Reflections from Cairo

One of the amazing things about our life in the Middle East thus far has been the unique opportunity to be in the right place at the right time. We were in Kuwait when President Bush came, I was in Kenya was Barak Obama was elected, and I was in Cairo when President Obama gave his seminal speech. All of these things have served to reinforce to me the blessing and obligation that it is to be an American.

I was in Cairo the week leading up to President Obama's arrival, and actually flew out the same day that he arrived from Saudi, gave his speech at Cairo University and left to Germany. I have been to Cairo frequently over the course of the last 8-months (every other week to be exact), and there was a lot of energy and excitement during this last week. Every day in the newspaper it was full of articles about the American President, about American policy and about America in general. There certainly has been an obsession. This obsession has been very positive. Now, feelings and words can't change the world, but it's a start. When hearts are softened, they are more apt to listen and then take action. I reflect often when I think of these types of things that the 'word of God is more powerful than the sword', and a 'soft word turneth away wrath'. Unfortunately, much of the world trusts more in the 'arm of the flesh' than in the 'arm of the Lord'. having said that, what we see is a start. The people of Cairo were waiting in great anticipation for this leader to come and share with them what would surely be a speech for the ages.

One of the cruel ironies of American policy is that we promote democracy across the world, but support the heaviest of hands in our allies. Egypt is no exception. While Hosni Mubarak is an elected President, he's not more 'elected' than my kids get to choose what their eye color is. So, while we truly want and desire free people and democracies across the world, the Arab countries that we have the closest relationships with are some of the ones with the biggest challenges. In the true spirit of an Arab (although really Egyptians aren't Arabs) democracy, weeks before his arrival, many of the dissenters were rounded up. There were several sweeps to take those who might disagree with America off the streets. Further, they used it as an excuse to also bag others who just disagreed with the Egyptian government on anything. It was like a 3 for 1 sale! Get an American dissident and also get 2 others for the same price! I sometimes think governments love it when this happens. What this also means, is that the local citizenry associates this with tacit American support. So, while it we as Americans don't support this type of action, we don't really say much to discourage it.

However, there were other steps that needed to be taken as well. Streets were shut down starting Wednesday night (he came on Thursday), so that he wouldn't have to deal with Cairo traffic. Now, if you ask me, part of the charm and draw of Cairo is the taxi drivers and the traffic. I don't think our President can truly say he's been to Cairo unless he's taken his life into his own hands within the confines of a black and white Cairo taxi. Now that's just me, but that's better than any old Pyramid. So, instead of allowing for a taxi ride, Egypt did the exact opposite, they shut down all roads and streets that he might even look at. Then, they did a Cairo cleaning project the likes of which Home Makeover would have been proud of. Just as families come home to an entirely new home that they don't even recognize, Cairenes woke up Thursday morning to a picture of a new city. Streets were clean, walls were painted, potholes were filled, trash was removed, it was like Zion might be one day. Once again, our President was robbed of truly experiencing Cairo. Cairo is not clean streets, fresh paint and good smells, but traffic, fumes, garbage and a shiny, happy smiling populace. Ahh, Cairo.

A schedule of Obama's trip was published and included arriving at the airport, going to the Cairo University, touring a famous mosque and market, going to the Pyramids, visiting a palace, and other side events. All of this within the time of his arrival at 10AM and leaving at around 6PM I believe. Now, for those that have been to Cairo, you know that frequently if you arrive at 10AM, you don't even leave the airport until noon, and then it would take you until the afternoon to get to the Pyramids, and then you'd have to call it a night. That fact that he was able to do all of this in 8 hours is nothing short of miraculous. This is a feat worthy of Peter walking on the water, or Elijah with the neverending meal and cruse of water. Wow! Nonetheless, it was done.

All week, people were congratulating me and shouting Obama and America. Words that I don't mind hearing at all. I like it that my country is gaining respect again. I like it that we can be perceived as a leader again, I enjoy that my country is not a moral and social doormat and punch line. It's a good feeling. I worked it for all I could I must admit, and enjoyed every minute of being an American.

Even at the airport as I was leaving, the crowds were glued to windows in the terminal, outside, in the buses and in the airplanes. They all wanted a glimpse of the 'American Plane'. It wasn't the American 'President's' Plane, but America's. That was a good feeling. The power of thing as simple as a plane was a symbol for a people that want and yearn for what we enjoy on a daily basis. That again was a great sense of pride for me. What felt even better was that as people were gawking and talking, they had smiles on their faces and animated gestures. I admit that in Egypt this is typical (Egyptians are always happy and smiling that is why I love them), but it was even more engaging for me to see it at this time. Once again, confirming to me the difference that this man is making. I may not agree with all of his policies (I never agree with all of anyone's policies - including some of my own), but I am mature enough to see the impact he is having across the world. We would be silly and vain indeed to not try and capture this.

All in all, it was a great week in Cairo and I wish I could have been in person to see his speeches and hear other comments. Unfortunately, as a poor Idaho/Utah boy, those are not in my near future. About as close as I get is seeing blocked roads and nice TV clips. However, the feeling that comes is one of gratefulness and humility of being blessed to be a citizen of what I feel is the greatest country in the world. God bless the United States of America.