Egypt's boatmen struggling after revolution

They live in water just like fish. River Nile for them is life, it is a source of livelihood, shelter and safe haven. Boatmen stay by the cornice, waiting for lovers, friends and tourists to entertain them on their daily cruise for a few pounds. Haj Dokdok, 90, is the oldest boatman in Egypt. He knows nothing in life apart from River Nile and his boat. He became a boatman at the age of seven, and in the last 83 years ago has seen the rise and fall of Egyptian rulers from King Fuad to President Morsi. Dokdok has also met plenty of celebrities, drama stars like Abdul Halim Hafez, Shadia, Farid al-Atrash, Taheya Carioca, Mahmoud Shokuko and Hussein Fahmi. He says the past was better than the present because people used to love each other and share weal and woe. Although Dokdok has not learned to read or write, his wisdom comes from experience. "A man can live happily if he comes to terms with himself and is loved by others." He think President Morsi needs to approach his people and speak to Egyptians, to avoid the same fate as his predecessors. Boatman Haj Ahmed Yusuf, 65, has moved to Cairo from Qena and learnt the profession from his uncle. He used his income to feed four daughters and his only son who is studying at university. Haj Ahmed believes things are not the same after the revolution. "We used to earn a lot of money from tourists and Egyptians who came to ride our boats, but now we are suffering from the lack of work and people do not have the money or the desire for Nile cruises, an unaffordable luxury. This has affected us a lot and we can no longer spend on our families as we once used to do." He believes the revolution lacked a leader like Gamal Abdel Nasser, from July 1952 revolution. "Muslim Brotherhood have corrupted our lives and taken our livelihoods. I want President Morsi to have mercy on us," he added. Young boatman Fatehi Farouk is also from upper Egypt and has worked as a boatman for 17 years. He has seen work dry up since the revolution from eight trips per day to just one or two. Abu Ali, another boatman says: "I know nothing else apart from sailing, which I learnt during childhood. Unfortunately our lives are always in danger, and there is no insurance. If one of us is hurt or injured, he would die from hunger" "We were happy with the revolution, but things are getting worse and we are regretting it. Electricity bills used to be 20 [Egyptian] pounds maximum, now they are 70 to 80 pounds per month," he explained. Haj Ahmed revealed that poor living conditions have meant boatmen are pitching in to buy half a kilo of meat, to cook and distribute among six people.