During our visit to Cairo, Egypt, I made one of the best decisions I could have made—I hired Rasha as our guide. And let me tell you, she wasn’t just a guide. She was a bridge to the heart of Cairo. A living, breathing ambassador of hospitality, kindness, and cultural richness.
There’s so much I could talk about from this trip. I could start with our visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which is an absolute must-see for any traveler coming to Egypt. But that deserves its own moment (and its own blog post). Today, I want to talk about something different-something deeper. I want to talk about Rasha, her warmth, and the raw, unforgettable experience she gave us… starting with Garbage City.
Yes, you read that right-Garbage City. And no, it’s not what you think.
Our Day with Rasha: Off the Beaten Path in Cairo
Rasha picked us up for our second full day in Cairo. After the museum, she suggested we visit a church. And if you know me, you know I have to step inside a church if I spot one while traveling.
What I didn’t expect was for her to take us to Saint Simon—a church I had only ever seen once in a video. A church carved into the side of a mountain. But more on that in Part 2.
Before we got there, we ventured through one of the most eye-opening places I’ve ever stepped foot in: Garbage City.
What is Garbage City?
Tucked behind high concrete walls on the outskirts of Cairo lies a community that most tourists will never see. Manshiyat Nasser, known more commonly (and somewhat derogatorily) as Garbage City, is home to a predominantly Coptic Christian population, often referred to as the Zabaleen, or “garbage people.”
This slum, with a population of around 60,000, sprawls through the Moqattam Hills on the edge of Cairo’s vast urban landscape. What makes it unique—and jarring—is that nearly every surface is covered in trash: rooftops, streets, alleyways. But this isn’t random chaos. This is by design-this is survival.
Cairo, a city of nearly 20 million, has long struggled with waste management. The Zabaleen stepped in where the system failed. The men collect garbage from homes and businesses, while the women and children sort, recycle, and repurpose it. And here’s the mind-blowing part: they recycle over 90% of the waste they collect. That’s higher than most countries.
Walking through Garbage City was like stepping into a different world. One that challenged my assumptions and made me reflect on my own privilege. The smells, the sounds, the reality-it was unreal. But it was also deeply humbling. These people live and work among the things the rest of the world discards without a second thought. And they’ve built a system, a life, and a form of resilience that commands respect.
Why I Travel: The Real, Raw, Unfiltered
This is exactly why I travel.
It’s not just for the monuments or the Instagrammable views. It’s for moments like this. For walking through neighborhoods that challenge my worldview. For meeting people like Rasha, who don’t just show you the country-they help you feel it.
As I rode through the narrow alleyways in the hired car, after taking the local train more than 30 minutes outside the main city, I felt like Anthony Bourdain was fist bumping me from the beyond. This was that kind of travel-the kind that’s not polished or pretty, but honest and human. Travel to parts unknown, as Bourdain would say. And this was it.
What’s Next: Saint Simon and Dinner with Rasha’s Family
From Garbage City, we continued to Saint Simon Church-also known as The Cave Church. But that incredible experience deserves its own spotlight in Part 2 of this series.
And let’s not forget the evening that followed: a home-cooked, traditional Egyptian dinner inside a regular family home in Northern Cairo, hosted by Rasha herself. That story will unfold in Part 3-and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
Cairo is chaotic, beautiful, layered, and alive. But the best parts of it aren’t always on the usual tourist trail. Sometimes, the best parts are the ones that challenge you, stretch your understanding, and leave you with stories you’ll carry forever.
Rasha gave us that. Garbage City gave us that. And this was just the beginning.
Stay tuned for Part 2: The Cave Church of Saint Simon and Part 3: Dinner at Rasha’s.
Tags: Cairo travel blog, Garbage City Cairo, Manshiyat Nasser, Coptic Christians Egypt, travel off the beaten path, Egypt with kids, Cairo travel tips, Saint Simon Church, Egyptian hospitality, cultural experiences Cairo
