Egypt
BBC News
Thanks to Tony Marson for this link.
See the above page for the full story.
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Egypt
Cairo's terrifying traffic chaos
BBC News
Thanks to Tony Marson for this link.
Life in Cairo is a do or die race, in which you trample or are trampled. The traffic here is so bad those of a faint disposition will not long survive the daily commute.
The struggle with overcrowded roads is complicated by a lack of any respect for traffic lights or policemen. There is no semblance of lane discipline.
Modern Cairo was built to house four million people. It has now swelled to some 17 million which is why narrow two-way streets on the banks of the River Nile, are by 0900 local time transformed into four-lane carriageways.
Drivers swerve with the greatest dexterity into the tiniest of spaces. Nearly every car or bus carries the scars of battle.
Of course spare parts are expensive, no-one has insurance and claiming for damage is about as worthwhile as dowsing for water in the desert.
The rules are pretty simple. Full-beam headlights and blaring horns somewhere behind usually mean you are about to be overtaken - or undertaken - at high speed, even though there is no space between your car and that concrete wall beside you.
See the above page for the full story.
- Video: Traffic Using World Heritage Land At Giza As Unofficial Highway
BBC News (narrated by Christian Fraser) This was featured on the BBC News 24 television channel last night and my eyes nearly popped out of my head at some of the footage. I'm very glad that they have featured the same story on the BBC website today,...
- Travel: A Visit To The Cultural Treasures In And Around Cairo
VOA News Transcript of a radio show, which is also available to listen to in MP3 and RealAudio formats on the above page. For centuries, the buildings of ancient Egypt have captured the attention of historians, artists, and travelers. Transcript of radio...
- Travel: Ancient Wonders, Modern Lives
The Gadsden Times (Betty McCoy) All Egyptians, no matter the religious belief, disobey all traffic laws. Very few lines delineate where cars should be driven. Those are given no heed whatsoever. Drivers head for any hole that is available. Few traffic...
- Cairo - Metropolis Of Miracles
MSNBC (Susan Hack - Conde Nast Traveler) MSNBC Print Display format This is a really excellent commentary on modern day Cairo. It introduces you to a world that you will never see as a swift pyramids-and-museum visit to the metropolis. It moves beyond...
- Travel: Cairo
Al Ahram Weekly This has not been designed a travel feature, but anyone who visits Cairo will probably find this special feature about the city to be of interest. There are 10 articles looking at different aspects of Cairo - from plans to upgrade its...