Burning Man vs. Cairo

Being in Cairo reminds me of Burning Man. I just can't help but make comparisons between these two very different places. When I sat and thought about it, I was able to list why:

1. They are both deserts! Obvious!


2. Both of these towns really come to life at night. Cairenes and Burners know that the best time to play is when the sun goes down and the temperature drops! Amani and Merna spend the better half of the day hibernating from the heat, just like Disco Dave in Snowball in Hell's small dome. In Cairo I'll eat dinner with Murad and his family, including 6-year old Merna, after 10 pm., then we'll join other familes for tea and shisha in an outdoor ahwa until the wee hours. At Burning Man, the colorful lights and dance clubs blare at night, rousing all the freaks from hibernation! We don't roll back to camp until the light of dawn starts peeking over the horizon.


3. I become nocturnal in Cairo and at Burning Man. I haven't woken up before 12:00 p.m. since I left San Francisco! Bedtime for me here is 3 or 4 a.m.! I follow the exact same sleep pattern at Burning Man!


4. If you do find yourself awake during the hot afternoon, maybe because you had some strong coffee or you're too sweaty to sleep comfortably, you prime directive is to seek shade and cooler temperatures. At Burning Man this comes in the form of a well-designed dome. In Cairo this comes in the form of an air-conditioned restaurant, shop, or museum.


5. Late night/early morning noises can keep you awake. At Burning Man, you might hear the stereo system of a large art car booming outside your tent while trying to sleep. Same thing in Cairo, except substitute a mosque for the art car and the muezzin shouting "Allaaaaahu akhbar!" for the stereo system.


6. Both cities are rather dusty. You get used to feeling a layer of dust all over you and seeing it coating the surfaces inside your home, be it a tent or downtown flat.


7. The public loos are never what you want them to be. At Burning Man, the porta potties are a crap shoot. You may or may not find it dry and clean, there may or may not be paper. In Cairo, they are all just crappy. It's as if there's some sort of nationwide boycott of public restroom maintainence. Rarely is there paper, and often you don't even get a seat. When in Cairo or Burning Man, you have to be sure to carry tissues and hand sanitizer.

See what I mean? They are so similar! The only difference being that at Burning Man I get to show off my hot pants.