The Nepal Chronicles #2

March 3, 2021…

I was excited to fly on Qatar Air. The fact that Qatar is home for the largest American air base in the region will have to be set aside for the time being. After all I had heard that their in flight Wifi is legendary (which I am using right now!) plus Qatar is an Arab country and I speak the language and it was my chance in several years to show off my Arabic. So you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that there are no Arab flight attendants. There are no Arabs running this show at all. None!

My whole world shattered when I asked my flight attendant, dressed in HAZMAT whites, if she spoke Arabic. She sheepishly confessed that she’s South African while adjusting her mask. Moments later she returned asking if I needed someone to interpret for me, further disclosing that she did not think that anyone on the flight spoke Arabic but, if need be, she could probably find a passenger who did! She shared with me that the crew is made up of mostly South Africans, Nepalis, and Bengalis. But no Arabs. Even the captain, it turns out, whose name is David, is from El Salvador!

My layover in Doha is super short. About one hour. It will be my only chance to find an Arab speaker. But my hope is fading and I have a feeling that the flight to Kathmandu is not going to change that.

Hope you stay tuned for further adventures!
Namaste!

The Making of Busboys and Poets

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We’re proud to announce A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, the new memoir from our CEO and Founder, which reveals the vision, challenges, and triumphs behind opening Busboys and Poets. Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, Andy Shallal’s memoir takes us on a “How I Built … Continued

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January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

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Senior Breakfast Day Party Kicks-Off

The day party celebrates the Wisdom, Experience, Knowledge and Resilience of our ELDERS in Anacostia!

Last Tuesday was such a hit that we will keep the party going every 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month.

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Everest Base Camp #15

The Sherpa of Sherpas Dawa is the name given to Buddhists born on Monday. In Swahili it means medicine man. In Arabic it means medicine. He’s been guiding these treks for ages. Doling out advice medicine to those who are willing to accept it. Today I am the fortunate one on the receiving end. The … Continued

Busboys and Poets Books Review: Love Poems

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In Love Poems, Nikki Giovanni gives an empowered edge to the topics of sexuality, intimacy and what it means to love. Published in 1997, the collection’s poems span thirty years of her career as a writer. We hear Giovanni through many lenses: as a young woman, as an activist striving for change, as a lover, … Continued