The Logistics of Settling In 173like the rest of the population. As previously mentioned,
rarely do you find places where police or lights stop traffic
for pedestrians to cross. Even when they do, there is usually
someone coming around a corner right into crossing foot
traffickers. So how do you get across? Well, the easiest way,
when you first arrive, is to find some Egyptians who want to
cross where you do and go with them. You must be careful
not to lag behind them, however, because they are probably
gauging their steps by not only what is coming in one ‘lane’,
but what is coming in several. You may have just enough time
to get across one line of cars, and stop as others in the next
line speed past, only to quickly dart another lane’s worth
to stop again. It is frequently a zig-zag process. Whatever
you do, don’t try carrying on a conversation while crossing
the street. This tends to slow people down and diverts
their attention from oncoming cars, buses, trucks, bicycles,
donkeys, donkey carts and motorcycles. Not only must you
keep your eyes peeled for movement from every direction,
but you must also keep your ears attuned to the sound of
hisses, horns and bells. Don’t forget—two-wheeled vehicles
tend to dart in and out among the bigger varieties and may
not be visible when you start between two cars. Also, do not
wait for cars to stop before crossing the street (they likely
never will, although the occasional Cairene may take pity on
a foreigner). In really congested areas, slowed or non-moving
traffic makes your progress easier.
Third, pedestrian traffic is not limited to sidewalks. Nor
is wheeled traffic necessarily limited to streets. People walk
anywhere and everywhere there is room to move (just like
cars go anywhere there is space, so do people on foot).
Bicycles and motorcycles weave through pedestrians whether
on the sidewalk or in the streets. They often appear as if by
magic out of some little nook or alley between buildings
which may be hardly perceptible to the newcomer. Again,
keep your eyes and ears open.
Asking Directions
If you ask someone for directions, be prepared to get an
answer. Almost all people are willing to try to help you.