Remember the post my friend posted for me on Friday?
You have no idea...
The amount of fear that possessed me that day, to cut a long story short, I submitted to my fear. I watched the protests from a distance, I saw this in the video as it happened, and the tear gas reached us.
It was heart breaking seeing the riot police being so brutal, a lot of people were killed that day, and even more were injured. And detained. From that Friday (the 28th of January) onwards we had no internet connectivity until I posted I was back. We had no cell phone coverage as well, we had to resort to using landlines. There was a curfew enforced. And a new government/cabinet.
A curfew.
Out of the ten days (So far) of protests, I only went three times, but I still consider those in Tahrir "us". I feel proud. I feel very proud.
The vigilantes help us feel safe after curfew, since the police forces are no longer on the streets, the army people are so friendly. So very friendly. And they actually smile back.
People usually harass you on the streets, but on Tuesday (the first) during the Million Man March, a million people in Tahrir, people standing so close, no one touched me inappropriately, or looked at me in such a way, or verbally harassed me or anything. The youth; my generation. RESPECT.
Yet, on Wednesday, "they" hired thugs to stage a pro-Mubarak protest, and they started the violence against those in Tahrir throwing stones, metal objects, storming among the crowds ON HORSES AND CAMELS carrying knives and so on. I wasn't there that day but my best friend was...more people died...
And then emerged the makeshift hospital. The next day people were taking supplies to the hospital and to the people in the square, two of my friends were attacked and "taken" but are now back...
And today was as peaceful as Tuesday, January the 25th. Or so they say- everyone I know went, or almost, but I was deprived my right to go. My right to protest, by my very own parents. I cried when I got the call from there, I felt so bad, so envious...I wanted to be there...
Because you don't understand...The amount of love I have for this country has no limits, I could die for Egypt, especially now; now that I know that it won't be in vain. My generation is making history and for that I am so proud. My generation is that of real men and strong women. And we made history, like patriots should when faced with oppression.
The beautiful thing about it is that Egyptians still find humor in the situation. My people are beautiful people.
Right now, I think we're in the process of bargaining. A wisdom committee was formed, and a general conflict of interests, like with every uprising, I suppose, no set of demands has been agreed upon yet...and with every day that passes, it becomes, personally, more depressing.
I pray for an absence of a deadlock, because that's the last thing we need. Oh God, please.
I am sorry if this is fragmented, my thoughts are all fragmented at the moment. Please pray for my country. And I cannot begin to thank you for your concern and prayers and comments, honestly and truthfully.
You make me smile. My people make me smile. My friends, family and boyfriend all make me smile.
You have no idea...
The amount of fear that possessed me that day, to cut a long story short, I submitted to my fear. I watched the protests from a distance, I saw this in the video as it happened, and the tear gas reached us.
It was heart breaking seeing the riot police being so brutal, a lot of people were killed that day, and even more were injured. And detained. From that Friday (the 28th of January) onwards we had no internet connectivity until I posted I was back. We had no cell phone coverage as well, we had to resort to using landlines. There was a curfew enforced. And a new government/cabinet.
A curfew.
Out of the ten days (So far) of protests, I only went three times, but I still consider those in Tahrir "us". I feel proud. I feel very proud.
The vigilantes help us feel safe after curfew, since the police forces are no longer on the streets, the army people are so friendly. So very friendly. And they actually smile back.
People usually harass you on the streets, but on Tuesday (the first) during the Million Man March, a million people in Tahrir, people standing so close, no one touched me inappropriately, or looked at me in such a way, or verbally harassed me or anything. The youth; my generation. RESPECT.
Yet, on Wednesday, "they" hired thugs to stage a pro-Mubarak protest, and they started the violence against those in Tahrir throwing stones, metal objects, storming among the crowds ON HORSES AND CAMELS carrying knives and so on. I wasn't there that day but my best friend was...more people died...
And then emerged the makeshift hospital. The next day people were taking supplies to the hospital and to the people in the square, two of my friends were attacked and "taken" but are now back...
And today was as peaceful as Tuesday, January the 25th. Or so they say- everyone I know went, or almost, but I was deprived my right to go. My right to protest, by my very own parents. I cried when I got the call from there, I felt so bad, so envious...I wanted to be there...
Because you don't understand...The amount of love I have for this country has no limits, I could die for Egypt, especially now; now that I know that it won't be in vain. My generation is making history and for that I am so proud. My generation is that of real men and strong women. And we made history, like patriots should when faced with oppression.
The beautiful thing about it is that Egyptians still find humor in the situation. My people are beautiful people.
Right now, I think we're in the process of bargaining. A wisdom committee was formed, and a general conflict of interests, like with every uprising, I suppose, no set of demands has been agreed upon yet...and with every day that passes, it becomes, personally, more depressing.
I pray for an absence of a deadlock, because that's the last thing we need. Oh God, please.
