June 30 back to Zamalek. Some observations.

This island in the middle of the Nile in the middle of Cairo is one of the more cosmopolitan areas. Total mix of rich and poor old and new sparkly/modern and decayed and covered in a dust that evokes 40s Peter Lorre movies.

Many elegant art deco buildings turned monochrome by the dust, and the walls covered by air conditioners either with dozens of tubes or with the condensate just raining down on the sidewalk.

Some of the buildings look abandoned but others reveal fine well lit apartments in hotel-modern style or traditional European or a mix. The garage could have an encrusted Peugeot or a Chinese econo car or a brand new Mercedes

The streets are utterly filled 24 hours but more after 9pm. Almost every car honks every couple seconds but especially cabs as they drive past each pedestrian not for safety which is disregarded but to see if you want a ride

We are using Uber which costs 1 to 2 dollars for 10 to 15 minute rides. Taxis don’t turn on the meters: the cost is whatever you think fair.

Many of the buildings have an old guy sitting in front in a plastic chair as guard.

The filled streets: families promenading along the river with little kids eating ice cream, even at 3am.

Near any interesting backdrop like the river or interesting building attracts a high quantity of people photographing themselves and each other.