The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Humans of New York began as a photography project in 2010 which then went on to become a highly successful blog, gaining millions of followers. The man behind it all, Brandon Stanton, goes around New York City photographing strangers. You’ve probably seen these posts circulating around Facebook and Instagram. They usually feature a picture of one or more people, with a quote from them. These can be one sentence, or an entire story, and they can range from hilarious and light-hearted, to emotional and shocking.

Right now, Humans of New York is in Egypt, and photos have been posted from both Cairo and Alexandria. The subjects are diverse in age and gender, and one is able to get an idea of the everyday lives of Egyptians.

Stanton showcasing Egyptians as part of this photography project is extremely significant. In the Western world, there tends to be mysterious, mystical, and entirely uninformed ideas regarding the Middle East. Showcasing people with different lives and experiences here in Egypt, on a platform that is so widely followed, helps to not only humanise Egyptians but make them much more relatable.

Here are a few of our favourite photos and quotes so far: 

 

 

 

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“This is my brother. We’re helping people into their parking spots. School starts in a few days and we’re trying to raise money for our school fees. Also I want to get a bicycle because all my friends have bicycles. They use their bicycles to make me angry because I don’t have one. But wait until I get my bicycle. They’ll be so angry. We’ve been saving our money for three months. But sometimes we buy Pepsi. And also peanuts. And yesterday a street vendor came by with jewelry, and my brother bought me this necklace. And he also bought me a watch but it broke. And a ring but I lost it. He really loves me so much.” (Cairo, Egypt)

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Sep 17, 2018 at 9:48am PDT

 

 

 

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“He always wanted a daughter. He tells me that all the time. My friends think I’m so lucky because a lot of their dads aren’t affectionate. Some have even been forced to stop studying and get married. But my father wants me to be successful. He wants me to live abroad. More than anything, he’s a friend. There was a time in high school when I was extremely depressed. Mostly just teenage things. I felt ugly. I didn’t have confidence. But it got so bad that I started having scary thoughts. And I didn’t want to tell anyone– especially my parents. I was afraid I’d get locked away in the house. But one night we were sitting in my bedroom, and I finally let him know. His reaction wasn’t what I expected. He didn’t panic or scream. He was calm. He just kept holding me and saying: ‘We’ll get through this together.’” (Alexandria, Egypt)

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Sep 15, 2018 at 11:49am PDT

 

 

 

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“I’d always dreamed of getting a college degree, but I got married right after high school. We started having children right away, so it wasn’t easy to convince my husband to let me study. The one time I tried to mention it, he immediately said ‘no.’ But a few years later we were in the passport office and I saw an advertisement for a university. I pulled on his sleeve, pointed at the sign, and said: ‘Lets take a look. It’s only a look.’ That very same day I enrolled in classes. Each night I’d wait until 2 AM, after everyone’s demands had been answered, and the whole house was asleep. Then I’d begin my studying. I’d work until morning, wake the children up, and prepare them for school. Only then could I rest. It was exhausting but I was so happy. It felt like I’d gone back in time and my kids were my siblings. During my third year I was pregnant again, and I was terrified that I’d go into labor during my final exams. But I got my diploma. It was the happiest day of my life. My husband was thrilled for me. Everything is different now. I understand the world. I used to be afraid to leave the house. But now I feel powerful. And it shows.” (Cairo, Egypt)

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Sep 13, 2018 at 1:44pm PDT

 

 

 

 

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“My son was crazy about a woman. He spent a bunch of money on her. He even asked her to marry him. But she didn’t want him and it drove him mad. He stopped going to work. His clothes became ripped and his beard grew long. He looked like someone you’d see in the street. His personality changed too. He grew aggressive. He thought everyone was trying to fight him. It broke my heart. It felt like my son was slipping away. He was only thirty and had given up on the world. Everyone told me he was cursed. I tried everything. I prayed to God. I went to mosques. I went to spiritual advisors. I gave money to psychics, but nothing worked. Then one day I was sitting in this very spot, and a doctor stopped to visit. He asked me what was wrong. I told him everything, and he asked to see my son. I’ll never forget that day. That man is the reason for everything good in my life. He brought my son back to me. My son is taking medicine now. He’s working. He’s shaved. He’s laughing again. I still believe that God is the one who healed him. But thank God for good doctors.” (Cairo, Egypt)

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Sep 8, 2018 at 11:04am PDT