16th July 2013
Benzene Riots outside my Apartment
Tuesday 16th
A running account of my not so quiet evening
As I write this email there is the biggest queue at my benzene station that I have ever seen. Its the first delivery of motorbike fuel in two weeks. There have been fights and so much gun fire, they always seem to get into arguments. You might even say that there is more violence here than some demonstrations. The crowd noise is quite loud at my apartment. I am going to wait until quite late to see if its worth me going over there to get my petrol. All other benzene/Diesel has been good with no queues at my garage. I think it will all get better now that Morsi is out and other countries are now helping Egypt.
Benzene Riots outside my Apartment
Tuesday 16th
A running account of my not so quiet evening
As I write this email there is the biggest queue at my benzene station that I have ever seen. Its the first delivery of motorbike fuel in two weeks. There have been fights and so much gun fire, they always seem to get into arguments. You might even say that there is more violence here than some demonstrations. The crowd noise is quite loud at my apartment. I am going to wait until quite late to see if its worth me going over there to get my petrol. All other benzene/Diesel has been good with no queues at my garage. I think it will all get better now that Morsi is out and other countries are now helping Egypt.
Oh my God, there is a riot outside my apartment. the people from my village and the people from Tod have clashed over the benzene problem. They have been trowing rocks and stones at each other and many have hit my windows and balcony, nothing broken yet. I saw them going into the banana trees to get rocks and stones. They have thrown missiles at the electricity cables and they have exploded and now I have no electric. I called the police and told them what was going on. There are fires in the road and they have set fire to the bushes and thrown petrol bombs at each other. Tarek came up to see me and told me not to go out on my balcony. I never thought there would be a riot outside my apartment. I have lived through a revolution and then the Morsi problem. This here is the worse violence I have seen, and all over benzene. It's quite frightening when its on your own door step. The police have now arrived.
11:30-pm
They are trowing bricks and rocks again at my road windows. There are so many people with sticks, rocks and so on, a very angry crowd. I think tear gas has been used, when I poked my head out of a small window my eyes sting.
There are now riot police outside my apartment, they are blocking the road to keep people apart. I feel a lot better now. There are so many rocks and stones on my balcony but nothing is broken as far as I can see. The road outside is a litter of rubbish, rocks, stones, wood and glass bottles.
It was tear gas, I can see the police tea gas rifles. Its now gone quiet except for the garage. I don't think I will go over there tonight for my benzene.
11:30-pm
They are trowing bricks and rocks again at my road windows. There are so many people with sticks, rocks and so on, a very angry crowd. I think tear gas has been used, when I poked my head out of a small window my eyes sting.
There are now riot police outside my apartment, they are blocking the road to keep people apart. I feel a lot better now. There are so many rocks and stones on my balcony but nothing is broken as far as I can see. The road outside is a litter of rubbish, rocks, stones, wood and glass bottles.
It was tear gas, I can see the police tea gas rifles. Its now gone quiet except for the garage. I don't think I will go over there tonight for my benzene.
As seen from my balcony. Petrol bombs and Coco Cola cans filled with benzene with cloth for fuse.
The sparks are the electricity wires exploding. Fires in the road and in the bushes.
The sparks are the electricity wires exploding. Fires in the road and in the bushes.
Police blockade one of four along my road. Photos from my balcony.
12:11-am
Oh dear there back again and the police were unable to stop them passing my apartment or they were returning to Gazira. There are many police vehicles outside now. There is much gun fire going on and automatic fire. They are shooting tear gas and the crowd will not go away. I don't think the police can stop them. The police now seem to have gone into Gazira where the angry crowd went. there is a lot of gun fire. I was going to go out to my rooftop but the tear gas is awful, really makes my nose and throat burn and my face stings.
12:40-am
It all appears to be quiet now. There is still some activity at the garage but I can't see them selling any benzene.
2:24-am
Electricity is now back on. The electric people had to re-new two sets of five overhead cables along the road. While sitting on the pavement watching the men fix the electricity I spent time talking to my locals and have a better picture of what has been going on. Apparently the garage takes delivery of benzene but does not sell it direct to the people until he want to, its apparently a power game the owner plays. This then outrages the people and they get angry and fight. The garage right now has the benzene for bikes but is not selling it. The people have been queuing and waiting for it since 7-am this morning (yesterday) I was told that the police will now get involved and say to the owner that this cannot happen again and that he must sell the benzene when it arrives. I must say, I have noticed this procedure before, the benzene arrives but they do not sell it and people queue for many hours hoping to get some, then the garage closes.
What an evening, or should I say a morning. Many police with riot gear, tear gas. Many personnel vehicles and trucks and even a fire engine. Not sure now what that was used for but it came from my village Gazira. Still have tea gas taste in my throat.
