18 responses

  1. Sarah Got A Passport
    May 1, 2011

    I stayed in a hotel by Tahrir Square in 2008. It’s sad to see the destruction, but at least things are relatively peaceful now.

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      May 1, 2011

      Thanks for the comment, Sarah! I was surprised how little physical destruction there was in the square, considering it was the focal point of a revolution that toppled the government. There appeared to be no damage at all to the nearby Egyptian Museum. It would be interesting to see how the area has changed since 2008.

      Reply

  2. Andrea
    May 1, 2011

    I always find it interesting to visit places that have been in the headlines – if you can remember the history (recent or old) of the place it makes it that much more meaningful

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      May 2, 2011

      Definitely. Especially when the events were so recent and on such a large scale (a revolution)!

      Reply

  3. Traveling Ted
    May 2, 2011

    It looks like all is quiet on the Tahrir Square front.

    Reply

  4. Maria A
    May 2, 2011

    It’s great to see things look relatively normal there and peaceful. It says a lot that the citizens cleaned up the place after the protests.

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      May 2, 2011

      Totally. There is clearly a lot of national pride in Egypt right now!

      Reply

  5. Dave from The Longest Way Home
    May 2, 2011

    It’s good to see the local people clean up after the protests. I imagine the tourism board also made sure the place was “respectable” before having people visit.

    I have no doubt Egypt is safe to travel, even for independent travelers not on a tour bus.

    It’s also good to see the Egyptian tourism board take a proactive approach by inviting people such as yourself to visit the city!

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      May 2, 2011

      The Egyptian government is eager to bring tourism back. The economy is hurting right now, and tourism is a main source of employment and revenue.

      Reply

  6. Jeff Titelius
    May 2, 2011

    Great recap of your visit to Tahrir Square. I too, would have expected to see much more devastation than apparent in your photos above. You really brought this historical place to life for me with your pics and story. Thank you for making it real!

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      May 2, 2011

      It was amazing standing on the very spot where the revolution happened. When we visited, the square looked very different from the images I’d seen on TV. (For started, it had 1 million fewer people!)

      Reply

  7. Juno
    May 2, 2011

    Good sums up for the visit Leslie. You were standing on a history! It’s quite odd to say ‘safe’ after what happened yesterday but it’s good to know they are concentrating to create safe environment for travelers.

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      May 2, 2011

      I’m not sure what effect Bin Laden’s death will have on travel to Egypt and other destinations. the US State Dept issued a vague “world wide” travel alert that seems useless. It doesn’t even name any specific countries or regions!

      Reply

  8. Giulia
    May 3, 2011

    Yes, yes, yes!!! Thanks for publishing this, again. The problem is that the only images of Cairo broadcasted by the news are still the ones of the Revolution, so no one knows that Tahrir looks like this now. It’s all safe and quiet 🙂
    Sometimes on Fridays there are demonstrations but they are all pacific ones. I have been to one last Friday and took some videos-will post soon. It was a rather funny experience and felt totally safe.
    Concerning Bin Laden’s death and possible effects, well, I’d be much more scared in the States than here…

    Reply

  9. Jeremy B
    May 4, 2011

    Wow, those burned buildings are an eye opener! Amazed to see the damage there but glad that peace is on the way now.

    Reply

  10. Nance Carter
    May 4, 2011

    I wonder if there has been any unrest/uneasiness for travelers since bin Laden’s death?

    Reply

  11. Sarah Wu
    May 4, 2011

    Love your visit of Tahrir Square, Despite all the bad media coverage from before. Glad you enjoy it.

    Reply

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