It was a quiet and peaceful morning in Cairo, and the golden sun was just starting to peek over the dusty buildings. This was our very last morning in this ancient, busy city. We had no big sightseeing plans, no massive pyramids to climb, and no museums to rush to. It was simply a day to pack our bags, relax, and say our final goodbyes to Egypt. My travel partner, Dr. Ijas, had an earlier flight to catch. He was heading back to his workplace in Jeddah at 11:00 AM. My flight, on the other hand, was not scheduled until 3:00 PM. I was flying back home to Calicut, India, but with a long layover in Riyadh. Because our flight times were so different, we decided it was best not to travel to the airport together. We had already spoken to a very friendly taxi driver we met the day before. We really liked him, and he happily agreed to drop both of us off at our different times. Everything was set for a smooth and easy departure.
ISHABIL TRIP AT A GLANCE
- 📍 Destination: Cairo , Egypth
- 📅 Date of Journey: November 3, 2023
- 🚆 Transport Mode: Car , FlyNas Flight
- 👥 Companions: Dr Ijas
The Morning Split and a Quick Scare
Before Dr. Ijas had to leave, we wanted to enjoy one last taste of Cairo. Very early in the morning, the two of us stepped out of our hostel. The air was cool and fresh. The usually noisy streets were quite calm. We took a slow walk through the empty roads and found a small local shop to grab a quick, hot cup of Egyptian tea.
As we were standing there sipping our sweet tea, a large pack of street dogs suddenly came running down the road. They were barking loudly and running quite fast. For a moment, my heart beat very fast. Street dogs in a new country can be unpredictable. But thankfully, they completely ignored us. They were just playing and chasing each other, and they soon went on their merry way down the street.
😂 ishabil fun
When the pack of dogs came running towards us, Dr. Ijas and I completely froze like two statues holding tiny teacups. We were ready to run for our lives, but the dogs didn't even look at us! We laughed so hard at our own silly panic afterward.
By 8:00 AM, it was time to say goodbye. Our trusted taxi driver arrived, and Dr. Ijas loaded his bags into the car. We hugged, wished each other safe travels, and he departed for the airport. Now, I was all alone in Cairo. I walked back up to my hostel room to get some extra rest before my own adventure began.
Infiltrating the Famous Tahrir Square
Around 10:00 AM, I woke up from my short nap. I felt fresh and hungry. I decided to set out on foot again. My main destination was the very famous Tahrir Square. I had heard so much about this place on the news over the years, and I wanted to see it up close.
As I walked closer to the square, I noticed something very serious. There was a huge security presence everywhere. I saw many soldiers in green uniforms, police officers, and big armored vehicles. They were lined up all along the roadsides. It looked like they were getting ready for a big event.
Why All the Security?
Then, I remembered what day it was. It was Friday. I had read online before my trip that Tahrir Square is a very important historical place. It is often the starting point for Egyptian protests and revolutions. These big gatherings usually happen right after the special Friday afternoon prayers, known as Jumu'ah.
💡 ishabil fact
Tahrir Square translates to "Liberation Square." It became globally famous during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, where millions of people gathered to demand a change in their government.
I realized the military and police were placed there just in case people decided to gather and protest that day. I carefully walked through the lines of security. I made sure to be respectful and not get in anyone's way. Finally, I reached the center of the iconic square.
Honestly, my main mission was not political at all. My mission was food! I had checked Google Maps earlier and saw that there was a KFC right there at Tahrir Square. I knew my journey home would take a very long time. With a four-hour layover waiting for me in Riyadh, and airplane food being very small in size, I wanted to eat a big, heavy meal before leaving. But when I reached the KFC doors, my heart sank. It was closed.
Meeting Mr. Bernawi: A Wonderful Surprise
While I stood outside the closed glass doors of KFC feeling a little sad, a local man noticed me. He slowly walked over to me with a big smile. "Are you from India, my friend?" he asked in English. He was trying to start a friendly chat.
I will be honest; at first, I was a little worried. When you travel, you read many warnings on the internet about scammers in big tourist cities like Cairo. People often tell you to ignore strangers who approach you. So, I answered him very shortly and stayed cautious. But he didn't ask for money. Instead, he just smiled and told me that the KFC would not open until 11:00 AM.
📌 ishabil tips
It is always smart to be cautious when strangers approach you in tourist areas. Keep your wallet safe and stay polite. But remember, not everyone is trying to trick you. Sometimes, locals just genuinely want to welcome you to their country!