I am sorry if this is fragmented, my thoughts are all fragmented at the moment. Please pray for my country. And I cannot begin to thank you for your concern and prayers and comments, honestly and truthfully.
You make me smile. My people make me smile. My friends, family and boyfriend all make me smile.
16 comments:
It's amazing, I find, how much you can grow to care for those you've never met. How those feelings don't always make themselves known to you until a friend, or someone you consider a friend, is thrown into turmoil and danger.
I cannot tell you how much of a relief it was to hear from you again Sara and to see your words here now. It's a helpless feeling being on the other side of the ocean and not being able to know what those I'm concerned for are going through. Not near though what you have all been going through.
I have so much respect and admiration for the love you have for for your country and the courage you've shown. I'm praying for you and all your countrymen and women that Mubarak's reign will end soon and a new life breathed into Egypt. I'm hopeful, I can't possibly see this continuing to September. The voice of the people is loud indeed.
Please, please do continue to keep us informed Sara, we need to hear the real story.
x
Dear Sara;
You may not remember me, but I remember you from my earliest days of blogging. Dearest, I want to thank you - for your passion and emotion for this world is inspiring (always has been, to me).
I am praying for your country, in the hopes that things will change and people will hurt less and love more. Your people are indeed beautiful people; the most beautiful.
I am sending you my love, love, love; you are so brave, Lionhearted.
xxxxxx
My heart goes out to your and your country
I cannot even imagine how proud i am for you Sara. All these days I have been thinking about you, telling about you to my friends, you, my friend, you are brave. I loved this post. it is so honest and so raw. there is not much i could say but you have evolved so much to me in these few days. My prayers are with you and your country. Your dream will come true.
I'm very happy I"ve discovered your blog!
The past 2 weeks have amazed me. From 2006 till 2009 I lived in Cairo and to tell you the truth, I had no idea the Egyptians had it in them. I seldomly witnessed the passion I saw in and on Tahrir and most certainly the compassion.
In your post you speak about soldiers smiling; I always felt I had to win a smile of people. For example when entering a shop people would give me a grumpy look (sometimes less than that!) and only after a bright "sabah al kheer" from my side I would get a famous Egyptian smile back! People would speak about how much Egypt had changed over the past couple of decades.
I enclosed your country in my heart and it is very sad about what has happened. Nevertheless, I still hope the outcome will be good. x
You are such an incredibly strong person, and I am so proud of you. Even though your parents forbid you to continue going, I can feel the love you have for your country and your people and I really do hope and pray that the situation will resolve peacefully, that no more violence will ensue, and that you and your friends and family will come out of this stronger.
Egypt's social unrest being party due (besides the obvious: its oppressive autocratic ruler) to the skyrocketing prices of wheat reminds of Mexico's corn crisis due to NAFTA; Wall Street corporate greed being the common link:
http://www.economicrefugee.net/did-wall-street-have-a-hand-in-egypts-unrest/
I'm so glad you're okay!
Sara,
I have been thinking of you and even straining, peering, recording, pausing, rewinding, looking for you in the crowds knowing that even if the pretty passionate face wasn't YOU, it was you.
The hardest choice you will have is whether to be in the middle and at the same time stay remain close to your parents.
Sara,
you know that my heart goes out to you and your country. Always. It's not only because my very own home country and yours share some bonds there, but also because I care no matter what. You know that. I may not say it often, but it's what it is.
My thoughts are with you all, and I'm always thinking of you.
xoxo
This must be so very hard to live through but at the same time it must be one of the most important times that you are now living in, I hope and pray that it will all work out the way you hope for and that beautiful Egypt will be peaceful again very soon.
Sara thank you so much for this post, it is so good to hear from you. It's good to get a first-hand account rather than a newspaper. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm so glad you're safe and reading your posts have definitely made the situation even more real to me, who is half way across the otherside of the world. I really admire your bravery, your countries bravery. I can only hope that the current situation is 'resolved' soon because it's so sad to see your country in such turmoil. take care and stay safe! xxxx
Sara,
I'm sure you already know this by now but I cannot being to tell you how happy I am that I stumbled upon your blog, that I stumbled upon you. Thank you so much for showing me the real story. I will continue to read your (fragmented) thoughts, Vancouver Canada is listening to you :)
Nina
Dearest Sara,
The people of Egypt are the first thing i remember in my prayers both day and night.
Hopefully i will be back again soon, i cant wait.
Meanwhile, keep up your strength, keep up your faith in what you believe to be right and just..
and remember that your parents just worry about your safety, dont hold it against them one day you will have children and you will understand.
kisses
I am so glad you are safe, don't be angry at your parents just because they want you safe too.
Your passion is amazing and your words honest and beautiful. Don't be sad that you can't be at every protest, your words are still reaching the world. I live in a small town on the West Coast of USA, and would never be able to put a face to what is happening without you to share with me.
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