Parking No Parking

One of the things Zamalek is known for is the unavailability of parking spaces. Sometimes, it would be better to go by taxi if you are running an errand there. However, if you live there, it is something else. You will be suffering from the lack of available parking spots. A few times, you would be going round and round in vicious circles until you feel ecstatic that you found a place..and then, your dream won’t come true. You discover that there are chains blocking the space.

Nowadays, people are becoming very creative using different ways to reserve places. In the past, it was just a chain. Recently, they use a big chunk of rock, barrels; even chairs are used to reserve places. Sometimes, you see a car parked in a place that could cater for 3 others. Then, you find out that it is not that the driver doesn’t know how to park well or is inconsiderate to others but it would be done on purpose to reserve places for other cars. The best way to park your car is to be best friends with all the doormen in the area. Your best bet is to double park and leave your key with a doorman or a car attendant.

If you are going out in Zamalek, this is much better. You can then find a car attendant usually outside restaurants such as Mori’s, Abu El Sid, La Bodega or The Crave. There’s also an adequate parking spot under the bridge across from La Bodega, while the area around the Cairo Marriott usually has free parking spots. The most difficult is to park on Merashly Street in front of Café Tabasco. There’s always some policeman hanging there. Since Zamalek is quite small and easy to walk around, park your car wherever you can find a spot and walk the rest of the route. This is a lot better than getting clamped.