Destinations: Middle East & North Africa 2013

Destination: Middle East

and North Africa

perfume for her

Douglas Le Clercq

Qatar world Cup 2022

Stars Will Collide

Feild Gomila

Table of Map of the Region---------------------------------------------------------Page 1

Timeline-----------------------------------------------------------------------Page 2

By Douglas Le Clercq

Mind Your Manners-------------------------------------------------------Page3-4

By Schuyler Kean

Pro/Con’s------------------------------------------------------------------------Page 5-8 Settlement in Israel By Feild Gomila and Elizabeth Barron Arming Syrian Rebels By Schuyler Kean and Douglas Le Clercq

Contents Contents .

Must See and Must Do------------------------------------------------Page 10-11 Must See Byand Feild Gomilla Must See Must Do------------------------------------------------Page 10-11 Must See and Must Do------------------------------------------------Page 10-11 Must DoSee ByBy Elizabeth Barron Must Feild Gomilla Must

By Elizabeth Feild Gomilla MustSee Do By Barron Must Do By Elizabeth Barron Travel Memoir’s------------------------------------------------------Page 14-27 ---14-26 TravelIn Memoir’s------------------------------------------------------Page 14-27 Trouble Morocco By Elizabeth Barron Travel Memoir’s------------------------------------------------------Page 14-27 Trouble In War Morocco

By Elizabeth Barron The Cost Of

By Douglas Le Clercq Trouble In Morocco Elizabeth Barron The Cost ByBy Douglas Le Clercq Wrong TurnsOfInWar Riyadh

By Schuyler Kean The Cost Of War By Douglas Le Clercq Wrong Turns In Riyadh

By Schuyler Kean All Is Not Quiet on the Eastern Front by Feild Gomila Wrong Turns In Riyadh By Schuyler Kean All Is Not All Is Not

Book Hooks------------------------------------------------------------Page 29-30 ---28-29 Book Hooks------------------------------------------------------------Page 29-30 Book Hooks------------------------------------------------------------Page 29-30

Must See Movies-------------------------------------------------------------Page Must See Movies-------------------------------------------------------------Page31310 See Movies-------------------------------------------------------------Page 31 By Douglas Clercq ByMust Douglas LeLe Clercq

By Douglas Le Clercq

[1]

Welcome to MENA

Timeline Timeline

1948-Israel is founded.

1967-six day war occurs.

1978-Iranian Revolution begins.

1978-Camp David Accords are signed.

1979-Saddam Hussein becomes Iraqi president.

1979-American embassy in Tehran is taken hostage for 444 days.

1991-Persian Gulf War begins.

1993-Oslo accords are signed.

9/11/2001-Al Qaeda attacks the World trade center and the Pentagon.

2003-America declares war on Iraq.

2010-The Tunisian Revolution starts the Arab Spring.

2011-Osama Bin Laden is killed by Navy Seals.

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MIND YOUR Overall view Most Middle Eastern and North African countries follow Islamic law, so they have very similar cultures. For example, the women are usually required to wear certain attire, and men and women who are not of relation must not touch.

Egypt

In Egyptian culture, a proper greeting should be long and contain questions about health and family. When men greet men, a handshake with the right hand is the appropriate form of body language. The left hand is considered unclean, and is never used. When women greet women, a handshake is a formal method of greeting, and the informal would be a hug. If a man wished to greet a woman, he must place his right hand across his chest and bow, so as not to make her uncomfortable.

Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, women have little to no rights, so they must be extremely cautious. Men and women to not touch in public, and women cannot travel anywhere unless she accompanied by a man or sometimes other women. There are religious police all over the place, and they will arrest any woman who does not follow the religious laws.

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MANNERS Hajib’s/Abayas A hajib is a head scarf used mostly in the Islamic religion. In certain countries, such as Saudi Arabia, a hajib is usually a requirement for women, or else the religious police may attempt to intervene. An abaya is a long, dark cloak that is always a requirement for any woman in a Middle Eastern country.

Mutaween

The Mutaween are the religious police that patrol the Middle East and even have political power in some countries, such as Saudi Arabia. They are mainly concerned with woman-related laws, such as wearing the abaya, or a long, loose, dark cloak.

Eye Contact and Taboos When same gendered people are talking with each other, eye contact is expected. If a woman keeps eye contact with a man she does not know, though, it is considered a ‘come on.’

Respectful eye contact towards elders would be looking down when talking to them.

Homosexuality is considered not only a taboo but a crime that can be punished severely in the Middle East and North Africa. Most taboos are punishable by stoning or jail.

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Pr o Mid /con dle s o Ea n st

Israel Expanding its borders Unjust Conflict Rages In the Middle East

A

n unjust war has been going on every day in the Middle East.

This war is between the Israelis and the Palestinians, have been forcefully removed from their home of the last 2,000 years. This dispute is not a new one; it has been raging for more than six decades. The Partition Plan of 1946 and the Jewish expansion afterward has engulfed the Middle East in a volatile conflict, which has caused problems in all corners of this diverse a n d Israel’s expansion expansive region.

has created conflict and warfare in both the Middle East and the world.

I s r a e l ’s e x p a n s i o n h a s created conflict and warfare in both the Middle East and the world. In fact since Israel’s creation a war has been been fought over this tiny country in almost every decade since. These wars result in the death of thousands of people in Israel and the countries around it. These struggles have included Both reports continued on the next page...

