Well, judging by the date on the calendar, it's time for another log post.
There are only two more after this, and they are all pretty short.
I'm glad that I kept the log, but not sure that I'll really look back on them at any point. Maybe sometime in the future but... who knows.
I hope they haven't been a total bore. I know it's not quite the same to read as to live through and a lot of it is kind of repetitive.
:::
The weather has gotten chilly again. Cold nose chilly. Those couple days we had at 80 plus degrees were really nice. Looking forward to warmer weather for sure.
Not looking forward to allergies but they don't seem to have started up yet so that's a blessing. I guess it's only a matter of time. Unless my body decides not to be allergic this year.
In any case, weather should be nice tomorrow, if a little chilly at 60, and we may go out for a walk somewhere. Depends on if we can manage to get out of bed early enough.
We've tried a couple of days this week to get down to Tahrir Square to visit a bookstore, but we just slept too late to really go down and walk around and get back by when hubby needed to.
Speaking of revolutions and bookstores, the reason for the visit to the bookstore was to get a book that I found on learning Egyptian Arabic.
I decided, even though I had wanted to learn to speak it before of course, that it was really just imperative that I make more of an effort. This really came home to me during all the protests and everything when I was not able to understand a lot of what was in the news here because I couldn't get a translation.
So, insha'Allah, this book, which has a CD included, will be a big help along the way. Hubby has promised to practice with me, so we'll see how that goes. It's a little embarassing starting out, knowing you aren't pronouncing right and feeling a bit goofy, but hopefully with time and practice this will pass.
I really look forward to the day when I don't have to ask, "What does that say?", or "What were they talking about?"
Alright, on to today's log.
:::
Thursday, February 3rd
Heard a few gun shots after going to bed. They were loud and close. Didn't hear much else that I remember.
Finally had a decent and long enough nights sleep though, which was really needed.
5:33 p.m. and the call to prayer is playing. It's been a fairly quiet day outside. Just been watching the news and wondering what will happen. This government is sneaky and devious in the ways they are trying to gain favor and turn things around. It's really disgusting. I hope with all my heart that the protesters get what they want, and that they send the president packing. I hope with all my heart that they don't give up before they get what they want.
From reading postings online from some other ex-pats living here in Cairo, it seems I'm not the only one who was doing extra cleaning while the internet was down for almost a week. Without being able to leave the house at night and many places closed during the day, it was hard to find stuff to do. I'm glad I had some books to see me through what would have otherwise been a very dull time.
6:30 First gun shot of the evening.
6:42 Possibly a tank going by but not sure without getting up to look. Could have just been a heavy truck, though there shouldn't be any out at this point with the curfew, though we do get a small trickle of cars throughout the night.
7:55 tank time.
8:15 Helicopter going by.
I've heard that they are imposing a 24 hour curfew for tomorrow to try to keep anyone from going towards downtown to protest. The more moves the government makes to try to end this, the more they are rallying the people to try to fight them for their rights. The government is making all the wrong moves if they truly want to end this.
Getting more nervous as I hear about foreigners being attacked, and not just in Tahrir square. Pretty sure I won't be stepping outside the apartment for a while. Who knows what will happen in the next two days, but I pray we will be safe.
The president continues to play dirty to try to divide and conquer. I'm really disappointed that Christiane Amanpour, who I had thought of as a good journalist, would actually let her "interview" of the president out as it is just lies, lies, lies! Shame on her and on ABC for airing this garbage!!! (as an afterthought, it now being February 28th, I never did see the interview and I don't know the intention of airing it, though I doubt it was for anything on ABC's part except ratings/money. but, as much as i hate that the president is a liar and some people can't see past it, maybe some people were able to see through him. don't know.)
12:20 gun shot nearby
Reports that there is about to be a slaughter in Tahrir, that police and thugs are about to go in and start doing a lot of damage to the protesters. Also reports that there is no live coverage in Tahrir right now to witness what is going to happen! Sad and worried. (it seems that one of the tactics of the current regime is to strike fear and confusion in people!)
1:40 multiple gun shots nearby
2:30 Too tired and stressed from the news to watch it or read it any more tonight. Will focus on other things instead and try to relax and calm down. Hubby asked if I felt safe and I said no! From all I have read, no I don't feel safe. Hopefully some rest and less news will fix that.
3:15 gun shots in the distance
Hubby was watching al jazeera, they were saying there was 200k people now in Tahrir square, so it's possible that number could be 10 times as much by noon tomorrow!
5:30 a.m. and time for sleep!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Memories
My husband, from time to time, will tell me wonderful stories about things that happened when he was a child.
He was quite the mischievous little guy and the stories are often quite amusing. I love watching him smile and laugh as he spins the stories out for me.
I wish that I could remember my early years so well. At least I think I wish that.
When I try to remember my childhood, I can remember here and there an event, but it's never something funny or nice. It's usually something quite the opposite.
And also, it seems that many of my memories are really just pictures, I mean literally, I have seen the pictures from when I was younger and so though I don't remember the actual time or event, my memory is a picture of that time or event.
It's kind of strange. Kind of sad.
I wish I had memories to look back on and laugh and smile about.
However, my memory for current happenings, including recent history, are usually quite excellent. And not so much for hubby. It seems our memories, in ability to recall them, are quite reversed.
I wonder how it would be to have your whole life available on DVD to watch as you wished. Fast forward through the boring parts. The sleeping and being in class, etc., but to really see and feel the things you have long forgotten. What's the point of having memory if it doesn't work?
:::
I was browsing around online the other day and found a whole slew of people living in Cairo or other parts of Egypt who blog. Expats that is, people who have moved here from other countries.
I read a handful to see what they were like. Some were nice, some were boring. But I wonder what it is, everyone's obsession with writing out the minutiae of their life? Does this speak to a larger issue of disconnection? Of needing to be heard or validated? I don't know why I write, only that it's a need. I'm just not sure what's pushing that need.
I wish I had something more interesting to write about. Or some great wisdoms to share. Maybe thoughts about current politics and world events. But honestly I'm just not that deep. That's not to say I think I'm shallow, just... I guess my interests and emotions lay elsewhere, and for some reason they don't get shared here. I'm sure I must have, buried inside somewhere, something great to share. It's just... buried.
Okay, enough blathering on....
Today's log is shorter, as are the next (last) few after this.
And I wanted to point out, that although I mention a few times in this and other logs, that I wish things were getting back to normal, I don't mean that I wish things were exactly the same as before, president and all, I just mean that I wish things would settle down and we could get to living our lives without the constant interruption of the army and protesting and all the stuff that is going on.
That doesn't mean I don't care for what's happening. And I know it's an involved process and takes time. I just want some normalcy. I don't think that's too much to ask?
:::
Wednesday, February 2nd
1:30 p.m. and I'm woken by a helicopter flying directly overhead and also by my husband calling to see if the internet is working. Takes me a minute to get the computer up since I was sleeping, but yes, alhamdulillah, the internet is back.
Couple minutes later and now there are crowds down on the street chanting for the president. Lots of car horns honking in time with the people chanting. Not sure if they are walking down towards Tahrir or not. This is the second bunch I've heard in the last few minutes. Tempted to get the camera and go out but after just having woken and seen so many crowds pass by already previously, I just can't be bothered.
No idea what the news is yet but now that there's internet I need to check mail and news and lots of other things.
2:50 Well finally starting to get a look at the news in the media. Seems there has been so much support for the people of Egypt from people all over the world. I've just seen from CNN that there are injured protesters in Tahrir because the people now are divided about the president. Maybe hubby is right and this will turn into a civil war. I truly hope not.
I've just read where one of the pro presient protesters admitted that they were forced into doing it. Which is what I was writing about earlier, that I figured they were paid or given some other incentive. It seems forced is the answer, sadly.
Just seeing some pictures of the crowds of demonstraters in Tahrir square. Wow!!! Really amazing!
4:00 I have to say, being cut off from the media has had one good affect on me, which is that I didn't freak out like I might have if I'd seen all the videos and pictures on the news that I can see now. It's pretty crazy out there and I really hope this can come to a peaceful end soon.
4:21 Helicopter going by periodically. Still not sure what they are looking for, but maybe just keeping an eye on things and probably informing the army of what's happening from their vantage point in the sky.
