On a street corner in Heliopolis lies a refuge for the senses. A pop of vibrant colour and a sweet scent disrupt the fumes from car exhausts and the dullness of the grey and yellowing buildings. It is one of many. A fakahani (fruit vendor) is a character of great significance to the everyday life of Egyptians. To my family’s neighbourhood, Zekri and his family have been a staple for over a decade. Honest with his prices and the quality of his fruit, he has a good relationship with the residents of the surrounding buildings, and knows the name of every bawab (porter) in the area. “Citrus is getting good now,” he says, when I ask him what fruit is in season in the winter. “It’s still a bit green now, but as the months get colder, it will be better. All the different oranges, tangerines…Oh and bananas and strawberries, too!” While Zekri’s fruit stand really does seem to be full of citrus fruits of many varieties, I note the presence of two fruits Egyptians tend to associate with summer: mangoes and watermelons. I ask him what they are doing on display in late November….