Israel Has the Right To Defend Itself Against Terrorism!

h

ave you ever thought of not being able to return to the homeland in which you have settled?

Well, that is exactly what has been happening in Israel. Palestine and Israel have been fighting over the Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and the West Bank for the past several years. The land being fought over is known Biblically as the “Promised Land,” or “Holy Land;” God promised the land to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants.

Should the Israelis be able to return to the homeland in which they settled over 3,000 years ago? Definitely, and for the following reasons.

The main reason Israelis should also be able to expand their territory is because the land is rightfully theirs according to the Torah. God originally promised this land to Abraham and his descendants. Israel was named after Abraham’s grandson, who was originally called Jacob. Jacob lived with his twelve sons in what was known as Canaan, but they were forced by famine to go to Egypt for four generations.

Moses led Jacob’s

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Pro’s Continued

Con’s Continued

not only Middle Eastern nations, but many Western nations.

These nations have been attacked by terrorist organizations or gone to war with Middle Eastern nations due to their support of Israel. Israel has a population of only about 7 million people. This small Middle Eastern nation’s expansion has created global and regional conflict.

descendants, known as Israelites, back into Canaan during the “Exodus,” and the land was divided among them.

The land was subsequently taken from them by various rulers, and the Israelites have wanted to return for hundreds of years.

Israel’s expansion through settlements has created an astounding 4 million Palestinian refugees in nearby Arab states. Israel has banned Palestinians from their land of the last 2,000 years so that they can maintain Judaism as the religion of Israel. Many of the refugees are simple farmers who have lived on the same land for many generations. Now these farmers and their families have been forced into foreign lands and cities to either learn new trades or work dead end jobs. Israel is made up of nearly 8 thousand square miles. It’s selfish actions has displaced millions of innocent Palestinians.

These tensions in Israel have made the “Holy Land” a dangerous place to visit for the religiously devout. Three of the world’s major religions have holy places are located in Jerusalem or the land around it. The hostilities have made Jerusalem a target for many terrorist demonstrations.

This dispute has made it a problem for those looking to become closer with the god of their religion by visiting this holy spot. The Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to removing Israel and replacing it with an Islamic state. This organization resembles the PLO, an older organization also that was also dedicated to destroying Israel by force. Although violence should not be the answer, one can hardly blame the Hamas or PLO for their goal.

Israel is a global hotbed for both political and religious violence. The settlements of Israel have done little good. In fact all it has done is displace millions, cause conflict and war, and is creating religious tension. While Israel’s creation was founded in good principles, almost every action taken place by this small country has not followed these same principles. Not only America but the whole world must not condone or support Israel’s expansion. -Feild Gomila

Another reason that Israel should have the right to expand their settlement is that the Israel’s population has grown The Israelis rapidly in the West Bank by are only trying to 4.7% since 2012.

If protect themselves Israel’s settlement does not against the expand, these people will not have a place to live. They Palestinians would have limited land on which to live, and all of the Israelis might have to limit the number of offspring in order to have enough land for everyone to share. Otherwise Israel would become very crowded.

A third reason that the Israelis should be able to expand their territory is that they have improved the land. For example they have built many roads that have increased tourism and brought prosperity. These roads were originally built for everyone to use, but the Palestinians have made them unsafe by terrorist attacks. As a result, the Israelis have limited use of the roads to themselves.

The Israelis want to make the land better, but the Palestinians are trying to prevent this because of the hatred they have for the Israelis.

Who could argue against people who want to return to the land of their ancestors to make it a better place to raise their families? The Israelis are only trying to protect themselves against the Palestinians, who have demonstrated aggressive behavior towards Jews around the world. For example, a Palestinian group massacred eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. What does this have to do with land in the Middle East? The Palestinians are the aggressors; the Israelis are the victims. All the Israelis are trying to do is to defend themselves and their homeland.

-Elizabeth Barron

Pro/Cons arming the syrian Rebels

We’re all in.

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To Arm the Syrian Rebels or Not to Arm Them?

I s arming the Syrian rebels really the right choice

of American intervention in their revolts? The Syrians have been oppressed by their government and have little to no rights, and it may help if America intervenes, but is giving them weapons that could easily be confiscated by Al Qaeda and their corrupt government really the right course of action? No. America should not arm the Syrian rebels.

One reason why arming the Syrian rebels is the wrong course of action is that it would increase the instability in an already chaotic environment. The current president of Syria, al-Assad, has already used chemical weapons against' his' own' people.' What' will' stop' him' from'con4iscating'the' weapons'America'gives' the'rebels' and' using' those' instead?' Corrupted' governments' can' and' will' create' false' reports,' like' in' the' case' of' Khalid' Saeed,' and' arrest' people' to' save' their'own' reputations.'

What' will' stop' them' from' creating' false' cases' to' con4iscate' weapons?' How' can' America' control' the' transition'of'the'weapons'into'the'right'hands? ' Another' reason' America' should' not' arm' the' Syrian'rebels'is'that'the'chance'of'failure'of'the'rebels'is' high' and' the' consequences' for' failure' could' be' devastating'for'the'U.S.'The'Syrian'government'could'go' to' war'with'America.' They' have' the'resources' to' do' it.'

