So it's been quite some time since my last post. During the school week there is little to report since I spend so little of my day doing "free time" things. But two weekends ago I went to Hurghada and completed four open water dives in the red sea. Last weekend I spent the 6th of October break on the Mediterranean beach called El Sahel. However I'll update you guys on that stuff tomorrow (I promise!).
I think a lot of people are really concerned about the situation in Cairo and I want to clear up a few things. On Sunday night, peaceful demonstrations began in Mespirro regarding the destruction of a Coptic church. These demonstrations were mostly Christian yet Muslims were still represented. At some point during the demonstration a group of what can be called "thugs" started attacking the demonstrators by throwing rocks and generally being aggressive. The sectarian violence is demonstrative of long-lasting hostility between religious groups in Cairo not to mention the conservative Salafi Muslim concentration in the areas of the protest. Soon the police joined in the fight and after the death of a few police officers the army (SCAF) showed up. In the media, the arrival of SCAF was portrayed as the protectors who were being attacked by the Copts and needed help. News stations broadcasted alerts for the people to help protect their army. People began to join in on the fight for various reasons. Eventually the military escalated to the point where massive violence broke out. In any mob-situation people get hurt and accidentally die. The military was using ammunition on unarmed protestors (or armed only with rocks or things on the ground). Many people I have talked to who live in the area saw that the armed vehicles were accelerating while chasing fleeing protestors. Many people were maimed or killed by being run over by a tank. Even after the violence dissipated looters were rampant in the neighborhood and many cars were vandalized or set on fire. Most of this occurred while the police watched from their garrison. As disturbing as this event was, especially since it's the worst thing to happen since the revolution, I was almost completely unaffected. I live far from the protests in an island connected only by bridges (ًnaturally) that can be shut off in case of emergencies. This didn't even occur on Sunday. As violent as it was these events are usually confined to very specific geographic areas. It is very very rare that one would "stumble" upon a protest and get caught in the mob. As soon as one is even being planned the entire city knows. Furthermore, since protests always happen on Fridays at Tahrir Square it is extremely easy to not go to these places. School has been conducted as usual with absolutely no difference. Even if the situation gets worse, I live in one of the safest places in the entire city.
Please understand that all of Cairo is not in flames, there aren't mobs on every corner, nor are there protests every day. Foreign media is sensationalist. Simply that. For anyone concerned for my safety be comforted in the fact that I /am/ cautious; I know what to do to keep myself protected, what to wear, what to say, and even want to listen for. I promise I'm safe. Unfortunately the only time something bad could happen is when you're in the mob demanding change.
I think a lot of people are really concerned about the situation in Cairo and I want to clear up a few things. On Sunday night, peaceful demonstrations began in Mespirro regarding the destruction of a Coptic church. These demonstrations were mostly Christian yet Muslims were still represented. At some point during the demonstration a group of what can be called "thugs" started attacking the demonstrators by throwing rocks and generally being aggressive. The sectarian violence is demonstrative of long-lasting hostility between religious groups in Cairo not to mention the conservative Salafi Muslim concentration in the areas of the protest. Soon the police joined in the fight and after the death of a few police officers the army (SCAF) showed up. In the media, the arrival of SCAF was portrayed as the protectors who were being attacked by the Copts and needed help. News stations broadcasted alerts for the people to help protect their army. People began to join in on the fight for various reasons. Eventually the military escalated to the point where massive violence broke out. In any mob-situation people get hurt and accidentally die. The military was using ammunition on unarmed protestors (or armed only with rocks or things on the ground). Many people I have talked to who live in the area saw that the armed vehicles were accelerating while chasing fleeing protestors. Many people were maimed or killed by being run over by a tank. Even after the violence dissipated looters were rampant in the neighborhood and many cars were vandalized or set on fire. Most of this occurred while the police watched from their garrison. As disturbing as this event was, especially since it's the worst thing to happen since the revolution, I was almost completely unaffected. I live far from the protests in an island connected only by bridges (ًnaturally) that can be shut off in case of emergencies. This didn't even occur on Sunday. As violent as it was these events are usually confined to very specific geographic areas. It is very very rare that one would "stumble" upon a protest and get caught in the mob. As soon as one is even being planned the entire city knows. Furthermore, since protests always happen on Fridays at Tahrir Square it is extremely easy to not go to these places. School has been conducted as usual with absolutely no difference. Even if the situation gets worse, I live in one of the safest places in the entire city.
Please understand that all of Cairo is not in flames, there aren't mobs on every corner, nor are there protests every day. Foreign media is sensationalist. Simply that. For anyone concerned for my safety be comforted in the fact that I /am/ cautious; I know what to do to keep myself protected, what to wear, what to say, and even want to listen for. I promise I'm safe. Unfortunately the only time something bad could happen is when you're in the mob demanding change.
