Reflections on a revolution

Julie Rapinat, a Baldwin High School alumna and an Adelphi University student whose family lives in Baldwin, was in Egypt just four days before demonstrators took to the streets of Cairo, beginning a period of upheaval that brought President Hosni Mubarak’s rule to an end and may well shape the future of the Middle East. In her essay on page 3, Rapinat shares her observations about Egypt and its people as well as photos of her trip from Cairo to Luxor, Alexandria and the small villages of the south.

Egypt before the fall
“It was early fall semester, 2010 when I saw the flyer on campus: ‘Adelphi in Egypt…Explore, Experience and Learn on an unforgettable journey into the past and the present. Visit the ancient land and the vibrant city, the sacred temples and the breathtaking pyramids; enjoy the sunny skies and the holy mountains. Your program will take you in and around Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El-Sheikh and Alexandria. You’ll also cruise on the Nile River and the Red Sea.’ 
Immediately, I could not stop thinking about it, and within two days I had it settled in my head. I didn’t care if I came back to New York with $2 (or 10 Egyptian pounds,) in my pocket, there was no way I could miss this opportunity. We landed in Cairo on Jan. 9, 2011. All I kept thinking as I was walking out of the airport was, ‘I am in Africa…I am in Egypt; this is surreal.’
Those first few days were filled with early morning drives through wild Cairo traffic on a huge tourist bus locals are more than accustomed to seeing. Initially, we spent our time visiting a plethora of different religious sites including some astounding Islamic Mosques to immerse ourselves in the intense religious culture that defines this area of the world. These were unforgettable experiences; and I was fascinated, driving from place to place, as I stared out of the bus window onto the gravely, polluted streets, and observed how real Egyptian people were spending their January mornings, afternoons and evenings.