Arzu the Arab of the Great Pyramids

The Market place

The Egyptian market place hustled with busy people, The smells of freshly cooked food from the stalls filled the air making me hungry.  People spoke in Arabic from all around and I was suprised at how many of them spoke fluent English. I couldn't keep my eyes off the beautiful fabrics, materials, jewels and crafts that glittered the stalls.

"Wow" I breathed, I was fascinated. My mother smiled at people passing by and politely looked into all the stalls. I stood beside her watching different people around the market place, watching their busy lives, smiling whenever I made eye contact.

"Isn't this beautiful" My mother spoke as she recieved back my attention. She showed me a silk piece of fabric that she had carefully placed in her hands, her thumbs smoothly feeling the fabric.

 "Oh wow, yeah that is beautiful" I replied instantly.

Behind me was the noises of men talking in English, their Egyptian accents where strong, making me turn around. I watched as an older man and three young boys in their late teens huddled into a circle, the older man was passing papers to each of the young men.

"Char?" My mom said shaking my shoulder gently. I looked at her and realised I had not been paying any attention to her.

"I'm sorry mum, I seen something I liked over there, could you please repeat what you where saying?"

"No it's OK darling, why don't you go and have a look around? stay safe and I will meet you at the animal auction section near the front of the market place, I am going to buy some freshly made bread".

"I will, thanks mum".

I got closer to the men pretending  I was interested in the henna stall behind them, I was watching them, I listened carefully.

"The race will start in a months time, make sure you advertise and get as many riders entered as you can, the winner will win 2500 Egyptian pounds and Mr Muhammad's Arabian Stud farm near Gaza". Said the oldest man. He was a kind looking man, he had a beard and wore a brown thobe. The younger men where all dressed in casual clothing. The young men seemed to hold great respect for the older man, they stood patiently and lowered their heads in acceptance to his orders. He handed out a small pile of paper to each of the boys.

"I will meet you all in half an hour to discuss this longer, Get as many people entered as you can, I want to see all these flyers gone when I come back". The man spoke again as he handed the last paper and watched as the boys hurried away.

He turned his head and caught me watching, I looked away quickly.

"Young lady" he shouted kindly as he moved closer.

I looked up again and met his kind eyes, he smiled as I did so.

"I saw you watching as I spoke about the race, are you interested?"

"y-yess, sir" I nodded.

"Great, would you like a flyer?" He handed a sheet to me and I took it and replied with a "thank you, sir".

"You are very welcome, so tell me, you wish to race in this competition?"

"yes sir, but I do not have a horse, I moved here from England sir, my horse is in England" I replied looking down as I fiddled with the corner of the flyer he gave me.

"well, that's too bad, you are missing an opportunity of a lifetime"

"Yes sir I know"

The man placed his hand on my shoulder and looked me seriously but kindly into my eyes

"Here is some advise from an old guy like me, If you want something, if you believe in something, you will always find a way to do so. Don't let anything hold you back, If you change your mind, call that number at the end of the flyer, I know a smart girl like you will find a way".

"T-Thank you sir, that is very kind of you".

"You are very welcome....Well, I must go now".

We shook hands kindly

"What is your name young lady, if you don't mind?"

I smiled at his kindness "Charlee sir, My name is Charlee, Charlee Fields".

"well, Charlee, that is a beautiful name, my name is Abdi, Abdi Akeem".

"Thank you Mr Akeem, It was lovely to meet you".

"You too Charlee, I hope to see you again, and if you chose to race I wish you the best of luck".

With that, the man smiled and patted me on the shoulder for the final time and slipped back into the crowd of the busy market place, I watched after him, feeling the immediate longing to run after him, my new friend. But instead I stood alone and after a long moment of staring into the crowd, I dropped my eyes onto the flyer he had given me.

'The great race of the pyramids. Do you and your horse have what it takes to win this race?"

I folded the flyer and slided it into my jean pocket with a sigh and I headed for the animal stalls to meet my mother.

When I had gotten there, my mother was no where to be seen.

"I must of gotten here earlier than her, she's probably in the stalls somewhere". I spoke aloud to myself.

I turned around and seen the horse stalls, I walked slowly over and wa