themes: the rite of spring

Nobody saw it coming. Not like this.

Egypt followed Tunisia in what some started to call the Arab Spring.

For a few surreal weeks, the eyes of the world were on Tahrir Square. My neighborhood. Suddenly, I was living in Bigstorystan.

The Days of Tahrir were filled with uncertainty and hope, heartache and humor. Tahrir Square became a carnival of sorts, as people from all walks of life began to converge out of conviction or curiosity.

Eighteen days after the first demonstration, President Hosni Mubarak stepped down.