A Table With A View

I’ve had many conversations with Egyptians about the war in Gaza.  To a person, they don’t hesitate to call it genocide. 

Arabs with a border contiguous with Israel,

their disgust and outrage carries a relevancy Americans can only imagine.

To honor their Palestinian brothers and sisters, I set out to visit the newly named “6th of October Bridge”.

Foregoing breakfast at the Lecaire, I walked to El Tahrir Square,

continued toward the Museum then beyond,

navigated the rush hour traffic,

stopped for a water,

then crossed the road to the Ramses Hilton for a rest stop,

the high tech security no doubt valued by its clientele.

Deciding to stay for breakfast, I was given my choice of tables

and chose one with view.

These are not the folks one meets on the streets of Cairo,

though each surely has a story.

I must say how easy it was to make my way there.

Of course with white comes privilege.

I spoke with a gentleman seated nearby.

“Walid” he introduced himself as he took my hand warmly.

Later, he played for me.

Hoping to find a city view, I took the elevator to 30,

where Gomma was preparing a room.

He paused long enough to accommodate my interest,

then gave me a private tour of the Dua Suite,

where I played for him.

I would like to have visited further with Gomma, but he’s a responsible man.

So I made my way to the bridge,

crossed over,

then continued to the Cairo Tower,

and another view.

The day young, I called for an Uber and soon was in Old Cairo,

settled by Christian Coptics in the 1st century AD, 600 years before the arrival of Muslims.

It’s a quiet place if you can avoid those recently off a cruise ship.

St. George’s cemetery,

the adjacent chapel,

and the great church on the hill.

Saint Mary’s church, the “Hanging Church”,

arriving mid-way through Mass,

and staying for Communion.

Behind it all is the Coptic Museum,

and its treasure trove dating back nearly 2000 years.

I would have stayed longer but for closing, so I called for an Uber.

The middle-age man, likely a guide when not driving, identified sites along the way, insisting:

“You must visit Salah El Din Citadel.”

I assured him I would, inshallah.