6:00 Still trying to catch up on the news and what's happening currently. Seems that the pro president protesters in Tahrir are at least partially made up of plain clothed police and seem to be targeting people from the media. Shame on the government. Shame on the president. They say there will be change but it's lies as usual. As much as I want things to be back to normal, I also support the people in their continued protesting to bring about much needed change.
6:45 and having trouble with the internet. Not sure if it's gone down again or something else happening.
6:50 seems internet is okay and maybe there's just a lot of traffic or some slight hiccups getting everything going again. I really hope it doesn't go down like it did before. So hard to be cut off from everything.
7:30 and hubby has gone down to the cafe to watch news and talk with people. Been relatively quiet so far this evening since dark. Let's see what happens tonight.
8:10 Sounds like the first tank of the night is going by.
8:40 Can hear a chanting crowd somewhere down the street. Went out onto the balcony but couldn't see anything.
9:10 First gun shots of the evening, not too close.
9:30 Still getting helicopters close by every half hour or so.
10:40 Tank time!
12:45 a.m. gun shots.
Over all it's been a kind of a loud night the last few hours. Not sure if it's people arguing nearby or what but it always sounds like it's on the verge of breaking out into a fight.
The news isn't too good and it looks like the president is trying to fool everyone but still use the strong arm tactics he has always used. I hope the people see through it. I hope they can finally get him off his throne!
4:00 fairly uneventful evening in our area. Gun shots now and then but nothing major. Not too much tank traffic. All in all kind of quiet. Not sure about tomorrow!
He was quite the mischievous little guy and the stories are often quite amusing. I love watching him smile and laugh as he spins the stories out for me.
I wish that I could remember my early years so well. At least I think I wish that.
When I try to remember my childhood, I can remember here and there an event, but it's never something funny or nice. It's usually something quite the opposite.
And also, it seems that many of my memories are really just pictures, I mean literally, I have seen the pictures from when I was younger and so though I don't remember the actual time or event, my memory is a picture of that time or event.
It's kind of strange. Kind of sad.
I wish I had memories to look back on and laugh and smile about.
However, my memory for current happenings, including recent history, are usually quite excellent. And not so much for hubby. It seems our memories, in ability to recall them, are quite reversed.
I wonder how it would be to have your whole life available on DVD to watch as you wished. Fast forward through the boring parts. The sleeping and being in class, etc., but to really see and feel the things you have long forgotten. What's the point of having memory if it doesn't work?
:::
I was browsing around online the other day and found a whole slew of people living in Cairo or other parts of Egypt who blog. Expats that is, people who have moved here from other countries.
I read a handful to see what they were like. Some were nice, some were boring. But I wonder what it is, everyone's obsession with writing out the minutiae of their life? Does this speak to a larger issue of disconnection? Of needing to be heard or validated? I don't know why I write, only that it's a need. I'm just not sure what's pushing that need.
I wish I had something more interesting to write about. Or some great wisdoms to share. Maybe thoughts about current politics and world events. But honestly I'm just not that deep. That's not to say I think I'm shallow, just... I guess my interests and emotions lay elsewhere, and for some reason they don't get shared here. I'm sure I must have, buried inside somewhere, something great to share. It's just... buried.
Okay, enough blathering on....
Today's log is shorter, as are the next (last) few after this.
And I wanted to point out, that although I mention a few times in this and other logs, that I wish things were getting back to normal, I don't mean that I wish things were exactly the same as before, president and all, I just mean that I wish things would settle down and we could get to living our lives without the constant interruption of the army and protesting and all the stuff that is going on.
That doesn't mean I don't care for what's happening. And I know it's an involved process and takes time. I just want some normalcy. I don't think that's too much to ask?
:::
Wednesday, February 2nd
1:30 p.m. and I'm woken by a helicopter flying directly overhead and also by my husband calling to see if the internet is working. Takes me a minute to get the computer up since I was sleeping, but yes, alhamdulillah, the internet is back.
Couple minutes later and now there are crowds down on the street chanting for the president. Lots of car horns honking in time with the people chanting. Not sure if they are walking down towards Tahrir or not. This is the second bunch I've heard in the last few minutes. Tempted to get the camera and go out but after just having woken and seen so many crowds pass by already previously, I just can't be bothered.
No idea what the news is yet but now that there's internet I need to check mail and news and lots of other things.
2:50 Well finally starting to get a look at the news in the media. Seems there has been so much support for the people of Egypt from people all over the world. I've just seen from CNN that there are injured protesters in Tahrir because the people now are divided about the president. Maybe hubby is right and this will turn into a civil war. I truly hope not.
I've just read where one of the pro presient protesters admitted that they were forced into doing it. Which is what I was writing about earlier, that I figured they were paid or given some other incentive. It seems forced is the answer, sadly.
Just seeing some pictures of the crowds of demonstraters in Tahrir square. Wow!!! Really amazing!
4:00 I have to say, being cut off from the media has had one good affect on me, which is that I didn't freak out like I might have if I'd seen all the videos and pictures on the news that I can see now. It's pretty crazy out there and I really hope this can come to a peaceful end soon.
4:21 Helicopter going by periodically. Still not sure what they are looking for, but maybe just keeping an eye on things and probably informing the army of what's happening from their vantage point in the sky.
6:00 Still trying to catch up on the news and what's happening currently. Seems that the pro president protesters in Tahrir are at least partially made up of plain clothed police and seem to be targeting people from the media. Shame on the government. Shame on the president. They say there will be change but it's lies as usual. As much as I want things to be back to normal, I also support the people in their continued protesting to bring about much needed change.
6:45 and having trouble with the internet. Not sure if it's gone down again or something else happening.
6:50 seems internet is okay and maybe there's just a lot of traffic or some slight hiccups getting everything going again. I really hope it doesn't go down like it did before. So hard to be cut off from everything.
7:30 and hubby has gone down to the cafe to watch news and talk with people. Been relatively quiet so far this evening since dark. Let's see what happens tonight.
8:10 Sounds like the first tank of the night is going by.
8:40 Can hear a chanting crowd somewhere down the street. Went out onto the balcony but couldn't see anything.
9:10 First gun shots of the evening, not too close.
9:30 Still getting helicopters close by every half hour or so.
10:40 Tank time!
12:45 a.m. gun shots.
Over all it's been a kind of a loud night the last few hours. Not sure if it's people arguing nearby or what but it always sounds like it's on the verge of breaking out into a fight.
The news isn't too good and it looks like the president is trying to fool everyone but still use the strong arm tactics he has always used. I hope the people see through it. I hope they can finally get him off his throne!
4:00 fairly uneventful evening in our area. Gun shots now and then but nothing major. Not too much tank traffic. All in all kind of quiet. Not sure about tomorrow!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Fruit Loops and Captain Crunch
It's funny to me, well, maybe funny isn't the right word, but... weird, when I think back on the different foods I ate growing up and continuing until today.
As kids we like the sugary bright colored foods. Even as adults I'd say most people like sugary bright foods.
But aside from being a bit picky as to artificial flavors and colors, I surely can't eat the same foods I did when I was younger.
The thought of a large piece of chocolate cake gives me the shivers, and not in a good way. All that sugar and butter just makes me feel sick thinking about it, and I know if I ate it I wouldn't feel well.
I'm not sure if this is a case of having not eaten a lot of sugar for so long that my body just won't tolerate larger amounts, or just getting older or what.
But I often find myself fondly remembering eating things like cheese puffs or captain crunch with crunchberries or chocolate pop-tarts. Many many things that I wouldn't even think about eating today.
Sometimes I get a bit sad , wishing I could eat with abandon the way I did when I was younger, but upon further contemplation, I realize I don't want to fill my body with all that junk. It's not "real" food, it's chemically altered, manufactured, filled with artificial colors and flavors and stabilizers and stuff to make it last til dooms day.
So, now when hubby is eating something that I wouldn't touch, I find that a good sniff of it is enough (mostly) to fill any cravings, and I can be content with putting healthier foods into my body to keep it running.
If given the chance to go back in time for a day to eat whatever I wanted, to remember what all that junk tasted like and get a fill of it, I'd probably jump at the chance, given that there'd be no ill effects. I don't think anyone is turning back my clock though.
Okay, enough about food, on to today's log. This is the fourth I believe.
:::
Tuesday, February 1st
12:30 p.m. and I'm woken by the sound of protesters outside. My first thought is that it's going to be another day like last Friday.
