“IN PHOTOS” is a series I will use to share many of the hundreds of photos I have taken during my travels. It is a series I have thought about for a while now, but did not want to start until I got back home from my trip. However after spending a week in Chefchaouen, Morocco I couldn’t wait any longer. “IN PHOTOS” will not have a set schedule like my “MUSIC MONDAY” or “PHOTO ROUND UP” series. “IN PHOTOS” will be a post with several photos with no limit. The only restriction this series will have is that it must be about a certain subject or theme. I will write a brief paragraph or sentence describing the subject or theme of the photos and then post the photos. I will label the photos (if you hover over them with your mouse you will see the label), but I will not caption the photos like I do on my blog post or on “PHOTO ROUND UP” with my thoughts. I want to use “IN PHOTOS” to share my photos and let you come up with your own thoughts about the images and hope you share them with me.
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I have to be honest before January 25, 2011 if you had asked me to pin point “Tahrir Square” on a map I would have looked at you and said “Umm yeah I have no clue”. Hell I didn’t even know “Tahrir Square” meant “Liberation Square“. The strange thing is that I have been obsessed with Egypt most of my life, but mostly of Ancient Egypt. You know the Pyramids, Temples and Ruins. As I mentioned before it captured my imagination at a young age and knew I would visit one day & well now I am. It was when the Revolution started that I began to pay attention to the current events going on and was intrigued even more.
“Tahrir Square” lies in the heart of Cairo, and the funny thing is it’s not really a Square it’s more of a large turn around for traffic coming in all directions. As in Cairo, “Tahrir Square” also lies in the heart of the Arab uprising all over the middle east and because it was the focal point of the Revolution in Egypt it is now world known. The images we have seen come from this Square have been heart breaking, gut wrenching, tear jerking powerful images of people fighting for rights they deserve and for a better & happier future. The sad thing is that the media always seems to put a spin on things and only show us the ugly, the bad & the dramatic. I mean we know it’s “that” news and images that travel faster around the world and are what “sells”, but come on show the good side too. No? I have now been in Egypt over 3 weeks and am exploring all corners of Egypt, but have managed to visit “Tahrir Square” on many occasions. Every time I go I am in awe and can’t help, but look around at everything going on and feel the energy coming from all over. I am also welcomed by strangers “Welcome to Egypt” – “Thank you for visiting” is what I hear often. It’s an amazing feeling you get when you are welcomed to any country by locals.
I was lucky enough to be in Cairo on Friday – January 27, 2012. Just 2 days after the one year anniversary of the start of the Revolution. I wanted to be there on the 25th, but was in Siwa, visiting the Sahara Desert. What I was able to whiteness though on Friday is something I will never forget and one of the most amazing things I have seen on the road to date. What I witnessed is humanity coming together for one cause in the most peaceful way possible, prayer! I arrived early and watched as the crowds gathered, signs put in place, people getting face painted and memorabilia being sold everywhere to show pride. Then moments later I started seeing everyone take seat on the streets, to get ready for prayer. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing… this is the stuff I have always wanted to whiteness and document for myself. Shortly after the prayer began and I was in AWE… I had never seen anything like this. It was so beautiful & peaceful. I spent several hours there during the day and more during the night. The images I was able to capture are some of my favorite from my entire trip. I am looking at them and am in tears… I really wish it was these images that made the news around the world. I hope with this post I can show the world a side of “Tahrir Square” the media/news do not want you to see.
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“IT’S A REVOLUTION NOT A PARTY”
“THE IDEA DOESN’T DIE”
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Hope you enjoyed the photos & I hope you share your thoughts below.
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Oh & please share this… lets show the world another side of Tahrir Square the good side!
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PREVIOUS IN PHOTOS
- A visit to the Sahara Desert again (this time in Egypt) in photos.
- A short adventure to Ephesus, Pamukkale, & Cappadocia, Turkey in photos.
- Getting lost in Venice in Photos.
- Occupy Madrid in photos.
- A Sahara Desert expedition in photos.
Thanks for the pictures, they’re better than most of the place Tahrir pics in the news.
Hey Alice, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Miss ya~ Hope Paris is treating ya well & hope you get back on the road soon!!!
Wow Jaime, you really are there Witnessing history! Your pictures are, as always, amazing. My faves are 10, 19, 21, 23. on 23 with the palm trees, are those pictures of the martyrs? And 21 is just so beautiful. And the little kids…love those.
Thank you Rubi, it really felt that way… I just loved it. It was something so powerful to experience! Yes the photo of the palm trees is of a few of the Martyrs. When I saw it I got tears… I just looked at it and wanted to cry.
