Column Basman Elderawi
The world is on my fridge
We decided as a family to put the world on our fridge so, when anyone of us travels he or she should bring a magnet with a picture of the country he or she was in. We went to Jordan in 2013 and you can find a magnet of Petra on our fridge. My brother went to America in 2016 and you can find a magnet of Chicago. My brother in-law gave us a magnet of Stockholm as he went there. Last year, I went to both Germany and Switzerland and now you can find a magnet of both Zurich and Munich as well.
credit photo Basman Elderawi
Leaving Gaza is very a hard and complicated process. You barely get a permission to leave through Irez (the crossing border with Israel) as Israel still occupies and controls Gaza, which leaves you with only one choice, . Yet the process is very difficult and takes a very long time. For my last year travel, I had to sleep one night on the border and to spend more than 12 hours to reach the airport.
Yet I made it there. Yet I made it there. It’s a big challenge to be outside Gaza but finally I made it. I loved Europe from the first sight. I loved its beauty and its people and of course trying a new kind of food I had only seeing on tv before.
Basman in Zurich – credit photo Basman Elderawi
Yet now when I feel broken or depressed, I open my photos studio on my cell phone. Then I close my eyes and remember. I can still smell the fresh breath, the pure water. My eyes miss the greens and the people. My tongue misses the taste of fondue, ravioli and chocolate.
the Zurich lake by sundown – credit photo Veronique Gray
I miss standing at the stage and reciting poem. I miss there so much but I know I will be back one day when there is no long virus to stand at Zurich lake and smile to a goose. To stand again at the top of skyscraper, over the top of the world and sing, “Oh, I know that there’ll be better days. Oh, that sunshine bout to come my way. May we never ever shed another tear for today cause oh, I know that there’ll be better days.”
Petra, Jordan – credit photo Veronique Gray
I know the world is clenched in so much pain and fear though I know there’ll be better days. I am waiting. You’re waiting, and fridge’s waiting for another magnet to put on it. I want the world on my fridge. The whole world. A world where every is peaceful in. A world where mother nature can be realised. Realised from wars, guns, poverty and capitalism. I still know there’ll be better days.