I got out of bed, threw on some clothes, covered my hair and grabbed the camera on the way to the balcony. By the time I got there, the chanting had either died out or gone by me completely, and all I could catch was the end of the group marching right up Faisel Street, right along with the cars.
I'm not sure how big the group is since I missed the beginning of it, but when I called hubby who is down at the cafe to ask him what was going on, he said that they were marching all the way to Tahrir square and they hoped to attract other protesters to march along with them. So presumably the group, if it makes it that far, will be quite large.
My first hope is that everyone will be safe today and come to no harm. The violence really wears at me. No matter what it's for or the cause, it just really brings me down. I know people want change and things aren't always fair in life, but I guess I'm just a big peace baby at heart. lol
Anyways, there was some arguing down on the street after the protesters had gone by and I asked hubby what they were arguing about. He said they were mad about the protesters going because it meant their houses (everyone's houses?) would be unprotected from the thugs. This arguing was very loud and very animated and I wasn't so sure that it wouldn't break out in a fight, but it seemed to settle down after a few minutes.
I heard a helicopter going by shortly after the protesters went by, so I'm sure their progress is being followed.
God help the protesters and God help us all.
1:15 and I'm tired after too little sleep. I need a nap already!
2:50 Word is that there is half a million people in Tahrir square!!! Holy smokes can you even imagine that number of people in one place? I can't. And especially not in that area. It is large but I don't see how it could hold that number of people. It must be absolute chaos there. I'm told that the number of protesters who were for the current president and against today's protesters and very small in number. Which I think is good news and hopefully will help to prevent any major disaster. I guess a decision is expected today on whether the president will stay or go. If he stays, I'm not sure if the protesters will stop or what will happen. I guess this will be a long few hours of waiting to find out what will happen.
5:00 Dishes and laundry are done and I've just finished book ten of the Sookie Stackhouse stories, so I'll need to find something new to occupy me as far as reading goes. Feeling antsy and restless and there's not much to keep me occupied at the moment. Thinking of family and friends back home.
5:30 We lay down to try to get some rest before the evening really starts up. There is a helicopter making regular sweeps of the area.
7:00 Neither of us could find sleep so we just talked about what was happening.
It's pretty windy outside tonight and definitely chillier. Not sure if that will affect the groups out in the streets or not.
7:30 Hubby heard that the group in Tahrir that was for the president had grown to 6,000 people, which still seems like nothing compared to the half a million who want the president gone. However, it appears that with those 6k people, there are movie stars and journalists or other famous people, who are making a claim that the president is their father and how can the people act this way, etc., etc.
Now when I first heard that there were going to be people protesting against the protesters, who wanted to keep the current president, I found it really hard to believe, and my thought was that they were either relatives of the current government who had been rallied together, or just people who were getting paid to take a stand against the protesters. When I heard that actors had gotten in on it, it made me feel even more sure that these were people who were getting paid money or some other form of incentive to try to dissuade the protesters. Honestly it's just kind of sick. The abuses that the government have heaped on the people, and for some famous folk to get up and try to use their status to get people to go back to being subservient sheep. They should be ashamed of themselves.
8:30 helicopter passing close by.
It's actually been fairly quiet this evening so far, which is a good thing. Not sure if it's the cool weather or something else keeping people inside. Or maybe they're all down at Tahrir square.
9:00 helicopters going by every 15 minutes or so.
9:18 Just called hubby who's down at the cafe. It was just announced that the president will give a speech, though it wasn't announced what time the speech would be, so everyone is waiting. Someone else is speaking right now in a live interview but I can't remember who he said it was. One of the ministers perhaps.
10:20 first tank i've heard tonight
Five days now with no internet. Although we aren't getting news online, there is still news to be heard. And hubby has noticed that the news agencies here are finally starting to turn around and actually report instead of just echoing what the government wants them to. It would be nice if they continued on the path of getting actual information out.
Watching the movie Troy. Can't say the acting is great but the story seems appropriate. People fighting for what they want and love.
11:10 Hubby called and it seems the president gave his speech. He has conceded and will not run for re-election. There is more to it but I didn't get the details.
Congratulations to Egypt and her people! I'm sure there will be much celebrating, though there is much work to be done moving forward.
Supposedly the internet will be back tonight, but no idea if and when that will happen.
I can hear what sounds like a crowd outside somewhere chanting and some random single gunshots. Celebrating? :)
I did find out yesterday what the deal was with the police letting the prisoners out of jail. I'll have to ask hubby because my mind has misplaced the details, but it was in relation to one man being mad at another for something.
I'm surprised there really isn't more celebrating outside. I wonder what it will be like tomorrow. And will the nights continue? The thugs are still loose and the police never did show up in our neighborhood. So much remains to be seen.
12:00 Called the folks and were talking with them for a bit when hubby and I started to hear a crowd chanting and getting closer. I was still on the phone with my parents and so I went out onto the balcony so they could hear. I couldn't tell where the crowd was at first but they were coming from further down the street in our direction and they finally got to the spot where we could see them. And then there was quite a bit of gun fire happening. I think it made my parents a little nervous but I guess I'm used to it? I mean not really, but my thought was, "dang, I can't record this with my camera while I'm on the phone". lol?
Turns out that the people are not happy that Mubarak will stay until his term is over, they want him to leave NOW! Can't blame them, because I can't see what would change if he stays til elections in September, but unless someone else steps up, what can happen?
1:30 and hubby has gone back down to the cafe to watch the news. He's worried about what will happen to the people who aren't leaving Tahrir square.
Things sure are a mess at the moment. I definitely think there should have been some better leadership or plan going into this "revolution", but there wasn't.
I can hear a crowd again outside as I'm writing this. Who knows what they're doing.
Anyways, be careful what you wish for right?
2:20 gun shots and crowd in the distance.
2:45 gun shots. went outside to see what all the commotion was about and there were overloaded minibuses (heading towards Tahrir square) full of people yelling and chanting. was taking video and someone starting shooting. a lot. i kept the camera going but stood back against the wall behind me, so i was blocked from being in the line of fire by the side of the patio.
it seems that now the people are happy with the president's announcement and are chanting good things about the president? i don't understand how can this be! hubby thinks there could well be a civil war if people can't get their act together and their story straight. and i don't think anyone wants a civil war.
Weirder and weirder i tell you. Even hubby is concerned about going outside tomorrow.
3:15 and another small crowd chanting as they walk up the road towards Tahrir square. This is how my day started at just past noon and I guess it's how my day will end. I think this is the 4th group I've seen today going that direction up the road. I think fourth but it could be more, I'm losing track.
3:50 Watched two movies tonight and can't settle on anything to read. Tired from not enough sleep lately and a little too much nervous energy. Time for bed I think. I'll be happy if we're not woken by gun shots or any more crowds going by.
As kids we like the sugary bright colored foods. Even as adults I'd say most people like sugary bright foods.
But aside from being a bit picky as to artificial flavors and colors, I surely can't eat the same foods I did when I was younger.
The thought of a large piece of chocolate cake gives me the shivers, and not in a good way. All that sugar and butter just makes me feel sick thinking about it, and I know if I ate it I wouldn't feel well.
I'm not sure if this is a case of having not eaten a lot of sugar for so long that my body just won't tolerate larger amounts, or just getting older or what.
But I often find myself fondly remembering eating things like cheese puffs or captain crunch with crunchberries or chocolate pop-tarts. Many many things that I wouldn't even think about eating today.
Sometimes I get a bit sad , wishing I could eat with abandon the way I did when I was younger, but upon further contemplation, I realize I don't want to fill my body with all that junk. It's not "real" food, it's chemically altered, manufactured, filled with artificial colors and flavors and stabilizers and stuff to make it last til dooms day.
So, now when hubby is eating something that I wouldn't touch, I find that a good sniff of it is enough (mostly) to fill any cravings, and I can be content with putting healthier foods into my body to keep it running.
If given the chance to go back in time for a day to eat whatever I wanted, to remember what all that junk tasted like and get a fill of it, I'd probably jump at the chance, given that there'd be no ill effects. I don't think anyone is turning back my clock though.
Okay, enough about food, on to today's log. This is the fourth I believe.
:::
Tuesday, February 1st
12:30 p.m. and I'm woken by the sound of protesters outside. My first thought is that it's going to be another day like last Friday.
I got out of bed, threw on some clothes, covered my hair and grabbed the camera on the way to the balcony. By the time I got there, the chanting had either died out or gone by me completely, and all I could catch was the end of the group marching right up Faisel Street, right along with the cars.
