I couldn't ignore what has happened in Egypt over the last couple of weeks. I've followed the People's Uprising via the excellent cover the BBC gave it. Part of me watched, hoping that the people would succeed, but thinking they probably wouldn't. Ordinary people can't overthrow an oppressive dictator of 30 years can they?
But on the 11th February Mubarak stood down handing over the reins of government Higher Council of the Armed Forces. The unbridled joy of the people was moving to watch, it felt like such a victory for the ordinary people who often feel they have no voice or power. Over the weekend the people spontaneously tidied up Tahrir Square, cleaned monuments, painted, brushed, picked up litter. Almost as if they were sweeping away the old to make room for the new.
The hardest time for Egypt is still ahead, trying to form a democratic government will not be easy. But I so hope for those very brave, ordinary people that it succeeds, and that this most ancient of countries becomes all that they want it to be.
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