Tahrir Square

Tahrir square is a small square in downtown Cairo with multiple roads intersecting through it. At one end lies the Egyptian Museum and the burnt out remains of a multi-storied office block that used to be the headquarters of the Egyptian Secret Police. January 25th 2010 was the date that the revolution occurred in Cairo and spread throughout Egypt. There remains a ramshackle tent city in the square covered with flags, writing, and protesting people. Overall this is where the people have died in clashes with the police and the military in the last year. In fact 28 died two weeks before we arrived. We were surprised by how small the square is. At night it comes alive with large stages set up, music blaring and people singing. On Fridays (Holy day) the police block off multiple roads with large barricades of barbed wire, and squads of military and police are seen everywhere. When discussing the events of TAhrir square and the revolution over the last few weeks with the locals, everyone has been so pleased by their revolution. They all express their hopes for a future with less corruption. One guide told us he had gone to Tahrir Square last January and taken his 10yo son to join in as it was a day history was made. Most Egyptians do not support the current protesters as they rightly point out that the elections have not even finished - let alone had time to see if things have changed. So we also walked out into Tahrir square and survived the experience!