Two Worlds Converge
It doesn't seem possible that it has been four years ago since I left Egypt and returned to the U.S. to finish my masters degree, marry my sweetheart, and be nearer to my family.
I loved living in Egypt. I found such a sense of satisfaction investing in the lives of young Egyptian students and challenging them to think outside of their stereotypes (which were amazingly strongly formed even by 6 years of age).
That's why from time to time when the two worlds converge, I feel like I've reconnected with a true part of myself that exists in another time and another place, but is still a very real part of who I am.
So the pizza guy stood at the front door tonight and as I balanced the pizza with the receipt he looked behind me at the 'tabla' drum in our foyer.
"Do you play that?" he asked. "No, but my husband has been learning to play,"
"Because that's an Arabic instrument," he continued. "Yes, I know. I brought it back with me from Egypt."
His face brightened and a more-connected-than-normal conversation with the pizza guy ensued. After he left, I was thinking about how that short interchange woke up a part of myself that I've allowed to go dormant.
Though I feel content to be settled for the time being, I love entertaining the thought of returning to live in the Middle East at some point in the future. Until then I guess I'll have to settle for things like the occasional chat with the Palestinian pizza delivery man and a two week trip to Morocco in April. Oh yeah.
I loved living in Egypt. I found such a sense of satisfaction investing in the lives of young Egyptian students and challenging them to think outside of their stereotypes (which were amazingly strongly formed even by 6 years of age).
That's why from time to time when the two worlds converge, I feel like I've reconnected with a true part of myself that exists in another time and another place, but is still a very real part of who I am.
So the pizza guy stood at the front door tonight and as I balanced the pizza with the receipt he looked behind me at the 'tabla' drum in our foyer.
"Do you play that?" he asked. "No, but my husband has been learning to play,"
"Because that's an Arabic instrument," he continued. "Yes, I know. I brought it back with me from Egypt."
His face brightened and a more-connected-than-normal conversation with the pizza guy ensued. After he left, I was thinking about how that short interchange woke up a part of myself that I've allowed to go dormant.
Though I feel content to be settled for the time being, I love entertaining the thought of returning to live in the Middle East at some point in the future. Until then I guess I'll have to settle for things like the occasional chat with the Palestinian pizza delivery man and a two week trip to Morocco in April. Oh yeah.
posted by J4CK13 at 6:48 PM
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