Wednesday 17th - 1:10-pm
There is now a police personnel lorry and an armoured riot van on the forecourt of the garage. I spoke to some locals sitting there and they told me that the benzene is here but the owner will not sell it until 6:00-pm tonight, No one knows why. They said that will cause a problem again when so many people come for it. I went into the garage office to enquire about benzene and a man told me there that the benzene yesterday was needed for the motor boats and there would be benzene tomorrow; that's two stories so far. What a crock of s--t. Everyone knows the small white tankers that take the fuel to the boats, they were not seen anywhere yesterday. How many boats would it take to use up a whole tanker of benzene; more than the amount of motor boats on the Nile. A game; but to who's advantage?
Oh dear there back again and the police were unable to stop them passing my apartment or they were returning to Gazira. There are many police vehicles outside now. There is much gun fire going on and automatic fire. They are shooting tear gas and the crowd will not go away. I don't think the police can stop them. The police now seem to have gone into Gazira where the angry crowd went. there is a lot of gun fire. I was going to go out to my rooftop but the tear gas is awful, really makes my nose and throat burn and my face stings.
12:40-am
It all appears to be quiet now. There is still some activity at the garage but I can't see them selling any benzene.
2:24-am
Electricity is now back on. The electric people had to re-new two sets of five overhead cables along the road. While sitting on the pavement watching the men fix the electricity I spent time talking to my locals and have a better picture of what has been going on. Apparently the garage takes delivery of benzene but does not sell it direct to the people until he want to, its apparently a power game the owner plays. This then outrages the people and they get angry and fight. The garage right now has the benzene for bikes but is not selling it. The people have been queuing and waiting for it since 7-am this morning (yesterday) I was told that the police will now get involved and say to the owner that this cannot happen again and that he must sell the benzene when it arrives. I must say, I have noticed this procedure before, the benzene arrives but they do not sell it and people queue for many hours hoping to get some, then the garage closes.
What an evening, or should I say a morning. Many police with riot gear, tear gas. Many personnel vehicles and trucks and even a fire engine. Not sure now what that was used for but it came from my village Gazira. Still have tea gas taste in my throat.
Wednesday 17th - 1:10-pm
There is now a police personnel lorry and an armoured riot van on the forecourt of the garage. I spoke to some locals sitting there and they told me that the benzene is here but the owner will not sell it until 6:00-pm tonight, No one knows why. They said that will cause a problem again when so many people come for it. I went into the garage office to enquire about benzene and a man told me there that the benzene yesterday was needed for the motor boats and there would be benzene tomorrow; that's two stories so far. What a crock of s--t. Everyone knows the small white tankers that take the fuel to the boats, they were not seen anywhere yesterday. How many boats would it take to use up a whole tanker of benzene; more than the amount of motor boats on the Nile. A game; but to who's advantage?
They are ready for more trouble.
Cleaned up my balcony. There were rocks bigger than the size of my hand and I could see where one had hit my window frame; a substantial dent.
As a result of the electricity exploding our internet router power adaptor burnt out. I went to Luxor to buy a new one. While there I got a call from my landlord saying that it has started up again. When I got back with my bicycle I had to take the back streets through the Nubian village because of a blockade but still came up against another police blockade further up. I approached them and was saying I live just up there when my landlord appeared, he had kindly waited by the police for me to escort me home.
On my way back to the West bank on the ferry I could hear the rifle launchers letting loose the tear gas. I did not know what to expect on my attempt to get home. As I made my way on bicycle I could hear more automatic rifle fire. My landlord had told me to call him when I am in Gazira. I made my way through Gazira to find a police blockade across the road leading home. I took a short rout through the Nubian village as were the buses, so I followed close to a bus with relative calmness. When I got back to the main road there was another blockade. There were stones and rocks all over the roads and it was clear to see that there was a battle here. I slowly made my way to the police barrier and said I live just up the road and as I said that, to my surprise my landlord appeared. He had waited for me to return to escort me home. I had a drink with him and we fixed the Internet.
Apparently the owner of the garage has refused to sell benzene to the people in Bairat; which is where I live. He comes from Qurna. The garage owner has apparently got a mafia crowd together to protect him. There was another fuel delivery this morning so that makes now two deliveries of fuel for buses and lorries and one delivery of motorbike fuel in stock. Yesterday and today the garage sold no fuel to anyone. There is again a very large crowd at the garage but again no fuel is being sold. I don't understand this.
Because of my flat location I am on the side of the people causing the problems, tonight the blockades are further down the road in Gazira. I watch these very intimidating people going up and down the road outside my apartment with their sticks, almost as if to taunt the Gazira people where the blockade is. I went on the roof to take a look but hid myself carefully.
