Moments of disbelief and celebration.

The night that Mubarak stepped down we were all jumping, singing, and just smiling in disbelief. As we were celebrating numerous times we were knocked off of our feet by people literally sweeping underneath us! People were already cleaning up! Word quickly spread for all hands on deck at 9am to start cleaning and repairing the Square.

The next morning I had work meetings and thus couldn’t be in the Square early but as soon as we were complete a group of co-workers walked to Tahrir. On the way a co-worker explained that she was in front of the National TV station the day prior and watched an incredible protest. The building was lined with tanks and military decorated the windows. Rolls of barb-wire fence divided the tanks and the people. She said at one point while the protestors were chanting, they knocked down the barbwire fence. They had a clear shot to the building (as long as they could get past the tanks). But instead of storming, the front line bent over, picked up the metal fence posts and re-instated the fence before resuming chanting! They didn’t want violence- they wanted rights! They knew that if they stormed it would be bloody and then the government would have his excuse to kill. The wouldn’t give that to him.
Through all their passion and demands- in the face of a major oppressor, the National T.V.- they remained rationale and peaceful. Amazing. Inspiring.

That afternoon walking through the Square emotions mixed between lack of breath in awe and an overflowing heart that translated to overflowing eyes.

A big truck towed a burnt police truck—the people cheered.
People- rich, poor, man, woman, young, old, with disabilities- came with broom and bucket to clean all of downtown. Where streets were normally cluttered with garbage and sprinkled with cigarette butts barely even dust remained.
A crane lifted a cement barrier from the middle of the road. The cement block was so representative of many life barriers and the struggles that hopefully, were removed the day prior.
People repainted the stripes on curbs, the arrows in the road and then human chains surrounded their work so as not to damage the fresh paint.
The Head of Defense drove through the middle of the Square and waved. It seemed he just came to appreciate the people’s efforts and to show himself. This is new to Egyptians.
Tent city folded up and blankets were donated.
Dirty city walls got a fresh coat of white paint and prideful, hopeful new murals emerged.
Cafes opened their doors and created ad hoc street cafés.
Civilians started directing traffic—and driver respected them! (normally there are traffic police but police were off the streets, and they’re not usually respected anyway.
People placed flower arrangements on tanks and took pictures with military personnel.
Egyptian music blarred.
People smiled from their hearts.
Fear had been replaced with pride and hope.

Whoever could have imagined that after people successfully decapitate a dictatorial regime, they clean and rebuild?!?! A popular sign that day was, “Yesterday I was a protestor, today I rebuild Egypt.”

As I said in one of my first posts, people were tired of garbage. Well, not only did they take care of the garbage but they restored downtown to better than its ever been before. One of my favorite signs from that day, “Dear World, Sorry for the disturbance. We rebuild Egypt. Love, Egyptians.” Cairo, is truly a beautiful city!