Public Transit guide for an adventurer

One of the most puzzling things for a Westerner is the traffic system. We come from countries that are structured, ordered, routinized and easily understood...so be prepared to throw those notions out of the window. The best way to describe it, is simply a dance. Tuk tuks cars, microbuses, trucks, carro's (donkey pulled wagons), people and motorcycles weaving between all of the above. At first glance the chaos cannot be read but given time you can begin to understand how they make it work. The use of the horn is one of the must rattling ways that explains this dance. You will hear a constant array of horns some cute musical ones to police sirens to obnoxiously direct fog horn styles. The reason for these is not merely for driver frustration but as an alert system on the road. If a person is driving fast (which is almost everyone lol) they will begin to beep as they pass you as a means of alert to say "hey don't accidentally merge in front of me as I pass you so we can avoid an accident." Its also used in a similar manner to pedestrians as jay walking is not merely a way of life but a form of art. As far as the actual driving, it not so much who was at the stop sign first but who has the opportunity to go first. You must not take these things as a personal insult as we would in the west, here it's easy.

I still don't recommend driving when new to Egypt. It takes careful observation and time. I know what you're thinking "Ugh! where is the sense of adventure?!" Don't despair I couldn't leave you high and dry :) This is where the Microbus comes into play. Again this is if you have a truly adventurous spirit. It's not for the faint of heart, akin to being on a thrill ride at an amusement part with no safety belt. As soon as you arrive you will notice small buses everywhere, they seat 14 passengers and are white and blue, sometimes solid white. They gather in clusters called Microbus Stations. These areas are unmarked and seemingly at random. The drivers will stand outside and shout the destination of their buses journey "Giza"  "Dokki" "Sheraton" "Madinet Nasr (Nasr City) " This is where knowledge in basic Arabic will be helpful. You must learn the numbers up to 20 and a few basic phrases. let's say you have no time constraints and are willing to be taken to a general area of the city (until you master the system) my advice is not sit in the first row. There are a variety of responsibilities with this row. The seat behind the driver and sometimes middle seat is responsible for collecting all of the money on the bus, counting it and distributing change accordingly from the amount the driver has given back The drivers know the fare plus how many passengers are on the bus and whatever amount is given to to him, he returns the remainder for the people to work it out amongst themselves to get their correct change depending on what they gave in the first place. Make sense? The seat closest to the door is responsible for opening and closing the door with each stop. For a first time person I advice you to sit in any row behind the first or the front seat with the driver is always a good spot. You should ask a fellow passenger "Bikam" (Bic-cam) which means "How much" they will give you the according number,  most fares are not above 10 EGP (1.13 USD) one way. Once seated and with the knowledge of the fare give the exact change to the passenger next to you that is ideally your same gender. This is the kind of travel where the travel is the journey and the destination. Sit back enjoy the view, video tape the experience because its unlike anything in the world. The drivers weave, honk, yell, use unconventional methods to achieve the goal of getting their passengers to the destination swiftly. You have seen a place that you wish to get off at. Simply say in a loud voice "Henna Min Fud Luck" This is the easiest verbiage for disembarking on your journey at this point you must be prepared to leap from the van like you're about to sky dive from a plane. The driver will swerve across the lanes to the right side of the road and you have a 5 to 10 seconds to jump out before you're viewed with annoyance. You will see people jumping off microbuses at the the strangest locations, like the middle and side of a highway...you will see cracks and openings on the highway pylons and people will scurry through them, off to wherever they go!

You will also see small convenience kiosk set up on the median of the highway the kind of place that sells drinks, chips and cookies. You will also see tire kiosks where they are set up on the median selling tires. I saw one the other day and I noticed three or four cars stopped just down the way from them with flat tires,  I couldn't help but wonder if it was a trap? lol either way you need tires you need juice there is a 90% chance you don't have to leave the highway or get out of your car!
I digress, back to the microbus
When you attempt a ride on one remember the key tips don't sit in the front row, carry your cellphone that's equipped with GPS, small bills and coins for exact change, a bottle of water and some snacks! Have fun traveler!