The Nomad Mum's Diary

By lindo - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Family & Parenting

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Zwawi's land

“So what do Syrians think of us?” the young man asked as he bagged my purchases. My heart sank: What was I to tell him? There was a hopeful look in his eye as he waited for my reply. It was one of those situations where you can’t lie but you can’t tell the truth either. “ Well, they have many misconceptions about Libya and Libyans”. Suddenly all heads were turned in my direction waiting for me to elaborate. I cleared my throat as I tried to think of a convincing semi-truth:” Syrian are under the... Sign in to see full entry.

Trouble in paradise

Tripoli was unusually quiet yesterday, the markets were virtually empty, cars that would normally be choking the streets were few and far between. People who ventured out did so out of necessity. There were rumors of a bomb threat by Al Qqaeda, the anti-terrorism squads descended on the Green Square with their dogs, set up roadblocks and inspected passing vehicles. These were very disturbing news, even the weather was depressing; the skies have been overcast for a month now which is extremely... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Memories from Ghadames

As an artist, one would think that my recollections of Ghadames would be of its unique architecture, its rich Tuareg folklore, or perhaps the intricate designs that adorn the interiors of its houses, and yet when I think of Ghadames my mind wanders not to the city itself but to what surrounds it; the emptiness that distances it from the world and gives it a heartbeat of its own. Having lived almost all my life in costal cities, I could never imagine what it was like to see the sea for the first... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

With Friends like these -Ghadams I

I spent the day calling my Libyan friends and colleagues and I am hoping to get to see them all before I leave. There is something about the friends I made here, they feel more genuine than anyone else I met. It's not like that I don't have real friends elsewhere, but there is something about the way they treat you: a certain ease, an unspoken acceptance of who and how you are. There are no but's and if's with them, you are welcomed with no questions asked and no conditions to meet. Some of my... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

A love for Couscous

Nothing spells Libya for me like Couscous. Whether I’m cooking it abroad or eating it with the natives, the mere smell of the stuff opens floodgates of memories and emotions. As many of you know, couscous is consumed across North Africa (but has never made the leap to Egypt). I have tasted the Moroccan couscous, and my mum tried it in Tunisia and Algeria and we are both of the view that Libyans cook it best. We buy the stuff from the store, but when my grandmother was alive, she would insist on... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, April 20, 2007

The Arab Riddle

It has always amazed me how people seemed to lump all Arabs under one category: the Sheikh with an oil well in the backyard, the four wives and a camel tied next to a limousine. In reality, they are more like a rainbow that binds a multitude of colors. Being half Middle-Eastern, half North-African, I have first hand knowledge of how these two sister cultures converge and diverge while remaining equally Arab at the same time. Libya is probably the most enigmatic member of the Arab family,... Sign in to see full entry.

Holiday on hold

Three days in Libya and I’m still not fully adjusted. It wasn’t that difficult when I was single, I used to slip into my “Libyan skin “ effortlessly, but now that Adam comes along, I feel that I can’t abandon my Syrian character because I am his only reference point in his new surroundings. In Latakia we live in a 5 th floor apartment overlooking the bustling port, here my mum lives in a villa in a very quiet residential neighborhood, the leap must be huge from the stand point of a 2-year old.... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Off to Libya, I hope!!!!

I'm off to Libya guys. I have the tickets, I packed the bags, Max is driving u to Aleppo (the 3 hour drive should be interesting since we are still not talking!). I caught a nasty cold out of the blue so it's going to be a rough day tomorrow. The meandering road to Aleppo is a nightmare and has the highest record of accidents. after that there is the 3 hour flight to Tripoli. I had to pack in a rush but i think that i have not forgotten anything essential. I'm dreading leaving the house tomorrow... Sign in to see full entry.

Curtains of Fire

This is another favorite. Being an Aries, a fire sign, reds and oranges hit a nerve, they make me feel alive and able to take on the world if necessary. Please feel free to tell me what you "read" it, i would love to know how a person who cannot read Arabic views my work and how they interpret it. Curtain of Fire: Gouache on paper, dimensions: 35x50. Private collection,Tripoli, Libya. Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

My big bad Syrian Anniversary

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes on my wedding anniversary. Ironically, this anniversary appears like it’s going to be the last. I believe in the signs: You husband forgetting about the anniversary is one, him not bothering with any gesture of trying to make it up to you is another, and sending the kid with the message “ tell your mummy to fix us something to eat” when the least you could do is make me a cup of tea to say “ I appreciate what you are doing for me, for our son and for our... Sign in to see full entry.

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