Revolution 2011!Well it all began on a holiday called Police Day to honor the police forces and something great they did back in the early 50's. Needless to say that in the last 2 decades the police are not nearly so well thought of as to deserve a holiday.
A protest was planned and organized to speak out against police brutality (which has been a long simmering issue) as well as the general corruption of the political system in this country. The protest was well organized and well attended and was held down in Tahrir Square the main city center. It made for an interesting read the next day in the paper and that was all that I really thought would come of it. The next day a great deal of discussion was made concerning ongoing protest in the wake of Tunisia's successful revolt. My staff and I in a light- hearted moment went out on the street to do a little demonstrating of our own. Boy! Looking back I realize how clueless we were as to what was boiling below the surface.
Ein Suhkna Fri Jan 28- Mon 31
On Thursday the 27 there was an inkling of bigger problems as threats were made to turn off Facebook and Twitter to try and cut down on protest organizer's ability to communicate with the masses. I wasn't too worried as I had no plans of protesting. The next day, Friday I had already scheduled a weekend away with some friends. We left early Fri morning to head about 2 hours away (picture), knowing that big protests were planned that afternoon back in Tahrir. By the time I left not only was Facebook blocked but the entire internet AND cell phone system were shut down. Luckily for us our cell phones worked at the beach and so we could at least call and check in on peoples home phones, and family from outside Egypt could call and reach us as well. We had planned on staying just thru Sunday afternoon but as news that teh protests were growing and growing out of control we began to rethink our plans. The more we talked on the phone the more nervous we grew. There were reports of angry mobs of looters sweeping into Maadi banging on peoples doors, looting the major shopping center etc... Although we ourselves were very safe and physically secure, it was horrible to hear people's frantic calls and not be able to see with our own eyes what was going on. Gun shot fire was heard all around Maadi, and reports that the prisoners in a nearby prison had broken loose filled my ears and heart with panic. My friend who was on the 12th floor looking over the Nile said the afternoon sky was filled with smoke and a burnt orange haze from all the fires in the downtown region. It seemed on Saturday that things were quiet and somewhat normal, but around mid day the police literally disappeared from the streets and serious looting began, along with gun battles between looters and vigilante groups that were guarding the streets. Saturday seemed to be the worst and evacuation plans for many businesses were set into motion. Rumor mill says that vans were robbed enroute to the airport but thus far I have not actually met anyone who could verify that story.
We stayed at the beach for the worst of it until we were told that the Army had taken control of the situation and that tanks and troops were in position through out Maadi. As we drove back into town we snapped a few photo's that showed us a bit of what we missed. In some ways it wasn't as bad as some had reported to us.
Hopefully these pixs will post the way I have set them so that they match what I am writing. The burned building and trucks are all in Maadi, and the toll station with the tanks was coming back into town from the beach.
Reading the Gift of the Magi
Handing out presents at teh African Party
Santa in the shoot and Jonathan explaining the latest delay
