Aiesec trainees ultimate concern: Leaving friends behind

As Emily just reminded me, most things have an end. 5 trainees just finished their contract. Each one of them came to work with his/her camera and was taking pictures with coworkers they are probably never going to see again.
Jack and Emily passed me the legendary American flag where you have to write them a small note; but this time, it’s the one who stays that writes.
Celso’s mind is not in St Louis anymore, it's somewhere in the next countries he is visiting. (He is planning quite a trip around the world… check his blog for more details). And now here I am thinking (Yes it happens sometimes), what is my next destination, am I ever going to see these people again, what are my plans for the future. From now on, it's going to be sad around here, they where the ones we asked about everything. The ones who knew; they have been here for long enough. Always ready to help, explain, listen, and party :)

It is not the first time that I’m separated from my friends, but this time it’s different:
- They are leaving not me.
- A whole group is leaving.
- Most of us will leave at the end. Return home and try to
start a new life.
- I knew it will happen but never thought I will be this sad.
- We might never see each other again but ill
keep the memories in my heart.

To all of those leaving, I hope this will be the start of a wonderful life full of joy, happiness and success.
For those who are staying, I’ll see you enough until we all leave :)

I am sad it is 22:30, 5 trainees finished their contract and are leaving soon. My turn is not fare away. 35 days at the most. :(
I wish I could assure them that I’ll see them again, but all I can be sure of is that I’ll keep good memories and awesome pictures…
I really wish you the best for the future.

Ila likaa ya asdikaa (See you my friends in Arabic)

Summer Strategic Conference 2005

SSC 05: I was very reticent to attend the conference… I asked the other Salaam’ers that work with me if they where going or not and yes was their answer… After some time I came to the conclusion that it could be fun to hang out with the boys outside St Louis. I decided to go.

August 12/13/14, 2005

I just check in at the conference. I’m exhausted, sleepy, tired and I don’t have a room yet. What a start I should have stayed home…
Here we are me and Anis my travel partner trying to keep each other awake, and meeting new people.
Finally, I know how Lyna and Jennifer look like.
Yes…. I GOT A ROOM… After a couple of hours of sleep, here I am meeting the other Salaam trainees. Here I am in front of Hind and Najat my compatriots… First thing I hear from them is Walid we need you to sing during the role call…. WHAT... I can’t even speak correctly. Apparently I gave the impression that I was snobby… did I change it?

Salaam session, here we are all in the same room. What are these people going to bring me I already know what they have to say… heard it so many times… Remember I come from a similar culture.

But I was proved wrong very quickly. Each one of us was different, the Egyptians were amazing, 7 or 8 of them attended; each of them with its own views, opinions, reactions, perceptions and believes. Fady Fakhry thank you…. You already know why… I hope I can go back to your country and visit YOUR Egypt it seams so different from what I saw.

Aqeel Bukhamsin: I read about the wind of change going on in Saudi Arabia but never wanted to believe it… you made me realize that was seams impossible can happen.

Ameera Alzarqawi: Use your new Wright to vote to make things happen, change for better and move forward… You’re out of the box, take what is good from the cultures you discover.

Fadi Jarjour: I think that what you are experiencing is great… these people are the best friends you can have; personally I had a lot of fun with the gay community back in Montreal. They helped me understand that it is a matter of choice and that everyone should respect the others choice as long as it does not harm him.

The Tunisians, I hope it is already understood… You guys are my brothers, I know your not Moroccans but I can smell the Maghreb in you. Ahmed, I would like to talk to you more and see what treasures you hide. Anis, keep the smile on your face; you look awful when you are pissed. Riadh, keep on making me cry, it means that I saw beautiful things that touched me.

Hind Cherkaoui: Thank you for confirming that the idea I had before about girlswearing Hijab (Veil) was completely wrong… and that changing it was a greatdecision.

Jennifer Harwood: Thank you for believing in the project and bringing it to live. I can’t thank you enough, not for the traineeship but for the conference.

Lyna Saad: If all Jews and Muslims tried to understand each others cultures I’m sure that the Middle East conflict could be rapidly solved.

I know im forgetting someone or something… But you’ll forgive me

Keep in touch, communicating between us will increase our understanding of the other.

By the way I’m glad I was present at SSC 05

Wednesday 3rd of August
I just got back to St Louis. I went to visit Semira for a week. For those who don’t know her, she used to be my roommate during her traineeship in Morocco. Living with her was a lot of fun even thought we did not see each other very often. When she left last year, I thought I will never see her again. But you know what; you never know what life can bring along, I never wanted to be here visiting the US, but here I am working, traveling around to discover this country, eating American food (thank god it does not show yet), living diversity, learning about a culture, meeting new friends and visiting old ones. It was very interesting to see Semira in her own environment, among her family and friends. I also had the chance to see Semira cousin again, Maryne (I hope the spelling is write), a wonderful girl full of energy. She lived in Morocco for a little while, and hosted us in New York.

I know now that I will keep on having friends from different countries, spread across the globe and renew this experience as much as I can.

Thursday 4th of August
I guess you all know how life is. Every moment(s) of happiness are followed by sadness, maybe to better appreciate them. Today, some trainees left for Tamarac Florida, I know it’s going to be sunny and maybe more fun for them to be down in Florida rather than Missouri; but I am still sad because circumstances did not give me the time to known them or to hang out with them as much as I wanted.
Until we see each other again (I hope it will be possible). Lucy, Sorin, Boryana, Vanessa, Alejandra, and Shady… Best luck for your new life.

I forgot the tiring part, I MOVED ie: We had to clean the house: walls, carpet, windows, floor, bathrooms, etc… that was tuff. But with Alessandro, Shady and Lena (many thanks to her for everything) help, we finally made it and got back a big chunk of our deposit.