I'm not sure how big the group is since I missed the beginning of it, but when I called hubby who is down at the cafe to ask him what was going on, he said that they were marching all the way to Tahrir square and they hoped to attract other protesters to march along with them. So presumably the group, if it makes it that far, will be quite large.
My first hope is that everyone will be safe today and come to no harm. The violence really wears at me. No matter what it's for or the cause, it just really brings me down. I know people want change and things aren't always fair in life, but I guess I'm just a big peace baby at heart. lol
Anyways, there was some arguing down on the street after the protesters had gone by and I asked hubby what they were arguing about. He said they were mad about the protesters going because it meant their houses (everyone's houses?) would be unprotected from the thugs. This arguing was very loud and very animated and I wasn't so sure that it wouldn't break out in a fight, but it seemed to settle down after a few minutes.
I heard a helicopter going by shortly after the protesters went by, so I'm sure their progress is being followed.
God help the protesters and God help us all.
1:15 and I'm tired after too little sleep. I need a nap already!
2:50 Word is that there is half a million people in Tahrir square!!! Holy smokes can you even imagine that number of people in one place? I can't. And especially not in that area. It is large but I don't see how it could hold that number of people. It must be absolute chaos there. I'm told that the number of protesters who were for the current president and against today's protesters and very small in number. Which I think is good news and hopefully will help to prevent any major disaster. I guess a decision is expected today on whether the president will stay or go. If he stays, I'm not sure if the protesters will stop or what will happen. I guess this will be a long few hours of waiting to find out what will happen.
5:00 Dishes and laundry are done and I've just finished book ten of the Sookie Stackhouse stories, so I'll need to find something new to occupy me as far as reading goes. Feeling antsy and restless and there's not much to keep me occupied at the moment. Thinking of family and friends back home.
5:30 We lay down to try to get some rest before the evening really starts up. There is a helicopter making regular sweeps of the area.
7:00 Neither of us could find sleep so we just talked about what was happening.
It's pretty windy outside tonight and definitely chillier. Not sure if that will affect the groups out in the streets or not.
7:30 Hubby heard that the group in Tahrir that was for the president had grown to 6,000 people, which still seems like nothing compared to the half a million who want the president gone. However, it appears that with those 6k people, there are movie stars and journalists or other famous people, who are making a claim that the president is their father and how can the people act this way, etc., etc.
Now when I first heard that there were going to be people protesting against the protesters, who wanted to keep the current president, I found it really hard to believe, and my thought was that they were either relatives of the current government who had been rallied together, or just people who were getting paid to take a stand against the protesters. When I heard that actors had gotten in on it, it made me feel even more sure that these were people who were getting paid money or some other form of incentive to try to dissuade the protesters. Honestly it's just kind of sick. The abuses that the government have heaped on the people, and for some famous folk to get up and try to use their status to get people to go back to being subservient sheep. They should be ashamed of themselves.
8:30 helicopter passing close by.
It's actually been fairly quiet this evening so far, which is a good thing. Not sure if it's the cool weather or something else keeping people inside. Or maybe they're all down at Tahrir square.
9:00 helicopters going by every 15 minutes or so.
9:18 Just called hubby who's down at the cafe. It was just announced that the president will give a speech, though it wasn't announced what time the speech would be, so everyone is waiting. Someone else is speaking right now in a live interview but I can't remember who he said it was. One of the ministers perhaps.
10:20 first tank i've heard tonight
Five days now with no internet. Although we aren't getting news online, there is still news to be heard. And hubby has noticed that the news agencies here are finally starting to turn around and actually report instead of just echoing what the government wants them to. It would be nice if they continued on the path of getting actual information out.
Watching the movie Troy. Can't say the acting is great but the story seems appropriate. People fighting for what they want and love.
11:10 Hubby called and it seems the president gave his speech. He has conceded and will not run for re-election. There is more to it but I didn't get the details.
Congratulations to Egypt and her people! I'm sure there will be much celebrating, though there is much work to be done moving forward.
Supposedly the internet will be back tonight, but no idea if and when that will happen.
I can hear what sounds like a crowd outside somewhere chanting and some random single gunshots. Celebrating? :)
I did find out yesterday what the deal was with the police letting the prisoners out of jail. I'll have to ask hubby because my mind has misplaced the details, but it was in relation to one man being mad at another for something.
I'm surprised there really isn't more celebrating outside. I wonder what it will be like tomorrow. And will the nights continue? The thugs are still loose and the police never did show up in our neighborhood. So much remains to be seen.
12:00 Called the folks and were talking with them for a bit when hubby and I started to hear a crowd chanting and getting closer. I was still on the phone with my parents and so I went out onto the balcony so they could hear. I couldn't tell where the crowd was at first but they were coming from further down the street in our direction and they finally got to the spot where we could see them. And then there was quite a bit of gun fire happening. I think it made my parents a little nervous but I guess I'm used to it? I mean not really, but my thought was, "dang, I can't record this with my camera while I'm on the phone". lol?
Turns out that the people are not happy that Mubarak will stay until his term is over, they want him to leave NOW! Can't blame them, because I can't see what would change if he stays til elections in September, but unless someone else steps up, what can happen?
1:30 and hubby has gone back down to the cafe to watch the news. He's worried about what will happen to the people who aren't leaving Tahrir square.
Things sure are a mess at the moment. I definitely think there should have been some better leadership or plan going into this "revolution", but there wasn't.
I can hear a crowd again outside as I'm writing this. Who knows what they're doing.
Anyways, be careful what you wish for right?
2:20 gun shots and crowd in the distance.
2:45 gun shots. went outside to see what all the commotion was about and there were overloaded minibuses (heading towards Tahrir square) full of people yelling and chanting. was taking video and someone starting shooting. a lot. i kept the camera going but stood back against the wall behind me, so i was blocked from being in the line of fire by the side of the patio.
it seems that now the people are happy with the president's announcement and are chanting good things about the president? i don't understand how can this be! hubby thinks there could well be a civil war if people can't get their act together and their story straight. and i don't think anyone wants a civil war.
Weirder and weirder i tell you. Even hubby is concerned about going outside tomorrow.
3:15 and another small crowd chanting as they walk up the road towards Tahrir square. This is how my day started at just past noon and I guess it's how my day will end. I think this is the 4th group I've seen today going that direction up the road. I think fourth but it could be more, I'm losing track.
3:50 Watched two movies tonight and can't settle on anything to read. Tired from not enough sleep lately and a little too much nervous energy. Time for bed I think. I'll be happy if we're not woken by gun shots or any more crowds going by.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Me again
Not much going on in the "exciting" department.
Had some power outages recently and aside from that, some burnt out lightbulbs. Not sure what the power outages were about but I hope they aren't starting early for the summer!
The light bulbs were a bit of a pain since one was in the kitchen and we didn't have any spares and hubby couldn't get home to get me one til later in the evening. I suppose I could have walked down to the store but it wasn't that urgent. The only thing really waiting was dishes. And I really wasn't in any hurry to do them.
Actually, hubby bought me a new mop last week or so and that really is kind of exciting! :D
Seems goofy but when your mop goes bad and you can't clean your floor well, it's a bit of a pain, especially when sand storm season heats up. So, despite the fact that it's kind of fluorescent pink and yellow, I am happy and it mops well. lol
We might be inheriting some couches from one of the family's other apartments, and then recovering them. I'm kind of excited about that too actually. Well, not sure if they'll get recovered at first or we'll buy the kind of cover you just put over the whole couch. I'd prefer to get them entirely reupholstered and get new cushions but I'm not sure which it will be.
Also, finally got a pie plate, so I can make actual pie now.
I guess I did have some exciting stuff. :D
Today is part 3 of the log. So without further ado...
:::
Monday, January 31st
Sleep by 6:30 a.m. or so and wake by 10:30. Not by choice but hubby woke, I think it was his phone ringing. I thought I'd go back to sleep but after laying in bed for an hour I could see that wasn't going to happen.
Sunny today and a little chilly. Traffic outside but not heavy like before.
Hubby went to the store and got a few things. Crowded at the store but not too bad.
Helicopter passed by a little while ago.
