Day SeventyOne

When life gives you puppy

love and caress and protect it.

This puppy entered the hostel in Basem's arms

wrapped in a towel like a new born gift

from the universe to our low,

panicked mood 

of the week.

Chadya and I 

had been going through the crazies

after I, slightly depressed 

and with intense withdrawal symptoms,

frustration and unhealthy increase of smoking

was unable and unwilling to get involved in any sort of social activity

and after Chadya,

understanding, mature and fun-loving

had lost faith in what had become an attempt to

fight all negatives and survive them with clear conscience.

I instantly focus on doggy-dog

who obviously needs attention more than us in this instance,

and try to prioritise 'neglected female dog'

over 'neglected female friends'.

It works out,

we needed the attention as much as each other.

We decide to go for a walk

and after days of low energy

and inactivity

we set doggy-dog free

for a fun.

She runs

and laughs

and Chadya runs in front of it

and I stroll behind them

as we crack out laughing

at the cuteness of the moment.

We decide to call her 

Nila

from (Nicole + Lila),

our sisters' names.

Day SixtySeven

The ultimate 'I don't wanna know' Day.

I don't wanna know that the girls moved out-

hence I distract myself with lovely encounters with SW.

I don't wanna know if Mallory is coming back or staying in Greece-

hence I distract myself with lovely encounters with SW.

I don't wanna know if I'll never see SW again-

so I distract myself by drawing an elephant on the wall.

I don't wanna know how long this elephant will take-

so I distract myself by practicing my contemporary floor dance

as Chadya takes over the drawing.

I don't wanna know how much all this is gonna hurt-

so I light up a cigarette and smile in the sun.

Day SixtySix

Long day

oh yay

Touring with Mohammed 

Sean and I woke up early,

half asleep and started a long-shot adventure.

We underestimated time

and wished to see Tripoli and Baalbek 

in a day.

It never happened.

But what happened was 

sweet road trips

and jokes

and naps in the car

at the back

as the guys chatted in the front.

Good music

and rhythms 

without

any

thing

to make this experience 

fake.

Sunsets and tiredness

as we return to our base.

The girls tell me that Mallory is 

leaving tonight.

We head off to meet her at the stairs

of her home.

I take a red beanie with me,

it will suit her

so I give it to her

to wear

and to hold near her.

Our goodbye is short

and sweet

as we head back to 

our hostel

for cuddles and naps.

Day SistyFour

Quiz night

Day FiftySeven

Thursday

the alarm goes off

after a four hour sleep
preceded by a pub quiz we didn't win,
a newly discovered RnB venue,
and shots at a local bar.

I expect a hangover 
but it never hits me.

More so 
it is a quiet and easy day where
literally everyone at the hostel
has set off for camping.

Alex is going South
while the team of girls with Basem are going North.

I see them getting ready and it's really like sending the kids to school.
They prepare the bags while I check if they got their toothbrushes,
they get things from the kitchen while I say plastic cups is a good idea,
and they head off as I do the count of who's going.

I pray they have a good time
and that all the ducks come back
as I return to the desk.

Duce and Hanna 
are the only ones left,
including Arturo
who's new to the house.

The night comes and we set out our own little camp fire
i.e. sit around the low living room table
and decorate it with snacks
while we talk about stories and gossip.

Zeed joins and though he's the one drinking wine
it looks like it's hit me and Han.

We go on and on
on the wagon of 'seen better'
and we're between
boredom has hit and cards of humanity.

'Seen better' is a way to comment on a situation that isn't the best.

'Seen better nights'

'Seen better girlfriends'

'Seen better religions'

'Seen better eyesites'

'Seen better discussion topics'

'Seen better Australians'

and the night continued with hummus, Doritos

and the nonsense

that made perfect sense.

Seen better blog posts.

Day FiftySix

Shatila Day

and the way there is becoming easier.

More familiar 

and bonded between us.

Julia is the new addition to the group since last week

and she's been amazing.

She is amazing.

Extremely conscious

and kind.

We had the classes together 

and in a very strange, unplanned way

we manage to flow together

as teachers

in a class of young rebels.

The class starts and we are in full action

to collect the running boys

and congratulate the sitting ones.

The girls are in order 

and they haven't lost their interest yet.

Meanwhile Fatme is being the queen of numbers

The struggle becomes real

when the little monkeys

see no future in sitting on a chair

with two foreign teachers.

'HALAS!'

I shout firmly.

'Shoo haida?'

[What is this?]

One time

Two times

Three times

Drop 

[on the floor laughing]

as me and Julia look at each other

and break out in laughs 

at how cheeky the kids are

and how we're almost enjoying that they're so energetic.

They watch us laugh

and they laugh too.

They get it.

And we get it too.

All they want is some attention

from a foreign vibe

that communicates with them 

more with body language than

with language.

Julia takes the lead

and goes to the board.

The attention starts being magnetically drawn

to the board.

I alternatively pick up the boys who are naughty 

and sit them on my lap to hold.

More so to refrain them from running around the class.

Foaz becomes briefly naughty and I grab him in a playfully way

place him on my lap sideways

where he leans to my left arm and comforts himself

like a lovable human form

that found the comfort he needs.

I remember him last week;

being completely defensive and traumatised

as he lied under the table

and wouldn't come out of it.

I urged him and stack around saying

'Come habibi. Come.'

I couldn't figure him out 

but I kept showing I was there.

And now he was giving himself to me.

In the way a child gives himself to the mother.

And  though I wasn't ready for it

it was the best thing

taught in class.

Day FiftyFive

Women's Day

but nothing changed in our positive female energy zone.

The girls are women every day;

Hanna

with her casual gangster walk who will drop something completely raw

without any sense of guilt or remorse

Chadya

with her light butterfly presence who will come sit next to you

or on top of you and express her determined thoughts

Mallory

with her shy yet confident look who will be patient for you to talk

and then respond to the point with her mature take 

Alex

with her enthusiastic and ready presence who will hear an idea 

and develop it into practice

Duce

with her opinionated stance on things who will put her cards 

on the table and advice you to take them

Sarah

with her deep analysis of behaviour who will try to understand it

for what it could be

Maryam 

with her reserved presence who will let her hair down 

once in a while and let her beauty shine

Elina 

with her casual look who will
 take an extra second to process and react.

And we all learn from each other.

We all celebrate 

every day

for the beauty of female interaction,

support

and development.

What a time to be a woman!