It is heartbreaking to hear of people without the freedom to say what they wish or to go where they want. My prayers are not limited, so I will pray for your safety and theirs. I will pray that all people have freedom and the right to choose how and where they live and or worship.
You captured a feeling I had ever sing year when I would return back to the states from my summers in Egypt. You learn a lot about the privilege we have here. The world is filled with good caring people and it’s hard to reconcile the different hands we are dealt.
I agree so much with your last sentence, Omar. It’s hard for me to fathom that I have so much--both materially and in terms of my personal freedoms--when others have so little. I’d like to live in a world where everyone has what we have.
Breaks my heart, Sam. So many times I’ve left wonderful, amazing people behind - beginning in the 1960s - Okinawa, Kwajalein, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Moscow, Kiev, and so many other places I’ve lived or visited. Always, I remember the people. I carry their love, laughter, and sadness with me. I’ve been told this is my final visit to Earth. If so, perhaps before too very long, I’ll make my final voyage from Earth never to return. I shall miss the natural beauty of this planet and kind and loving people near and far. I shall not miss suffering and war although it seems that chaos is universal. Please keep writing about your life and travels. Often I relive my own life through your stories. I pray for you and for peace on Earth.
Patricia! I think this is the first comment I’ve gotten that has made me cry. If this is to be your final visit to Earth, I have faith that it is also the final time you will have to witness suffering and conflict. May we all join you somewhere better, someday.
Also, I didn’t know you had spent time in Kwajalein! How interesting--that strikes me as very rare indeed. I would love to hear more about it.
Ah Kwajalein! It weaves its magic through my life. Still. Even now. Thank you, Sam, for asking about “Kwaj” as I sometimes refer to Kwajalein. Part of my eightieth birthday celebration two years ago was to return fifty years later to my Kwajalein story. Upright. Walking. Smiling. In person. This time I landed not on beautiful Kwaj but on beautiful Kona island, Hawaii, to be met by sweet Donna Denteru, the shy, inquisitive Marshall Islands girl I met on Kwaj so many, many years ago. Here’s more of the story - on Substack - Part 25, Return To Bali Ha’i: https://patriciaclarktaylor.substack.com/p/part-25-one-womans-experiences-europe
Wow 😮 people say the same thing to me in Napoli. “Can I come in your suitcase”. You describe that awkward feeling and the mixed emotions that come with it so well. Glad I found your newsletter!
Great read as always. so sorry that you guys are leaving Egypt and leaving many friends and people who you have had good times with. I hope all of them are safe and well during these crazy times, same goes for Nick and Boo, hopefully Boo hasn't been too much trouble since then.
Thank you, Fahim :) I’m also sorry to be leaving, but the good news is we’re moving to an exciting new place that I can’t wait to start writing about! And luckily Boo isn’t giving us too much trouble...except for a few scrapes with the cats that live in our building, lol. She’s the sweetest girl. Hope all is well with you!!
In a world of AI, we need to make reporting and essays more human than ever. We can turn to a search function for information, but we need humans to turn it into real art. That's exactly what this piece did for me. The narrative with Basbousa weaving its way through the bureaucratic and sociopolitical hell makes this piece so much more absorbable yet heartbreaking at the same time.
Thank you, Nolan! I agree with that so much...writers are all rightfully freaking out about AI, and the antidote is to double down on authentic, human stories that machines just can’t tell.
This is beautifully written, Sam. I want to pass along my mom's appreciation, too (since she's not big on online commenting). She said this piece really grabbed her emotionally. It is heartbreaking to think of all the people living in your neighborhood (and sharing my planet) who are denied basic necessities and rights. This essay is a sobering reminder. As long as you and Nick seem happy, I never think about what's going on in Egypt. Today I went Christmas shopping for the first time this season, so now I'm thinking of "A Christmas Carol" and hoping I, like Scrooge, can profit from this reminder and be more mindful of my fellow human beings.
Thank you, Victoria! Please pass on my thanks (and birthday wishes!!) to Deb! It can be tough to think of others when there is so much physical distance--out of sight, out of mind, you know?--but living abroad, and in a region with so much conflict, has made it impossible to ignore.
This is probably the only instance where I would condone the idea of a Snickers bar. I want to adopt this friend of yours Samantha and shower him with chocolate the likes of which he's never dreamed of.
My heart hurts reading this essay. I have friends who come from those ancient lands now at war.
Oh, Kimia--that must be tough to know that your whole family can’t be there for your wedding. I hope to one day live in a world where Americans and Iranians are much more free to visit each other’s countries...there is so much I would love to see in Iran, and so many people I would love to meet.
It is heartbreaking to hear of people without the freedom to say what they wish or to go where they want. My prayers are not limited, so I will pray for your safety and theirs. I will pray that all people have freedom and the right to choose how and where they live and or worship.