No water in the apartment since I woke up. Not sure if it's just the normal thing of water being out but it doesn't seem like it since it's usually only out for a short while. It's been out for over an hour now, close to two I guess. We did fill up a case of emtpy water bottles on Friday night, so we have water to wash hands and stuff, but I'm really happy I did all the dishes and most of the laundry yesterday.
I feel the need to get outside as I'm starting to feel a little too restless and cooped up. Not sure if I'll get outside before it gets dark or not. Apparently, the curfew has been moved up to 3 p.m. now!! Why so early I don't know and I find it ridiculous! I'll be very interested to see what happens with the police supposedly guarding the streets and if we'll see them tonight.
Still no internet. This is day 4. Most of what I've been doing is reading. I think it's time to watch something and give my reading a break.
2:15 and getting out for a walk before curfew starts!
3:00 and back from our walk. Was really nice out, little bit of a chill but I was too warm with my fleece jacket. The sky is a brilliant blue. Just really beautiful out today.
Many people out walking around going from place to place, I imagine mostly buying groceries. I noticed on the main street that most of the shops were closed and some were closing as we walked by.
We made it over to Pyramid street and right as we came out, on the left, were tanks!! Boy I was excited and I asked hubby if we should ask them if it was okay to take pictures and he said that he thought they would say no, so we should sneak them. Tried to get video but no idea how that came out yet, and he got a few shots of me with the tanks in the background. Yay!
I just felt so happy to be outside with the sun on my face and getting some "fresh" air. It's hard being cooped up all the time. And there's really no way for me to go out at all once it's dark now. Too dangerous. There really aren't any women out on the streets past dark now.
Hubby heard that there were fresh protests in Tahrir square because people felt that though there are some changes being made, they are just surface changes and nothing will really be different. Sounds about right from what I can tell, and I say good for them. Keep at it til you get what you want.
I know it's hard on everyone. I don't know the percentage of people still going to work but it must be pretty small. I'm sure it's hit the taxi drivers very hard and I feel bad for them. This hits so many places that you wouldn't really think of. I think the people probably doing okay are the stores selling food. I think just about everything else is probably suffering.
To be honest, yes I wish this was over and that things could get back to some form of normal. Mainly I think it's just kind of exhausting to not know what's happening or how things will be moving forward, and I think just about everyone is a little on edge. You can feel it in the air. At least I can. Excited, nervous, hopeful.
4:00 and there is news that they might cut the power, so we're making sure laptops and whatever else are charged. The water did come back on earlier, so we're okay there until (and if) the power goes out, at which point the water pump will not work so we would be without power or water. Joy! Just like summer only not. lol
5:15 Been standing out on the balcony for a little while, just watching the neighborhood hum. First gun shots of the night a few streets over. The sun hasn't even quite hit the horizon yet. The traffic has died down considerably and I don't see any more women walking around, just men now. Wondering when and if the police will get here.
I actually saw quite a bit of air traffic while I was out on the balcony. Six planes. I think that they were all leaving as opposed to coming, but I don't know for sure. I can't imagine why anyone would by flying into Egypt now, unless they were Egyptian or had family here. I heard that the embassies were offering to help people who couldn't afford to get out, but I'm not sure if that was just the U.S. embassy or others as well. I imagine a lot of foreigners have left. Not a majority by any means, but quite a few I'm sure.
5:30 and the evening call to prayer. It's starting to get chilly outside. And I'm told the police are on their way! Let's see what tonight brings.
9:42 It's fairly loud out in the streets as it has been the last few nights with small groups of guys walking around and "protecting" the area. Although the police might be on their way, I guess they haven't gotten to our area yet. After I have some dinner I'll go out on the balcony to have a look around.
There was news that the president (or someone) told the internet provider companies to be ready to turn the internet back on when the word was given, so hopefully it will be very soon. Hard to be so cut off from the world. If we had a t.v. at the house or I could easily get a Western paper, maybe we wouldn't feel so cut off. Hubby has been listening to a little radio quite a bit to keep up with the news as best he can.
10:30 before I hear a tank rolling by, though there could have been some earlier that I didn't hear. This was one of the louder ones and much easier to hear, even though I was in the kitchen doing dishes.
11:00 gun shots in the distance.
12:00 Been waiting out on the balcony for a while in hopes of catching a tank passing by, but the schedule doesn't seem to be reliable at all tonight.
Called hubby who is down at the cafe watching the news and chatting. He heard that there would be protests tomorrow but that they were supposed to be peaceful, that the police had orders not to shoot. He also said that he heard that the U.S. government told the Egyptian president that if one more person was killed that the U.S. would stop all aid to Egypt. Wow! That's a pretty big statement. And Egypt certainly can't afford to lose the aid that they are receiving. I don't know that they spend it well but they can't afford to lose it in any case.
Really bored. I feel like I'm missing the excitment down on the street but there's really nothing to be missing. I'm just getting tired of feeling like I'm waiting for something to happen and not knowing what that something is.
Time to read or watch a movie.
1:00 Lots of noise and commotion down on the street for a little while now, but I'm tired and cold and don't feel like getting decent enough to go out on the balcony and see what's going on.
1:01 I can hear a tank going by.
1:17 and still a lot of commotion in the street nearby. Can't imagine what's going on.
1:30 Finally called hubby to see what all the noise is and he says it's from guys playing soccer. lol
1:40 Hubby called to ask me to drop something down from the balcony to him, and while I was out there I could hear there was a tank coming, so I dropped the item down to hubby, and then despite the fact that I am wearing flip flops and our floors are all tile, I ran into the apartment pell mell, grabbed the camera off our bed and turned it on while running back to the balcony, just in time to finally film a tank going by. I couldn't tell where it was when I first heard it coming, I just knew that it was coming, so unfortunately, it's passing by on the far side of the street, behind a fence, but I think the video probably still came out okay. Would be nice to get one while it was passing on the street just below. Hubby got a video of one with his cell phone, but, it's on his cell phone. lol
Also, while I was out there I saw the guys playing soccer. Right in the middle of Faisel street. Which would never have been able to happen in a million years before this whole revolution of sorts started. The street is always busy, and even at the wee hours like 3 and 4 a.m., there are still cars coming by. It quiets of course, but it's never truly empty like it mostly is now at night.
I do still see cars go by on the road on occasion at night, even though there is curfew, but I'm not sure if they have a special permission or they're just risking being out. Not sure what the punishment is for being out driving during curfew.
I heard that the Metro, the light rail here, is being stopped during curfew hours, as well as the choo choo trains. Steam trains? lol
So things are coming to a halt pretty much at night. Except for the groups of guys hanging out.
3:00 Hubby home and the big news is that although there is supposed to be a very large amount of protesters tomorrow in Tahrir square, and that the protest is supposed to be peaceful, now there is word that there is also a very large group who is taking the opposite side of the protesters, supposedly wanting the current president to stay in office. I can hardly believe it, but if this is the case, tomorrow could well turn out to be very violent and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some deaths involved.
Every day brings news but it's not always welcome. Really wish the internet would come back.
4:15 a.m. The quran has started playing on a speaker somewhere nearby.
5:00 tank going by.
5:30 ginormous cat fight in the stairwell. lol The cats are fierce here!
5:53 tank going by.
Had some power outages recently and aside from that, some burnt out lightbulbs. Not sure what the power outages were about but I hope they aren't starting early for the summer!
The light bulbs were a bit of a pain since one was in the kitchen and we didn't have any spares and hubby couldn't get home to get me one til later in the evening. I suppose I could have walked down to the store but it wasn't that urgent. The only thing really waiting was dishes. And I really wasn't in any hurry to do them.
Actually, hubby bought me a new mop last week or so and that really is kind of exciting! :D
Seems goofy but when your mop goes bad and you can't clean your floor well, it's a bit of a pain, especially when sand storm season heats up. So, despite the fact that it's kind of fluorescent pink and yellow, I am happy and it mops well. lol
We might be inheriting some couches from one of the family's other apartments, and then recovering them. I'm kind of excited about that too actually. Well, not sure if they'll get recovered at first or we'll buy the kind of cover you just put over the whole couch. I'd prefer to get them entirely reupholstered and get new cushions but I'm not sure which it will be.
Also, finally got a pie plate, so I can make actual pie now.
I guess I did have some exciting stuff. :D
Today is part 3 of the log. So without further ado...
:::
Monday, January 31st
Sleep by 6:30 a.m. or so and wake by 10:30. Not by choice but hubby woke, I think it was his phone ringing. I thought I'd go back to sleep but after laying in bed for an hour I could see that wasn't going to happen.
