Change for Egypt

Breakfast with Shabban (Aug. 2010)

With Egypt at the forefront of international attention lately, I can't help but think back to the days I spent there six months ago. So much has changed since then... or has it? I keep replaying the morning that I shared conversation over cake and coffee with our Alexandrian taxi driver, Shabban. Full of curiosity, he unabashedly drilled us with questions about the United States and President Obama. We listened as he rattled on about his personal frustrations with Egypt's government and economy. Little did I know then, there are thousands of Egyptians that share his sentiment and are ready for change.

Egypt has been on my mind a lot these last couple of days. I often wonder what Shabban is doing; if he is out in the crowds of protesters or at home with his wife and three children. I think about Uncle Khamis and the dozen other faces I met during my visit to Alexandria and Cairo, and how they might be affected by this political unrest. I can only hope that the steps taken toward governmental and economic reform will be ones of nonviolence. What are your thoughts on the situation in Egypt? Will the Egyptian people prevail? Is democracy possible for Egypt?