by Patrick Appel
A PhD student, in Cairo until a couple days ago, explains why he left despite not feeling like he was in any danger. I recognize this feeling:
I don't think I'm the only one, either in Cairo or at a keyboard back in America, who feels the urge to be a part of someone else's revolution because of that thrill. Even if I'm not participating, just being here is exciting. I won't lie and pretend there's no vicarious thrill to this. Bumming around Cairo, hunting for fresh vegetables, hanging out with neighborhood watch guys, speculating about when Mubarak will give up and go away, passing the time with other nervous expats while the streets take on a carnival atmosphere ok, a carnival with tanks, but still, it's an adventure. I have front row seats for history.
But there are people back home who are worried about me, and the excitement isn't worth the possibility that the phones could go down again and they'd have no way to contact me. I'm a selfish only child, but not that selfish. So I'm going. I hope I can come back soon, under a new and better regime.
(Photo: "The people want to topple the regime" from twitter.)