Crossing The Seven Lanes

The weather here has been more like London than like Alexandria! Its been rainy stormy, drizzly and sunny. So I had not been venturing out except to warm heated malls for recreation.

A couple of days ago we did go for a brief walk on the Corniche to face the turbulent foamy sea and to let the crashing waves spray a mist on our face.It takes about twenty minutes to reach our favorite place- going through the windy by lanes; going through the subway to cross the busy road and then on to walk by the sea to reach this rather empty place where one can walk without jostling with people!

Well we proceeded as usual and I wrinkled up my nose as we crossed the subway (to say that I dislike it is an understatement!) and we emerged into the dwindling light to encounter a stranger! The sea which is normally placid at this point was crashing against the concrete walk and rocks that line the walk; it was dark, cloaked in midnight blue trimmed with the fur of foam. It was a dangerous and dark beauty that waited to escort us on our walk! The normally crowded promenade was deserted except for a few cigarette smoking couples and boys.

I was glad of the layers of clothing that enveloped me- the wind swished around my unprotected face and had fun drying my lips and chilling my nose. But it felt good to feel the cold take a generous bite into me; to feel the blood carousing in my veins; to feel that- yes! life was worth it!

As we neared OUR WALK I could hear the sea raging like a wounded lion and I pleasurably anticipated meeting my latest crush (After all absence makes the heart grow fonder!)a couple of weeks back a storm had hit Alex and we had seen the raging sea and the torrential rain from the warmth of the house; never actually believing or wanting to believe the destruction it had wrecked. When we emerged from behind a huge construction machinery it was to see Our path had been destroyed by the enraged sea; it looked as if it had been hit by an earthquake. The concrete path lay miserably wet and broken and our favorite seat was unreachable. I don't know whether it was the wind or the fact that nature could destroy such "strong"constructions so easily that chilled my bones. We did try and sit to feel the caress of the spray but it was too disturbing and we decided to walk back home.

Retuning has always been a bone a contention between us as I always want to cross the highway at that point and go back so that we avoid the subway! I always point out at the youngsters who do so (Forgetting that we are no longer youngsters!)But normally I bow down to the lord and master's wishes and play "better safe than sorry"to the hilt! I was surprised when L&M suggested that we try crossing the seven lanes to go to the other side. I was of course ready (age has not dimmed my adventurous spirit!)We waited till the frequency of the speeding cars zipping past reduced and then hand in hand we crossed the first seven lanes quite easily and we waited on the green divider that looks so beautiful when we drive past them- We balanced and walked on it for some time hoping for the same thing as before but it looked like there was no stopping the cars going back! After a lot of false starts we did manage to cross it ( at one point we were between two lanes of zipping cars). I am sure we would have got dirty looks from all the drivers that had to swerve to miss us but the pounding heart and the tingling nerves were worth it! A lovely excitement in a concrete jungle! Not that I advise anyone to repeat it but I would do it again if I had to!

Life is lot like that! When you have the right hands to hold whether its the seven rounds around the holy fire or the seven ages of man or the seven lanes on the highway - the whole process is an experience worth going through!