Leaving Abadan again

I left Abadan with a heavy heart. When we saw Khoramshahr signs Servin waived goodbye to the city. We were listening to an MP3 that I bought in Kuwaitis bazaar ( bazaar Kuwaiti ha). It is very nice but somehow, I could not make myself dance to it as I usually do. I don't know if and when I will come back to this beautiful city. Good bye for now my beautiful city. Good bye to my home town. I will forever think of you and be a part of you.

3rd day in Abadan

Today we drove to Shalamche. I did not know the significance of this area before we went there. Shalamche is west of Khoramshahr. It is on the border with Iraq. It was the site of a border check and battle with Iraq. from the far we could start reading signs that do not go off trail because it had not yet been cleared of mines. There were several destroyed tanks, there was a artillery post and an anti-aircraft artillery post. there were the dug outs left from those days of battle. There was an eerie quiet. It seemed like there was a smell of blood. They had erected a building and a dome on top of an old dug out. They had posted pictures of young men who had lost their legs and arms. Long live the memory and the legacy of our soldiers and martyrs. May Saddam rot in hell.
I could see the border with the Iranian flag raised high. I could close my eyes and almost hear and touch our heroes that fought with every ounce of their being and sacrificed life and limb for our country. Where would we be today if you had not stood tall? I can hear your heart beat and could feel your excitement as you were driving the enemy forces back. Doorod bar shoma. Hail to your heroics.
I saw a picture of a young soldier with his head missing. The caption said " you can take my head but you cannot take my country ".
There is an Abadani song that says "may the home of the one who destroyed you be destroyed". I sang this song many times not knowing that I will soon mourn the lost lives of Iraqui women and children.
Saddam got what he deserved, unfortunately many lives were lost and homes destroyed over his greed.

2nd day in Abadan

We woke up today to beautiful, warm sunshine of Abadan. We went to Breakfast on the third floor. We had a view of the landing strip for the airport. I remember the days that we would see British airways, Kuwait airways, klm flights land in the airport. They are working on a massive project behinfd hotel Parsian and the old Hotel Abadan. They are building a lake and green space. They call it Braim Lake. I look forward to visit the lake in future trips.
I said my Abadani prayer at the breakfast table.
" May your Ray.Ban be spotless, your laf big, your speedo wrinkle free and the sun of Abadan always shine on you".
Shahram, Shervin and I went to the old neighborhood. We walked to Khooshe and then walked towards the new 25 shahrivar. At house 750 where we used to live we took pictures of the old Euculiptus tree that we used to paly under. The front lawn of the house we used to play soccer with Shervin and Saiid who is now married to Fariba my Aunt's grranddaughter. At khooshe we talked to Mr. Arshadi's son who now runs the store. The old Mr. Arshadi was killed in an auto accident a few years back.
Abadan will never be the same. People who did not live there do not understand why Abadanis love this city and why everey time we talk about, our eyes tear up.
That is why you should enjoy every moment of life and appreciate what you have and who you share time with. once it is gone and they are gone, it will be only memories and will never be brought back.
we went to the fishermen's market, 25 shahrivar, Helal braim, our old house 1213, Naft club, swimming pools, Cinema Taj, 0ld 25 shahrivar, House # 1 and house #2 that are riddled with bullets and are now memories of war.