If You Haven't Been Pinched, You Haven't Been to Rome

As wonderful as the city of Cairo is, I was still anxious to press on into Lower Egypt to explore further the marvels of the Pharaohs.  So after about a week I bought my train ticket to head south.  Unbelievable as it is considering today’s rates, with my newly purchased student card, the third class ticket all the way to Aswan was just under $1.00 US.  At that rate I could see the whole world on my budget. 

There was a bus that ran near the hostel and terminated at the train station.  We were able to get on without difficulty, as we boarded early along the route, but very soon we were maxed out beyond capacity.  Passengers were having difficulties exiting the bus at their stops as the center aisle became  effectively blocked with the hordes of riders.  I grew momentarily concerned, but comforted myself with the mantra that I was getting off at the last stop, so there would be no problem, as everyone would be descending at that point. 

What I hadn’t considered, was that those boarding at the station, might not be inclined to wait for those exiting at the station.  Before the bus stopped, people began to surge towards the doors while those outside commenced to board while the bus was still in motion.  As the crush of humanity fought for directional status in this madness, many chose to go through the windows. 

I found myself wedged between two bodies going the window route, with no choice other than go along for the ride.  I could not have wrenched free had my life depended upon it, and I figured they knew what they were doing, so why not bow to local wisdom.  Don’t fight, just hang on tight. 

I survived intact, laughing all the way.  It was the best imaginable start to an in-depth exploration of this incredible country.  I soon learned that Egyptians had a penchant for boarding moving vehicles.