Incredible, I hope many people pass this on!
Patricia GW recently posted..My Secret Addiction
Thanks Patricia, I hope so too!
Awesome photos! Those kids in photos 8, 9 and 10 are just the cutest!!!
It’s interesting how the western media doesn’t show these kinds of things – it’s all about fear-mongering and making the world seem like this scary, dangerous hell-hole, when in reality, there are so many positives that go unreported. It’d make the world a better place if only we were exposed to the positive sides of humanity, as opposed to a constant barrage of negatives. It’s important to report the negatives too of course, but in a balance way and try to avoid unnecessary sensationalism that exists purely for the sake of making headlines.
Hopefully people will start to return to Egypt again in the near future.
Waegook Tom recently posted..Terezín Concentration Camp
Thanks so much WT, I agree with everything you said. I hate that… that is how the media portrays the amazing world we live in. That is part of the reason why I hate watching news, I mean really why not spread some of the good, the beautiful???? I hope people return to Egypt, I am in love and I mean it. It’s truly an amazing place with so much to see and do and the people are just so nice.
I love seeing your updates on Twitter & FB from Egypt showing that there is more going on in the country than the violence splashed across the nightly news. These photos are just another example of citizen journalism at work – thanks so much for sharing them. And, enjoy the rest of your time in Egypt!
Audrey recently posted..Istanbul Without the Carpet: A Tale of Two Visits
Thank you Audrey, that is part of my goal to show everyone how the world we live in really is. I am so happy right now I am in Egypt and able to share the good side of this amazing country with everyone. It’s a side we don’t see much of and I hope I can spread some love around the world. Thanks again and I will be sure to enjoy the rest of my time here.
I am so damn happy that you are getting to see how it REALLY looks like!
I love each one of these pics, especially the kids and the prayer’s ones…
Thanks for making me feel some of the atmosphere again:)
Giulia recently posted..New York City and Boston in black and white
Thank you Giulia, thank you for keeping this country in my heart for so long. I had traveled with you through this country on your blog and now you are traveling again through my blog. Thank you so much for helping me and giving me so many tips. I am so glad I am seeing a side of Egypt most of the world doesn’t even know is here. I am also happy I can share a bit of it with people. I hope it makes people to come back and visit.
Jaime these photos are incredible. You’ve done a great job capturing te emotion and expression. I can only imagine what the energy was like there. It’s sad that the only time the media will show photos of Tahrir square is when something bad has happened. It’s great to see another side of tahrir square.
Alouise recently posted..I Think I Am Going To Colorado
Thank you so much Alouise, the energy there is unexplainable… it’s so positive and filled with so much hope. I agree it’s so sad that the only time the media shows photos of this square are when something bad is happening. Glad I am able to show the world another side to this beautiful square.
Beyond, beyond incredible!!!!!!!
Thanks Andi, thank you so much!
Really great photos, Jaime. You’ve really told a story with them!
Amanda recently posted..How to Work with Tourism Boards
Thanks Amanda, I am so glad I was able to do just that. I love them so much.
Jaime, once again your photos are out of this world! WHOA! What type of camera are you using and what are you using to edit them?
Ryan @ PauseTheMoment.com recently posted..Guerilla Packs Voltij Backpack Giveaway!
Thank you so much Ryan for the kind words. I am just usng a point & shot Sony CyberShot and to edit them I use PicNik and I love it so much but sadly it is closing in April so I must find another software. I now have PhotoShop but I don’t think I know how to use it yet… will take me a while to learn how to use it.
Try using Picasa, it’s similar to PicNik and is a really user friendly piece of entry level photo editing software
Ryan @ PauseTheMoment.com recently posted..An Inside Look at Thailand’s Best Beaches
I use it but don’t like it doesn’t have a bit more like PicNik does. I’ll find one soon.
Jaime, these are fabulous photos! Because of the revolution, Tahrir Square is now such a historical place, everyone who travels to Cairo should make it a point to go there. The hours I spent in Tahrir one Friday aftenoon several weeks ago were some of the most exciting and inspiring in my traveling life. I’m happy you got to experience this too. Everyone should.
Sabina recently posted..Petra, Jordan – Worth the Time and Money? Definitely.
Thank you Sabina, yes because of the revolution it is a very historical place and I wish everyone who travels to Cairo visited, but a lot are avoiding it for that reason. If they only knew how inspiring it is to be down there!
wow Jamie!!! blown away by your photos!!! you just keep getting better…. and these are amazing especially the one of everyone bowed down in prayer.
Darren recently posted..Life On A Kibbutz
Thank you so much Darren, means a lot to me! I love them all… they are so powerful and really all tell a story!