Even' if,' by' chance,' the' U.S.' does' happen' to' succeed' in' arming' the' rebels' and' they' take' over' the' government,' it’s'unlikely'to' produce'any'U.S.' in4luence.'Syria'is' in'the' Middle' East' and' surrounded' by' other' corrupted' governments' who' could' be' easy' allies' for' Syria' if' the' new' government' wishes' it.' America' should' not' be' arming'those' who' could'easily'switch'sides' in'a' matter' of'months. ' In' addition,' the' U.S.' government' has' little' to' no' real' reason' for' arming' the' Syrian' rebels' besides' their' hope' that' if' they' do,' they' might' eventually' be' able' to' conceivably'do'indirect'damage'to'Iran.'Syria'does'have'a' corrupted'government'that'must'be'stopped,'and'arming' the' rebels' may' conceivably' help,' but' the' chances' of' success'are'too'low.'Besides,'there'are'other'ways'to'help' the'Syrian'rebels'that'don’t'involve'weapons.

Reports continued on the next page

Are you?

Arming Rebels in a Fight Against Corruption T he USA is strongly considering arming Syrian rebels.

Their leader, Bashar al-Assad, has led Syria down a bad road. During his time as leader, he has neglected his people and has done everything he can to stay in power. In order to get rid of him, America should rally to take a call to action and arm the Syrian rebels in their fight against an unjust government.

The Syrian regime has become corrupt and is only concerned with themselves and their goal to maintain power. Al-Assad has been given chances to bring about positive changes to his government but instead chooses to ignore the opportunities. He denies his people common human rights such as the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

The economy has not If the Americans were to been doing arm the rebels, it would rid the well and there are world of one of the many m a n y terrible governments. widespread blackouts around the country. Al-Assad has even used chemical weapons on his own people! The Syrian government continues to become more corrupt as they are pulled closer and closer to a civil war. If the Americans were to arm the rebels, it would rid the world of one of the many terrible governments.

Another reason to arm the rebels is that it is a much simpler solution than sending in soldiers for the Americans.

It saves them the expenses of paying for their food and

Pro/Cons arming the Syrian Rebels Continued '

All' in'all,' the' plan'to' arm' the'rebels'

wasn’t'thought'out'very'well.' There'are'too' many'risks'and'not'enough'of'a'reward.'The' best' America' can' hope' to' accomplish' by' arming' the' Syrian' rebels' is' making' them' allies' to' attack'

All in all, the plan to arm the rebels wasn’t thought out very well

Iran,' but' it' w i l l' b e' unlikely' that' they' will' take' any'

in4luence' from'the' U.S.' at' all' and'will' most' likely' just' cause' regional' instability.' It' would' be' a' waste' of' money,' time,' and' resources' to' arm' the' Syrian' rebels,' and' would'be'better'for'the'U.S.,'in'the'long'run,' to' 4ind' other' ways' of' helping' them.' $ Schuyler,Kean

[8]

medical bills if some soldiers were wounded. If they arm the rebels, they would be staying out of the battleground, which would also save the lives of American troops. Sending in troops could also cause trouble for America with Syria’s allies. They might decide to back Syria and create a larger war, which could lead to a severe loss in troops. In other words, arming rebels is much more efficient because it saves money and resources for America.

The overthrowing of the current government could lead to a genuine change in the government. If America were involved, a democracy would most likely be born, which could end ongoing violence in Syria that would ensue if the rebels are not armed in order to get rid of the current government. The long-standing government has stopped all change from occurring. The people of Syria do not like their oppressive government and will most likely create a democracy if they overthrow al-Assad because they will not want to return to a corrupt government. This could be a new start for Syria. The rebels could be inspired by their savior’s government to bring a big change to the Middle East.

To sum up, America should help the Syrians fight their government by supplying them with arms. The Americans need to arm the rebels in order to get rid of a power greedy government that his mistreated its people. Secondly, arming the troops takes less of an effort on behalf of America.

Lastly, overthrowing this corrupt government would help to stabilize Syria. The Syrian people have been unjustly treated by their current government and need America to supply them with weapons. That way, they can overthrow their current government and create a democracy in which the government cannot oppress its people.

-Douglas Le Clercq

Fly Emirates Douglas Le Clercq

d n a e e n S o i t t s c Mu Do Se t s Mu

Must See sites of the Middle East and north Africa

[10]

The Pyramids of Egypt

The Temple of Jerusalem The Temple was originally built in 957 BCE by KIng Solomon, this temple was built as a tribute to god, but its history has been all but peaceful. It was destroyed in 586 BCE by the Babylonians, then after being rebuilt in 515 BCE, then it was destroyed again in 70 AD, and now it is the center of religious tension between Judaism and Islam.

None of this tension has stopped hundreds of religiously devout from visiting this historic sight.

In the third dynasty under the reign Djoser the age of the pyramid began, these pyramids were built as tombs to for the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. While the most famous of these pyramids are the ones at Giza, there are around a 100 pyramids spread throughout Egypt. The size and mystery of these huge monoliths attract hundreds of tourists everyday.

Petra

Burj Khalifa

In 1812 a Swiss explorer stumbled upon the city of Petra an ancient city in Jordan that was cut of the stone faces around it. The construction of the Rose City (named for the color of the stone Petra was cut from) began in 312 BC, and it has now been identified as a World Heritage site. Since its discovery it Has become the symbol and the most visited site in Jordan.

