Ehab agreed to take me to a very poor part of the city, what he called 'The garbage city'.
I think one could apply the word 'slums' in here, although the houses people live in are not similar to the self-built ones I'd later see in Asia. A lot of dirt (even more than is normal for Cairo), litter and not-so-pleasant smells. However, the people were friendly and curious as to why I was there. Ehab told me the visitors he sometimes takes there never step out of the car. I wouldn't want to just drive through, as to me that would somehow feel like being direspectful for the habitants.
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| Already the entrance is a bit of a hassle. |
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| Tens of litter bags, I think they got sorted and processed in here. |
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| Such sights always tear my heart up. I guess at least it's safe enough for the kids to play together... |
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I was wondering for more than a short while if it was just a coincidence that the majority of people living in this poorest part of the Muslim city are Christian. And somehow I find such coincidences hard to believe. When asked about it, Ehab said he had no idea if and how those facts were related.
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As I've mentioned - we got out of the car and walked the streets for a while, to later start climbing towards some hills towering over the Garbage City.
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And I am extremely glad we did! The hills were amazing and home to some beautiful engravings, scenes and quotes from the Bible.
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I guess no matter the religion, Egyptians really do have a knack for wall paintings and carvings.
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| A small church school. |
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| Magnificent. |
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Inbetween the rocks proudly stands a little church. A very simple one but its location and the very simplicity make it exquisite.
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| You enter through a sort of a tunnel... |
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| ... and arrive in the church. |
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I'm not an overly religious person, but sitting in here and watching a part of the seats bathe in the rays of sun was truly inspirational.
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| View from the top. |
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