Starch Source

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A bicycle bread delivery guy carries a rack of fresh bread on his head.

Eureka! By following the bicycle delivery guys' routes, I was able to locate the source of much of the bread deliveries I see whizzing by the outside of my hotel. On a long road near Aberdeen palace, there are several bread-manufacturing operations, each with a cadre of talented bicyclists to ferry the starchy staples around the city.

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A bread manufacturer operates a store outside their small factory.

This bread is not for the squeamish. Whether it's traveling at light speed on the top of a bicyclist's head or displayed on a rack (like above), the bread is subjected to the elements, that is, dust, smog and floating particulate matter, typically in Cairo's air. On several non-consecutive occasions, the crunch I felt while chewing on a piece of bread was alarming but not unexpected.

On that note, enjoy your weekend, all! Except for those living in the Muslim world, enjoy your weekend as of yesterday (the Muslim holy day is Friday)!