At Tahrir square, right opposite the museum I was standing on the sidewalk, waiting for a chance to cross a street full of speedy impatient cars. I don't usually panic when I cross streets and I don't act like some (silly) girls who say they don't cross streets alone. I was looking to my left to check that the vehicles are at a suitable distance for me to hop, when I spotted an elderly couple waiting for their turn..just like me. I thought, yeah why not? I'll stand next to them and let them get down the sidewalk first, so they block the traffic and I'll have a good chance to reach my destination safely.
But what was weird is that poor couple were waiting for the traffic light to go red (how naïve, huh?). but what was a comedy is that when they noticed me, they had the same malicious idea I had in mind. Slowly, but eagerly they stood close to me to lead them across the Tahrir square car jungle. As they approached I realized they are not Egyptians, most probably tourists trying to enjoy their life after retirement in Cairo. I smiled to myself and took enough courage to make the first step into the street- crossing hijra.
I stepped down the sidewalk first, they followed. A step forward, they followed. I stood erect and stretched my neck to see across them, they followed. As the habit in Egypt I stretched my left arm and raised my hand waving to the cars to slow down. They looked shocked but followed, I raised my arm higher and moved faster across the street, the couple ran hurriedly after me. Then hallelujah I reached the other sidewalk. The man looked at me with a triumphant grin on his face, the woman was still waking up from the trauma of her incredible adventure, I looked at them, smiled and without a word I moved on.
It was more than interesting to be the messiah even if for just a day!
