Day 5 (cont.): I'd wanted a jarring, life-changing experience...

I told Lenah the story about how I almost went on an expedition with my adviser to Niger last fall… so ironic… The main reason I wanted to go was that I honestly wanted a life-changing experience. I wanted to experience something jarring, even terrifying at times, to break out of my shell of security and ignorance and get a dose of reality in another part of the world. I decided not to go to Niger because the situation there became too dangerous to justify going at all.

Who could have known that I would experience all of this in Egypt instead. I got my jarring, life-changing experience after all: I have experienced new lows and new highs this week, emotional extremes I had never known before, but emotions I had always wondered about, and in a perhaps irrational way, had always wanted to experience…

I really felt what it’s like to be a parent last night. I care about my friends so much, and I was so worried and so afraid and so livid because of them. I am also feeling insulted that they’ve been ignoring and disregarding repeated warnings from Tanya, from Sara, and from myself. This is not a game, this is not some grand adventure for them to enjoy. They NEED to take the situation and themselves seriously.

I am going to relay the following quote to Samira to include in her article for the Maroon (the UChicago student newspaper):

“We are witnessing the Egyptian Revolution. It has been brewing for 30 years and suddenly it has ignited with unprecedented rapidity and strength. The entire world – including the rest of Egypt – is amazed with the turn of events. Even Egyptians are remarking that they have never seen Egyptians act this way, demonstrating with such passion and determination and collective strength – and peacefully. Despite the apparent chaos in the images of burning buildings and trucks and wounded protesters, this was a peaceful protest as far as demonstrations go. The violence was initiated by the government, by uniformed and un-uniformed police, and the protesters were attacking the government only. Things could easily have gotten completely out of control, but the Egyptians remained peaceful and did not instigate the violence. The Egyptians handled the demonstrations beautifully yesterday. They are not simply creating chaos – they are revolting against the government and protecting their country. I am so proud of the Egyptian people, and so impressed. Now all over the world, Egyptians are being regarded as heroes, martyrs, role models of forceful but peaceful anti-government protest.

Unfortunately the Egyptian President has done nothing but provoke the situation. It was infuriating to watch Hosni Mubarak spit in the face of the country last night. These demonstrations will continue until Mubarak steps down. It really rests on the United States government now to react responsibly and to answer the questions that everyone has been afraid to ask all this time.

Even with the risks involved, there is nowhere I would rather be right now than in Cairo. I feel very privileged to be living through these historic events with Egyptians.”