Hello Friends, 

Welcome to this week’s Friday Five Hundred that is being shipped to you from what I hoped would be Doha, Qatar. However, I was only able to spend two hours at the World’s Best Airport according to the year 2021. With three kids, Shakil and I did our best to use the restrooms, grab a bite, do some shopping and catch our next flight to Pakistan. We also enjoyed this moment of zen courtesy of Hamad Airport’s Al Mourjan lounge. The surprising little ripples reminded me of childhood memories of throwing pebbles across a lake. 

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The journey started with packing. I over-pack because I like to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. From repeated experiences, I know that I don’t use everything and it ends up becoming a burden to lug the extra. This time I wanted to explore a different option, so I asked Allah to show me another way. 

My prayer was answered through a dear friend from Greece, Vassiliki. She sent me a customized list of all that I would need for my two-week trip. I followed it and was grateful for Vassiliki’s thoroughness and extreme care. Not knowing how to pack light and attached to my over-packing ways, I needed a dear friend to show me the way. 

Old habits die hard though. I struggled between the voice that said, “You must be ready for all worst-case scenarios” and the voice that said, “Trust that you’ll be fine.” My main luggage was packed light and ready to go, so at the last minute, I went crazy with my carry-on. Five minutes before our Uber for the airport arrived, I stuffed my nylon carry-on with everything I could possibly fit. 

Insulating myself with all the extras, I felt secure I was ready for anything, which proved to be false. When the plane was about to land in Doha, my daughter Rania complained about her ears popping. Not to worry. I have chewing gum.

I searched my overstuffed bag and wasn’t able to find the gum. In the meantime, a Flight Attendant started talking to Rania to distract her. She then asked my permission to give her some gum. I thanked the sweet Flight Attendant and was so moved by her gentle demeanor with my daughter that my eyes welled up with tears. She really cared. The plane was about to land and I started putting back all the extras I had taken out in search of the missing gum. Hiding in an obscure corner of the bag, l finally found gum I packed! 

After our brief and enjoyable layover at Doha airport, we boarded the flight to Pakistan. This flight duration was mere peanuts compared to the twelve-hour we endured in the first one. I had planned to get myself and the kids fresh on the flight. After all, their Aunties and Uncles were going to see them after many years. When it came time to brush the kids’ extremely tangled hair, I couldn’t find the brush. Out came everything from my no good for anything carry-on. I explained my frustration to my husband in what I thought was a whisper. He tried to convince me that it was OK. It wasn’t. 

A passenger sitting behind us offered to give us a spare hairbrush that she just bought from the airport and hadn’t used. I accepted her gift and thanked her. After I got the kids’ hair detangled, I stuffed my bag with all the items and struggled to zip it back. I barely used any of the items and when I did need something that I lacked, I found it through the environment in the generous people around me. 

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Thank you for reading and it feels awfully nice to connect with you from a brand new day in Islamabad, Pakistan. I heard the morning call for prayer and now the birds are chirping their sweet song with regular interruptions of rickshaws whizzing by. I'd love to know if there is anything you'd like to find out about Pakistan. It's a beautiful country often misunderstood with a lovely blend of spice and sweetness.

If you liked this week's story, I'd love it if you could share it with a friend. Thank you for your continued love and support.

With love and gratitude, 

Sana Fayyaz

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