This is the tallest building in the world standing tall at an astounding 829.8 meters (2,722 feet) tall. The buildings construction was completed in 2009 in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) the Burj holds arounds 900 apartments. This building brought the tallest building in the world back to the Middle East where The Pyramids of Egypt had held the Record for thousands of years.

The temple complex in Karnak

The Baalbek The Baalbek is located in Lebanon and during its time it was one of the largest sanctuaries in the world.

Roman Gods were worshiped here such as Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus. Baalbek is located in Lebanon and has a population of around 82,000 the city is now a center for Roman history.

Karnak is a complex of many temples located in Karnak, Egypt, and the construction of Karnak began in the Middle Kingdom. It is the largest open air ancient religious site in not only Egypt, but also the world. It is also the second most visited site in the world only behind The Pyramids of Egypt, attracting hundreds of visitors a day. [ ]

Must Do Dolphin Bay in Dubai is one of the world’s largest dolphin habitats in the world. Here you can choose many different activities anywhere from scuba diving next to the dolphin’s to the dolphins putting on a show for you.

In Jerusalem the Western (Wailing) Wall is where many travelers like visit to pray and take photos.

Take a tour of the Kuwait Towers and stop at the main sphere and eat at the Horizon Restaurant and then go up to the top sphere and look at the view!

Take a tour of the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi with a guide or by yourself. The Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world.

Aspire Park is Doha’s largest park and it is great for having picnics and overlooking the Aspire Tower.

Temples of Baalbek in Beirut take a tour with a guide of the ancient ruins.

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Saab

Douglas Le Clercq

s t r A

s r i o m e M l e v a r T

[14]

TRAVEL MEMOIRS MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Trouble in Morocco

By Elizabeth Barron

“We will be landing in fifteen minutes,” the captain said, as I began to awake from the long plane ride to Morocco. When we arrived at Fes airport, I grabbed my bags and went to look for my best friend, Jane, who had moved to a city in Morocco called Fes a year ago. This is the first time I am able to visit her since she moved and it is also my first time in Morocco.

Continued on page 15

The Cost of War

By Douglas Le Clercq

Looking out the window of my plane as it crossed the Mediterranean Sea, nearing the Israeli coast, I heard the flight

Wrong Turns in Riyadh

By Schuyler Kean

By the time we had grabbed our suitcases from the baggage claim, I had a strange feeling in my gut. I was the only woman not wearing long, dark robes called abayas, as well as the

Continued on page 15

FES, MOROCCO

only one not wearing a burka besides my friend, Samantha, and as we left the King Khaled International Airport, bystanders began to stare.

Freddie told me not to worry, Continued on page 15

ISRAELI COAST

KING KHALED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

[15]

TRAVEL MEMOIRS

All is Not Quiet on the Eastern Front

By Feild Gomilla

I was claustrophobic, me and my thousand best friends were struggling to get out of the Cairo Airport. Me and my "friends" were tired, me especially I had just spent what seemed to be an eternity on a plane. I needed fresh air but I was not going to get it, I exited the building gulping for air like a fish out of water. What filled my air was not fresh, it was hot and smoggy. I suddenly wondered why I had left the nice air conditioned airport.

Continued on page 16

Continued from Morocco, page14

I am so lucky to even spend a few days with her since she is so busy with her new job as a journalist. During the walk to the baggage claim area, I could see everyone staring at me in a weird way.

Everyone was wearing long dress like robes

and I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Across the room I could see Jane standing there waiting for me, I quickly ran and gave her a big hug.

“Here is a cup of green tea with mint,” Jane said.

Continued on page 17

Continued from Riyadh, page 14

Continued from War, page 14

that the natives just weren’t used to people not wearing the robes, but that was Freddie for you. He never worried about anything.

attendant say something in Arabic over the speaker.

I reached for my pocket translator but couldn’t figure out what she had said. I asked the man sitting next me what she had said.

It was his idea to come to Saudi Arabia in the first place, claiming he had an uncle who lived here. He invited Samantha, Jared, Frank and I to come with him, though some of them we hadn’t seen since college.

We used to be best friends, but I went off to Med. School at Hopkins with Freddie and Frank, and Jared went off to Law School at Tulane.

Continued on page 16

Continued on page 16

[16]

Travel Memoirs answer my question, which made me realize that this could be a long trip if all Arabs were like this.

Continued from Riyadh, page 15

Sam went into politics and was planning on running for Congress next year. We’d made a pact in high school to travel the world, but none of us actually expected to go through with it. That’s why we were all so surprised when Freddie offered to take us to Riyadh.

I didn’t know where to buy burkas in Baltimore, Maryland, and I assumed I would be fine without one. Besides that, packing had been relatively simple. I packed warm weather clothes, which included mainly jeans shorts, cute tops, and a few sweaters. I assumed I would be fine without an abaya, as well.

I assumed too much.

