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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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 Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject: Young American stabbed in Alexandria |
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This is why we repeatedly advise that everyone stay away from the current political demonstrations in Egypt. It may have been because he was taking photos.
He had gone to Egypt to teach for the summer with AMIDEAST. A sad end for him and his family... we all offer condolences to his family.
http://news.yahoo.com/american-student-killed-egypt-violence-taught-english-095155370.html |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Young American stabbed in Alexandria |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| This is why we repeatedly advise that everyone stay away from the current political demonstrations in Egypt. It may have been because he was taking photos. |
Very sad; he was only 21 years old. That's the same age as the young American student who was held for 15 days in a Syrian jails back in 2011. He'd alledgedly been taking photos of demonstrations as well. He was eventually released and returned to the US.
The organizations that sponsor these young people need to be very clear about the do's and don'ts in terms of safety. Of course, a good dose of awareness and personal common sense about avoiding the chaos and violence of these socio-political demontrations would have greatly helped. |
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william0dark30
Joined: 18 Jun 2013
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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I made the mistake of filming a miserably crowded metro car with my cell phone while traveling underneath the streets of Cairo in 2012. I was trying to film discretely because I know how sensitive some people can get over here.
After I got off the train I was confronted by an Egyptian who grabbed my arms and made gestures for me to follow him. I was able to summon a few people to come to my aide but my accuser quickly turned my helpers against me. I am sure that he had convinced them that I was a spy capturing footage of their top secret metro system. Remember, none of my tormentors spoke a lick of English, so I was unable to defend myself properly.
Anyways, my persecutors wanted to see my passport. I supplied them with a copy "never carry your original" and when they read "amriky" on my document they freaked out and grabbed me. I broke free and ran for my life through the metro. When I reached the tracks I realized that I was stuck so I turned around to face the music. What I saw converging upon me was stuff of Hollywood. A massive mob of angry commuters overwhelmed me and I was quickly subdued. It's a surreal feeling being swallowed up by an avalanche of hatred.
Thankfully, there were some sensible people among the rabble which I made good use of by clinging onto them. Finally, I was escorted to the metro police station where I presented my case. My Egyptian wife ended up bailing me out via cell phone. The police apologized and let me go with a warning not to film their metro. My misled interest to capture people being exposed to extreme congestion ended up costing me.
American taking pictures = spy in many areas around Cairo. What I am trying to say here is don't take any pictures unless you are at a tourist site. Or any other camera friendly place you run into.
If you use common sense over here and counter anger with kindness, you should get along fine. Study the culture and find out what aggravates the locals. Try your best not to provoke anyone like yours truly. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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| This is not the time to go to Egypt. "For every thing there is a season." |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Posts: 148
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| Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:47 am Post subject: |
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Agree with that, Scot.
I bailed three weeks ago, just as things were getting hot. I'd planned it months before, anyway, but I'm really pleased I'm out (now in Spain). Living a couple of kilometres from Tahrir Square's about as close to the heat as I ever want to get. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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As if things weren't messy enough, the last chapter of this saga makes things even more unpredictable for Western expats. Glad that you are out Pierogi...
VS |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Posts: 148
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| Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers, VS.
I reckon my Middle East chapter is now closed. When I write it, I shall call it 'Between The Revolutions'. |
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