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

A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets

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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For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals.  He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.”  … Continued

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Palestine Week 2024

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Rising Artist Frank Ocean did something important

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angela

Angela Davis coming to 450K

With Angela Davis coming to Busboys and Poets – 450K next month, we thought to re-read the full transcript of her iconic speech at the Women’s March in 2017.  Be sure to mark your calendars for October 11th, 2018 at 6:30pm.  Food and drinks will be available throughout the event and books will be available … Continued

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The Nepal Chronicles #5

Thursday, March 5, 2021… I have some time to kill before dinner tonight. So I venture into the narrow uneven streets of Thamel. The area is known for its shops carrying trinkets for budding Buddhists as well as trekking gear for hopeful trekkers. You can find a dream catcher or a meditation bowl or Tibetan … Continued