"He said I was unequipped to meet life because I had no sense of humor."

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Cairo: Street Level

Cairo is a frenetic city, moving fast, lots of cars, tons of people, 18 million plus, and lots of poverty.  This evening walking to grab some food and a few beers from the 'Drinkie' I snapped a few photos and made a few mental notes.

Plenty of major cities have extreme poverty and I am told that Cairo is average in terms of major cities in 'developing' nations - India will be difficult, certainly.  I'm not sure how to frame these observations - I guess those of you who have seen the like will know and those who have not will have to imagine.  The emotional reaction isn't really about what people look like, its something else.  Anyway - here are a few images that have stuck with me from the other night, along with some general photos of the city.

A side street, a woman selling tissues, one grossly swollen leg out in front of her.


A woman or young man with severe physical deformity, who slides down the middle of the sidewalk begging, a sandaled hand under one leg, the other leg crouched.  


Walking down Ta'laat Harb I passed a man walking, playing a simple stringed instrument he made and was selling.  A small boy, his son?, was sitting on his shoulders, asleep, resting his head on the man's head, a cast on his leg.

There are dozens more, and certainly many dozens more beyond that.  Of course, the whole reason people travel is because it is impossible to convey what it feels like - but I hope my itinerant observations can provide a glimpse.  And for a few of those expansive, chaotic views - some photos:

This is about 9 PM, pretty standard, everyone walks in the street all the time

People walk in the street cause the sidewalks are always packed

One would cross by easing across the traffic

This is kind of what it feels like sometimes :)
And here are a few from the following morning - yesterday morning at this point - before I took a night train south to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens (entry to follow!).

Near the train station was total insanity - there's a lot going on here.  

Same area, near Ramses station (which is near Mubarak metro stop)

A busier intersection, you can see people crossing and get a feel for it a bit.  

Another shot of people crossing the street.  
So that's that - I made a few videos as well, but those will have to wait until I get back as they are too big to post here.  I'll try to get one of me crossing a busy street - it's kind of fun.  Thanks for reading folks, all my best!

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