Over the past month of Ramadan, the traffic scene in Cairo has been different-empty roads around the time of Iftar and traffic snarls of the kind that can only be imagined
A couple of days back, when we decided to go to City Stars, we chose to leave at 5.45 p.m-these days the iftar takes place at 5.50 and we thought that this would be the best time since the roads would be empty.
Definitely, there was not much traffic but the few cars that were on the road were in a tearing hurry to get to their destination-their drivers feeling hungry and ready to risk life and limb to get to food. With hubby at the wheel, it was a nightmare dodging these cars that were driving as if they are auditioning for the Formula One races. Might be a good idea to keep a few dates and fruits in the car to break the fast.
And then last evening, there was the biggest ever traffic snarl that I have seen on the Gamaet-el-Dwal road. Cars standing bumper to bumper, moving an inch at a time. Even the by-lanes were packed with cars trying to get onto the main roads. While walking to a friend’s hosue, I had to frequently stop to allow a car to pass. And in the midst of this, there was an ambulance with siren blaring trying to move forward, but with very little luck. With repeated requests issued on the loudspeaker by the driver, the ambulance managed to crawl forward at a snail’s pace. Its movement was hampered by the other cars that had aligned themselves with the ambulance and were trying to take advantage of the break in traffic to get ahead. I only hope that the person concerned received medical help in time.
A couple of days back, when we decided to go to City Stars, we chose to leave at 5.45 p.m-these days the iftar takes place at 5.50 and we thought that this would be the best time since the roads would be empty.
Definitely, there was not much traffic but the few cars that were on the road were in a tearing hurry to get to their destination-their drivers feeling hungry and ready to risk life and limb to get to food. With hubby at the wheel, it was a nightmare dodging these cars that were driving as if they are auditioning for the Formula One races. Might be a good idea to keep a few dates and fruits in the car to break the fast.
And then last evening, there was the biggest ever traffic snarl that I have seen on the Gamaet-el-Dwal road. Cars standing bumper to bumper, moving an inch at a time. Even the by-lanes were packed with cars trying to get onto the main roads. While walking to a friend’s hosue, I had to frequently stop to allow a car to pass. And in the midst of this, there was an ambulance with siren blaring trying to move forward, but with very little luck. With repeated requests issued on the loudspeaker by the driver, the ambulance managed to crawl forward at a snail’s pace. Its movement was hampered by the other cars that had aligned themselves with the ambulance and were trying to take advantage of the break in traffic to get ahead. I only hope that the person concerned received medical help in time.
Today is the last day of fasting for the month of Ramadan and most of the government offices are closed. This morning, the roads are deserted. After a “night out” last evening, it seems that people are resting and recouping their energy. But it is only the lull before the storm-I can only imagine the traffic after iftar this evening when people come out in large numbers to celebrate Eid.
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