There is nothing like silence here in Egypt.  At this very moment I hear the following:

Clang Clang Clang – the sound of the gas canister seller, banging away, as he pulls his cart along to let the apartment dwellers know he is in their street.

Boom Boom Boom, Doef, Doef, Boom Boom Boom – the sound of drums at the school down the road, intermingled with children shouting war cries, children laughing and shouting and now and again a teacher’s voice rising above the din to try and restore...