Shops, cafes, cloth merchants, boutiques of ready-to-wear, shoe ... On the seventh day of the protest movement that stirred Egypt, Cairo shopkeepers lifted the curtain and watch the customers. But after a week of protests, the activity is idling in the street Boulaq, in the heart of the capital.
Typically, this means that by building a business account, is very lively. "At noon, in general, this street is crowded. Today, it lacks 80% of customers," said Ali, a young clothing salesman. Today, he has managed to sell a shirt.Her shop, nestled in a stairwell, however, is full of articles of all kinds.
Ali had not opened his shop since the first demonstration against Hosni Mubarak, January 25. "The events of last week have greatly complicated my business. My shop remained closed until today." A significant loss for the small trader. This Monday at midday, Ali accounts: only 20 cookbooks. "I usually earns 200 pounds a day [25 euros]," he laments.
The shops under surveillance
The curfew, imposed by the authorities from 16 hours does not help his situation. "I will close my shop earlier than usual, I do not want to take risk.My merchandise is expensive, I must protect them if the situation goes out, "said the shopkeeper, who said he nevertheless supported the demands of protesters.
Boulaq Street has not yet been subject to looting: its merchants take turns throughout the night to monitor, along with citizen militias armed, aisles and came suspicious. "We're tired of working day and monitor the area at night. But thank you God, he did nothing serious happened here," said Hussein, a toy salesman. Inside his dusty shop, it hides two iron bars. "If ..."
Priority to food
Further, a Coptic textile merchant waits in a chair dilapidated barge. Not a soul in sight."I'm not complaining, there is still activity even if it is lower than usual," Boutros philosopher. His toothless driver, Mohamed, desperately waiting for a race this morning. "This situation is not good for trade in general. The people prefer to remain cautious and pay only for food," he notes.
Mothers who are walking this long shopping street are almost exclusively bags of food. Magdi, the septuagenarian neighborhood butcher, has a broad smile. His two son working to dismember the carcasses of cattle on the pavement. And clients are waiting for you."My butcher has remained open since the protests began, I have no problem to give me," he says while patting his casket.
Favorably to Mubarak, he is convinced that this "small rebellion" comes to an end. "Egypt is not Tunisia, the President will not leave. Moreover, whatever the character who will succeed him, there is no guarantee that it will be better," he says before getting up to receive a cage containing a dozen chickens.
