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The bus route took them through the town of Nekhel into a tunnel under the Suez Canal, through Madinati, and hours later into Cairo itself. The arid city spread out before Talia’s eyes. There were more trees inside the city than she remembered. Yet, for the most part, things hadn’t changed. Decaying rail lines ran in various directions through the center of wide thoroughfares choked with cars.
The buildings, most of which were four or five stories tall, were painted in the same drab sand color, and cars were jammed into parking spaced all along them. In Talia’s view, it wasn’t an attractive place.
The bus turned on Hussein Kamel Road and pulled into the Almaza Bus Station. The driver’s voice came across the PA. “As we disembark, please stay together. A member of our staff will guide
