Lady Breeze

So what is Identity? Who am I? What skin color I have? What believe do I follow? Does it matter where I was born? Does it matter where I live? Where I used to live? Does it matter where I come from? Does it matter, which ethnic group I come from? Does it matter if I wear the Hijab or not? Would you care to know where my roots come from? Do we actually know it? Do we actually have hold on our grade grand parents? Would you think of me differently if I was white? If I was Black? If I was a mix? If I was blond? If I had green, blue eyes? Does it really matter to you? Why would you care? I’m an Arab, North African and Mediterranean. In love with the ideology of world religions. I’m a muslim but grew up entirely in a Catholic school. In my heart lays Austria as number one and in my vines runs Egyptian blood. To these two beloved countries, I’ll always be truthfully forever thankful. But yet in search to where I belong to, while others might judge me from only my skin color or my relig...

Life is a beautiful journey. Never lose site of the beauty within and that which surrounds us on all sides. Most profound soundtrack that still impacts me in a very specific way to this very day. Love, Peace, and Wisdom. You don't always have to make the perfect choice sometimes it helps to choose a path and be willing to bend as the path wonders. Eyes wide open and soul more open than eyes. 

Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. You just have to live life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.

"Everything you want is on the other side of fear; The Maximum point of danger, is the minimum point of fear!" I miss the ocean breeze, the salt air and everything belongs to the sea. Was this real or just a dream? Now after being away for almost one year, back to homeland. Traveling will always remain the second best thing that makes me feel alive, fiercer and free. Nothing will ever beat the excitement of wandering around strange alleys and new streets, happily getting lost in greenery and bumping into pretty, interesting strangers. May we do more of what centers us and makes us more human. May we work hard, play hard and always enjoy both. And May we become more grateful to awesome friends and meet new ones who voluntarily (or not) save our asses sometimes and make our days easier and better. They say … SWY is all about the relations you create when you are back.

I think it's time to reveal this story... Long story short, Ramadan 2016, I was walking dawn the street in Maadi... yes in Maadi, and to be precise Street 10... Hence I live in Street 11. A Toktok driver harassed me. It was early bright morning and I was completely alone on the street. It was RAMADAN!! I was shocked, frozen and stood in denial. And he ran away... The feeling I felt at that moment is incredibly difficult to explain or even express. You feel helpless, not weak but you know you simply won’t be able to do anything… you are powerless. I tried to shout loud… but words didn’t come out.. I remember their was an old man in the street next to me, who asked me from far away what happened… I wasn’t able to express my self and put words in a meaningful sentence… how am I supposed to say what just happened?! But thank God, out of the blue, a man in a car showed up and run after him, lucky me I was able to put him in PRISON! He stayed in jail for couple of months and payed rans...

“Wait Mister Postman Oh yeah (Is there a letter in your bag for me) Please, Please Mister Postman (Why's it been a very long time) Oh yeah (Since I heard from this friend of mine) There must be some word today From my friend so far away Please Mister Postman, look and see Is there a letter, a letter for me" […] The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman (1961)   #SWYers  will relate. To those who know me well, know how much I appreciate letters and postcards until our time today. At the age of 9 years old, I had my very very first solo trip to Europe. Back then in the 90’s there were no internet nor mails and no cell phones of course. Thanks to my dad, he taught me the importance of documenting my travelogue as well how to keep in touch with people I meet along my journey, specially those who live abroad. And since then I’ve developed a new hobby of sending letters and post cards and collecting those I’ve received in return. Early this morning, I have received a very...

Few days ago, a dear friend asked me: Is there something in particular you miss from your time in SWY?  I miss the ocean. I miss how clear it was. I miss how the birds would fly freely next to our beloved home Nippon Maru. How nature reflected on us. I miss those early mornings by the sun rise and those late nights stargazing. On those fullmoon days I could see the moon is smiling back to us. How beautiful and simple our life was? SWY gone with the wind. I left everything beh ind and ran away. I ran to the ocean. I needed break from my life, from deadlines. I didn't want to worry about life nor what could be next. It was the best choice I have made since a quite sometime. I've encountered beautiful talented and successful souls. I've learned not to judge, to love, respect and accept. Most importantly I've learned a lot about my self. I miss the deep warm hearted conversations and the free hugs. I miss dancing everywhere on any beat as if you are a free soul. I miss...