Tahrir Square is Back

I can say officially that Tahrir Square is back after almost 2 years. Last friday's marches and protest were just a preparation for yesterday 27/11. It was a Tuesday afternoon, in the middle of the week yet the people who joined the several marches or went directly to the square were in thousands.
Since Moubarak had stepped down, there were celebrations, protests, demonstrations.. some were big but not big enough. I didn't go to Tahrir in the 18 days of revolution but I did afterwards several times. Mainly the morning after Moubarak's end and it was really celebration, 2 more times during summer for one reason or another, during Mohamed Mahmoud clashes last year (it was really a big one), and 25th Jan this year (big marches but the square was full of Ikhwan celebrating the revolution opposit to all other political parties as the SCAF was still in control at that time).
Some of the protests were huge, but I felt there was something missing that i couldn't identify cos I was not there during the revolution to compare with and this is what i discovered yesterday.
It is uniting against one cause, against injustice, regardless of who you are or what you believe in. It's singing the national anthem song with one voice and one heart. It's listening to people like Hamzawy, Khaled Ali, Ziad El-Elemy, Ala El-Aswany, Gamila Ismail talking about Egypt and not political parties or personal gains, even if you agree or disagree with them on other issues.

I joined the march from Mostafa Mahmoud in Mohandessin. It took us couple of hours to reach Tahrir Square. It was a huge one, with drums and slogans. The side of the road were we marched was empty while the other sides with traffic. Majority of people in cars were cheering us and didn't mind to be stuck for a moment till we pass. People from shops or in their homes cheered us while passing in front of them. We were a mix of young and old, girls and boys. I even saw an old women dressed in black like the lower/middle class marching with us, limping with a stick. Another bearded guy holding a sign sayig Morsy doesn't represent me and a totally veiled woman (monakaba) chanting agains the president.
People were chanting from their heart, expressing their anger against what's happening in the country.

For those who are wondering why now we are in the streets, the revolution didn't end. At least the 3 main demands "Bread, Liberty, Human Dignity" are not yet satisfied. We have been in struggles since 2 years now. we've been pushed into different directions, away from the main problems we should deal with. The referendum divided people into 2 parties, and it was a big mistake by the SCAF cos if we had focused on writing a new constitution before electing a president, we wouldn't have been in trouble now. We focused on trials for killing protestors which were in vain and didn't start with reforming the police and national security (or whatever its name is now). We focused on giving adjectives to people like islamists, salafists, liberals, socialists, communists without thinking of how to all unite for the sake of a better Egypt. We focused on election battles, who will vote for who, who will win but not on what those elected will actually give to the people... and it's Egypt who is loosing.
Finally the 2 major issues, the commiteeof writing the constitution and the last announcement by the president giving him ammunity for all decisions already taken or to be taken and full ammunity to the commitee writing the constitution triggered the alarm, we don't want one person to rule above all. Our fight is for freedom and dignity. Our fight is to give back the rights of people, the living and the martyrs. Our fight is to treat all Egyptians the same without discrimination and i talk here about all kind of discrimination (gender, sexe, religion, political, believes.....).
Those who voted for Morsy were promised a lot of things, none was achieved. The current government is following the same rules as the old regime. The people may have changed but the system we fought against is the same. This is why we are in streets. It has to stop. We left the square once thinking our job is done but we were wrong. We must continue the fight till the end.

It doesn't matter if you were pro or against revolution before. It doesn't matter if you went in the square or not, participated in marches or not... but believe me, don't wait too long to be part of the change cos it might be too late. If you want Egypt to be as you believe it to be, you have to fight for it or else accept the consequences. I was too afraid to go to the streets during the revolution days but after it was all over I regretted it. I might not be as brave as those who actually risk their lives but at least I try to do whatever I can. I learned during the last 2 years that nothing comes without effort. You have to work hard to obtain it and even harder to keep it, no more sitting in a bubble or a corner.

And the revolution continues....

