farewell 2 AleXANDRIA

We were here...!!!! Around 08:20 hours on 3.9.2010 or 22nd Ramadan 1431 Hijjri, we left this address – Apartment 41, Building 46, Ismaliya Street, Kafr Abdou, Alexandria – the apartment that had accommodated us since October 2006. Sherif and Hisham had waited us since 07:44 hours. Sa’id and our ‘bawab’ or apartment security, Kabir lent their hands with our 4 mid size luggage, 5 boxes of other essential items and 6 backpacks. Before we actually driven off, we shook hands with Said, an underprivileged family man who spent most of his time within our street doing whatever he could to survive this tough life. Despite the sunny autumn Alexandria weather, the situation was so gloomy and touchy, tears shed from his old humble eyes and he was speechless! He was a very kind and hardworking person, whom we always relied on when in needs. Kabir aka ‘ammu Kabir among my kids, a quiet but decent man, who replaced the big Sayed, whom we met few months ago could not hold his tears and hide his feeling when the kids shook hands and hugged him. Sherif pushed the accelerator, speed off, and left both Sa’id and Kabir flooded with their sincere tears. With mixed feeling and wordless, we headed to the al Nouzha airport for the last time. 15 minutes later, we arrived at the airport. Ahmed, an Astra Meet-n-Assist staff had waited patiently. After brief greeting and introduction, he arranged the two porters, who assisted Hisham and Sherif unloading our luggage. As a fact of life, the moment has finally come, for us to say good bye to Sherif and Hisham. Surrounded by my family and others, I hold Sherif to my chest for some time, hugging him for the last time and thanking him for all what he had done and contributed to all my family for the past four solid years. Triggered by sincere feeling deep from my heart, tears running wild from my eyes and shamelessly I let it flow. Except Nana, all the five kids hugged him just like their uncle. Four years serving us, Sherif was really part of us. We had shared all the sweet and sour things together like one family. We learnt many things that had enhanced and built our camaraderie that had made our working and personal life amazing. What we admired about Sherif, he is a very decent, honest, and hardworking type. I remembered the first time we met him, he spoke only few English words and hardly understand the English that we spoke then. But now, I am very proud of him. He speaks good English as a result of his three years efforts in mastering the language after realizing its importance. He could not hide his sadness, his eyes were shiny red and tears flowed through his spectacle. We will definitely cherish all the moments that we had together. Million of thanks to you, Sherif.!! All the best for your future endeavor and undertakings.
After 10 minutes trying to dismantle the knot between us and Sherif, Ahmed with the Porters ushered us to the Airport building for the check-in business. Alhamdullillah, we passed all the three points – Police screening, Qatar Airways checking-in process and the Immigration check flawlessly. We went straight to the departure lounge. There were three groups of passenger waited at the lounge. One was going to Sharjah and another was going to Jeddah. We waited patiently with our mind still wandering around trying to break away from the nostalgic Alexandria to the mysterious Bintulu. Alhamdullillah, thanks to Allah Rabbul Jalil for giving us all the strength and smoothen all the processes. Forty five minutes later, we were invited to board the Airbus 777 of QR 0511 that flown us to Doha for the last time.
The time has finally come for us to leave this beautiful country and its lovely people Sharp at 10:55 hours the Qatar Airways QR 0511 took off and flown us away from the majestic historical Alexandria that had accommodated us with superb hospitality since her 2006 winter. Thank you.