Samia Salim, thirty-one, is an assistant at a company that manages oil fields. She refuses to wear a veil—she is not “psychologically prepared” to do so—even though most of her friends think she should.

Describe the past sixteen days.

Initially, Salim had “mixed feelings” about the protesters. But their “courage and persistence,” achieving “what couldn’t be actualized over decades,” left her shocked and inspired”: “I truly felt honored and really wanted to go to Tahrir.” But Salim’s parents, with whom she lives, worried for her safety, and she stayed at home.

How’s work?

“Like most people, we took a week.” They waited until “the situation cleared up or, at least, until it was safe enough to be in the street.” Salim is back at work now.

Who should be the next president of Egypt?

“I don’t know, but I would vote for Amr Moussa.”

Where do you get your news?

Salim favors the satellite channels, particularly Al-Arabiya. As for the state-run television, “I followed the Egyptian TV channels a bit, but they lacked credibility. It was so obvious they were fabricating opinions and people to attack the revolution.”

Are you going Friday?

“I hope so, but I doubt my parents will accept it.”

How do you feel about Wael Ghonim?

“I fully respect him for what he did, for taking action. I would be so, so, so proud if Wael were a brother to me.”

Would you ever leave Egypt?

Did I mean, Would she ever flee Egypt? “No, I won’t.”

Hear the stories of more Egyptians on the ground.