Sunny today and a little chilly. Traffic outside but not heavy like before.
Hubby went to the store and got a few things. Crowded at the store but not too bad.
Helicopter passed by a little while ago.
No water in the apartment since I woke up. Not sure if it's just the normal thing of water being out but it doesn't seem like it since it's usually only out for a short while. It's been out for over an hour now, close to two I guess. We did fill up a case of emtpy water bottles on Friday night, so we have water to wash hands and stuff, but I'm really happy I did all the dishes and most of the laundry yesterday.
I feel the need to get outside as I'm starting to feel a little too restless and cooped up. Not sure if I'll get outside before it gets dark or not. Apparently, the curfew has been moved up to 3 p.m. now!! Why so early I don't know and I find it ridiculous! I'll be very interested to see what happens with the police supposedly guarding the streets and if we'll see them tonight.
Still no internet. This is day 4. Most of what I've been doing is reading. I think it's time to watch something and give my reading a break.
2:15 and getting out for a walk before curfew starts!
3:00 and back from our walk. Was really nice out, little bit of a chill but I was too warm with my fleece jacket. The sky is a brilliant blue. Just really beautiful out today.
Many people out walking around going from place to place, I imagine mostly buying groceries. I noticed on the main street that most of the shops were closed and some were closing as we walked by.
We made it over to Pyramid street and right as we came out, on the left, were tanks!! Boy I was excited and I asked hubby if we should ask them if it was okay to take pictures and he said that he thought they would say no, so we should sneak them. Tried to get video but no idea how that came out yet, and he got a few shots of me with the tanks in the background. Yay!
I just felt so happy to be outside with the sun on my face and getting some "fresh" air. It's hard being cooped up all the time. And there's really no way for me to go out at all once it's dark now. Too dangerous. There really aren't any women out on the streets past dark now.
Hubby heard that there were fresh protests in Tahrir square because people felt that though there are some changes being made, they are just surface changes and nothing will really be different. Sounds about right from what I can tell, and I say good for them. Keep at it til you get what you want.
I know it's hard on everyone. I don't know the percentage of people still going to work but it must be pretty small. I'm sure it's hit the taxi drivers very hard and I feel bad for them. This hits so many places that you wouldn't really think of. I think the people probably doing okay are the stores selling food. I think just about everything else is probably suffering.
To be honest, yes I wish this was over and that things could get back to some form of normal. Mainly I think it's just kind of exhausting to not know what's happening or how things will be moving forward, and I think just about everyone is a little on edge. You can feel it in the air. At least I can. Excited, nervous, hopeful.
4:00 and there is news that they might cut the power, so we're making sure laptops and whatever else are charged. The water did come back on earlier, so we're okay there until (and if) the power goes out, at which point the water pump will not work so we would be without power or water. Joy! Just like summer only not. lol
5:15 Been standing out on the balcony for a little while, just watching the neighborhood hum. First gun shots of the night a few streets over. The sun hasn't even quite hit the horizon yet. The traffic has died down considerably and I don't see any more women walking around, just men now. Wondering when and if the police will get here.
I actually saw quite a bit of air traffic while I was out on the balcony. Six planes. I think that they were all leaving as opposed to coming, but I don't know for sure. I can't imagine why anyone would by flying into Egypt now, unless they were Egyptian or had family here. I heard that the embassies were offering to help people who couldn't afford to get out, but I'm not sure if that was just the U.S. embassy or others as well. I imagine a lot of foreigners have left. Not a majority by any means, but quite a few I'm sure.
5:30 and the evening call to prayer. It's starting to get chilly outside. And I'm told the police are on their way! Let's see what tonight brings.
9:42 It's fairly loud out in the streets as it has been the last few nights with small groups of guys walking around and "protecting" the area. Although the police might be on their way, I guess they haven't gotten to our area yet. After I have some dinner I'll go out on the balcony to have a look around.
There was news that the president (or someone) told the internet provider companies to be ready to turn the internet back on when the word was given, so hopefully it will be very soon. Hard to be so cut off from the world. If we had a t.v. at the house or I could easily get a Western paper, maybe we wouldn't feel so cut off. Hubby has been listening to a little radio quite a bit to keep up with the news as best he can.
10:30 before I hear a tank rolling by, though there could have been some earlier that I didn't hear. This was one of the louder ones and much easier to hear, even though I was in the kitchen doing dishes.
11:00 gun shots in the distance.
12:00 Been waiting out on the balcony for a while in hopes of catching a tank passing by, but the schedule doesn't seem to be reliable at all tonight.
Called hubby who is down at the cafe watching the news and chatting. He heard that there would be protests tomorrow but that they were supposed to be peaceful, that the police had orders not to shoot. He also said that he heard that the U.S. government told the Egyptian president that if one more person was killed that the U.S. would stop all aid to Egypt. Wow! That's a pretty big statement. And Egypt certainly can't afford to lose the aid that they are receiving. I don't know that they spend it well but they can't afford to lose it in any case.
Really bored. I feel like I'm missing the excitment down on the street but there's really nothing to be missing. I'm just getting tired of feeling like I'm waiting for something to happen and not knowing what that something is.
Time to read or watch a movie.
1:00 Lots of noise and commotion down on the street for a little while now, but I'm tired and cold and don't feel like getting decent enough to go out on the balcony and see what's going on.
1:01 I can hear a tank going by.
1:17 and still a lot of commotion in the street nearby. Can't imagine what's going on.
1:30 Finally called hubby to see what all the noise is and he says it's from guys playing soccer. lol
1:40 Hubby called to ask me to drop something down from the balcony to him, and while I was out there I could hear there was a tank coming, so I dropped the item down to hubby, and then despite the fact that I am wearing flip flops and our floors are all tile, I ran into the apartment pell mell, grabbed the camera off our bed and turned it on while running back to the balcony, just in time to finally film a tank going by. I couldn't tell where it was when I first heard it coming, I just knew that it was coming, so unfortunately, it's passing by on the far side of the street, behind a fence, but I think the video probably still came out okay. Would be nice to get one while it was passing on the street just below. Hubby got a video of one with his cell phone, but, it's on his cell phone. lol
Also, while I was out there I saw the guys playing soccer. Right in the middle of Faisel street. Which would never have been able to happen in a million years before this whole revolution of sorts started. The street is always busy, and even at the wee hours like 3 and 4 a.m., there are still cars coming by. It quiets of course, but it's never truly empty like it mostly is now at night.
I do still see cars go by on the road on occasion at night, even though there is curfew, but I'm not sure if they have a special permission or they're just risking being out. Not sure what the punishment is for being out driving during curfew.
I heard that the Metro, the light rail here, is being stopped during curfew hours, as well as the choo choo trains. Steam trains? lol
So things are coming to a halt pretty much at night. Except for the groups of guys hanging out.
3:00 Hubby home and the big news is that although there is supposed to be a very large amount of protesters tomorrow in Tahrir square, and that the protest is supposed to be peaceful, now there is word that there is also a very large group who is taking the opposite side of the protesters, supposedly wanting the current president to stay in office. I can hardly believe it, but if this is the case, tomorrow could well turn out to be very violent and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some deaths involved.
Every day brings news but it's not always welcome. Really wish the internet would come back.
4:15 a.m. The quran has started playing on a speaker somewhere nearby.
5:00 tank going by.
5:30 ginormous cat fight in the stairwell. lol The cats are fierce here!
5:53 tank going by.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
Alright, yes, I do remember Mister Rogers fondly. I was just thinking about what a beautiful day it was today and that song popped into my head.
I think it was a little above 75 degrees today, though it's supposed to go back down to mid 60's tomorrow and after.
Still, days are getting longer, weather is getting warmer, and pretty soon it will be too warm for the heavy blanket on the bed, at which point it will go into storage until around December.
I love Spring.
Well, except for the allergies. lol
:::
Alright, after I posted today's post, I got a bug to redo the page, so yes, same blog but different colors and design to it. Let me know what you think. Like it, hate it, text too small, ugly colors, whatever.
:::
Things seem to be progressing here, though admittedly I am not keeping up with all of the latest news. I do get headlines and an occasional story but after all the constant news watching I did for a couple of weeks I really need a break from all that.
One thing that I have found very interesting, is that the government, well, now the military, send out text messages to everyone on their cell phones.