Back to the streets

It took just few hours for people to decide to go to the streets, after the president had announced a consistutional law giving him supreme authority. Things are turning very quikly, yesterday marches, to Tahrir, clashes between protestors and police at some places, some Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in other cities set on fire (although i'm against that act). Yesterday, judges announced suspension of work till the presidents cancels his decree, a march being prepared on Tuesday...
I joined the march on Friday. I didn't feel the same thing as the one in the 25th Jan memory. Maybe cos I joined at the end so it was not that intense, maybe cos the numbers at Tahrir Square were not as I hoped for (for sure less than 25th Jan and Mohamed Mahmoud last year).
I know that we must to go the hard way, there is no choice. I hoped that some would learn from the past and work for the benefit of Egypt but it seems it's only power that they seek.
I wish for a better country for all. I might sound too idealist, or dreamy, to reach that without blood or pain but this is how revolutions are.

I am disappointed but I have faith. I read what i've posted back in January (25 Jan Reloaded). Yes it is true, that people won't stand still. As long as there are people who believes in justice and freedom the struggle will not end. God bless Egypt!!!

Receiving compliments

It's always great to receive a compliment or a thank you for an accomplishment you have doen. It's an acknowledgmente for the hard work done and an appreciation for all the trouble you had to do your best.
It gives you a satisfactory feeling and give you a push to do even more the next time.
So, whenever you feel that someone has done a great thing, don't forget to let him/her know. It will sure change his/her day :)

Aida encore et encore

I wasn't expecting myself to write one more time about Aida (Love kills and resurrects, Personal tribute to Aida) but once again, i feel the urge to share my experience..
This time, the main leading role of Aida was performed by a new face, at least for me.. the past years, it was performed by the same cantata, at least all the shows i've attended. It was a new revelatation, to discover the same story told over and over again but with different interpretation. I suddenly realised that sometimes it is not just the story, the words or the scene, it is all about the performance. It can carry you from one place to another, from one feeling to another, just like that. You can feel the intensity of the drama and the feeling of the character are transmitted to you or you just enjoy the story and that's it..
Or sometimes, you are just caught in the routine of seeing the same performance with the same cast so you are so familiar to it that it seems all the same. All you need is a change to discover new dimensions or new perspetive.
And i believe this is true in everything in life, so break a habit, try a new thing, discover and explore and you might be surprised with what you find :-)

On other note, at a moment during the 3 hours show, i started to see Aida in our time. Aida who is so miserable and unfortunate by the defeat of her country, the capture of her father, her lover to marry the princess of Egypt but yet, she does what she feels is right even if against what others would see.. Amonasro, Aida's father who till the end believes that what he does for his country is the best and till the end he try to triumph against all odds and even after being defeated by the Egyptian army. Radames, who can't stand that he betrayed his country unintentionally and chooses to die and at the same time he feels that he didn't do any wrong and that the Gods would forgive him and is happy to know that Aida that he loves is still alive..
Life is not a fairy tale. We might not die physically as the the heros in the story but we sometimes live like we are dead. Do we really fight for what we believe in or we give up just like that? Do we feel satisfied with all what's happening even it is for the worse or we just complain and loose interest? Even Amneris, the princess who had it all except the mutual love from Radames, didn't loose hope and tried till the end to win him and save him from death. This is the perserverance that we sometimes lack. We sometimes give up from the first time thinking that's it, although if we give us more chances, we might or might not reach what we want. But at the end, it's the journey that makes it worthy, not the destination..This is what Aida and Radames did, they died at the end and for sure this is not they wished for but they died happily cos they were together and this is what was important.
So, enjoy the ride and the journey you are in, and don't just focus on the destination.

Egypt's Presidential Elections 2012

The 2012 Presidential Elections are the first ever in Egypt with no predicted results. Actually, it might be strange to say but the outcome of the 1st round was unexpected somehow and disappointing for many.

We are one week from the rerun between the 2 candidates, Ahmed Shafik, ex minister and lately prime minister in Moubarak's regime and Mohmed Morsy who is running for Muslim Brotherhood.

Unlike what's on-going on all social medias, from facebook to twitter, i'm not going to take a side of one candidate on the expense of other.
I voted for another candidate, Hamdeen Sabahy, who suprisingly for the majority got too many votes to be in 3rd position although i knew in my heart that he would do that if people really believed in him. I believe that many did, especially after the famous debate between 2 other candidates, Amr Moussa (ex-foreign minister and president of Arab league) and Abdel Moneim Abou El-Fotouh (ex-muslim brotherhood and more into revolution). It seems that the debate instead of favouring one of them, actually defavourised both of them.