Continued from War, page 15

He looked over at me, growled, and attempted to look like he was sleeping, so he wouldn’t have to Freddie’s uncle, Mohammad, was tall and had thick, curly dark hair that framed a middle aged face. He met us outside the airport with two cars, a black Saab that was his and a red Saab that was a rental. The plan was to split up into two groups, Mohammad’s group

About an hour later, my plane landed in Damascus. I was sent here to report on the civil war between the Continued on page 17

leading, and drive about 80 miles south of Riyadh to Al-Kharj, an agricultural town. It was there that Mohammad had lived for 40 years, since he was a boy, when his family moved there from Riyadh.

He offered to take Frank and Sam, Continued on page 17

Continued from Quiet, page 15

I needed a taxi to get to my hotel.

I stepped to the curb of the "street." I use this term loosely because the taxis, cars, and buses flew and puttered along the street ignoring street lines, signs, and the occasionally running onto the hotel. I lied down, ready to rest sidewalk and all of this to the my rest my jet-lagged body on a sympathy of horns. I eventually bed that at any other time would signaled a taxi and arrived at my

have felt like rocks but now felt like a feather bed.

I woke with a start. "Where am I?" I thought. There was a banging at my door. I was regaining my composure. I glanced at the clock... 10:00 AM! My hour long nap had morphed into a half day rest. I Continued on page 17

[17]

TRAVEL MEMOIRS Fakham Perfume

Continued from Riyadh, page 16

which left me with Jared and Freddie.

“I’ll drive,” I offered, trying to be helpful.

Chuckling, Freddie shook his head. “I don’t think that’s the best idea, Melina,” he said, climbing into the drivers seat.

I shrugged. It wasn’t that big a deal, anyway. I was a little peeved, but it wasn’t anything to fight about. I climbed in back with Jared. “Okay, whatever.”

We sat and watched as the tall Arabian had to duck to climb into the driver’s seat of the other car. I Continued on page 19

Schuyler Kean

Continued from War, page 16

“corrupt” Syrian government walked by with ice cream in his and its people. hand, which was melting from the heat of the sun. As he When I walked outside to find a passed me, his scoop fell out of taxi, I could feel the heat of the cone.

He muttered mid-day. There were no clouds something in Arabic to himself in the sky, and I could see the that I couldn’t understand and heat waves on the road. A child Continued on page 19

Continued from Quiet, page 16

Continued from Morocco, page 15

remembered the banging at the door.

I asked her, “What it was for,” She said “It is a sign of hospitality”.

I asked Jane, “Do you know why people were staring at me,”

Continued on page 20

She explained to me, “The Continued on page 19

"Salam wa aleikum." I heard, my basic Arabic skills already stretched to their limits. He then said "Peace be upon you."

Continued on page 19

Whenever you come to the Middle East make sure to fly Saudi Arabian Airlines Feild Gomila

[19]

TRAVEL MEMOIRS Jewelry Arabia

Jewelry Arabia

Schuyler Kean

Continued from Quiet, page 17

"And also Peace be upon

you." I replied remembering what my guide book had said to be the proper response.

"Sir there is a man here who needs to see you," the bellhop said.

"Ok tell him I will be right down," I said.

"Yes sir," the bellhop walked away.I quickly get changed into

Schuyler Kean

Continued from Morocco, page 17

told me that they always cover their body and their hair. I suggested that I should go get some of the clothes that the Moroccan’s wear, because I should respect there rules of dressing when I am in there country.

Moroccan’s have different view of how you should dress.” She some more appropriate clothing and walked down to the lobby of my hotel.

"Hello, John," my friend Abayomi from college was here to show me around Cairo.

"Hello Abayomi," I asked, "How are

Continued on page 20

you."

"I'm good," Abayomi replied Abayomi had returned to Egypt after the recent revolutions, and ever since he had been pestering me to visit Continued on page 20.

Continued from Riyadh, page 17

could see Sam’s red ponytail bobbing up and down as she put on her seatbelt. I had always wished that I had been blessed with the red hair that she wore. It was beautiful in contrast to my plain, dull brown hair.

We spent our first four days in Saudi Arabia in Al-Kharj learning about agriculture and catching up with each other. Freddie, Frank and I recalled events in the ER while the others laughed and

spoke of strange experiences of theirs’. Every once in a while, Mohammad would come in for a break, and he would speak of

what it was like growing up in Saudi Arabia and the move from Riyadh to Al-Kharj. He suggested that we visit Riyadh, seeing as it was the capital of Saudi Arabia, so on our fifth day there we decided to go. We offered to take Mohammad with us, but he declined, saying there was too much work for him to do on the farm.

Continued on page 20

[20]

TRAVEL MEMOIR

Continued from Riyadh, page 19

Freddie had stayed up all night talking to his uncle, so he slept on the road to Riyadh and instructed Jared to drive. Unfortunately, though, half way to Riyadh, Jared realized that he didn’t have his driver’s license, and I was the only one who had thought to bring mine. I climbed into the front, and we started off again.

Just as we entered Riyadh, we were stopped by a policeman who, when I rolled down the window, started yelling in Arabic, which woke Freddie. His eyes widened and he began shouting as well. “I thought I specifically told Jared to drive!”

I winced. “He didn’t have his license.”

Freddie began to shake his head as he got out the car to try to sort things out with the officer. It took ten minutes before Freddie got

BUY A BurKA...

...Connect with Allah.

Schuyler Kean

Continued from Quiet, page 19

him. I was now on a trip to see the sights of Egypt and Cairo. I could not wait leading up to my two day trip, but now not so much.

