In the absence of bridges, a ferry is the only means to cross the river CAIRO: It would certainly catch your attention as you drive along one of two narrow roads flanking the Mariuttiya Canal in Al Haram area. In fact, had it not been for the traffic jam that blocks the path leading to Pyramids Street, you would not have noticed a tent wedged between both sides of the narrow canal. Because you don't catch sight of the water while driving slowly, you'd fail to see the mini-ferry that provides the base for the tent. It may be a common sight for the residents, but to those unfamiliar with the area it is a curiosity. It is a small, rope-driven, tent-shaded ferry which saves its users the 20 steps it would take for them to cross from one side of the Canal to the other. But those who use the ferry don't suffer from arthritis or walking-related phobias. This ferry, like another two or three on various locations along the canal that extends from the Pyramids Plateau to Sakkara, is the only way for them to cross as there are no traditional foot bridges. "There used to be scores of them as the area began to get populated, said Hag Mahmoud, a gateman from Giza. "But after many crossings were constructed they began to disappear little by little, he added. "Now you might come across three or four on a road that runs over a distance of 50 or 60 km, Hag Mahmoud commented. Interestingly the ferry is a feature from the countryside that has remained in an urbanized neighborhood. But that feature is bound to disappear as plans are underway to construct new crossings where needed. For those who would like to experience the ferry crossing, just drive to the ferry located at a point close to the Pyramids Siag Hotel. But be warned: what you think could be a worthwhile picnic spot is in fact a contaminated canal polluted by piles of garbage and dead animals dumped on both sides. You might see rats in the rubbish dump or lizards crawling towards the road. "I know the surroundings here are awful with the lack of cleaning services, but people have no other escape, said Mohamed and Khaled, who are both in charge of the ferry. The ferry belongs to the administration of the local Nile navigation authority that leases the use of such ferries through tenders. The beneficiaries are entitled to exploit them for a period of time as per the contract. They charge every user a minimal 25 piasters. Khaled commented as he pulled the rope to propel the ferry: "Once upon a time we used to generate a good amount every day, but now all this has changed. The demand for the ferry is high only during the early morning hours when commuters living in the Giza villages have to rush to their workplaces in Haram. Mohamed added: "We are relatively lucky because no concrete bridge has been set up. Initially, not many people lived here. But when construction expanded the closest bridge became a 15-minute walk away, too much time to waste on your way to work. "People cross and take a cab or a microbus going in the direction of Haram, but I don't know how long we will continue to operate, said Mohamed as he left the rope for a child to pull. "One day a new bridge will come up and the ferry will move out of here. Everything is bound to change, said Khaled. "We don't have plans; when it happens we will start looking for a new job.