Wonderful photos! Interesting to see such a different perspective.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
Thanks Stephanie, I love that I am able to share this.
Really cool to see these photos from someone who is there first-hand. I have definitely not seen these scenes in the news. Great post.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Scenes from the Chinese New Year Celebration in San Diego
Thanks Scott, yeah sadly this is not what is shown! I wish it was, but it just never will!
Incredible. I bet these will end up being some of your favorites from your entire RTW. The photos of the kids are especially powerful.
Kent @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Feeling Broken
Thank you Kent so much! They are all so powerful…
Totally awesome Jaime!! You are our very own Facebook reporter, thanks for sharing the ‘real’ story. The ones we’d love to hear!
Aww Kathy I love that… “our very own FB reporter” just love it! Thanks for following along and the kind words.
Whoa, these are awesome pictures … screams powerful to me. Thanks for sharing Jaime!
Harrison recently posted..On Being a Transient Wanderer
Thanks Harrison, so much!
So glad I came accross this website last night! great photo’s bro, awesome concept for the ‘in photos’ series! mind if i steal it for myself? haha
btw, are using a filter program to put your photos through? they look amazing!
Welcome to my site, glad you enjoy it! I’m also glad you like the concept! Yes if you want to start a series like this for yourself go for it. Photos are photos and amazing ones should be shared. As for what I am using its a process on PicNik called Cross Process. I use it sometimes to make all the photos uniform and look like one.
awesome man, thanks for the heads up! I ll go check that program out because I def agree with you on the uniformity it gives to a set of pictures…
wow… how amazing Jaime!
Thanks QB!
Incredible images Jaime, especially number 21. Let me know if you need any help with photoshop, it’s what I use and I can try and point you in the right direction 😉
Pete Heck recently posted..Postcards From New York City – Part 1
Thank you very much Pete, I love this collection of photos! As for photoshop thanks for the offer cus I may need it… I have no clue how to use it and will need to begin using it soon.
Hate to sound like a broken record. But yes, great photos and great perspective from the inside.
I use Adobe Lightroom for my shots and love it. Highly recommended.
Gerard ~ GQ trippin recently posted..At-A-Glance: Wine Tasting in Blenheim
Thanks Gerard… as for LR I am now trying to get the hang PS!
Awesome picture. I love the prayer picture. I wonder why he wasn’t praying? Could have been Christian, not religious or just not feeling like he wanted to at that point!
I was present during the first 8 days of the revolution and in the Square on 25th (got stuck in a building hiding until the early hours of the morning!). My heart is so heavy for the Egyptian people, especially as I believe there is still such a long way to go and sadly definite old regime tactics still at play. I wasn’t there last year or this year but always keep one eye on Egypt no matter where I am. I will return.
Thanks Forest, yes I still don’t know what that guy is doing standing up and it just leaves me puzzled every time I see it. That’s crazy that you were there during the start of it… it must have been very intense, because I know that was the peak of the revolution. Thankfully now things are still a bit crazy but not as bad as 2 years ago. I just wish the government would change and help make Egypt a great nation again.
I LOVE and MISS MiSr ( Egypt) too !
Ahh yes Misr is amazing!!!
Thank you for posting these photos. They are amazing. I was in Egypt the last week of May this year and went by the Square. Everyone is so very friendly there. Changed my life, and my outlook. Keep up the auesome posts 🙂
Glad you enjoyed them Larissa, Tahrir Sq. really is one of the most peaceful Sqs. in the world. I loved going there all the time and getting a feel for what was happening in Egypt. Glad you went and that you too enjoyed it.
Beautiful and heartfelt pictures. Yes, you won’t see these in the media. Pity. So much misunderstanding and manipulation that goes on. Keep up the great work! I know this is a bit late…but I was intrigued with your turning thirty blog. I remember when I did. Funny enough it was a tough birthday for me. 40 was fine, 50 ok…and now 60 is around the corner. I’m having a tough time with that one as well in some respects. Oh well. Time waits for no one… Best, Dan
PS: OMG! I almost forgot! Have a very Happy Birthday!! I’m in Rome for a month in the middle of a three month journey. It was a little test to see how I’d make out on long term travel. So far, it’s been interesting. Some of the things that you wrote about long term travel I’ve come to experience first hand. Stay well.
Jajaja thank you so much Dan… loved your comments. Mean a ton to me to hear from people who read my blog!!! Long term travel is a love hate relationship… it’s amazing, but yeah you know. And congrats on about to turn 60. Would be a privilege if I made it to that age. And love what you said about “Time wait’s for no one.” you’re so right about that. It doesn’t, it always goes.