When we returned to our hotel at Taalat Harb Square around 6pm we couldn't believe at the crowds! People danced and sang until past the curfew hour of midnight. Fireworks added to people's excitement on the street. Loud speakers played Oum Kalthoum, Egypt's greatest diva, even 30 years after she died. We heard her songs over and over,and at times the lyrics were muted and people sang the songs by heart. Everyone had a flag, a ribbon, a hat, a card, or their faces painted with red, white and black, colors of the flag. Military people helped children, men and women climb over the tanks and posed with them for pictures. Posters with the faces of some of the people who died during the revolution were paraded as well as banners saying "Egypt loves you." Now that the revolution is over, Egyptians want to bring back the 11 billion dollars that tourists bring to the country annually.
This was indeed "Victory Continuation" week in Cairo, and we were very happy to be part of it, even if only from the balcony adjacent to our hotel room.
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