The way cell phones work here, is that you buy a sim card, which has a phone number on it, and put that in your phone, and then you buy some minutes for your phone and that's it!
Although you can buy a monthly subscription here for your phone, what the majority of people do is to buy minutes for their phone, no monthly plan involved.
So instead of paying a monthly bill, you just go to any corner stand or grocery and you will be able to buy cards (they are like the gift cards you can buy in the States for places like Target, etc.) worth a certain monetary amount, and then you enter the card information into your phone by dialing the phone company and entering the "fill up" number, and it fills up your phone with a corresponding number of minutes you can talk for.
So anyways, I have received probably 7 or so text messages on my cell phone, all in Arabic of course, from the government and military. Mostly just saying that they are here to protect the citizens and everything is fine.
And many other people are getting the messages as well. I even got one on my internet connection, which looks like a memory stick that you put in the USB port on your computer. The connection uses a sim card of course. Though that is on a monthly plan.
Well, the point is, I find this a really great means of communicating with citizens, and I'm wondering why this isn't done in the States? Or if it is done there, why it isn't more widespread, because I've never heard of it being done there. Seems like an effective way to get in touch with people during an emergency.
And of course, no matter how poor the people are here in Egypt, pretty much everyone has a cell phone.
:::
Okay, on with today's log. It's a bit shorter than the last one. And maybe not as interesting. I can't remember now though I read it last night. lol
One thing to note, I'm copy and pasting the text into this window from the file I originally wrote in. I have not made any spelling or other grammatical changes to clean the log up. This was how it was written and that's how it will stay.
Next post to come on Monday insha'Allah.
:::
Sunday, January 30th
Was asleep by 7 a.m. Woke several times and though hubby was out of bed by 11:30 or so, I actually managed to sleep til 2:30.
Just finished doing some cleaning on the balcony and hubby is cleaning the floors.
3:45 p.m. and we can hear some type of jet fighter flying by. Alright, I went outside to check them out. There were 2 jets and they made many many passes in the area. I tried to get some video but, you know, they move pretty fast and it's hard to estimate where they're going to come from exactly. The last couple of passes they made were so low that it was starting to get painful to listen to, even inside.
I was honestly a bit nervous, figuring that it was bad that they were flying around, but hubby thinks it's a good thing, to scare any thugs and report any masses to the army down on the street.
Speaking of which, we will not have army on our street, they will be on Pyramid street, which I mentioned is a 5 to 10 minute walk away. So, our streets will continue to be manned by the residents and I can only assume that tonight and some nights further, will be like last night.
Anyways, the jets stopped about 4:15 or so, so I had a good while to watch them flying overhead. Which, despite the fact that it made me a little nervous because I wasn't sure of their intent at the time, was actually pretty awesome. They are great to watch and I kind of felt like I was getting my own private air show.
5:40 now and the evening call to prayer is sounding. I heard today that the curfew starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m.? Not sure the end time in the morning, but starting it at 4 seems a bit early. That's almost 2 hours before the sun hits the horizon.
Also heard that the president named a vice president for the first time in 30 years, though there is always supposed to have been one, and an elected one, not one who was appointed. Although it's a good step that there is at least a vice president, even if the people didn't get to elect him, the problem is that he's the equivalent of the head of the CIA or something like that. I'm not sure that's a great person to have as a vice president.
And even if the president is replacing ministers, I still don't trust what is happening.
The president shut down the only news agency that was reporting the truth here in Egypt, Al Jazeera. How can you trust a leader who not only limits free press but shuts it down entirely? I don't think you can. If the people let these changes go, and let things move forward with the changes the president has made, I think all of this, all the effort, will have been wasted. I don't think anything will change until and if they can manage to have a fair and un-tampered with election in September. Then, and only then, I think there might be some hope of change. Because you can bet that the people will not be voting to elect people who will keep the present regime in place.
Heard that the multi-national companies and embassies have internet back, but us common folk still have no internet. It's been 3 days now. Another restriction of freedom that tells me that the current government shouldn't be trusted.
I know things will be different now but I'm still not sure how. One of the things I am curious about is law enforcement, and what will happen with the police. It is well known that they are very easily bribed and from what I have read and heard, there are more criminal elements in the police structure than in the general society, if you do it by percentage or something at least. I'm not saying that there are NO honest police, but it is so well known that they are crooked that people really don't trust them.
I forgot, earlier, about the time that the jets were flying over, I noticed that there was a helicopter making circles. I figured it to include the area where my in-laws live and hubby confirmed it, though how large of an area it was circling I'm not sure. And neither sure what it was doing. Just interesting as I've never seen or heard a helicopter in the two years that I've been here. Not that I've ever heard jets here either.
6:45 and the first tank of the evening is rolling by.
7:42 and another tank going by. Whistles along the street as it goes by.
7:44 and the first gun shots of the night. Middle to far distance and rapid fire.
7:52 helicopter flying by somewhere near.
7:59 and I hear the helicopter flying nearby again, so maybe it's making a regular sweep of the area for a while? Really hard to know anything. Though it is much closer this time than when I heard it just a bit ago.
No surprise that the regular air traffic, which we hear a fair amount of since we seem to be close to the landing pattern, has died off quite a bit and I think I've only heard a few planes in the last few days. We really aren't that close to the airport at all, but I know on my return flight here from my visit to the States over the summer, I found it strange that we flew right over the pyramids, which is basically right next to where I live, before making our way over to the airport. I guess it really isn't that far for an airplane, though it takes us 45 minutes to drive there, without traffic.
8:34 and time for another round of helicopter flying around. Very close this time. If it had been daytime, maybe I'd be able to see if they were army helicopters or what, but as it's night and dark out, I don't think I'd be able to tell.
9:00 and time for another tank to pass by, to lots of whistles as usual. At this point, there really is no other traffic to speak of on the roads, so it's very loud and obvious when the tank comes by.
9:07 Just went out onto the balcony to see if I could catch the tank, but of course it had already gone. I waited too long to decide to try to see if I could get some video of it. But, there are lots of guys milling around out on the streets, walking in small groups, talking, carrying sticks and other weapons. I learned, actually, that the people here are very well armed, with many more people than I had imagined carrying guns of some sort, many of them even automatic weapons. I'm not sure if I feel safer with this news or not, seeing as how most of the people using them are probably not trained in how to use them and how to be careful and safe of other people in the area while they are shooting.
Hubby is out now with the others on the street, doing his guard duty. I know he really misses being able to read the news online to find out what is happening, and one way to find out is to be out on the street to hear what is going on, and to see the t.v. in the cafe down on the corner.
9:25 and time for another very close pass by the helicopter.
11:00 tank goes by and I finally catch it, but just the tail end, hardly able to be seen.
12:07 and tank time again. I love that everyone gets so excited when they go by.
12:25 and helicopter time. Further away this time.
Parents call and it's nice to hear from them and we catch up a bit on the news.
12:26 gun shots ack, very close. continual. whistling now and gun shots further away. no idea what is going on. not sure that it's a good idea to go out to check. yelling in the street. more gun shots, further away.
12:31 just went out onto the balcony to see what i could see and call hubby to see what was going on. i guess they caught a couple of guys with guns, and so the gun shots were to warn the guys they caught. i think. there were some more gun shots while i was out on the balcony. i think everyone is kind of trigger happy and i'd be a little nervous if i was hanging around anyone down on the street with a gun right now. lol?
12:33 and i hear a tank but the timing isn't right going by the rest of the night. they're about half hour early. who knows!
1:07 and tank time.
1:25 and hubby home. not sure if he will go back out or not. he says the police will be here tomorrow to guard the streets. not sure if i think that's a good thing or not, but off hand i'd say not. do you trust the people who let everyone out of jail to begin with??!
2:27 single gunshot in the distance.
3:35 multiple gun shots mid distance away.
3:43 hubby just got a text message on his cell phone from the phone company saying that the army was in the streets. i find this beyond strange! hubby says it's for people who don't have t.v. to be able to see the news i guess. weird.
I think it was a little above 75 degrees today, though it's supposed to go back down to mid 60's tomorrow and after.
Still, days are getting longer, weather is getting warmer, and pretty soon it will be too warm for the heavy blanket on the bed, at which point it will go into storage until around December.
I love Spring.
Well, except for the allergies. lol
:::
Alright, after I posted today's post, I got a bug to redo the page, so yes, same blog but different colors and design to it. Let me know what you think. Like it, hate it, text too small, ugly colors, whatever.