I hoped that people participation would be higher than this, but only 46% people elligible to vote did. The elections went smoothly, actually i felt it was more organized than the elections for parliament. But anyway, this is not the last elections to be held and hopefully in 2016 more people will particiapte.

Getting back to next week's rerun, it has become a war between people. Like the days of referendum, the yes and no camps.. but this time, it's about who will lead our country in the next 4 years.
Both options for me are not good but I believe in one thing. We regained our voice, we conquered our fears so no matter who will be elected, we will push him to act for the sake of Egypt and Egyptians... I may sound too optimistic for people opposing one candidate claiming he will not let this happen...
For me i see we selected the hard way anyway, things could have been gone differently but this is where we are now and we have to deal with it.
Enough fighting together, who is choosing who, cos the choice is mainly based on who you don't want as president and not on who you want as president.. it's not an active vote but a reactive one.
Whoever will win will anyway make a deal with the SCAF (supreme council of army forces) so at the end it's a big play organized in a legitimate way. The purpose of the revolution is long forgotten. The slogan of "bread, freedom, social justice" is left behind and this is the ugly truth of politics.
Politicians don't care about people, they only care about interests.. and this is where, we the people must play our role, force politicians to listen to us and care for us.
Even though all what's happening, i'm still optimistic about our future. So, whether you will vote for Shafik, Morsy or even not vote, it's just an election for a 4 year president. The important is not to let go the fight for a better Egypt and act as a good citizen in helping establishing the main goals of the revolution.

Good Luck for us and God Bless Egypt!


Finally, as in this cartoon, just do the right thing :)

Nubia, the forgotten land

18th of April marks the departure of the last Nubian from the ancestors land. Today is the day to remember Nubia and shed a light on a heritage we should cherish and promote. I have heard a lot about how Nubians are generous and kind, but I never imagined that they are actually that generous and kind. I went of last year to Aswan, to attend a cultural festival "Characters of Egypt". I returned with more exciting and everlasting memories of couple of days spent in a small Nubian village in Aswan. I discovered a lot during this short trip, friendship, kindness, hope, patriotism, loyalty...
Nubians had to leave their lands for the sake of Egypt. They were fighting since that time for the right to return back near their homelands. The places where they were relocated are not comparable to the place where they used to live. They owned lands overlooking the Nile, their houses built on their own style. The new place were they are supposed to live is in the desert and houses so crowded. I was lucky to stay in a village which was more or less Nubian but not many Nubians were as much lucky as those who live in Gharb Seheil.
Did you know that the Nile is their entire life? They live in islands, they go from one island to another, they are like fishes in water. The Nile flows in their heart. It's the Nile that expelled them from their land, yet it's the Nile that they adore.

Nubian Numbers

It's a pity that the Nubian language is about to extinct. No one talks it except the elderly as the new generations don't really learn it. We never learnt at school about Nubian tradition or culture although it's very rich, as if they never existed. I met a teacher in a small school, in his 40's, he could only write me few numbers in Nubian and couldn't remember all, and those numbers were only what he knows to write. I was discussing with him why there are no classes to teach Nubian to people.  


If you just get to know one Nubian, he will treat you as if you are old time friends, I befriended a couple met at the lodge where I was staying, the following day they introduced me and other friends to a Nubian guy, on the 3rd guy this guy invited all of us to lunch, may i say to a feast, in his in-laws. And what i mean by a feast not just  one or 2 things to eat, it was a table full of delicious courses. I was so impressed as it was hard to believe that there are people who treat like that. This is a generosity I never encountered before in my life.


Hammu, another Nubian, who was working in the lodge, was of great help. He was treating us as friends not guests, opening his heart to us, make us discover the beauty and serenity of the place. He took us on an early boat trip to watch the sunrise on the Nile, he invited us to his grandparents house where he was raised. One of the traditions I discovered there is that the the newly wed couple live with the bride's parents for a couple of years till their first born kid. During that time they prepare their own house. When they go to their new house, the elderly kid lives with his grandparents. That's why the family ties are very important to them, it goes across the generations.
Although those working in Abou Simbel, suffered from the lack of tourists post-revolution, they were so happy that the revolution happened and really believed in it. I am not sure if they do still have the same opinion up till now, but really, Nubians suffered a lot in the last decades, and they deserve more than what they have.