"I hope you are well rested," Abayomi said.

"I am. I slept nearly 14 hours last night," I said.

"Ma hatha, what is this 14 hours?" He said laughing, "Let us go."

Continued on page 21

Continued on page 21 Continued from War, page 19

kept walking. When I arrived at my hotel, I spent the rest of the afternoon sightseeing.

I went to visit the Al Azem palace, which is from the old city of Damascus.

I also visited the National Museum of Damascus.

Afterwards, I went back to my hotel and made a reservation for an early dinner at the hotel.

Since I was not sure how to dress in a Middle Eastern restaurant, I wore a suit to the restaurant. When I sat down in

Continued on page 21

Continued from Morocco, page 19

The next day Jane and I went shopping to find the right type of clothing I should wear.

On the third night Jane had planned a dinner so that I could meet some of the new friends she has made in Morocco. We arrived at a restaurant called Continued on page 21

[21]

Travel Memoir Continued from Morocco, page 20

Continued from War, page 20

the restaurant I noticed that everybody else was dressed casually. People were staring, so I ordered immediately.

I stuck out like a sore thumb in Damascus. The few people that were staying at the hotel at that time were from the Middle East.

My meal was delicious. I ordered grilled chicken, which was seasoned with many different spices that enhanced the flavor immensely. It tasted spicy and left my mouth watering. It reminded of the chicken kebabs my friends had made for a cooking show they put together when I was much younger.

I tried thanking the waiter after I had finished eating, but he couldn’t understand English.

To show my gratitude, I left a large tip instead. On the way back to my room, I decided to try to learn some Arabic to make the next day a little easier. I learned how to say “Hello” and “Do you speak

Continued from Riyadh, page 20

back into the car, putting me in shotgun and claiming driver for himself.

“What was that all about?” I asked. “Was I speeding or something?”

English?” in case I could interview somebody in Café Clock and were greeted by a English. tall man who then showed us to a round knee-high table surrounded The next morning, I woke by pillows on the floor. All of up, ate breakfast, and went Jane’s friends were sitting on the to the capitol building to pillows around the table waiting for interview government us to arrive. When her friends officials. At first I was not stood up to shake my hand they let in because the Syrian said a phrase, Salam, I had no idea government was angry at what the phrase meant so I turned America for considering to Jane who later told me that it supplying their rebels with meant hello or good afternoon. weapons. I lied to them Continued on page 22 by saying that I was from Scotland.

The security guards talked among themselves for a minute and finally decided to let me in.

I asked the officials if any of them spoke English.

There were a few who said yes, but I chose to interview a middle aged Arabic man who introduced himself as Abdul. Abdul was tall, Get the latest in hajib fashion had black eyes, and spoke choppy English.

He Continued on page 22

Schuyler Kean

He looked at me, his eyes amused. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

I shook my head. “No.” He sighed. “They were going to put you in jail, Mel. I had to pay Continued on page 22

Continued from Quiet, page 21

On the way John pulled out an iPhone. I complimented him on this saying.

Continued on page 22

[22] Continued from Quiet, page 21

“Nice phone. I wish I had one I still half my old flip phone.”

Travel Memoirs

“My friend, do not say such a thing, or the evil eye might get us b o t h ! ” “The evil what?”

“The Evil Eye it brings bad luck upon those who envy what others have!”

Abyomi said. This was news to me but I pledged to be more careful in the f u t u r e An hour and another interesting taxi cab ride later Abayomi and I arrived at the Egyptian M u s e u m . We s p e n t around an hour walking around the museum peering at the dusty relics of Egypt's past. I needed to go to the bathroom, I

Continued from Riyadh, page 21

$50 for him to pretend nothing happened. Women aren’t allowed to drive here.”

“What?” came an enraged voice from the back seat. Sam was the biggest feminist I know. That one must’ve hit her hard.

Suddenly, Freddie’s phone started blaring. He Continued from War, page 21 pulled over and then stepped out of the seemed like a nice man to me. car. We were in Riyadh, and it was I asked him about wh at he huge. There were two large towers that thought of the civil wa r. He I very much wanted to visit, and it had a told me that he was co nfused relatively modern look in contrast to the why the people were un happy. farms of Al-Kharj. It was bustling with He said that al-Assad was a burkas and abayas. good leader. I then aske d him That’s when we heard it; the call to about why had the Syrian prayer sounded faint but strong. Freddie go ve rn m en t us ed ch em ic al unrolled his prayer mat and, along with weapons on their own people. everyone else on the street, began to Abdul seemed to take ex treme pray. They all faced the same direction as offense to this. He be gan to if some invisible force was pulling them. yell at me in Arabic.

I whipped out my phone, took a panorama, and then a video.

Continued on page 23 Continued on page 25

Continued from Morocco page 21

When the food arrived the food was all in one bowl in the center of the table which I thought was a little strange. I grabbed the bowl out of the middle of the table and began scooping out the food that I wanted to eat. They told me that is not the way it works everyone has to pass around the communal bowl and they would each scrap out the side of the bowl that was facing them. When the bowl was passed to me I did what everyone else Continued on page 23

[23]

TRAVEL MEMOIRS

Continued from War, page 22

walked away from Abayomi and found a bathroom. After completing my business I went out to find my friend. I could not.

My trip had just gotten a lot more interesting.

