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Published on February 14, 2007 By adnauseam In Blogging
I thought I'd blog on some of the aspects of Cairo tourists never see. I'll do this once a week or so.This city has some amazing stories to tell in its 1000 year history.

On the eastern side of the city, close to the famous citadel, and in the Moquattam hills, lies the City of the Dead. This is a vast area of cemeteries and small mosques that has existed for as long as the city has been here. As you pass the city you will note two things: Mile upon mile of boarded up or walled grave yard. Through a gap you may see a tomb. Some of the mausoleums can be seen from the road and some are ornate, others plain. Look closer and you will see people living there. In fact it is estimated that over a million people live in the city of the dead. They co-exist with graves, tombs and mausoleums of long-dead ancestors. These people have nowhere else to go and so they live in close proximity to the departed.

Peer down a street as you pass by and you will see vehicles parked there, small stalls selling veg and fruit , cigarettes and drinks. To add to this incongruity let me tell you that DHL has a collection point in this morbid place. Many Cairenes shun this place and denigrate its dwellers (it is a slum, after all), but one has to remember that death is not anathema to many Egyptians. Rather, they are doing what Egyptians have done for thousands of years: Ensuring that the dead rest forever in peace and are comfortable in the hereafter.

There are many other unsung stories about Cairo so I shall post again.

Comments
on Feb 14, 2007
Interesting! I'll look forward to reading these post
on Feb 14, 2007
Thank you so much. More please when you get a chance.
on Feb 14, 2007
Fantastic and fascinating. Thanks for this. I look forward to more.
on Feb 14, 2007
Wow. I didn't know that! Thx for sharing that info. I look forward to learning more too!
on Feb 15, 2007
A glimpse into a world unknown in the west.  And yet, there is a DHL drop.  Kind of funny and ironic when you think about it.