Assurances from Apocalyptic Cairo

Ok, family and friends. You might have heard that, well...some shit is going down in Cairo at the moment. 

I will not deny that. And yes, I snapped a few pictures before things got out of hand. 

Tomorrow, Egyptians will be marching and protesting at the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis, in Tahrir, and everywhere in between. 

Where will I be? 

Snugly resting in my apartment with several novels (English and Arabic), plenty of tea and food, my guitar, a phone, and a computer (to skype you). 

Although there has been some violence already, let's remember a few facts. I may be brave in the respect that I am willing and happy to board a plane to Egypt and embark on a five month trip, alone. 

I follow my dreams. I am not brave, however, in any other respect. Not only am I not the type to risk my life, but I am actually really rather the anxious type. Let's look at the evidence.

I have a phobia of bridges (and ceilings, and air conditioning units, and storefront signs) collapsing on me at random. 

I panicked on the second day of scuba lessons because I felt like I couldn't breathe normally. I exited the water, shaking, and vowed "never again". (What did I expect? It's scuba. I was underwater. Of course I couldn't breathe normally. I'm not a fish.)

I used to plot and plan and try to evade gym class by any possible means because I am so terrified of having objects, any objects, flying at my face.

I usually opt for the stairs over elevators because of mild claustrophobia.

When I get nervous, I start shivering uncontrollably and my voice goes up an octave to barely-audible sounds about the pitch of a tea kettle.

Again, I am not the risk-my-life type, y'all. So before you go thinking I'm crazy and brave and need to get on a plane and come home, let's remember that you are only reading the news. The news only lists the bad things that are happening. Being myself, I am probably not anywhere near those occurrences. I am actually probably chilling in my air conditioning, watching an Egyptian soap opera, drinking too many caffeinated beverages, and getting really excited about Arabic grammar.

That's who I am. I am not a revolutionary. Am I the type to "stick it out" in a country where I am in danger? I couldn't even "stick it out" in my scuba class long enough to get certified.

 I love love love you, Egypt, but I am not Egyptian and I will not risk my life for an uncertain political future in a foreign country. And for those of you in the U.S., remember that I am the one here and probably have a better idea of what's going on and am taking necessary precautions. 

Best wishes from one of my favorite places on Earth.