Captain Kujo In Cairo

If you've seen the SAV Advantage Video, then you know the Egyptian Military has been a faithful customer of Captain Kujo and his company, USIA, for over 15 years. Last week, the Captain traveled to the embattled country for the first time since the unrest broke. Here's his story.

"I was scheduled to make this trip in December, then all hell broke loose, but to the military establishment, it's business as usual so, off to Egypt.

"My how this place has changed since the last time I was here. There were hundreds of thousands of people at the square yesterday listening to the new Prime Minister. My friend (former Army General) is now Assistant Minister of Defense. He has offered to take me on a private escorted military tour of the square after my return from Alexandria next week. They are allowing me to bring cameras, so I'm charging batteries and buying extras.

"The State Security Complex in Alexandria was overrun yesterday (3/3) by protesters and things are slightly tense there, so the Egyptian Navy has made other arrangements for me when I arrive. I have made contact with most everybody I needed except my contacts in the "secret police". I can't seem to find anybody, no one will talk, and the former building they were housed in is vacant and the prison that was located next to there building has been burnt to the ground. It does look like war ruins.

"There were hundreds of Egyptians flooding the Airport that have just fled Libya who were workers in the oil industry. They all looked relieved to be back in their own country. It's funny how the local news I'm watching from this region paints a much different picture than the one we get in US. I switched planes in Frankfurt in comin in and the shooting had just occured on the military bus. It delayed us getting off the flight and of course information was sketchy at best. I couldn't find any info on what happened until I could get to a US news source via 'smartphone.' It appears most of the US news media is focused on Libya and Cairo has slipped out of the forefront, but I assure you, the situation here is still 'live.' The place is extremely fluid, the situation changes daily. I'm sure there is more adventure ahead in the coming weeks.

"US Embassy is still closed but other than the square, the people here are trying to get back to normal life. The police no longer where uniforms so it's hard to tell if there is any police presence. I was met by 2 plain clothes police officers, who took my passport, got my visa, grabbed my bags, bypassed customs, and I was out of the airport and kept away from the incoming crowds from Libya. It seems to still be a "who you know place" , I'm just not completely sure who I know (except in the military) and I'm not sure who sent them. When I got outside, the USIA advance team I sent in before me was right there to greet me.
The tourists have simply vanished and it's really killing the economy, hotel deals here are GREAT. Italy lifted there "travel ban" so maybe that will help. I just don't see many Americans coming here anytime soon. It's really too bad as Egypt is open for business."

source: CaptainKujo photos: CaptainKujo

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