Our trip to Egypt provided us with a unique opportunity to get a flavour of its people. And because we were able to make that connection we have a better appreciation for the monumental change that has come to that country. The diverse group of people we met through our daughter-in-law, Sondos and her parents, Essam and Nadia, were largely middle class by our standards but despite their economic advantage, most were outspoken about the need for change. Now that a change that was almost unthinkable at the time of our visit has come, most of these people will very likely be no better off and, at least in the short term; they may well face some degree of hardship. Despite that likelihood it was clear to us that they favoured that risky outcome over the stagnation that has been the hallmark of thirty years of Mubarak rule. Jill and I feel a special connection to the events that unfolded this past week and we have shared in the jubilation shown by Sondos and her family. Sondos’ father Essam wanted me to thank all of you who wrote with encouragement and expressed concern for our friends in Egypt. We take so much for granted in this country. Here are a few pictures of the wonderful people we met in Egypt. We worried about all of them and now we watch with guarded optimism for the move to democracy that they so much deserve. (the picture on the side bar was taken by Sondos at today's victory celebration in Toronto)
AH
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