Biladi, Biladi, Biladi, Misr! People Power in Egypt!

Well despite the terrible speech of last night, this afternoon confronted with huge crowds gathering at the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis, the army realized that they could not march against the people, I do not think that the army wanted to choose between people or Mubarak. The crowds were continously growing and Mubarak after 18 years of turmoil, fled by helicopter going off to Sharm El-Sheik. The Egyptian Army Council has taken over for now with Field Marshall Mohamed H. Tantawi. If this is possible in Egypt the largest and most ancient country in the whole region, anything can happen in the Middle-East. Mabrouk to the people of Egypt!

Official Winter portrait January 2011 ROME

This picture was taken at the top of the steps of the Church of Santa Maria Ara Coeli (Altar of the Sky) built of the site of the Temple of the Augurs, Augustus was Chief or Pontifex of the Augur Priestly College. The name of the church is derived from a vision Augustus had on the site when the Gods told him of this Jewish maiden Mary who would become Queen of Heaven. I think that it is an apocryphal story put out by eager Christians.
Behind us on the right is the dome of the Church of San Andrea della Valle and further behind is the dome of St-Peter. On our left is the dome of the Synagogue of Rome. Not in the picture to the left is the Campidoglio or City Hall of Rome. Immediately behind us is the former penthouse of Sofia Loren, who lost it a few years back because of an unpaid income tax bill.