In a very tumultuous scene, full of loud voices, angry faces, and unrested hearts, I sit inside a bus, trying to escape the noisy traffic using my loud headphones. Let alone the very loud radio and humbling and mumbling of people who seem to be grumpy. Extremely hot weather, and there is barely any space for me to lift my hands up to open the window, which if opened, it will break and sprinkle the dust. “How Ironic?” You would think. On the bright side, I have a seat on the bus, but I would not really consider myself lucky to have a spot to sit on, it is only because I have been on the ride for quite a while. That is when I started to like bus rides. Regardless of the atmosphere, I enjoyed my long bus rides as I daydream of my future. Reflecting upon myself, my dreams, goals, and the experiences that I have been through during my short life. How I am part of this big world. In this infinite universe, in the milky way galaxy, on planet Earth, in the Middle East, in Africa, in Egypt, in Alexandria, in a neighbourhood, on a small little bus!
How did I end up here? In a square full of chants. Sometimes very peaceful, and musical. And sometimes it sounded like screams of pain, and agony. There were people giving up their lives for their dreams. Chants on the streets of Egypt in January of 2011; “Ash-a'b yureed isqat al-nizam” which means “The people want to topple the regime”. The youth, are asking a president to resign? Protests, and chants on the street. A revolution. Dreams in the air. Revolts, and shout outs. Youth everywhere calling out their hopes. It is a revolution in my country. Revolution of January the 25th, 2011.
I can not claim I had any hopes as much as others in the square did. That is when I realized I need to invest in myself, make a revolution against my comfort zone, get out of my way to learn, and be exposed to different things and most of all to give back to the world. Mostly, I have understood that it is not just my country that I need to give back, but the entire world. I should not limit my dreams, and goals to geographical borders, but I could take myself anywhere, even if it was another far continent. It is not just about being wanderlust, transcontinental moves are all I need to get an educated head, rich intellect, cleansed eyes, sincere prayers, and connect with real people who will remember me when they raise their hands to the sky, and most of all; a passport full of stamps.
