Why I don't need a watch in Cairo

Really! I have like 3 watches, but in Cairo I could just wear them as accessories. My concept of time has changed and there are many special ways one could tell the time by it's surroundings.

I know it's time for the sunset and Ramadan break of fast iftar because
...shops close down, long roads of tables on streets fill with hungry men, silence falls upon Cairo and then the long awaited voice - hundreds of imam's across the town start to sing

I know it's time for sunrise and Ramadan start of fast, suhuur because
...an old man from the area starts going around the streets, banging wooden sticks together and waking up the people with a song "Wake up the Sleepers, say Your prayers". Its a fading old tradition still alive in my area. His mission is to alert the people they have one last hour to eat and after that the fast starts again. He is knows as the Wakener or, for me, the drummerman:)

Second-hand man

I know it's 11 AM because
...the second hand collector arrives to my street and starts calling out "Robabekjaa!". He is collecting old clothes, furniture, metal, anything I think noone wants, but these guys will think of something. So hi's voice, sometimes with a loud-speaker lets me know its almost 11 or little bit leter.

I know it's midday at 12.00 because

Gas balloons man

The gas balloon guy arrives at my street banging a metal stick to his gas balloon on wheels and lets everybody know it's time to come out of the house if You want Your gas balloon to be changed. For me he is a well-timed alarm clock;) Sometimes he calls out "Anabiieb"

I know it's Thursday, because
...around 2 or 3 PM there's a knock on the door. It's the plastic and metal recycling guy coming to take our recycled rubbish bag. YES, You read it right. We are recycling in Cairo! It's made by an NGO has to be called and confirmed to Your address and the guys come every Thursday to pick up Your bag. Brilliant, isn't it!

I know it's Friday, because
...the streets are totally empty, noone around. All the men have gone to the mosque to pray and women are home. Only cats and dogs run around the streets. No cars, no noise. Many foreigners consider this the best time to walk around Cairo. Its usually from 11 AM to 2 PM

Solitude of Fridays