When did we start caring about Egyptians Greeting Americans with “Obama Very Good”?
Before reading any further, answer me honestly: did your blood pressure just go up reading that sentence? Did you find yourself thinking “trouble” even for a brief moment? Here’s my honest answer: if I’d read that sentence two weeks before arriving in Cairo, when Gaza had exploded and Arab anti-American protests were a staple on CNN, I may have said ‘troubled’ would be too strong but ‘concerned’ would have been appropriate. I couldn’t have been more wrong. And it made my little liberal heart sing. Islamic Cairo is an old part of an ancient city, a walk through it’s twisting tiny streets engages your senses. Beds of bright fresh produce sold from donkey carts are a treat for the eyes while your nose deals with the accompanying fresh manure. The sound of the cacophanic and haunting call to prayer can make you stop and take an unexpectedly deep breath. The beautiful mosques are a wonder but camera-toting tourists are few, and as much as our little party tried to dress appropriately (modes
