Nile

by Alejandra Elizabeth Barbosa Ureña (Mexico)

I didn't expect to find Egypt

- "You didn't choose a worse place to travel, right?" the security officer said before boarding. Surprised to hear that phrase, I didn't say a word. - "Do you travel alone?" asked again. - "Yes" - I finally replied. - "Be careful"- he finished. Astonished by those kinds of continuous questions down the aisle until I took my first flight. After a day and a half of several connections I finally arrived at my destination. From the sky I could see that it is a very different city from what it had previously been, desert-colored buildings, and the sand that like a cloud of smoke camouflages the entire city, while the wind blows as if it wanted to clean it. In my mind I could only have one thought "I came to Cairo to find ...". From the uber that took me to the hostel I saw columns of buildings which form an immense city, the sound of the klaxon doesn’t stop for a second, women wearing turban and long dresses that only reveal their faces. Yes, I was in a city so different from home. I took a walk through the city, as I went into the streets full of sand, garbage and poverty, I felt that I was in an African film of the 70s. I entered to a restaurant, because my stomach needed some food after my long journey. In the restaurant all the guests were watching me, because there was only one chair occupied of the four that were on my table. I ignored any comment and look while I was amazed to have the best mango juice I had ever tasted, a pulp so fresh and spectacular that it was a delight for the palate. Leaving the restaurant I lost myself into the noisy streets and in the night of Cairo, until I heard the water flow. I followed it. Upon arriving, I appreciated the best and incredible view I had never seen. The Nile River at night, shining like the stars of that night. I felt so small observing the immense buildings that were around of the most famous river in the world. At that moment I felt a great fear, a fear that I had never felt anywhere in the world, neither when I lived in Mexico City, nor in Washington D.C. A homeless man was standing next to me. Both seeing the view of the River, standing almost in front of a large luxury hotel in the city. -“What are you doing here alone?” - he asked. I stood without knowing what to answer. -“I am looking for … ” - I barley answered. I have no idea why I did it, the words just came out of my mouth. -“I can see why you came to this city”. - His gaze stays in my eyes. A thought in my mind just said "get out of there, this can be dangerous". But my feet didn't move and more words were about to come out of my mouth. -“What do you mean?” - I asked him while my eyes remained immobile on the river. -“You came to say goodbye” - he replied. -“To say goodbye?” - I did not know what was happening in that moment but I was very curious, although it was surprising I knew what he was referring to. -“The old you”- he smiled and then he continued saying – “You came to the city where everything began to find you”. That same night I went to Jan el Jalili, a street market full of colors, smells and flavors. I saw a lot of poverty, children asking for alms or falling into the hands of prostitution. As I lost myself in the immensity of Jalili, I realize how fortunate I have been in life despite being a woman. The next morning I arrived at the most expected place of the whole trip. Giza. The great Egyptian city. Huge pyramids where I just realized that I am so small in the world and I don’t even belong to a small part of the history. Nothing else. I didn't expect to find this. Get lost to find me.