I first went to a Museum security guard, he dismissed me like I was some piece of trash. I then tried to talk to every single person right down to the ancient mummies for help. I had begun my search to find an Egyptian who could speak English. I would walk up to many and say, "Sabah el kheer. Good Con morning. Do you speak English.

No oh, Ok." I was lost in a strange land. I tried to call Continued on page 24

Continued from Morocco, page 22

did and scrapped out my side of the bowl. When the bowl was passed around to everyone I began to eat.

While I was eating I looked up and everyone

Henna; a tattoo for the soul Schuyler Kean

Continued from War, page 22

Before I realized what was going on, two security guards were dragging me by the arms out of the building. When we exited the building, the guards threw me in the direction of the curb. I hit the ground with a large thump and felt a

throbbing pain in my elbow, which I had landed on.

Back in my room, I iced the spot that I had landed on when the guards threw me out and decided to skip dinner in the restaurant and went to sleep Continued on page 24

Want to Travel the Nile?

Continued from Morocco, page 24

Book a cruise at nilecruises.com

[24] Continued from War, page 23

early. I woke up the next morning to the drone of planes overhead. I looked out the window of my room and saw a huge explosion far away.

The news of the attack spread around the city very quickly. I decided to visit the military facility that was attacked.

When I arrived, there was complete chaos at the facility. Families had come to mourn the loss of their loved ones. I felt so bad for these people. They were just innocent people who had been victims of this terrible deed. I went back to my hotel and wrote a story about what I had seen. I titled it “The Cost of War.” I had never witnessed such sadness before.

The next day, I went out into the streets to look for input from the average Syrian. Few spoke English, so I had a hard time finding someone.

Around lunchtime, I found a kind woman named Maysam who agreed to be interviewed.

She

Travel Memoir

Abaya designs 2010-11 Schuyler Kean

Continued from Quiet, page 23

Abayomi to no success. I realized how hungry I was and looked for a place to eat.

Walking down the street in Cairo is different than walking down the street in New York, Need sweets for Need sweets for your sweet for the obvious your sweet tooth? reasons that all the tooth? people were Schuyler Kean speaking Arabic. It was also a different feel than Schuyler Kean New York. I eventually stumbled into a café I think and ordered some food.

There I saw or heard rather the unthinkable someone speaking English. I approached him, he was talking loudly into his iPhone, and he was Egyptian I waited till he hung up, I stood up and walked over to him.

"Hello, sir." I said cautiously.

Continued on page 25 Continued on page 26

[25]

Travel Memoir Continued from Riyadh, page 22

After a little bit of this, I had to use the restroom. One cannot ignore the call of the wild forever.

Frank offered to take me to try to find one amongst the sea of praying people.

That was another wrong move, I suppose, seeing as we were stopped again by the religious police. One of them spoke rough English.

“Where your abaya?” he asked skeptically.

“I-I don’t have one,” I stammered.

He looked disapprovingly at my hand, which was in Frank’s. “You married?”

I shook my head again. “Under arrest,” he stated loudly, and began to handcuff my hands behind my back. I made eye contact with Frank. “Get Freddie.

Tell him and the others what happened. They’ll know what to do,” I shouted. He ran off as I was shoved roughly into the car.

I was a bit frightened that I was in jail; after all, it was my first time.

So when I heard the familiar click of Sam’s heels and Freddie’s hiking boots, I felt so relieved I almost cried. When my cell was unlocked, I ran to them.

“I’m so sorry,” I sniffled. Freddie just smiled.

“We should head back to AlKharj. Once we’re there, you might want to look up the Saudi Arabian laws, so you don’t accidently break them anymore.”

I grinned from ear to ear. “You bet.”

Continued from War, page 24

invited me to her home to eat the mezzeh, or mid-day meal, with her family.

She had prepared about 25 different plates for the meal.

They consisted of pita bread, salad, meat, eggplant, and many other traditional delicacies.

After lunch, I interviewed her on her standpoint of the rebellion. She immediately began to weep quietly.

She said that she thought that the rebels had a just cause because of the corruptness of their government. She also said that the chemical weapons al-Assad had used killed one of her relatives.

After the interview, Maysam invited me to stay at her house for dinner. They were having neighbors over to discuss the bride price for their daughter.

She said the marriage had been set up with close friends when her daughter was very little. I asked in disbelief for her to please repeat what she had just said.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. In America, arranged marriages never

happened. I was curious to see how the ceremony went. Many relatives arrived from Maysam’s family. When the groom’s family arrived, dinner was served.

Maysam had prepared a beautiful dinner of lamb with many side dishes such as rice and yogurt. Once everbody had finished eating, the two families began to negotiate the bride price. The price went back and forth until they finally agreed. Everybody became very excited, and wedding plans were made. The families begin to dance around with each other, and I joined in.

After plenty of celebration, I graciously thank Maysam for all that she has done for me today and return to my hotel to write about the events of the day.

The next morning, I returned to the airport in the middle of the day to catch the plane home. It felt even hotter that time.

Boarding the plane, I planned to go to sleep immediately, for I was exhausted from an eventful week in Damascus.

[26]

Travel Memoir asking where I was. I replied and described what I had just gone Continued from Quiet, page 24 through. He asked to meet me for "What do you want." he said his dinner at his favorite restaurant, which I had no idea where it was. eyes locked on his iPhone.