As we continued to talk, my fear slowly melted away. I realized he was a truly genuine and kind person. He introduced himself to me as Bernawi. He loved talking and began to share his beautiful life story with me.
A Connection to Home
Mr. Bernawi told me that his wife is a nurse. For many years, she worked at a big hospital in Saudi Arabia. During that time, he also lived there and worked as a driver. He told me that he met many people from Kerala, India (Malayalis) while living in Saudi Arabia. He said they were some of the most hardworking and kind people he had ever met. Because of my face and skin color, he guessed I was a Malayali!
He just wanted to connect with someone who reminded him of his good old days. By the time it was 11:00 AM, the KFC doors finally unlocked. However, the staff told us they were still cleaning and preparing the oil, so it would take another 30 minutes before I could order. That was perfectly fine with me, because Bernawi and I were enjoying our conversation so much.
He explained that a few years ago, he and his wife left Saudi Arabia. They moved back home to Egypt to settle down. Now, his wife works as a nurse at a local hospital in Cairo, and he drives a taxi around the city to make a living.
Before we parted ways, he looked at me with very kind eyes. "If you ever come back to Egypt and have any problem, just come right here to Tahrir Square," he said warmly. "Just ask anyone for me. Everyone knows Bernawi."
I felt a sharp pain of guilt in my chest for thinking he was a scammer at first. He was just an innocent, loving man who wanted to say hello to a stranger from a place he remembered with love. Meeting him was the best part of my morning.
The Final Meal on the Rooftop
After waiting a little longer, I finally got my hot, crispy fried chicken from KFC. I waved a happy goodbye to Bernawi and started my walk back to the hostel. On the way, I saw a juice shop. I simply could not resist buying one of my absolute favorite treats: a large cup of fresh, thick mango juice. It was the perfect drink to go with my meal.
When I got back to the hostel, I carried my food up to the beautiful rooftop terrace. The view of the city from up there was amazing. A Russian traveler I had met a few days earlier was already sitting there. He was quietly eating the simple breakfast provided by the hostel.
I sat down near him and opened my box of chicken. The smell was wonderful. As I ate, the Russian man started sharing stories about his life. He told me all about his time working in Qatar and how hot the weather was there. It was very interesting to hear a traveler from a cold country talk about living in the hot Middle East.
Suddenly, the delicious smell of my fried chicken attracted a visitor. A small, friendly street cat jumped onto the terrace and looked at me with big, hungry eyes. It meowed softly. I couldn't say no to that face! I carefully tossed it some of the leftover chicken pieces and bones. The cat happily chewed on them, purring loudly. It was such a charming and peaceful way to end my morning.
The Long Journey Home
Around 12:30 PM, I finally packed my bags and checked out of my room. I walked downstairs, and my pre-arranged taxi driver was already there waiting for me. He greeted me with a big smile and helped me put my luggage in the trunk.
During the long drive to the airport, the driver and I chatted a lot. We talked about his family, the traffic in Cairo, and how much I enjoyed his country. This was just one more positive, happy interaction with a local before I left. It made me feel very good inside.
Once I reached the airport, I went through the check-in process. There was a very long line and a lot of waiting, but finally, my flight took off from Cairo. I looked out the window and watched the dusty, magical city disappear below the clouds. The flight to Saudi Arabia took about two and a half hours. We landed safely in Riyadh.
In Riyadh, I had a long, four-hour layover. I bought a coffee, walked around the airport shops, and read a book to pass the time. Eventually, I boarded the final airplane. This was the long leg of the journey that would take me all the way back to my home in Kerala.
Final Thoughts: The Magic of People
As I sat in my airplane seat flying through the dark night sky, my mind was full of memories. I thought about the massive, ancient pyramids I had seen. I thought about the golden sand and the old museums. But, surprisingly, the buildings and monuments were not what I thought about the most.
My mind was filled with the smiling faces of the kind individuals I had met along the way. I thought of Sakhir Azhari, who took the time to guide us through Cairo's complex sights so wonderfully. I thought of Mr. Bernawi at Tahrir Square, who was the friendliest stranger I have ever met in my life. And I thought of the sweet taxi driver who made sure we navigated the crazy traffic safely to the airport.
A very special and unforgettable chapter in my life had just closed. Yes, the Pyramids of Giza were great and totally worth seeing. But in the end, it was the true warmth, love, and humanity of the Egyptian people that defined my final day. Traveling is not just about taking photos of old rocks; it is about the beautiful human hearts you connect with along the journey.
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