Walk on the 'Dark' side of Egypt

Egypt. An exquisite, enthralling and enjoyable place. The beautiful sandy dunes sloped across the Sahara desert. The famous and historical views of the pyramids. Camels hunching over at fountains and watering holes to have a taste of the rich and refreshing water.

They are, indeed, fascinating and memorable images, however no, they are not what I think of when imagining Egypt nor are they what you should think of.

In the tight and bedraggled markets of the city Cairo, I laid my eyes upon an old man with a wild grey beard and ocean eyes slumped against the filthy wall, covered in dirt. An ancient man. One with dark caramel skin, as though he had been grovelling in the burning sun for centuries. Wrinkled hands grasping to clutch onto something, anything. Food. Water. Hope.

The rich spices and delusional fragrances overwhelmed me as I passed through the wooden stalls, all with men shouting about selling something and children laughing and playing, as they ran around the sandy ground, patterned with pebbles, causing me to wonder as to whether their feet are aching.

But, when I think of Egypt, it is definitely not souvenirs, or perfumes, or pyramids, or camels at watering holes with back bundles that I remember about this place.

It’s the old man with never ending ocean eyes. With tears trembling down his face as he prayed to the ‘omnibenevolent’ God to release him of his struggles, that I remember when thinking of this tourist magnet, Egypt.

It’s safe to say, that there’s people that can’t be ignored in the most unexpected places. There’s people who need our undivided attention, love and help...