Okay, so I’m back home, safe and sound, basking in the glow of an amazing adventure and that little refrain keeps running through my mind because it was the translation of a song one of the international storytellers sang at the end of her performance. Ana Sofia Paiva is a petite and delicate Portuguese actress turned storyteller […]

Waiting for the flight home, and deep down grateful to be back in Canada. Used to be I’d cross the border into the States and I’d feel ‘different’. Man, that was a while ago! Most trips don’t generate this kind of relief in getting back into Canada. I guess it’s because I was wondering if […]

It’s winter so they keep the heat inside the cars and buildings REALLY high! And there never seems to be a thermostat available that can turn it down. So I’ve often resorted to opening a window so I don’t feel stifled. Which means the air is so dry my lips have been chapped no matter how […]

Before I started this trip, and any trip, I always make dua that Allah makes it easy for me. This trip has had its challenges. Lost my luggage on the way to Doha, and a few other bumps along the road, but my time here in Iran has been fabulous! The Iranian people are warm […]

I’ve been here in Tabriz now for two nights I think. The days are a blur. I can’t even remember which day it is, we’ve been so busy. The festival started yesterday and I was up at 5:15 rushing to pray and get ready for 6:30 am for breakfast. That’s when my translator told me […]

If you would have told me that I’d be visiting the site of a Unesco world heritage site cathedral and monastery in Iran, I doubt I would have believed you. That Australian lady Annie Stewart, being Catholic said that they tended to build these cathedrals on top of high mountains. Walking up the paved path […]

Iran is about as different from Qatar as you can imagine. And it keeps reminding me of one of the ayats in the Quran that says that among His signs is the livelihood you seek. I can’t remember the exact wording, but it basically says in the Quran that there is a blessing in going […]

Geez, sometimes I wish I actually looked impressive. You come here to this Arab country thinking that, “Hey, we’re all Muslims!” and for once you actually don’t stick out like a sore thumb, at least not because you wear hijab, but you do stick out because you’re not ‘Arab chic’. You should see these ladies […]

I guess I should have known better. It’s so important to look at an itinerary carefully and make sure there’s enough time in between connecting flights for delays or mayhem to happen. The funny thing, my first flight on the way here to Doha was domestic, Toronto to Montreal, could have gone to the airport […]

In three hours and twenty minutes I’m off to Qatar and then Tehran. Not sure if I’ll be able to blog, but we’ll see. I’ll be back on Feb. 22nd insha Allah. Over and out.