The beauty of nature

Nubia, is certainly a piece of heart, where you have a peace of mind. I wished I knew about it earlier. I wish I can know more. 
Certainly I would return back, to discover more and more about the beauty of Nubia which lies in the hearts of Nubians.

Life is priceless

I never imagined how my feelings would be, knowing that my own safety was on the stake. I had an accident 2 days ago, on my way to work. I still don't know why or how, but I was hit while driving at 90km/h and I momentarily lost control on the car, going left and right. These few seconds were like eternity. I didn't panic, I didn't have the flashback thoughts like in the movies, when someone is about to die. All my thoughts were focusing on regaining control of the car and keeping it steady in a straight line. I wasn't sure if it was due to impact or something in the ground or a tire that exploded and I was just preparing myself for the final stop or crash.

Thank God, I didn't hit anything else on the left side, only the back and the right.  I can't tell whose fault it is, I don't remember all the details of how this happened in the first place. All i know is that i was lucky that i'm unharmed.

I'm just starting to realise that I owe to God and to the car for my safety. The car could have flipped with such a hit by a lorry. I could have hit the fence on the side road (although i was in middle lane) or hit other cars all along. I am thinking what would have happened if... I don't want to be negative but I can't help myself to question, was it only cos it wasn't yet my time, or cos I did at least have good reflexes and didn't panic.

Life is priceless, God granted us life and health. We should be thankful and try to make the best use of it for the greater good. We should appreciate every moment and fight for it. Life is not taken for granted. It can be stolen in few seconds any time, anywhere so it should not be wasted for nothing.

Challenge

Don't listen to people when they tell you it is so difficult to achieve, rather tell yourself you can do it and you are up to the challenge. Believe in yourself and just think that if you want to do it, you can do it but you need to work a little bit harder. That's the key to achieve anything in life. A little faith and hard work, will surely pay off. Look at the challenge with a challenging eye, and do all you can to overcome it. Don't waste time thinking how am I able to go through it or feel discouraged. Dig in yourself for positive energy and take it one step a time, you will be surprised of the results. 

Love and do

To love what you do or do what you love, that's the question. Sometimes getting used to do what you are doing makes you forget what you love in the first place. The routine kills all the senses and you end up doing what you have to do without thinking of what you want. It's at this moment that life becomes just an existence, without the essence of life itself. There is a fine thread that defines it, that it's barely noticed.

If you feel that you don't enjoy any longer what you are doing, take a pause and think what you actually love and want to do. Life doesn't go backwards so don't wait for something that you might like to come to you, you might wait forever in vain. Every moment you spend doing things just you have to do are waisted moments. You have to pursue what you love and in order to do that, you have to determine what you really love.

My favorite month!

I always love March. It's the beginning of  Spring, and it's my birthday month :)

This year is so special cos I received the PMP certificate and the Accreditation certificate and award (ALU) on the same day as the Women's International Day. I started to be an activist to achieve more, to be effective in my community at work and i'm so happy about that.

I wish that I don't lose this energy and passion to always do something different.

I wish that my birthday this year will bring me the push I need.

Let's celebrate the best moth of the year :)

Lucky 26

I always feel optimistic around my lucky 26. It might be strange, for a person as serious as I am, to believe in such things but I really do believe in my luck 26 since ever. It always carries positive vibes for me.

A moment in time

It's amazing how a simple photo brings you happiness remembering that specific moment captured in time.

You don't remember all the details and with time, everything just fades away except what your heart wants to remember.

I guess, this is why I love photography and blogging. To capture a glimpse of history in a world where everything happens so quickly.

Start to Finish

The starting point and the finish line are always the hardest phases.

One needs a lot of motivation to begin and find the way and rhythm.

As well a lot of effort is required to do that extra mile and perform the best.

25 Jan Reloaded

I decided few days ago that I will participate in the marches, mainly cos I wanted to be part of it and that the marches are the best way to reach people. It is not limited to people who go to Tahrir, it's for everbody even people who are at home or in their shops.

