Egypt's Revolution will be Televised

Ayubowan and Salaam Alykum, friends!

I am writing from hot and sunny Colombo, Sri Lanka, on a Poya Day, the full moon holiday that Sri Lankans observe 13 times a year. May God/Allah, Lord Buddha, Shiva, Krishna and Ganesh...all bless this nation that celebrates more holidays than any other country on Earth. Yesterday, we observed the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, so that's two holidays back to back, shortly before a weekend. Not bad.

Just to update you on my previous trip to Egypt, it was oddly uneventful considering my family and I were in the midst of a nation's social uprising. My mother, brother and I left for Egypt on January 27, just two days after the protests began in Cairo. Once we arrived in Hurghada, a resort town on the Red Sea known as the Red Sea Riviera, our factual and feisty Egyptian tour director, Karima, began to get nervous about the likelihood of us moving forward, meaning northwards, to the big sights we were in Egypt to see. We had originally been scheduled to stay at the resort for two nights, but that figure turned into 5 nights, as all historic sites began closing and a cessation of normal life had eclipsed the country. Karima said she was working on securing our group on the next flight out of Hurghada, and subsequently, the next flight out of Cairo. Through her tireless logistical nightmares, she confessed to us: "Though I love my job and wished to have shared with you the sites of Egypt that I love, my desire is to be counted among my people in Tahrir Square and have my voice be heard."

So, we certainly made the best of it, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and enjoying the view of the Red Sea and the desert mountains just to the south. We watched BBC and CNN like junkies from our hotel rooms; even though we were in Egypt, we had no real way of getting information except the television. I would ask the waiters, the gift shop employees, and especially our outspoken tour guide and Egyptologist--what is your take on the masses gathered in Tahrir Square and the message of reform that they carry? Overwhelmingly, people echoed the sentiments of those in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria, demanding that Mubarak must go.

By the time Karima could swindle any tentative seats on any outgoing flights available, we spent an entire day getting to Cairo through several domestic flights, and left for New York the next morning. The Cairo International Airport was a zoo: frantic Egyptian families with many belongings waiting in long lines alongside frusterated tourists with almost the same amount of luggage. We left on the last day of the evacuation of foreigners, February 2, with Katie Couric leading the charge home from her 1st Class seat on our flight.

I am happy to report that as of February 11, this is history in the making and the calls of the people have been heard. President Mubarak has resigned and thus a new era has begun! I just hope that Egypt's people will elect someone who can fulfill their needs--the human needs we all have.