I’d been told about Al-Mu izz Street. That it’s an open-air museum of Islamic monuments and culture. The Valley of the Kings is also considered an open-air museum, but it’s for the dead. The Al-Mu izz is for the living.
The Uber from the Le Caire to Al-Mu izz Street, to be polite, was a twenty-five minute ride through semi-controlled chaos. But Aden was an excellent driver, cordial as well. And played music he thought would be to my liking.
Kenny Rodgers. Lionel Ritchie. Whitney Houston.
“Whitney Houston. Body Guard. I like Kevin Costner very much.”
The charge was a hefty 96.42 EGP - $2.01 US.
Arriving shortly after noon,
I began my walk.
I don’t recall who wrote,
If I had twice the time, I would write half as much.
Perhaps Emerson or Thoreau.
I think the same can be said of photos. Too many and we lose our way. It’s certainly true of Al-Mu izz Street. Photos must be distilled to a meaningful handful.
Much like Talaat Harb Street, commerce is in full display,
and the comings and goings of those who make it work.
But life on this street is more leisurely.
There’s time to chat,
walk at an easy pace,
kick back,
take a break,
grab a bite.
Express one’s self.
And when the heat of the day begins to take its toll, one can step inside to a time when greatness was embodied in design and architecture.
Come the call to prayer, there are mosques,
both simple
and sublime.
And should one ever think the Arab is without whimsy,
one need only look up.
Postscript
It’s four in the morning. Can’t sleep. This wild, wonderful, tragic country has taken a small toll on a body not as spry as it was a decade ago, a year ago when I was in the Far East. Cairo and its 25 million is unlike anything I’ve experienced.
I’m listening to Toby Wilkinson on Audible.
A really good read should you ever have the need to be reminded that we Americans are infants in the epic story of human civilization.
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