Egypt (Pre-Destruction of Mubarak's Regime)

Every day that I watched the protests on CNN or read about it in The New York Times, I applauded the citizens of Egypt for taking control of the future of their country. However, I couldn't help but be reminded of the brief time I spent there in April 2009.

To be frank, I was out of my comfort zone. I was not used to the daily prayer calls from the mosques, nor was I used to the stares from Egyptian men. Yet I needed this type of experience to remind me of how I am part of their world just as I am a part of theirs.  And I was thankful for the opportunity. I was also introduced to the former iconic voice of Egypt, Oum Kalthoum. Her voice resonated through the squares and bazaars. She would now be proud of her country and what it has now been able to accomplish.  If you have some iTunes credit to spare, her "Enta Omree" is as poetic as it is powerful.

The tourists who left recently during the climactic days of the protests did so for their safety, but one of Egypt's main industries is its tourism. I would like to go back to the country one day to visit Alexandria and its libraries, but how soon could or will that happen? My fear is that many outsiders viewed the protests and now will judge the country and want to stay away from history.