The main tourist office on the corner of Midan Sa'ad Zaghloul (daily: 8am-6pm, mid-July to mid-Aug to 8pm; Ramadan 9am-4pm; tel 484-3380), is staffed by very helpful English-speakers, can provide a free information booklet, Alexandria Night and Day, and answer most questions. It has branches at the airport (daily 8am-8pm; tel 420-2021) and Masr Station (daily 8am-8pm; tel 492-5985). The university and foreign cultural centres are obvious sources of contacts (students and expats); on Thursday nights you'll find half the expat community in bars. If you're considering staying for some time, try getting hold of the Newcomers' Guide to Alexandria, written by (and for) resident Americans. There is also a Web site for information on Alex which has photos and a wide selection of links ( ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/alexandria/).