String of Beads

Like a string of beads we are strung out in a wide noisy corridor of Ataturk International airport.  Each of us with two slightly padded seats and one small table which we use as makeshift beds to catch a few hours’ sleep. Attempting to fit our bodies into the new time zone (so far eight hours difference, Najaf will be nine hours different)  we have eaten a “dinner” about  8:00 pm local time.  We took the opportunity to get to know one another a little better and share out thoughts and hopes for this trip to visit friends in Najaf.

Leaving Mpls with well wishes from many we first went to Chicago and there boarded a large Turkish Airliner. By the time we got into the international terminal at O’Hare and met the agents at the Turkish Air counter I felt as though I was in the international realm.  Chicago O’Hare has its own sort of multi-ethnic-as-normal feel anyway and the prompt production of a boarding pass for the final flight into Najaf confirms we were on our way.



Deborah, Joan and Joan ready to don abayas and hijab.

We went deeper into our adventure as we entered the gate waiting area for our flight to Najaf.  Being western and the woman with no head coverings attracted attention…or so we felt. The four of us woman had planned to dress in our abayas with hijab (head covering) for our entrance into the Najaf airport at 7:00 am on the morning of the 9^th.

Returning to the same waiting area with long black robes and heads swath in long scarves we really did attract attention.  Even though it was 2:30 am everyone was awake.  We took our seats to await boarding.  The seat available close with our group was one backed up against four of our group. I took that seat and wanted to feel small.   After about 15 minutes a 40 something good looking man sitting across from me (with three others) said “good morning”  I responded and we proceeded to talk for 10 or 15 minutes. He said he was surprised and delighted to know that American civilians were coming to his city to visit. He said he would watch for us on the news as “everyone will be talking about it.”

He is an oil production engineer and gave me his card.  “If you need anything while in Najaf please call me.”

We arrived to a welcome group of about 12 and a huge printed sign welcoming us as visitors from Najaf’s Sister City.  We saw many friends who have already visited us in Mpls. including the Governor’s staff, Hiba, Ali and Nasser. Professor Abdul Kareem, Dean of Nursing at Kufa University, was also there and of course Sami and Sameera of MPT (Muslim Peacemaker Teams.)

We have been over fed on wonderful traditional Middle Eastern food and breads and sweets previous unknown…all delicious.  We seven are stumbling our way through our jet lag, now in day three, Hope we are about done with that.  I will write more about the past 2 days later.

The sun has been setting over the Euphrates River outside my window.  The glow is slightly muted, by sand perhaps.  I can hear the call to prayer in the distance and am overwhelmed at my extraordinary good fortune to be visiting this ancient land in the present day.