The announced itinerary for the march i joined was to walk from Manial to Sayeda Zeinab where other marches would join then go to Tahrir. We changed the itinerary and instead, after circulating in Manial, went to Cairo University then Dokki to Kasr El-Nil bridge, as shown in the below map.

I was a little bit disappointed as I arrived and saw not more than 50-60 waiting to start the march holding banners and flags. I was expecting to see more gathered. We started marching in Manial street itself, doing it twice and soon that feeling of disappointment left me. We were chanting loud, encouraging people to join us, chanting against SCAF. Cars and buses were cheering us, people in shops or looking from their windows as well. The more we marched, the more we were. I was touched when we saw an old lady in a car following us. When we spoke with her, she told us she couldn't march with us so decided to do it with her car. She was upset cos we were still few and she wanted everybody to go in the streets. She told us that her children are abroad cos they couldn't have a decent life in Egypt and she wishes to see the day Egypt is a better place for everyone, "Bread, Liberty, Social Justice" as we were chanting like the old days.

Just before starting the march in Manial and then the beginning of the march

Part of the chants in Manial "Dicator, dictator, tomorrow your turn will come... Inside the church, inside El-Azhar, down down military rule"

We arrived to University Bridge where at the end lies the embassy of Israel. I was kind of thinking, what if things turn bad there, what if people focused more on Israel then our march against SCAF. I was wrong, there were even people in the building where the embassy lies, holding Egyptian flags and cheering. We did say some chants against them and SCAF but nothing more.

And there, we saw more people coming from other marches and joining together, in front of Cairo University. At the point, I felt, yes, people are really there in the streets. I knew from twitter that other marches already started and with huge numbers, but seeing it with my eyes, was totally different. It's like your faith is materialized in front of you.


We continued walking and chanting, we passed by Dokki and the numbers were huge. All along the way, we were trying to not block the roads for cars leaving a lane for them. And almost all of the drivers were not at all angry with what we were doing. That day, i really felt that the Egyptian people are not that dumb.
One of the chants I liked was "This is a revolution, not a party".

This is one of the 2 big flags we crossed along the way in our march.








In Dokki, chanting "People want to down the system (referring to the old ruling system that is still there)

An organized march tribute for martyrs was organized. Wooden coffins with photos or Martyrs, drums playing. It started from Galaa square, passing by Kasr El-Nil bridge. I was ahead of the march tribute and crossed the bridge to the Square. It was already packed, with no place for a foot. People on both sides waiting for the march to come.

Finally, we managed to arrive to Tahrir. I met a friend at the entrance then we went inside, trying to meet another one. It was the most packed time I saw the Square. Last year, i only went couple of times in some of the "Millions" but it was not as full as that day. At one time we were walking against the flow of people, like being caught in a trap. My brother and friends were also trying as much as they could to protect me from being crushed or harassed. I was pushed all the way, till we could reach a less crowded place.
We decided to have something to eat which was a big challenge as we were not the only one who had the same idea. Finally, we managed to get Koshary and while eating in the street, there were more marches around us, in Talaat Harb street. After that, i went to meet other friends who were resting in a coffee. They were also in other marches that morning.

As I didn't stay much in the square itself I can't tell much about what was going on there. What i noticed is that there were different stages, the one of Ikhwan at the entrance from Kasr El-Nil bridge with lot of microphones, so that they could block people from flooding the square. There was another one with a big screen showing the martyrs and couple of other stages. I couldn't feel the "one voice" resonating in all the place. The Ikhwan more into celebrations, on the contrary of all people who went in marches to the Square, to continue the revolution and ask for all the demands that are still yet to be achieved.

I realized that day that no matter what happens, we, the people, will not stay silent  We, the people, will fight again and again for our rights. We, the people, have the power and that anyone who will be in charge of the country, should do what the people are demanding, otherwise, we will not leave the streets till they are fulfilled. No matter how long it will take, no matter what the price will be, we found our voice back and shall never lose it again.
I don't know how things will go the next period, but one thing i'm sure of, I regained my faith in my people and the revolution continues...

On the verge of a 2nd Revolution?

