and it's all due to soccer!
Egypt kicks off against Cameroun in twenty minutes time. It is the final match of the African Cup Of Nations tournament and this city of Cairo has been feverish, itchy, jubilant and excited since they qualified for the final a few days ago. You cannot get away from the flag waving, marching supporters,wedding-like groups of cars hooting in unison. This is a huge city--twenty million people and counting--and they are all thinking about the same thing-Football. My typing is slow and the kick-off is in ten minutes time now.. There is a fever here and it has built up all weekend. Soon there will be eruptions as each television set tells its tale. A near goal will send thunder through the city. A goal will send non-drinkers into a crazy frenzy. A goal against will produce temporary mourning and a final win will send Cairo into a huge jubilant party that will not end tonight. We are now four minutes away and I must join my friends at watching what is more than a game to the Egyptians--it is a second religion. Wish us luck!