"Just over three months.." I answered when I was queried about a recent turning point in my life. "Wow.." is usually the response I get. Perhaps that it was unexpected? Was it too random? Or too impulsive. Goodness knows. Typically, whenever there is a discussion about "change", I am often bemused. Bemused by the reaction it provokes, bemused by the bewilderment it conjures up and even slightly amused by the varied facial expressions that usually accompanies the topic.
But I was recently involved in a rather random and unplanned conversation about change with a certain individual that for some unknown reason, has had me constantly think about it. I was in a mall, wandering about when I walked into a luggage shop. I had finally bought my snowboard boots and realised that I had no space in my check-in luggage. Thus, my stop at a luggage shop in this particular mall in a certain Arabian metropolis.
Anyway, having become accustomed to being attended to by my fellow Asians working abroad; in this particular instance, I was attended to by a rather pleasant young Arab man. Hmm.. A nice change (and admittedly, pleasant to the eyes too, with his greenish-brownish eyes). He offered to help me solve my luggage woes, when I accidentally blurted out what I was thinking, which was that he wasn't from this particular neighbourhood. Perhaps he was curious too, as he too blurted out what he was thinking.
After getting passed that awkward "you're not from around here" conversation, we exchanged our Salams and I asked him where he was from after he had rather accurately guessed where I was from.
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| Hama @Wikimedia |
"Hama," he said and lowered his head. A glimmer of what I was sure was a teeny tiny tear in the corner of his eyes made my heart drop to my foot. As the store was fairly empty, (bar one weird lady who had laid out every single luggage on the floor making it impossible for anyone else to move around) and his manager nowhere in sight, the conversation continued with me blurting out, "oh goodness."
In my best bimbo impression ever, I asked, "Syria?" "Yes", he replied. We carried on talking as he relayed the ordeal of running from his beloved city, and how everything he had come to know was now virtually unrecognizable. Not prejudging on whether he was one of the more privileged than those friends or acquaintances who remain in Hama today, here was a young man whose life, as he knew it, was turned completely upside down and inside out. Where he eventually ended up, was as far as he and part of his immediate family could feasibly go, start fresh and rebuild. Some of his friends attempted to run even further. Even to as far as Malaysia. Though he was visibly sad; he was incredibly calm and kept saying الحمد لله throughout.
We carried on talking, until his manager reappeared. I hastily paid for my new bag and gave him my salams and left. I continued on my Arabian adventure only to realise that I never got the name of my brother..
Fast forward to a few days ago. An article appeared of a Palestinian man and a Syrian family, stranded at KLIA. I wont recount the article or how they ended up here, but it reminded me of my luggage shop brother. Whatever apprehension, anger, annoyance, frustrations along with a myriad of other emotional turmoil at the changes I've recently undertaken; was put into perspective. As much as I wish to end the hurt caused by those folks who manipulate and blatantly lie; I am reminded by my luggage shop brother's story.. That my circumstances are not that bad and that I really ought to face it with grace and dignity; be grateful and thankful. الحمد لله
Thank you my brother, for your story has reminded me to remember the importance of humility so that I can keep my feet on the ground despite whatever lofty ambitions I may have; إن شاء اللهThough he won't be reading this; Salams and Ramadhan Kareem to my luggage shop brother from Hama, Syria and to my friends in Cairo, Alexandria, Khartoum and everywhere else - may it be a blessed one for you and your family.
Footnote:
Hama (or Hamah) is a beautiful ancient city located on the banks of the Orontes River in west-central Syria. Located about 200+kms north of Damascus and 40+kms north of Homs, Hama is the 5th largest city in Syria, after Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and Latakia. The city is known for the 17 remaining ancient "Norias" or wheel of pots / waterwheels along the Orontes river. Possibly rooted in the Byzantine era, these Norias served to take water from the river and channel it through aquaducts and other channeling systems to irrigate nearby farms.