I eventually made my way there.

"Um. I was hoping you would I was greeted by a “Hello my help me get back to my hotel." I f r i e n d . ” a n d I k n e w m y adventure’s in Cairo were over. said.

He then glanced up from his iPhone. "Um. No, I'm to busy," he said.

"Please, sir," I asked one last time.

"Ugh, Ok."He stood up abruptly from his s e a t .

"Follow me," he said and started walking briskly away.

"Of course of a population of nearly 82 million and I found the biggest jerk," I muttered under my breath.

We boarded a subway and we traveled to my hotel. I tried to make conversation asking questions like how’s the weather and such but to no avail. He sat next to me look intently at his phone which had no coverage in the tunnel. He suddenly stood up and and said to me “This is your stop.” he then walked away. I exited the tunnel and saw that Abayomi had sent me texts

Continued from Morocco, page 24

one was staring at me. My palms started to sweat and I could feel my face burning.

“Is everything okay,” I said very softly?

Everyone was still staring when Jane’s friend said, “you are not allowed to eat or drink with your left hand”.

“But I am left handed,” I said.

“You are still not allowed to eat with your left hand.” I then began to eat with my right hand as I was told. After dinner I apologized to Jane for not knowing the table manners in Morocco.

Although not bringing the right type of clothing and not knowing the table manners in Morocco, I still had a lot of fun and hope to go back soon and visit Jane again.

Douglas Le Clercq

Journey the middle east on a Costa Cruise!

[28]

Great reads!

Baghdad Without a Map

By Feild Gomila In the 1980’s the comedic journalist Tony Horwitz moved to the Middle East with his wife. The book he wrote about his struggles adjusting to the Middle Eastern world can only be described as comedic gold.

Horwitz experienced some of the most gruesome scenes on earth all while maintaining a positive and comedic attitude. Horwitz never looks down upon the people of the Middle East though, even when his work as a stringer required him to travel into two dangerous locations for a Jewish American: active battlefields and the native’s homes.

Horwitz describes to many humorous experiences to list as he gives Americans, and the whole Western World for that matter, a chance to view the strange and wonderful world of the Middle East.

Whether you are a casual reader or a travel hardened junkie, this book will leave you laughing and wanting to experience the Middle East for yourself.

Zataar Days and Henna Nights

By Schuyler Kean As twenty-eight year old American Muslim, Maliha Masood, travels to the Middle East and North Africa to get in touch with her inner self, she realizes that it might not be as easy as she thought.

Zataar Days and Henna Nights is a collection of her adventures as well as misadventures in an early twenty-first century Arabic wonderland, where there’s everything from hajib’s to hummus. She encounters polygamous kidnappers and drink-druggers along the way, and is accused of being a spy for the PKK, but Maliha is determined not to leave until she rediscovers herself. A novel filled with laughs and tears, Maliha’s journey is not one to be forgotten as it reminds us of the dos and don’ts of the various Arab nations that seem to have been forgotten by time and western influence.

Continued on the next page.

[29]

Great Reads Continued Wanting Mor

By Elizabeth Barron The novel Wanting Mor is a serious novel about the life of Jameela and her struggle. Jameela, an only child, losses her mother and begins to travel with her father. They travel house to house and soon after, Jameela’s father marries a women and Jameela is forced to be independent. Jameela’s father abandons her in the middle of the market and a man cares for her until her father comes back.

When Jameela finally finds a family that would care for her as one of their own, and would like to be a part of their family, they can not afford to keep her and send her to school, and therefore she is sent to an orphanage. In the orphanage Jameela finds what it really means to have friends and family. What will happen to Jameela? Will Jameela and her father ever reconnect?

Rooftops of Tehran

By Douglas Le Clercq In a small neighborhood in Tehran, a young boy named Pasha Shahed spends most of his summer on his roof with his best friend, Ahmed. He feels like he is betraying Doctor, one of his best friends, because he has fallen deeply in love his neighbor, Zari, who has been engaged to Doctor since birth.

When Pasha is offered a chance to spend time with Zari, he is shy at first and is scared to talk to her, but they become great friends and go through tough times together, such as the death of Zari’s fiancé. They bravely attend his funeral, knowing it is being watched by the secret Iranian police. In protest to the death of Doctor, Zari makes a decision that will devastate Pasha for the rest of his life.

In a novel about the lives of four young kids, Mahbod Seraji shows the reader the unfairness of tyranny in a country on the brink of revolution and fills the book with love, passion, and sadness that will keep the reader interested throughout the novel.

[31]

Must see Movies: Paradise Now

Turtles can fly

Paradise Now is about two Palestinians who are planning a suicide attack on Israel.

Turtles Can Fly is about two kids in a refugee camp in Iraq. Their country is about to be attacked by America.

Come stay at the luxurious Emirates Palace!

Call: 971 (2) 6909000

Douglas Le Clercq

osama Osama is about a 12 year-old Afghan girl that must disguise herself as a boy to get a job to support her mother.

Casablanca Casablanca is an old film about a man that is faced to choose between the woman he loves or helping her husband escape the Moroccan city of Casablanca.

Stay at the burj al arab...

Stay in dubai.

Schuyler Kean

DEstination: MIDDLE EAST and North Africa