There’s really no way to describe life in Cairo. It’s an insane, tumultuous, heaving realm of chaos, and one can only begin to understand it by winding up and down its streets and in and out of the lives of the souls that walk them.

Cairo OppressorWih 22 million living in its metropolitan area, Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. In other words, it’s big. This simultaneous crowding and expanse can be felt anywhere, from Bab al-Louq, to Haram, Shubra, Mohandeseen, Nasr City, Sixth of October, or Rehab. But it especially can be felt when going from one to another and the reality sinks in of how far Cairo spreads and how many feet are rushing across its tired pavements. It’s almost suffocating, but invigorating, all at the same time.

Here are some quotes that attempt to capture the craziness of living in the Egyptian capital, commentary included.

Remove all the traffic lights, yellow lines, one-way systems and road markings, and let blissful anarchy prevail. I imagine it would produce a kind of harmony.”– Sadie Jones

(In Barney Stinson’s voice) Haaaaaaaave you met Cairo?

Cairo traffic jam

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”- Margaret Mead

One in a million. Or one in 22 million….

tahrir-square-crowd

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”– Don Marquis

Do you think they frame this and put it on the wall of every government office in Cairo?

Expert: a man who makes three correct guesses consecutively.”– Laurence J. Peter

Expert: What an Egyptian becomes as soon as you ask him or her a question, especially regarding directions.

Reality continues to ruin my life.”– Bill Watterson

-Thought everyone stuck on Sixth of October bridge with sad Bey2ollak faces. So much for any plans you had… Ever.

Egypt-cairo-traffic-jam-650x374

By its nature, the metropolis provides what otherwise could be given only by traveling; namely, the strange.” – Jane Jacobs

Spot on.

Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?” – Robin Williams

We don’t know; we just don’t know.

Cities are never random. No matter how chaotic they might seem, everything about them grows out of a need to solve a problem. In fact, a city is nothing more than a solution to a problem, that in turn creates more problems that need more solutions, until towers rise, roads widen, bridges are built, and millions of people are caught up in a mad race to feed the problem-solving, problem-creating frenzy.” – Neal Shusterman, Downsiders

That sounds about right. The ability for Cairenes to “figure it out” and have all the layers of the city somehow function, is quite impressive.

Fruit vendor Cairo

Rehab Cairo

Bread Baskets Balancd on their Heads BEFORE

Graffiti Cairo

For those who are lost, there will always be cities that feel like home.”– Simon Van Booy

For all of its craziness, Cairo somehow still feels right…

Cairo beautiful