My eight year-old son said he had no idea our aluminum telescoping pool pole would snap under his weight when he used it in a complex, MacGuyver-like move to rescue some loose change that had fallen out of reach on the pool deck. I could tell he was sincerely sorry. For one, cleaning the pool is his job, so he knew he’d have to scrub it with his bare hands until the pole was replaced. But the added knowledge that he, a young man of very little means, would be required to replace the tool was clearly a burden that rested uncomfortably upon his cute little shoulders. I had already mentally called the pool maintenance man and calculated the cost of a new pole, but my son wisly (and perhaps a little desperately) suggested that we first try the metalworkers in al-Arab Square. Now, I’ve mentioned the commercial area known as al-Arab Square to you before; it’s from this location that I had you embark on your outing to the #Sad al-Ali Souq.
This time, I want you to linger in al-Arab. Discover its secrets. Get to know its street vendors. Take advantage of its many useful stores and workshops. As you pass through the square, keep your eyes open for an unmarked alley branching off to the right. Take it. After a few twists and turns, you’ll come to a community of wood and metalworkers. This little sub-neighborhood of al-Arab has become our go-to place for custom-made furniture, campfire wood, decorative items, ad-hoc life hacks, and now (spoiler alert) pool pole repairs.
(Get your repairs done at the al-Arab metalworkers)
As you may be able to tell from the photo above, the man was working on a gate when we showed up at his workshop, broken pool pole in hand. He paused his work, listened to my son’s sad story, scolded him gently (son, an aluminum rod must not be used for pole-vaulting!), and then he fixed the broken tool in five minutes flat. The solution was more complex than you may have expected because, it turns out, you cannot weld aluminum. He cut and fitted a small iron tube and wedged it between the two broken pieces, effectively fusing the two pieces together. Crisis averted. And the cost? Forty Egyptian pounds. My son heaved a sigh of relief as he pulled the money out of his own meager savings. Lesson learned? I hope so!
(Want to work while you work out? Get a custom-made laptop table for your elliptical machine!)
(Table and chairs made to order at al-Arab)
This is only one of several tools we have fixed or created with the help of the al-Arab Square metal and woodworkers. Pictured below is the four-meter long “fishing rod” and grappling hook we crafted. Why? To retrieve a beloved blanket that fell off our 6th story balcony clothing line onto the top boughs of a tree several stories below.
(Getting creative with the al-Arab wood and metalworkers)
As for custom-made decorative items? Here is one: a set of “party posts” for holiday ribbons, bunting, and party signs.
(Party posts, custom forged)
The woodworkers have also worked miracles for us, in the form of desks, dividers, tables, chairs, and shoe organizers. They have even graciously used their band saws to shape the Pinewood Derby cars my cub scouts have hand drawn into blocks of wood, year after year. You name it…they can make it.
(Need a shoe organizer? Forget IKEA. Get one custom made!)
(Get that screen divider you’ve always dreamed of)
Alright. You have probably already begun making a mental list of all the custom-made items you need and want for your home, yard, or office. But you may have a question: Do I need to speak Arabic in order to communicate with the al-Arab metal and woodworkers? Yes and no. The ability to communicate with these guys would be helpful. But if you have several clear photos of what you want made (or fixed) to show and share with these craftsmen (via WhatsApp, for example), you stand a pretty good chance of communicating your needs. A voice recording by a local friend, explaining your request in Arabic, would also be helpful. Don’t forget to bring the metric dimensions for your desired item.
(One of our five custom-made desks from al-Arab)
Well, that’s it for now, folks! I’ve got to get down to al-Arab to request my next custom-made item: a shelf to hold all our books from #Maadi Used Books. I’ll see you there!
(Where the magic happens–my desk)