12:17-am
The garage is selling their benzene and from what I can see its mostly motorbike fuel. It is very quiet and peaceful now. Still many people at the garage.
Cleaned up my balcony. There were rocks bigger than the size of my hand and I could see where one had hit my window frame; a substantial dent.
As a result of the electricity exploding our internet router power adaptor burnt out. I went to Luxor to buy a new one. While there I got a call from my landlord saying that it has started up again. When I got back with my bicycle I had to take the back streets through the Nubian village because of a blockade but still came up against another police blockade further up. I approached them and was saying I live just up there when my landlord appeared, he had kindly waited by the police for me to escort me home.
On my way back to the West bank on the ferry I could hear the rifle launchers letting loose the tear gas. I did not know what to expect on my attempt to get home. As I made my way on bicycle I could hear more automatic rifle fire. My landlord had told me to call him when I am in Gazira. I made my way through Gazira to find a police blockade across the road leading home. I took a short rout through the Nubian village as were the buses, so I followed close to a bus with relative calmness. When I got back to the main road there was another blockade. There were stones and rocks all over the roads and it was clear to see that there was a battle here. I slowly made my way to the police barrier and said I live just up the road and as I said that, to my surprise my landlord appeared. He had waited for me to return to escort me home. I had a drink with him and we fixed the Internet.
Apparently the owner of the garage has refused to sell benzene to the people in Bairat; which is where I live. He comes from Qurna. The garage owner has apparently got a mafia crowd together to protect him. There was another fuel delivery this morning so that makes now two deliveries of fuel for buses and lorries and one delivery of motorbike fuel in stock. Yesterday and today the garage sold no fuel to anyone. There is again a very large crowd at the garage but again no fuel is being sold. I don't understand this.
Because of my flat location I am on the side of the people causing the problems, tonight the blockades are further down the road in Gazira. I watch these very intimidating people going up and down the road outside my apartment with their sticks, almost as if to taunt the Gazira people where the blockade is. I went on the roof to take a look but hid myself carefully.
12:17-am
The garage is selling their benzene and from what I can see its mostly motorbike fuel. It is very quiet and peaceful now. Still many people at the garage.
Thursday 18th - 6:30-am
Was woken up at 5:30 with the shouts and noises of anger of the people at the benzene garage outside of Gazira. Decided to go over to get some benzene for my motorbike as the queue seemed to be moving slowly. I joined the not so long queue where I was repeatedly asked if I was from Bairat, I pointed to where I live and some people that knew me said something and their faces turned into smiles and thumbs up, so I was aright. I was repeatedly asked if I was from Bairat; they are NOT selling benzene to Bairat people. When I asked why do you not sell to Bairat or Gazira, they said they are silly people. I was asked if I knew of the problems last night and the many gun fire.
The so called or looking guards are intimidating with their angry faces and big sticks and are guarding the garage at its entrance, the road being littered with stones and rocks from the previous nights fighting. Bikes were let in six at a time, once through, the crowd seemed a little more friendly and I met many people I knew. I got my motorbike filled up and although the pump read 18 egp, they asked for 22 egp. I asked if they would fill a plastic container I had in my bike box but that was another queue and it was long. So I left happily with what I got and left the garage. There were a further few calls from some people saying I lived in Bairat but I just smiled at them and all was calm. Personally I had no problems with the people even when I was challenged and friendly people came to my rescue who knew me and put it right with the guard and his big stick.
It is a shame that the peoples from different villages cannot get on. The benzene should be for everyone but that is down to the garage owner and for what ever reasons he held. When the countries benzene problems are over and there are no longer queues at the garages, I wonder if this owner will sell benzene to Gazira people and all. I wish this owner would be reasonable, he must know that everyone is desperate for his fuel. They are all Egyptians first.
Benzene Problem Update
11:00-am
Looked out of my window and saw that the garage was empty and there were two police vans in the pump isles of the garage.
I went over to see what was happening. I spoke to a man there that at first told me that the pumps have broken, then he said they were ok and that the benzene had run out. Also that more benzene would arrive tomorrow during the night.
I realise that there can quite often be a language barrier but I get a hint of porky pies.
12:03-pm
Anyway, the garage is most certainly empty. There are of course always a few people who just seem to sit there as a pastime.
I am so glad I got my benzene at 6:30-am this morning.
With no benzene, perhaps we are in for a quiet evening.
Thursday 18th
I had a lovely Ramadan meal with Atta at Atta's Bakery in Gazira. On the way back I passed a large Riot Police force at the roundabout to Gazira. Many police with batons and shields and a riot van in waiting.