:::
Things seem to be progressing here, though admittedly I am not keeping up with all of the latest news. I do get headlines and an occasional story but after all the constant news watching I did for a couple of weeks I really need a break from all that.
One thing that I have found very interesting, is that the government, well, now the military, send out text messages to everyone on their cell phones.
The way cell phones work here, is that you buy a sim card, which has a phone number on it, and put that in your phone, and then you buy some minutes for your phone and that's it!
Although you can buy a monthly subscription here for your phone, what the majority of people do is to buy minutes for their phone, no monthly plan involved.
So instead of paying a monthly bill, you just go to any corner stand or grocery and you will be able to buy cards (they are like the gift cards you can buy in the States for places like Target, etc.) worth a certain monetary amount, and then you enter the card information into your phone by dialing the phone company and entering the "fill up" number, and it fills up your phone with a corresponding number of minutes you can talk for.
So anyways, I have received probably 7 or so text messages on my cell phone, all in Arabic of course, from the government and military. Mostly just saying that they are here to protect the citizens and everything is fine.
And many other people are getting the messages as well. I even got one on my internet connection, which looks like a memory stick that you put in the USB port on your computer. The connection uses a sim card of course. Though that is on a monthly plan.
Well, the point is, I find this a really great means of communicating with citizens, and I'm wondering why this isn't done in the States? Or if it is done there, why it isn't more widespread, because I've never heard of it being done there. Seems like an effective way to get in touch with people during an emergency.
And of course, no matter how poor the people are here in Egypt, pretty much everyone has a cell phone.
:::
Okay, on with today's log. It's a bit shorter than the last one. And maybe not as interesting. I can't remember now though I read it last night. lol
One thing to note, I'm copy and pasting the text into this window from the file I originally wrote in. I have not made any spelling or other grammatical changes to clean the log up. This was how it was written and that's how it will stay.
Next post to come on Monday insha'Allah.
:::
Sunday, January 30th
Was asleep by 7 a.m. Woke several times and though hubby was out of bed by 11:30 or so, I actually managed to sleep til 2:30.
Just finished doing some cleaning on the balcony and hubby is cleaning the floors.
3:45 p.m. and we can hear some type of jet fighter flying by. Alright, I went outside to check them out. There were 2 jets and they made many many passes in the area. I tried to get some video but, you know, they move pretty fast and it's hard to estimate where they're going to come from exactly. The last couple of passes they made were so low that it was starting to get painful to listen to, even inside.
I was honestly a bit nervous, figuring that it was bad that they were flying around, but hubby thinks it's a good thing, to scare any thugs and report any masses to the army down on the street.
Speaking of which, we will not have army on our street, they will be on Pyramid street, which I mentioned is a 5 to 10 minute walk away. So, our streets will continue to be manned by the residents and I can only assume that tonight and some nights further, will be like last night.
Anyways, the jets stopped about 4:15 or so, so I had a good while to watch them flying overhead. Which, despite the fact that it made me a little nervous because I wasn't sure of their intent at the time, was actually pretty awesome. They are great to watch and I kind of felt like I was getting my own private air show.
5:40 now and the evening call to prayer is sounding. I heard today that the curfew starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m.? Not sure the end time in the morning, but starting it at 4 seems a bit early. That's almost 2 hours before the sun hits the horizon.
Also heard that the president named a vice president for the first time in 30 years, though there is always supposed to have been one, and an elected one, not one who was appointed. Although it's a good step that there is at least a vice president, even if the people didn't get to elect him, the problem is that he's the equivalent of the head of the CIA or something like that. I'm not sure that's a great person to have as a vice president.
And even if the president is replacing ministers, I still don't trust what is happening.
The president shut down the only news agency that was reporting the truth here in Egypt, Al Jazeera. How can you trust a leader who not only limits free press but shuts it down entirely? I don't think you can. If the people let these changes go, and let things move forward with the changes the president has made, I think all of this, all the effort, will have been wasted. I don't think anything will change until and if they can manage to have a fair and un-tampered with election in September. Then, and only then, I think there might be some hope of change. Because you can bet that the people will not be voting to elect people who will keep the present regime in place.
Heard that the multi-national companies and embassies have internet back, but us common folk still have no internet. It's been 3 days now. Another restriction of freedom that tells me that the current government shouldn't be trusted.
I know things will be different now but I'm still not sure how. One of the things I am curious about is law enforcement, and what will happen with the police. It is well known that they are very easily bribed and from what I have read and heard, there are more criminal elements in the police structure than in the general society, if you do it by percentage or something at least. I'm not saying that there are NO honest police, but it is so well known that they are crooked that people really don't trust them.
I forgot, earlier, about the time that the jets were flying over, I noticed that there was a helicopter making circles. I figured it to include the area where my in-laws live and hubby confirmed it, though how large of an area it was circling I'm not sure. And neither sure what it was doing. Just interesting as I've never seen or heard a helicopter in the two years that I've been here. Not that I've ever heard jets here either.
6:45 and the first tank of the evening is rolling by.
7:42 and another tank going by. Whistles along the street as it goes by.
7:44 and the first gun shots of the night. Middle to far distance and rapid fire.
7:52 helicopter flying by somewhere near.
7:59 and I hear the helicopter flying nearby again, so maybe it's making a regular sweep of the area for a while? Really hard to know anything. Though it is much closer this time than when I heard it just a bit ago.
No surprise that the regular air traffic, which we hear a fair amount of since we seem to be close to the landing pattern, has died off quite a bit and I think I've only heard a few planes in the last few days. We really aren't that close to the airport at all, but I know on my return flight here from my visit to the States over the summer, I found it strange that we flew right over the pyramids, which is basically right next to where I live, before making our way over to the airport. I guess it really isn't that far for an airplane, though it takes us 45 minutes to drive there, without traffic.
8:34 and time for another round of helicopter flying around. Very close this time. If it had been daytime, maybe I'd be able to see if they were army helicopters or what, but as it's night and dark out, I don't think I'd be able to tell.
9:00 and time for another tank to pass by, to lots of whistles as usual. At this point, there really is no other traffic to speak of on the roads, so it's very loud and obvious when the tank comes by.
9:07 Just went out onto the balcony to see if I could catch the tank, but of course it had already gone. I waited too long to decide to try to see if I could get some video of it. But, there are lots of guys milling around out on the streets, walking in small groups, talking, carrying sticks and other weapons. I learned, actually, that the people here are very well armed, with many more people than I had imagined carrying guns of some sort, many of them even automatic weapons. I'm not sure if I feel safer with this news or not, seeing as how most of the people using them are probably not trained in how to use them and how to be careful and safe of other people in the area while they are shooting.
Hubby is out now with the others on the street, doing his guard duty. I know he really misses being able to read the news online to find out what is happening, and one way to find out is to be out on the street to hear what is going on, and to see the t.v. in the cafe down on the corner.
9:25 and time for another very close pass by the helicopter.
11:00 tank goes by and I finally catch it, but just the tail end, hardly able to be seen.
12:07 and tank time again. I love that everyone gets so excited when they go by.
12:25 and helicopter time. Further away this time.
Parents call and it's nice to hear from them and we catch up a bit on the news.
12:26 gun shots ack, very close. continual. whistling now and gun shots further away. no idea what is going on. not sure that it's a good idea to go out to check. yelling in the street. more gun shots, further away.
12:31 just went out onto the balcony to see what i could see and call hubby to see what was going on. i guess they caught a couple of guys with guns, and so the gun shots were to warn the guys they caught. i think. there were some more gun shots while i was out on the balcony. i think everyone is kind of trigger happy and i'd be a little nervous if i was hanging around anyone down on the street with a gun right now. lol?
12:33 and i hear a tank but the timing isn't right going by the rest of the night. they're about half hour early. who knows!
1:07 and tank time.
1:25 and hubby home. not sure if he will go back out or not. he says the police will be here tomorrow to guard the streets. not sure if i think that's a good thing or not, but off hand i'd say not. do you trust the people who let everyone out of jail to begin with??!
2:27 single gunshot in the distance.
3:35 multiple gun shots mid distance away.
3:43 hubby just got a text message on his cell phone from the phone company saying that the army was in the streets. i find this beyond strange! hubby says it's for people who don't have t.v. to be able to see the news i guess. weird.
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