First and foremost, I’m safe.
I have been at the downtown demonstrations almost every day for the past week. There are dangerous aspects to life in Cairo at the moment, but I am aware of what the precarious situations are and am cautious to avoid them. A recent lesson, for example, was to run away if you see pro-Mubarak supporters charging in on camelback like something out of “Arabian Nights.” Keep in mind that what we see in the media is a montage of bad things happening, and that the events don’t happen randomly or without warning signs.
Although it may sound crazy, I feel fortunate to have arrived in Cairo when I did. I thought that I knew Egyptian politics inside and out from researching the topic for over a year at Carnegie in Beirut. But the unthinkable has happened. Egypt is experiencing a mass opposition movement that has sprung authentically from people of all walks of life. Clearly, it has the power to bring about huge changes in the country. I’m getting to witness history being made and I’m thankful for that.
So far, I’ve experienced the excitement of being in downtown Cairo amid defiant crowds, peacefully chanting their slogans, waving flags, and holding up signs that get more creative by the day. I’ve also had a taste of the panic that accompanies political unrest, running from tear gas and rocks hurtling through the air. I’ve watched as neighborly shopkeepers took up weapons at night as members of self-appointed vigilante groups. And for all the excitement, I’ve also experienced the boredom of living under curfew and a communication blackout.
What I’ve really witnessed throughout the week is that the Egyptian protesters are fearless and determined. I believe that they won’t back down in demanding that President Mubarak leave office immediately, no matter the consequences. However, they have a similarly obstinate opponent — the president – who also vows that he will not lose this fight. This government is adept in finding ways to sustain its power and take momentum away from the protesters. Furthermore, many Egyptians are invested in the regime’s survival and others insist that an uprising is not the way to bring about change.