Life as an expat in a muslim county
When I am back on the other side of the world, what will I remember of this place?The heady sweet fragrance of “fool,” a tiny, white jasmine-like flower that is strung into thick necklaces and worn around the neck or in the hair for any celebration. The heavy sweetness of burning “bahour,” frankincense and other natural incenses, that greets me when I enter a house.
The chai tea with milk that tastes like Christmas in a cup and the refreshing sweet tang of fresh lime juice on a hot day. The spiciness of fasoolia, a bean dish, eaten with bread for a simple breakfast or dinner. Cramming into a debab to travel through the city. The glow on a dark night from the half-moon shaped stained-glass windows that arch over nearly every window and every door in the city.
The moon itself, which somehow seems bigger here. The brilliant blue and orange lizards that chase each other in the garden.
Affection expressed openly between men.
Men in skirts—the traditional marwaz, something like a long kilt. Thousands of white lights strung over the street outside the house of a soon-to-be groom.
Hats made out of cardboard boxes. The sometimes beautiful, sometimes abrasive, always haunting call of the mosques that rings out five times a day. Large groups of men bowing shoulder to shoulder in prayer.
The men who sleep on cardboard boxes in the streets. And the little boy I saw sleeping there alone last week. He was so small. The children who pile inside the dumpsters to search for food while no one bats an eyelash. Seeing more physical deformities in one year than I have seen in my entire prior life combined.
A woman in distress because her husband is planning to take a second wife. Q- my best friend here and her dreams- I have gotten to live nearly every dream I’ve ever had, when I put my hand to a door, it usually opens- for her, nearly every door of opportunity appears locked. Her teasing laugh.
Mildly reckless adventures in the mountains and up the coast and the splendid companions who’ve joined me.
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These people are not our enemies; they are human beings struggling through life in their culture. I dare say there are some things we could learn. Thank you for the beautiful images and reminding us that we can see God all around us, if we only open our eyes.
thank you so much for sharing this. I’m leaving in 4 days to live/work/love in a muslim country. This post touched me deeply.
thanks.
Some of the most diligent followers of Jesus I know are from Muslim nations. They always inspire me with their stories. They are real.
This is so beautiful!