Photo above by Jonathan Rashad, found on Wikipedia and shared as per permission of the Author.
If there’s one thing I like about the new Facebook Timeline, is that I can finally look back at old posts – don’t worry though, I am not being nosy with your stuff, I was just curious to check out the first messages and updates from 2005, when I first signed up for a Facebook account. Back then, I was one of the few lucky ones that could open an account, because I was studying at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.
So after finding the very first posts and smiling (eventually laughing) a lot, I scrolled up and went back to January 2011, when I was in Egypt and the Revolution started. The internet was actually cut by the government’s censorship so I wanted to have a look at all those posts that I missed during those days. Of course I saw them afterwards, but I just wanted to go back to those days to remember…
I am so grateful to Facebook, for once. The messages brought me back to those moments, moved me, and made me feel loved. Here I am sharing some of them with you. The ones in Italian will be translated in the caption. Some of them are just hilarious, other ones overdramatic, but I love each one!
I put them in chronological order: from the day before everything started, to the day I went home. Enjoy!
My last post before the internet was cut
Last post 22 hours ago... I am afraid they cut your line...
Padruga ("friend", in Russian), how are you? I heard on the radio that even telephones don't work anymore. Take care! Kiss
Sister please get in touch... Kiss from your brother
B: I think about Giulia in Egypt with the Revolution, and without a connection. Give us your news when possible! P: Hey, give us news asap, please! Big hug, be safe.
We are waiting for you here, the Egyptian people are right, but the situation is getting too ugly...
Giulia, I know that all lines are cut. You're a smart girl so I am sure you know what to do! Give me news as soon as possible. Hug
Alice says: Thanks to anyone who can give me some news about Giulia! - Elisabetta says: Giulia, I am so worried! - Otto says: Airport and first available flight! Go anywhere but don't stay there... Be careful and come back soon sister!!! - Giorgio says: G, give us news! And go home! Ciao
Let me know if you are ok please!!! The news we are hearing from Egypt are not good. Can't you come back for a while? Please take care. Kiss
LOL? :D
Giulia we are waiting for your news
Ehy auntie Giulia... I hope you got away from that mess... give us news! A hug from all of us!
Olimpia says: Giulia, we wait for your news and we are close to you. What an historical moment... Sara says: Giulia come back to Italy
I pray for you and send you positive thoughts, come back soon, love you!
Emanuele says: Giulia give us news asap - Serena says: My sister, it's great that we finally had your news tonight. Stay at home, big kiss to you, and hope things will be ok soon for everyone! - Melissa says: hey Giulia, is everything ok? How's the situation? - Carla (my mom) says: Hi everyone. I heard from Giulia in the afternoon, she was at home, she realizes what's going on, she asked me not to worry and she assured she's not going out until it will be possible again. She has enough food for the next days. I have her address and if it's the case I will contact the embassy to take her home. I can't wait!!! Mamma Carla
I heard from Giulia on the phone. She spent the night in a hotel and she's going home now. I hope she stays there until everything is normal again. She lives right in Downtown next to the Egyptian Museum. Thanks everyone for participating, we are waiting for more news. Mamma Carla
LOL for the cigarettes note :D
FOR ALL THE FRIENDS: I heard from Ottavio (Giulia's brother), he said he spoke with Giulia this morning and she's ok! Everything is ok!
I finally got to talk to Giulia. She's at home with 3 friends, a Czech one, a German one and another Italian one. They put a piece of furniture in front of the door and are staying away from the windows because of gunshots in the streets. Egyptian men from her building and buildings around are protecting the area against looters. She told the embassy about her location, and if it's the case they'll go get her to repatriate her. There's an Alitalia flight already arranged for this. But for now it's still too dangerous to move, so we have to wait. She says hi to everyone and she's very happy about Giada's call, who wants to talk to her can try and call her, she's happy to hear from you. Alfonso, don't worry. See you at next update. Mamma Carla
I just heard from Giulia on the phone... she barricaded herself at home and she's coming back, landing on wednesday night at 10.30 pm at Genova airport. Who wants to come... see you there! FINALLY!
I can imagine how hard it could be for my friends and family to know that I was in Egypt, and not being able to reach me on the phone or online. I think of them watching the news and wondering where I was, what I was doing, hoping for the best… It must have been very stressful and once again I want to thank everyone for being so supportive!
I went back to Egypt 2 weeks later. I couldn’t stay away for too long! This is definitely a happy ending.
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5 Comments
Hey Julia. I’ve heard a lot about you through Juno and am happy to finally be reading one of your posts. This one is a welcome reminder of the way this worldwide web can actually bring people closer together. Thanks.
Hey Katie, I also heard a lot about you! we can say Juno brings people together too:)
Thanks for stopping by!
I believe it to be the start of a global threat against the free world. There is such a plot; it is international in scope, a few generations in the planning. There are forces working their way into power that will usurp the democratic people (if there ever was such a people), and turn it into a religious state at odds with Israel. This, of course, will help to ignite the entire muslim world and millions of useful idiots will clamor for Europe to become muslim. This is the reason the media doesn’t cover it any more.
WTF? :D
Love that you went back 2 weeks later. :)
I can’t imagine how scary that time was for your friends and family. I thought the same when Japan had the big tsunami last year and all the power went out. My mum’s friend’s son was over there and couldn’t contact anyone to tell them he was alright.