Egyptian Adventure #5

Greetings from friendly Cairo:

CORRECTION: In the interest of honest reporting: I incorrectly said that the builders who built the lines and lines of apartments on the west side of the Nile did so on pulbic-owned land. NOT SO they owned the land, but failed to get building permits. Sorry!

Great day today, but not for the people who are trying to oust the Military Government. I'll get that story out of the way then get to the things we did. The political strife is clearly ramping up. When Soha called to confirm our reservation for dinner, she was told that it may be cancelled due to the protests. We listened to the news and discovered that the far right Islamists had gotten into it with the army outside the Defense Minister's offices. After waiting a while and watching the peaceful Friday prayers in Tahrir Square, we decided to get on with our life.

We drove to Hedayet's house and on the way we came across a protest march of hundreds of people that stretched for several blocks. They appeared to be well-organized and very peaceful. We actually drove down the street on whch they were marching and there was no disruption of traffic. They marched from Tahrir Square to the Defense Minister's compound, which is many miles in temperatures well over 100. From Hedayet's we took a taxi to the Nile. While we waited for dinner we saw the protest march crossing a bridge over the Nile, we could see that they had grown in number and they stretched from one end of the bridge to the other.  We did our tour (see below) When we got home the news advised us that the protest had turned ugly. At least 2 people were killed by the army and hundreds arrested. There is a curfew currently in effect until 7 AM around the Defense Minister's property......

All of this sounds dreadful, but normal Egyptian life is not affected by anything but the curfew. We had no problem getting home. We were easily able to get a taxi back to our car, we drove across Cairo without incident. The need to get the army out of the government is well supported, but these violent clashes don't do anyone any good. 

AND SO TO THE STORY OF THE DAY
I am attempting to attach a picture of the 4 of us on the boat. The scenery was wonderful, the breeze on the water was very welcome, the food was outstanding. We floated up the Nile and back for 2 hours with views of some wonderful agricultural land and a few great villas. One of the Villas was built by the prime Minister -- who is now in jail! There was entertainment and great service. Normally this boat would be filled to capacity with tourists but, today, it was only about half-full. At 101 Egyptian pounds (that is only equal to around $15 ) it was quite a bargain. Afterwards we spent idle time in a Nile-side cafe. A cold drink and a lazy breeze off the river was wonderful. The conversations were stimulatiing and educational.

I do want you to understand that the political situation is only hurting the ordinary people of Egypt. The poor are living on a dollar a day. The rich are getting richer. Children are being employed at abusive wages, and the government is completely out of touch. I am convinced that it is perfectly safe to be here; one just has to stay out of trouble areas. Tomorrow we are going very early to Alexandria ( about a 3-hour drive). I won't be writing.

AND SO TO BED Noreen