I mean actually travel, with a friend, to places away from responsibilities, where I go "oooh" , "ahh","Ew", "cool", or "Oh My God! I love the accents here!" or "Did I just tell that guy he looked like a fish in the toilet instead of asking him where the bathroom was?".
This isn't a recent item on my wish list. As long as I could remember, I've really enjoyed traveling (minus the earsplitting pain I used to get on the plane on my way to India and back) and its been my dream (among a hundred others) to explore the world or just discover a new experience away from my daily surroundings.
Being raised as an Indian Muslim girl, at least in my family, traveling around with a friend to random places would be a feat that can only be dreamed about. I'm not saying all Muslim girls or children have the same trouble as me, but I know that at least the majority do (i think it's more due to the South Asian culture than anything else though). So, slowly I've come to accept the fact, that my world tour with friends is obviously something that will not be happening. At least not now.
Then came C.A. and she had the same dreams, and we decided we would do it. We would go to places like Ireland and talk to Irish people (or Irish guys :) ) with their cute Irish accents (in a completely non-flirtatious, modest, and business like manner as required by the rules of Islam- like ordering fries a thousand times at McDonalds just to hear them talk. )
Despite the actual circumstances we live in (financially, culturally, or whatever else-ally), sometimes me and C.A. convince ourselves that its going to happen. That we'll make it happen.
But unlike my other friends who I've gone through this with, she's really convinced me sometimes that we'll go to England, Australia or wherever. She and I will start saving now, and one day we'll go. I don't think I've had anyone else ever make me believe like she does. But a lot of times reality hits and I really don't see how we would ever pull this off with time running out, school, money and parents. She can't sleep over at friends' houses and I have to make sure I don't overdo going out and hanging with my friends knowing that parents will say no, if they want to.
And also the reality is, as annoying people keep pointing out, the more realistic future holds school, finding suitable spouses ( People don't seem to understand that I don't need one since I have my cat), and jobs. And that's it. Everything else is a dream until you get married, and then you and hubby achieve your dreams together.(whoop de doo. You hear that future hubby?!)
But honestly I'm not giving up on this dream. I mean so far, I've accomplished some of my goals (getting a cat, volunteering at a soup kitchen, working at an orphanage, learning martial arts, and some other things that I can't think of, but I'm sure they would make my list sound cooler. Yes, I realize this list isn't exactly bragging-worthy, but it means a great deal to me. It's the fact that I'm slowly accomplishing things I've wanted to do since I was little kid growing up in Saudi Arabia).
And I don't care how life is actually going to happen, or what is realistic, or how our friends and families make me depressed about life. I'm still going to try and keep dreaming and planning for it. And one day, insh'Allah, insh'Allah, insh'Allah, insh'Allah ( GOD WILLING. Please God!) if and when, me and her, and whoever else can join us, do go, it'll be miracle that I'll shove into everyone else's face.
sigh
Until then, here's a blog of a couple of twenty something year old girls traveling the world:http://lostgirl
P.S. I discovered today that my father does not know how to work an oven. I'm still trying to overcome the shock. And I'm waiting, tensed and ready for feminists to come smashing through the windows Rambo style, and giving Daddio a crash course 101-The Kitchen and it's Appliances: How to use it while asking 3 questions or less.
P.S.S. I really like P.S's . I learned from Cheryl the full potential of P.S's. Thanks Cheryl!
16 comments:
I can relate to this relationship you have C.A. I have a "one-day we'll.." friend too. It's so fun to plan plan plan, we even stay up late on the phone together looking at vacations. You'll get there one, just keep planning! (that's what I tell myself at least).
My dad caught the stove on fire once making eggs :/, so I'm not surprised to hear your dad can't use the oven.
I do hope that you get to travel to those places someday. I am STILL planning on it, but I didn't have a good female friend to plan with when I was younger. They were all sort of slackers, I guess. Lol.
Well, I've gotta go. My feminist group just called. Something about an impromptu cooking class.
;)
What?! What's wrong with Canada?! There's a ton of oooh-ing and aah-ing in Canada!
CANADA RULES!
PS, I don't understand the Irish accent at all (especially after they feed you beer), although if I did, I'd probably swoon.
PPS, CA is so awesome.
PPPS, Screw husbands and achieving dreams together... I don't even know what that means. DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR OWN DREAMS.
PPPPS, Canada rules.
PPPPPS, You're welcome for the lessons on PS'ing.
PPPPPPS, I've lost track of how many P's I'm at, and the words on the screen are really small. Oh well.
Traveling is a noble goal and I hope there is a lot of it in your future.
Keep the dream alive hun that day will come.
P.S I think ALL dads are kitchen dunces
you hear that? im awesome. :D
one day, we'll get there.
INSHALLAH!
i want to go to:
egypt
italy
india
greece
scotland
england
spain
france
south africa
new z
brazil
argentina
japan
etc.
how was it workin at an orphanage? did you ever see the youtube video my mum is amazing. its soooooooo sad. oh and my parents always told me when i was younger and wanted to travel the world, "what are you gonna do with ur hubby if you do everything now?" so live life as much as you can while single...thats my two cents
InshaAllah one day you'll get to go out and explore the world! I used to say the same things two years ago and then I prayed like craazzy that God would give me some way of traveling... and boom. After two years the whole world just fell into my lap and my dad just went the flow (normally he would have said no.) And there ya have it...Youthful Wisdom got to travel to 10 foreign countries!
Don't ever doubt the possibilities of things...maybe right now is just not the right time...but when the right time comes along...boy will you be ecstatic =)
You could have done study abroad and you know it!
wow, I almost hate you a million different ways for pointing out there are people out there who accomplish dreams. I always just fall asleep. :\
oh the irony.
I think you know that Muslim hubbys don't approve of such traveling pants like adventures even if it's with them.
P.S. Did you know P.S. stands for post script!
P.P.S If you guys some kinda of way convince yourselves that you're worthy and actually want to accomplish such. Take me. I'm dead serious, all jokes aside. I'm semi-responsible, semi-fluent in 3 languages and even semi-literate!
i really want to travel too.
i like the world
can't wait to travel it with my HUSBAND
wow. i think you should hold on to your dreams, and find a way to achieve them. i don't think anyone has a right to tell you how to live your life except you. i know i'm completely ignorant when it comes to the muslim culture, but as a fellow female, i think your dreams are within your reach, and i believe that you will accomplish them.
thanks for following my blog. i enjoy reading yours, and look forward to more posts :o)
I'm def serious about coming along. Just make sure that you don't tell me when you leave tell me before. Hello packing and planning would be nice.
Artistic Logic: Did husband really need to be in all caps? ;)
s.m wasn't talking about you. she was talking about the place i work at. duh. :)
why don't you and c.a. just marry each other. i think that would solve the problem perfectly. can i get a "holla!" or a "yee-haw!" for those that agree?! because it would seriously solve the entire ordeal!
how come no one else was invited to your travel the world plan? you guys are so clique-y. :D
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