Tomorrow is the 25th of January. One year after our revolution. One year has passed with martyrs, military trials, injured people, lies, dirty politics.. Are we going to witness another revolting day? Are people willing to shout one more time, in loud voice, we want BREAD, FREEDOM and JUSTICE?
I wish I can have the answers or predict what would happen but I can't. I wish I can see where we are going but we are still in the dark. I hope I can go tomorrow and say it's enough. I want to see the change in my country. I want to feel the wind of change and get power and hope from others.
Tomorrow is an important day. If you decide to go on the streets or stay at your home, it's your call. But just don't forget all the sacrifices that have been done, not only in the revolution but before that.
Long live Egypt!

A year ago

A year ago, I wasn't sure about lot of things in my life. I am still not sure about everything but at least I did learn something. 
A year ago, I didn't dream of a revolution, just some protests and that's it.
A year ago, I didn't believe that there are still Egyptians who care about their country and dream of a better one.
A year ago, I thought I knew a lot about history then I discovered a lot I didn't know about.
A year ago, I was considering to leave the country.
A year ago, I thought most of my friends were only interested in trivial things.
A year ago, I didn't believe I would have the courage at all to go on the streets.
A year ago, I didn't understand how God acts sometimes.
A year ago, I took the decision to not let myself carried away with my feelings.


Today, I am still not sure about my life but I know that I have faith in it.
Today, I dream to continue the revolution till the end and not leave it die in our hands.
Today, I know there are many Egyptians who sacrifice everything for the sake of our future.
Today, I know that history is not just what is written in books which might be totally wrong.
Today, I want to stay in my country cos I want to be part of it.
Today, I know that trivial things are not that important anymore and living a revolution did change a lot.
Today, I know that I still don't have all the courage to go on the streets when the things are going tough but at least I got some courage some times.
Today, I know that God is not all the time understandable but I trust him.
Today, I am keeping my promise to myself.

Self esteem booster

When you feel positive vibes, you feel good.
When a friend tells you that he felt it too, you feel great.

So, whenever you can, just say it. You never know how you much you could brighten a day.

Froggy's World in its new format

Welcome to my blog, in its new format. Hope you will like it.

See you around :-)

Disappointed

Disappointed, is all i can say.

Not cos of El-Baradei withdrawing from presidential elections.

Not cos of the so called gas crisis

Not cos i'm having hard times at work.

Not cos the revolution is struggling for its survival.

Disappointed cos no matter I pretend I don't care about little things, I actually do.

Disappointed cos I wait for others to treat me as I treat them.

Disappointed cos I wait a "how do you do" when i'm off beat without me saying a word.
Disappointed cos I feel l am not as trusted as I trust others. This is what hurts the most.

And after all those disappointments, I try to look for excuses for what is pretty clear.

I try to forgive as I always end up to do.

I tell myself that it wasn't meant to be and it's just the circumstances.

I know i'm fooling myself for a while to the next disappointment.

Writing history

Thinking that someday i would be asked, how was it to live in your days, how was it during the 25th Jan Revolution, made me think, what was it for the time of my grandparents? Wouldn't be cool to discover more about that period? I know some bits and pieces, but i'm thinking of doing something more, to sit with my grandmother and her sister and hear their stories about their childhood, about the family. Wouldn't be just great?

Body vs. Mind

It's weired, when you know that you are doing your best while taking care not to over exhaust yourself, but still, you are not satisfied cos you know you want to do more although even if you have no more power.

It's like your body is controlling your mind and force it to respect its limits but your mind makes you feel guilty cos you are not reaching your own standards.

So at the end, either ways, I end up not satisfied.

Back in action

Today, with no specific reason, was checking some of my early posts in my blog (back to 2005).

I used to write a lot. I don't know why in the last few years, i'm no longer posting as I used to. Is it due to the new social medias like facebook?
I used to write about things I feel or see, now mainly I just update my status. Not sure if it's the way things were going, or cos easier or it reaches more friends. Or maybe i just wanted to leave all behind.

I miss my blog, i miss writing, i miss getting comments from unknown people who just happened to pass by. And most of all, I discovered that reading those posts back, reminded me of who I used to be. It has something which is part of me, good and bad memories, feelings, special moments.
So, here i'm, i'm officially back to my blog and I shall keep it more alive hopefully.