With no other way to feed their families, some Egyptians put down their Egyptian flags and anti-Mubarak signs on Monday, turning their energy away from ongoing protests to return to work. In Mounira, blocks away from downtown Tahrir Square, men and boys peddled sunglasses, kitchenware and potted plants, among other non-essential goods. Several said they were struggling to make ends meet. Mohamed Hassan, who made the more than half-hour commute from Helwan, said his sales were down 75 percent compared to a weekday before the protest. “I must come for my business and it is easy to go back home,” he said, of disobeying the state-imposed curfew. Standing behind a table laden with eyeglasses, Abu al-Ezz watched as dozens crowded nearby produce stands. “Most of the people are searching for food and my selling rate is low,” he said. “On a normal day I sell ten to 15 glasses, but today it is only three or four.” He watched as a crush of people bought food before the 3PM curfew, which was moved up an hour Monday from previous days. At LE10 per pair, or less than US$2, al-Ezz barely earned enough to feed his family for a day. But, although they are struggling, many vendors, including those selling food, have not raised their prices. “The situation is becoming better and we are hoping that things will be normal soon,” Ezz said. Others shined shoes or sold snacks to the tens of thousands of protesters who continue to flock to Tahrir Square. Business was up at kiosks surrounding the square, but with many vandalized, some shop owners were forced to improvise. Ibrahim Hassan sold juice and chips out of boxes next to his shuttered stand. “A lot of people are buying, but during the days some people are trying to steal, some bad people,” said the 29-year-old, who lamented the situation despite his record sales. Locks and chains were sealing fast after looters wreaked havoc on Friday and Saturday. Glass storefronts and building entrances were broken across the city. “This is a disaster for all the people. Life has completely stopped, all the people are complaining,” Hassan said. “It's hard in Downtown to have a normal life, as we are in the middle of the action,” he said. “We protect our kiosk by ourselves; all the neighbors are forming groups to protect the buildings in the neighborhood.” As for downtown's other businesses, Hassan said no one would reopen until they feel it is completely safe. But with calls for one million people to flood the street Tuesday, and people promising to protest until President Hosni Mubarak resigns, no one is anticipating an end.