Love you, Mom 💕💕💕
You captured a feeling I had ever sing year when I would return back to the states from my summers in Egypt. You learn a lot about the privilege we have here. The world is filled with good caring people and it’s hard to reconcile the different hands we are dealt.
I agree so much with your last sentence, Omar. It’s hard for me to fathom that I have so much--both materially and in terms of my personal freedoms--when others have so little. I’d like to live in a world where everyone has what we have.
Breaks my heart, Sam. So many times I’ve left wonderful, amazing people behind - beginning in the 1960s - Okinawa, Kwajalein, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Moscow, Kiev, and so many other places I’ve lived or visited. Always, I remember the people. I carry their love, laughter, and sadness with me. I’ve been told this is my final visit to Earth. If so, perhaps before too very long, I’ll make my final voyage from Earth never to return. I shall miss the natural beauty of this planet and kind and loving people near and far. I shall not miss suffering and war although it seems that chaos is universal. Please keep writing about your life and travels. Often I relive my own life through your stories. I pray for you and for peace on Earth.
Patricia! I think this is the first comment I’ve gotten that has made me cry. If this is to be your final visit to Earth, I have faith that it is also the final time you will have to witness suffering and conflict. May we all join you somewhere better, someday.
Also, I didn’t know you had spent time in Kwajalein! How interesting--that strikes me as very rare indeed. I would love to hear more about it.
Ah Kwajalein! It weaves its magic through my life. Still. Even now. Thank you, Sam, for asking about “Kwaj” as I sometimes refer to Kwajalein. Part of my eightieth birthday celebration two years ago was to return fifty years later to my Kwajalein story. Upright. Walking. Smiling. In person. This time I landed not on beautiful Kwaj but on beautiful Kona island, Hawaii, to be met by sweet Donna Denteru, the shy, inquisitive Marshall Islands girl I met on Kwaj so many, many years ago. Here’s more of the story - on Substack - Part 25, Return To Bali Ha’i: https://patriciaclarktaylor.substack.com/p/part-25-one-womans-experiences-europe
What a wonderful read this was!! I enjoyed every second. I am so glad you and Donna reconnected after so many years. ❤️
Wow 😮 people say the same thing to me in Napoli. “Can I come in your suitcase”. You describe that awkward feeling and the mixed emotions that come with it so well. Glad I found your newsletter!
☺️ and I am glad to have you here, Brenna! Thanks for reading!
Great read as always. so sorry that you guys are leaving Egypt and leaving many friends and people who you have had good times with. I hope all of them are safe and well during these crazy times, same goes for Nick and Boo, hopefully Boo hasn't been too much trouble since then.
Thank you, Fahim :) I’m also sorry to be leaving, but the good news is we’re moving to an exciting new place that I can’t wait to start writing about! And luckily Boo isn’t giving us too much trouble...except for a few scrapes with the cats that live in our building, lol. She’s the sweetest girl. Hope all is well with you!!
In a world of AI, we need to make reporting and essays more human than ever. We can turn to a search function for information, but we need humans to turn it into real art. That's exactly what this piece did for me. The narrative with Basbousa weaving its way through the bureaucratic and sociopolitical hell makes this piece so much more absorbable yet heartbreaking at the same time.
Thank you, Nolan! I agree with that so much...writers are all rightfully freaking out about AI, and the antidote is to double down on authentic, human stories that machines just can’t tell.
This is beautifully written, Sam. I want to pass along my mom's appreciation, too (since she's not big on online commenting). She said this piece really grabbed her emotionally. It is heartbreaking to think of all the people living in your neighborhood (and sharing my planet) who are denied basic necessities and rights. This essay is a sobering reminder. As long as you and Nick seem happy, I never think about what's going on in Egypt. Today I went Christmas shopping for the first time this season, so now I'm thinking of "A Christmas Carol" and hoping I, like Scrooge, can profit from this reminder and be more mindful of my fellow human beings.
Thank you, Victoria! Please pass on my thanks (and birthday wishes!!) to Deb! It can be tough to think of others when there is so much physical distance--out of sight, out of mind, you know?--but living abroad, and in a region with so much conflict, has made it impossible to ignore.
You’ve been on my mind, Samantha.
❤️❤️ thank you for keeping me in your thoughts, Jolene! Times are tough here, but for me personally, all is well--I am so, so fortunate.
This is probably the only instance where I would condone the idea of a Snickers bar. I want to adopt this friend of yours Samantha and shower him with chocolate the likes of which he's never dreamed of.
My heart hurts reading this essay. I have friends who come from those ancient lands now at war.
Oh, Kimia--that must be tough to know that your whole family can’t be there for your wedding. I hope to one day live in a world where Americans and Iranians are much more free to visit each other’s countries...there is so much I would love to see in Iran, and so many people I would love to meet.