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INTAKHABAT: OUTTAKES FROM A DEMOCRATIC EGYPT
Project published Spring, 2013.
In May 2012, I arrived in post-revolution Egypt alongside some very good company: my best friend Aymann and his older sister, Hebah, both first-generation Egyptian Americans. Our goal during our two week stay was to visit their many family members in Cairo and Alexandria as possible. And our timing couldn't have been more serendipitous for two photo/video nerds interested in politics: Egypt was set to host its first freely-held democratic presidential elections, and we were to have a front-row seat to the historic event.
Now, had I known a front-row seat would literally mean hiding on the balconies of abandoned buildings, camera in hand, while soldiers in Cub Scout-looking uniforms pointed soviet rifles up at us, I may have had second thoughts about the trip. Thankfully, the two days of polling were about as heated as things got during our stay, though we did find ourselves in a few other slightly dicey situations (you can read about one on Animal New York). But by and large, our time was filled with moments of peace and exploration.
Intakhabat translates simply to "elections" in Arabic. And while this series centers around this important time in Egypt's history, these images also represent a moment of personal growth. As a young photojournalist with little international travel experience, the opportunity to witness the will of the Egyptian people playing out in real-time through the democratic process is something I'll never forget.
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Most of my time spent in Tahrir Square was peaceful, almost jubilant. But arguments did tend to escalate quickly. Random children also got a real kick out of coming up to me, tapping me on the shoulder and whispering, "Death to America."
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We traveled by train between Alexandria and Cairo and caught a glimpse of more rural living.
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Cairo's Khan Khalili Market, a popular tourist area, was the site of a major suicide bomb attack a few years prior. -
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The women here are tough and courageous. However, Egypt is definitely still a male-dominated society.
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Young and old gathered in Tahrir Square daily to show their support for a democratic Egypt.
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Cairo is filled with dark alleyways, fortunately the shadowy figures are our friends.
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People liked to come up to me and pose for the camera. Some asked if I was a spy. I imagine it would be far more difficult now to walk around Tahir Square, camera in hand, and shoot portraits. Especially if you don't understand Arabic. Thankfully, I had the most wonderful translators by my side.
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Aggressive street merchants will try to sell you everything from packs of tissues to cheap nicknacks.
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RIP, Umm Ulfat.
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Mohamed Morsi won quite a bit of support from individuals in more rural communities, like this one. -
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The outskirts of Cairo.
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Lollipops and shattered cars. Signs of the revolution were everywhere. -
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I thought this was interesting: pre-revolution graffiti, written in English. It's almost as if it's an appeal to Western media.
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An all-female voting location. Voting lasted two days.
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Sailed da Nile. -
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A random street vendor who was kind enough to pose for a portrait.
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Showing off the freshly-inked finger
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Our driver while in Alexandria, Abraham.
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Many of these portraits were taken in-between interviewing individuals about their thoughts on the elections.
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This is Osama, Aymann's cousin and our wonderful guide for the majority of our time spent in Egypt.
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This gentlemen, before posing for a portrait, explained how he had balanced protesting in Tahir Square with studying for his college final exams.
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Our incredible host in Alexandria. Not pictured: her bright pink fuzzy slippers, which she specifically asked that I crop out.
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We watched this man dip a drinking glass directly into the Nile, twice, and chug the water. They say once you drink from the Nile, you are destined to return. I did not drink.
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Our first morning in Alexandria we were greeted by this friendly vendor selling tissues.
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Day dreaming.
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Army trainees
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The kids here get away with everything! -
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Capitalism, alive and well in the shop windows of Cairo. -
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SpongeBob is literally EVERYWHERE. Yes, that is Tahir Square in the background. -
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We rode horses full-speed through the desert (and one of them wasn't feeling so hot). Also, as an equestrian novice, I couldn't walk right for the rest of the trip after this little adventure.
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Kittens, everywhere. There are almost as many kittens as SpongeBob shirts. -
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Somewhere between Cairo and Alexandria. -
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This was shot from a balcony in downtown Cairo. Protests would literally form and dissipate non stop throughout the day and night.
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We went back to Tahir Square several times to take in the energy.
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From what I can tell, the Egyptian people are kind and generous. They look out for one another. The revolution and so many of the atrocities committed since I was there certainly overshadow the compassionate nature of these awesome people.
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I even made some new friends (and partied like an Egyptian).
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I tip my hat to this great nation and its people. I'm glad I was able to make my way there during one of the most hopeful, positive moments in their modern
political history. I only hope the current government can fulfill its promise to the people and give them back true democracy.
Special thanks to Aymann and Hebah for translating and keeping me safe!
