172 CultureShock! Egypt
Cairo. Traffic in Alexandria is somewhat less troublesome
than in Cairo, but faster. Lane markers occur more frequently
on Alex’s streets, but again are sometimes ignored. Some
streets, for example the Corniche, become one-way during
certain times of the day in Alexandria. One does not go
against traffic in Alexandria.
Even with the abundance of automobile and truck traffic
in Cairo, most people seem to be on foot. Egyptians walk
everywhere. When going short distances, a mile or two,
walking is the most practical means of getting anywhere
because it is faster.Survival on Foot
Positively the most important skill you must learn is
pedestrian survival. The key words for pedestrian survival are
‘situational awareness’. Egyptian drivers are alert not to hit
pedestrians in case they might have a family member who
would seek retribution. Do not count on their sharpness for
your survival! Rural towns are considerably less congested
than are the cities, but this only means the drivers are less
alert to wayward walkers. Once you learn to cross the streets
successfully in Cairo, and maintain your level of situational
awareness when being a pedestrian in general, you will
have the greatest probability of living in Egypt unscathed by
bumps, hits and slam-dunks. While the same strategies work
in all areas of Egypt, don’t forget that traffic tends to move
faster in Alexandria, so where you might walk in Cairo, you
will need to run in Alexandria.
First, slippery-soled shoes are a hazard. Like streets in
most places, Cairo’s streets tend to slope downward from
the centre. They also tend to be covered with a fine layer of
the infamous dusty sand. Sand on sloping streets makes for
bad traction. You never know when you are going to have to
sprint the extra few feet to avoid an oncoming car picking
up speed. Unless you want to end up lying under a parked
car, or worse yet, the moving vehicle, shoes with soles that
allow some kind of traction work best.
Second, don’t worry about being at an intersection to cross
a street. If you want to go across, head out into the traffic