Egyptians have never felt so empowered in all their lives. When the police quit on Friday, the people took it upon themselves to form neighborhood watch groups, clean up the trash, help each other out. I have been living in Egypt for nearly 6 years now and have never seen people come together as they have in the past week.
What you watch on TV is just a microcosm of what is taking place. All the satellite channels show Tahrir Square and Alexandria along the Corniche, they don't show the neighborhoods, the suburbs, the small villages where neighbors help neighbors. A military truck was in our development yesterday selling water to anyone interested in buying it. Cigarettes were the first commodity to go, followed by eggs, bread, sugar, flour. There still seems to be plenty of water available in the stores.
More to follow soon.
Ma'salaama,
~Marian
