katie in cairo, egypt

What a night. Yesterday Egypt's national futbal team (soccer for all you American ninnies) was victorious in the final match for the title of the African Cup for the fifth year in a row. Though I was not able to attend (tickets were sold out weeks and weeks ago), the game was held at the big stadium in Nasr City where about 73,000 fans cheered Egypt on against the Ivory Coast. From my little plastic chair in front of the TV in the sheesha filled coffee shop on 26th July Street in Zamalek, the fans seemed rather intimidating, though I'm sure they're no worse than the beer drenched fanatics at a Redskins game.

While no cars were overturned like in Boston or Pittsburgh, the Egyptians immediately took to the streets to celebrate. Until about 3am I could hear them parading outside my window with flags, drums, chanting, and the imfamous horn honking that seems to take on a different pattern of jubilation rather than the normal irritation. Downtown people climbed the city statues, blocked the streets while playing with fire, and put the Cairene to a dead halt. Even though this was their fifth African Cup victory in a row, they seemed ready and eager to celebrate. Even Mr. Mubarak was in attendance and rewarded the Egyptian players with a hefty financial reward.

Just as the jubilation seemed to by dying down on my street late last night, I heard another squadran of chanters approaching. However, unlike the rest of the groups who were cheering "Egypt, Egypt!" I suddenly realized that these much more stern marchers were strutting to a different tone--"Remember our God is the only God, and Muhammad is His Prophet!" (or something like that). Apparently the rioting inspired another protest group of the cartoon fiasco. I'm not sure if there were other riots going on in Cairo, but I'm guessing this group was headed to the Danish embassy near my flat in Zamalek. I haven't heard anything yet, but I doubt that any violence incurred. That embassy has been so heavily guarded for the last week I don't know how they could have torched it if they tried. A charred European embassy is the last thing Egypt's suffering economy needs.

posted by Katie Warren @ 4:09 PM