The riot van moved off to the garage where there were a crowd of people on the forecourt. If I had to guess, I would say they are the garage owners friends and were there to protect his garage as it was closed and with lights off. I think we could be in for another night of unrest; that is what the locals are saying.
Apparently there are seven people from Gazira in hospital with most of them experiencing breathing problems.
11:05-pm
Very good news about the problem with Qurna and Gazira people.
A friend phoned to let me know what is happening. Apparently the villages from Gena down to Luxor and Dabeaia up to Luxor are going to come together including Sheiks and Imams to solve the problem between Qurna and Gazira. This is a very typical thing that the Egyptian people do. They enter I kind of contract where they lay the lines down for peace, what they should and should not do and to settle their differences. There is an amount on money agreed which can be in the hundreds of thousands that if any of the parties break the peace settlement they have to pay the other party. When this is settled neither party is aloud to talk about it or to continue the problem. Sense at last.
Young boat people in Gazira wanted to block the road tonight but the elders came together to put a stop to it.
As I write this there is still a crowd of people at the garage, they are quiet at the moment but there was a lot of loud shouting a while earlier, so I imagine the two parties must have clashed together.
Friday 19th
It is very quiet here in Gazira so far and it being Friday. There appears now to be many people involved in a peaceful solution to this benzene problem. There is a lot to be learnt here and people on all sides need to be flexible and to help each other get through this difficult time.
I like very much what I hear and with the emanate people getting involved in sorting this problem out. I hope all can get back to being quiet, the people here have enough problems of their own to include this one.
I praise all those that have got involved in finding a peaceful solution and hope all will be back as friends as soon as possible. During these hard times we all need friendly shoulders to lean on, not enemies.
The benzene Station is open and is also quiet. They are selling benzene but no motorbike fuel; it has finished. There are no queues. It all looks just like it used to be before the benzene problems in this country.
There was some small damage done last night. The small red empty shop had its windows broken and sadly a roadside cafe was damaged. It looks worse than it is and I am sure and hope that the cafe can be fixed and opened again for the owner to continue in business, it is a regular open cafe for the locals.
I wish all those injured people and those in hospital a speedy recovery.
Sunday 21st July 2013
The prevailing mood within Gazira is of calm and peace. I sat at a corner café last evening having tea with friends and it was as if everything was back to normal, enjoying a tea and watching the local life go pass. This is the Gazira that everybody loves.
I have been told by a reliable source that the people have had meetings since two days ago and that it is going on longer than anticipated. Each day they have a meeting of both sides but on one side the boys do not agree because the other side have done very bad things. Two days ago the meeting was in Espa and another meeting at the Crocodile restaurant in Gazira. People are worried that there might be further violence and they want some sort of financial guarantee that there will not be.
It all looks very positive that they are having these meetings and I am quite confident that a solution will be arrived at quite soon now.
Today life is like it was pre revolution, no queues at the garage, a slow flow of traffic in and out, and yes they still have benzene. Sadly no motorbike fuel thought.
Monday 22nd July 2013
Good News:
Motorbike fuel being sold right now at El Neel Benzene station on El Qurna Road, Gazira. Big queues, lots of bike nudging and knocking, a few people angry, lots of noise. But hey, its benzene and I got some. Good luck if you are thinking of going there to get some.
Wednesday 24th July 2013
Benzene Further Unrest:
4:00-am.
Just when things seemed to be quiet over the benzene problem, tempers flared up again early this morning.
At the benzene station on El Qurna Road, there were rapid automatic gunfire and a lot of very loud shouting and arguing. It appeared that a group of people were trying to block the road into Gazira. Vehicles from Gazira were turning round and going back, vehicles coming into Gazira were stopping but then continued into Gazira. You could hear some people saying "This is not polite" "It's disrespectful" "go indoors" I think they were the wise words of some elders trying to calm the situation down. Police arrived within ten minutes with four vehicles; the crowd went quiet.
Apparently there has been a group of people at the garage owners house and when men from Gazira passed, there was an exchange of words and abuse. I was told that the police found and took away seven weapons from the owners house and it is thought that he is now in jail.
4:45-am
A large police personnel vehicle and an ambulance blazing blue flashing lights come into Gazira. There are now a large but quiet group of people on the forecourt of the garage. Gunfire can be heard from Gazira.
This morning the garage appears closed and empty of people.
Sunday 28th July 2013
Benzene:
Good news for Benzene, both mini bus and truck (diesel) and motorbike fuel being sold at the El Neel garage on El Qurna road; no queues.
However there were ugly crowds of angry men with sticks last night, one group outside the garage owner’s house and another just a little further up the road towards the garage. One can only guess that the dispute is not yet settled.