What is it you like about Thomas the Tank Engine? Is it because of his big, friendly smile? His bright blue body with red trim? The way he his wheels glide along the smooth, steel tracks, safely sending him along his way in the great, open air? Or is it his eager attitude? His willingness to help, to have an important job and role in the lives of others? Is that why you always want to show him to Maurice?
Well guess what? Maurice and I get to ride a train everyday! Unlike Thomas, it does not have a big, friendly smile. Nor is it painted blue with red trim. And it rarely runs in the open air! Our train, painted gray with pink and purple stripes, is located a few levels underground. Instead of gliding throughout the countryside, it reliably chugs below the cluster and chaos of the city, booming through tunnels and crowded platforms. It works hard to send passengers from their homes to their places of work, from their schools to their churches and mosques, from the busyness of Tahrir Square to the tranquility of quiet gardens and parks, from the east bank of the Nile to the west, or even from the airport all the way to the Great Pyramids at Giza!
The Cairo Metro is an essential piece of the public transportation puzzle for a city of 20 million people. It's true that a lot of people ride the public busses, especially students for their daily commute to University. Most of these busses, however, are old, hot, dusty, and slow. And with the endless traffic, it's a wonder they are not always hours behind schedule. It's also true that many people drive cars. But the cars are much smaller and older here than they are in Michigan, and unlike those in the US, it's as if they are able to change size! Always squeezing in and out of tight spots, making a fifth or sixth traffic lane on a road built for three, and piling more people inside than what seems to be possible, they seem to shrink and swell as needed, like the shoreline ebbs and flows. There are just as many motor bikes as there are personal cars. A few nights ago, walking along a bridge that crosses the Nile, Maurice and I saw a family of four comfortably riding one bike, constantly weaving in and out of the congestion composed of pedestrians and machines. Even more people take taxis, but unless you are lucky enough to hop into a newer cab with a meter, you have to haggle with the driver, predetermining the worth of your ride before you even sit inside.
Luckily, Maurice and I live just a short walk away from the Metro! And for less than twenty cents, we can travel from the new, modern sections of Cairo to the old, traditional neighborhoods; we can explore the city like tourists; we can ride to the library or universities like students; we can commute to work, visit friends, or go out for the best fiteer (Egyptian pizza) on the other side of the Nile. It's amazing. I wish Moe could show you this train.
Love,
Aunt Em
