I always perceived traveling as buying a plane ticket or train pass to somewhere far outside my borders -- until it was time for me to go to AUC. Suddenly in Fall 2021, my five-minute walk to school in Zamalek was abruptly replaced by a two-hour commute to college in New Cairo. Today, as I commute from the swarming hub of Zamalek to the more tranquil and calmer New Cairo, I am transported from one world to another -- from a world that knows no sleep, where sound and noise are always present, to a world with palm tree-lined streets and a serene atmosphere.
I have been commuting from Zamalek to New Cairo almost every day for three years now. Each ride exposes a new, unique difference between the two planets that exist in one city, from the paved roads and Western-inspired modern architecture in New Cairo to the crooked streets and iconic sights that carry vast historic cultural inheritance in Zamalek. The island is home to what upper-class Egyptians classify as the creme de la creme -- history-rich landmarks and buildings that have been there for ages, such as the Cairo Opera House, old mansions that belonged to Egypt's most famous actors as well as the countless number of embassies, museums and art galleries. These sharply contrast with the newly developed structures and skylines in New Cairo.
While the latter reflects a fast-paced lifestyle that is evident in the growing number of drive-thrus and on-the-go services, Zamalek still preserves some of Cairo's well-known characteristics. For example, parking your car on the street in Zamalek could take you 10 minutes or more, while finding a spot in New Cairo often takes less than 60 seconds.
During my 10-minute walk to the bus stop in Zamalek each morning, I notice how different people start their days. I see kids, coffee in hand, climbing into their Mercedes van while the driver grabs their school backpacks to shove in the trunk. I see other children hop into taxis to get to school. One scene that I would not usually encounter in New Cairo is the considerable number of tourists who enjoy a morning jog along the Nile River. It is along the same waters that I occasionally glimpse a heartwarming moment as a couple enjoys a date. During my regular walks in Zamalek, I come across my friends, Lola the cat and Hanafy the dog, two stray animals that have always shared the same pavement.
On the Road
As the bus leaves the island and crawls towards New Cairo, the population seems to age backward. Zamalek is more concentrated with older people who are typically retired, nature-loving and have lived in these neighborhoods long before New Cairo was even imagined. On the other hand, younger generations tend to flock to more modern areas like the Fifth Settlement, which explains the reckless driving I encounter every morning in North Teseen Street -- the area's main road.
The friends you make on the bus can be the closest friendships you'll ever have, especially considering how often you are stuck in the same vehicle commuting with them from one side of the city to another. I often overhear heartbreaking stories, joyous news or tales of nerve-wracking situations. Whether sharing an embarrassing moment that happened during assembly hour or checking final grades, you can be united with a random stranger, perhaps for just one trip, by the bus experience.
I also often catch a few notes of the music my fellow commuters listen to. There is the character who sits in the back seat crying their eyes out listening to Birdy's sad songs and the sassy gals listening to hip-hop and dance-punk beats at 8 am with the volume so high that the bus driver can hear. Perhaps the most eclectic type of person is the one who shuffles genres every three seconds, from Amr Diab to Justin Bieber to Wegz.
Even if life in New Cairo seems straightforward and hassle-free in comparison to Zamalek, I'd still much rather deal with the everyday struggles that an islander like myself faces. Living in Zamalek will always feel unique, even with its traffic jams and noise pollution. It will always have a certain, special charm.