Colors of Cairo

Walking through the streets of this huge city, I am constantly reminded of the beauty and character that it contains. There are over twenty million people in this growing metropolis, but the richness of culture and sense of community that it contains is unbelievable. When I first arrived in Cairo, all I focused on was the smog, how crowded it was, and the dusty brown color everything seemed to be. But now, none of that even seems to matter. Each day, I see how beautiful everything is. Everyday when my bus would leave my school, I would see this donkey cart stacked high with cabbages, radishes, carrots, and onions. It was so bright, and colorful. I loved seeing it. Fruit and vegetable stands are probably one of the most beautiful things the city holds. The reds, yellow, greens, purples, and oranges coming from the guavas, mangoes, bananas, tangerines, eggplants, onions, lemons, peppers, beans, and other various fresh produce can be found on nearly every street corner. Also, the golden brown of the pyramids can be seen from many places in the city and serve as a reminder of Egypt's ancient past against the current time. Riding on the metro, which would seem like a bland time is one of the most colorful places. In the women car, I stand and look at all of the different colors, styles, and prints of the Hijabs that women are wearing. There is so much variety. Also, there is a area of the city that I have mentioned before that is huge fields surrounded by apartment buildings. It is such a green spot, it seems to give new life to the area around it. It is full of vegetable fields, palm trees, and people tending to it. The green is such a contrast to the countless number of red brick apartment buildings that surround it. On the subject of apartment buildings, some people paint the walls of their balconies a beautiful pastel colors such as lavender, pink, yellow, or green. These apartments stand out from the rest and are pleasing to the eye. The many wild cats that run the street are seen every time I go out of the house. I see black cats, calico cats, orange cats, and white cats. They are everywhere. The most beautiful thing, I probably see in Cairo is the sunset. The African sun seems much bolder and defined than seeing the sun anywhere else I have been before. The sky transforms from a blue-gray to a mix of pinks, oranges, yellows, and purples. It is amazing. Because of the apartments, it is difficult to see from everywhere in the city, but by the Nile, or Al Ahzar park, it can easily be seen. At night, new colors brighten Cairo. The Cairo tower can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. This tower is covered completely in lights that change color and pattern. Also, many mosques are also lit up at night highlighting their beautiful shape. Sounds and smells also add to the beauty of this place. My favorite sound has to be the Call to Prayer. It is heard five times a day anywhere in the city. Mosques are everywhere, and it is just such a beautiful sound. Even if I can't understand the words, the power and tone of the words is majestic. Other sounds are the constant honking which becomes almost musical, the sounds of donkeys in the street, banging drums, and music from cars. It is such a rhythm, and I couldn't imagine Cairo without these sounds. There are countless food vendors on the street, and the smells of cooking bread, tamiya, fuul, shewerma, and other tasty delights are mouthwatering. The colors, sounds, and smells of Cairo are beautiful inside and out.