people listening to more earlier sound of GD here
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years
Permalink

Hi, my name is Sandya and currently living in Dubai with my husband, David. I was curious to know if there were any other Deadheads here in Dubai or relatively close? We just received the Spring 1990 collection and were enjoying listening to the shows and got to thinking there has got to be other deadheads here.... please say there is. :)
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Hi guys! So I'm in the same country at least, here in abu dhabi. I have wanted to hear that Spring 90 collection as my husband and I did that tour together. Great memories!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 1 month
Permalink

Looking for some good music here in the holly land. Just moved here recently and looking for some help from my deadhead brethren.Keep truckin
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

Hey I am an American living in Istanbul. The musıc scene is wonderful here but I wonder, are there any other Dead Heads here?!! SOS!
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

I've never been there, though some friends' family is from there originally. It sure looks like an interesting place in the travel shows!