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The Revolution Continues: Cairo November 20, 2011

November 21, 2011 by The Runaway Guide 9 Comments

police clash with protesters in tahrir square“Thump, thump”… The sound of tear gas canisters being fired.

“O shit, I’ve gotten too close!”

I look up. A single can is hurling in a high arc through the smoke filled air. I quickly calculate it’s trajectory and realize it is heading right for me. With no time to think, I leap to safety.

The first one lands just a few feet from where I was standing. White gas bellows out.

Almost instantaneously my eyes begin to burn like a thousand piercing needles. Then my nose, mouth and lungs become enflamed.

The second canister whizzes by my ear.

“Go, go, go,” I yell out of panic.

Then, in a mass stampede, the crowd and I retreat. Blinded by the gas, we all hold each other’s shoulders as we sprint to safety.

I jump a brick wall and land in a vacant lot. The gas keeps burning and I spit and cough in vain. Only after around ten minutes does the burning subside and my vision clear.

“Whew, that was close” I think to myself.

I make my way back to the hostel and I witness the extent of the riot police’s latest attack.

Countless people are suffering from tear gas inhalation. Some are bleeding from their heads, while others have massive welts from rubber bullets. Those too injured to walk are carried to safety by the crowd and driven away on motorcycles.

As I glance over the faces of the wounded, all I can think is “These Egyptians sure have guts.”

Following Friday’s prayers on November 18th, Egyptians returned to the place where it all began, the infamous Tahrir square.

The drums were beating, the loud speakers were out and the chanting of 100,000 + people could be heard throughout the streets of Cairo.

Today, Sunday November 20th, though their numbers have declined, due to the beginning of the Arab work week, protesters maintain a strong foot hold in the square. Despite police attempts to disperse activists, make shift camps in the middle of the square remain in place.

What the protesters are demonstrating against is a clause in the constitution that would grant the military undue power even after the civilian government is elected on November 28th. They are also calling for the removal of current military government leader, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.

Though it is too early to tell if the protesters will achieve their demands, given the high morale and determination I witnessed today, the outlook is promising.

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Filed Under: Runaway's Blog Tagged: adventure, blog, cairo

Let Me Know What You Think!

  1. Jessica Festa says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I know I’m reading this a few months late but wow! that’s quite a unique experience. You’re a very brave traveler!

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      March 14, 2012 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks Jessica, I guess I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie as well. Come join!

      Reply
  2. Torre – Fearful Adventurer says

    December 26, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Leif, you’re a goddamn hero.

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      February 23, 2012 at 7:02 pm

      Torre! I could say the same about you.

      Reply
  3. Ian Robinson says

    December 3, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    You got a first hand sighting of that! Incredible!

    Did you feel in danger from the protesters at all? I mean, they could be really happy you were there taking pictures, or they could be really pissed… How was it?

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      December 3, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      Yea, it was really intense. It was quite dagerous on that one street. lots of people, lots of police and lots of rocks and tear gas flying. Wasn’t dangerous in Tahrir it’s self though, not for a guy at least.

      Reply
  4. Caz Makepeace says

    November 28, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    Gosh, had no idea this was going on. Take care over there. No more joining the protests hey

    Reply
  5. Chris Walker-Bush says

    November 25, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    This made for some truly harrowing reading mate. You’re a braver (or crazier?) man than me, haha.

    Glad you’re ok after such a close call.

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      November 26, 2011 at 12:59 am

      hahaha, thanks. Yea, me too. I won’t be going back out there though, pushed my luck too far.

      Reply

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Who Is The Runaway Guide?

When I was 16 I ran away from home and traveled the world with nothing but the clothes on my back. Over 10 years later and I'm still "on the run," surviving in style, thriving off adventure, searching for that elusive road to enlightenment, and cultivating the life of travel that I want to live. More...

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