Steps, missed and otherwise

[Listening: some bad pop music on the hostel radio]

So after my good luck with people thus far, it is essential to have at least some bad experience, right? Walking to Zamalek this afternoon, a relatively affluent neighborhood of Cairo in search of an English language bookstore and more adventures, I found them. A man actually tried to (quite inexpertly) pick my pocket.

The pocket he was reaching for only contained my handkerchief and I doubt that I would've missed the velcro being opened but I was Pissed! After matching my pace for a block he reached toward my pocket on the way down some steps - an obvious move that earned him a swipe from me and some verbal lashings. Not the brightest crook. Broad daylight, people everywhere, and I'd spotted his somewhat erratic behavior early on. In retrospect, I still managed to let him get closer to me than I should have but I did well overall at being aware. Mental note: in addition to learning the Arabic for 'yes, no, 0-9, thank you, and bathroom' I'll have to learn 'Can I help you?' (it's "Hal beemkani mosa’adatuk?..... هل بإمكاني مساعدتك؟")

So every night at the hostel all of us foreigners trade stories about our gullibilities, mistakes, etc. Richard (Brit.), after being friends with a man for quite a while and observing him going to pray 5 times a day lost 500 British Pounds to him in a business deal gone sour. I've heard numerous tales of people going to the "not-tourists Egyptian entrance" to the pyramids. Hint: this is actually just a 2-hour camel ride that never ends at the structures. And lastly that one should Always get out of the taxi before paying.

But we all keep a relatively good attitude about it. I personally don't mind paying more than locals (still much cheaper than at home) but the bald-faced theft attempt made me angry and unfortunately has made me retreat somewhat back to my comfort zone.

On a brighter side, I went to an art school/gallery. Saw some great contemporary
works: silver jewelry and these stunning abstract stone sculptures.
Then out tonight with some fellow travelers for a coffee and sheesha (water pipe). Then back to our lounge for beers and stories.

Actually, remember that scene in Indiana Jones when the lead woman is kidnapped and the truck pulls into the garage, immediately 20 people jump up and build a shop in front of the entrance making the truck disappear? We actually saw that happen!! We were having coffee in an outdoor cafe and without warning, a troupe of waiters poured out and packed up every chair and table around us. They motioned that we were fine, but in seriously 45 seconds it was as though there had never been outdoor seating. We finally figured out that they had set up across a 'line' in the street and probably heard of some authority making the rounds so they pulled everything back to the legal area. Amazing!

We had a great night out chatting in broken English and Arabic to the people around us. And very much enjoyed watching the parade of people making their way around.