What I love about Hargeisa



This is the third time I am living in Hargeisa. The first visit was in 2004. J was already here few months back and insisted on me to join him, so  had to say goodbye to my job with UNICEF in Orissa which I was really enjoying and had to fly down here. I had no inkling of how this place would. Whatever was my perceptions of Somalia/land was completely coloured by the way the media had painted it- not very good. So it was a mixed feeling, going to live in a new country and new people was exciting though.

 I wasn't very impressed by the flights after Dubai, I had to fly from there to Djibouti, had a brief break there and then took the small aircraft to Hargeisa. Already suffering from a terrible headache from the previous day and a sleepless night in Dubai, Djibouti's intolerable heat was too much for me. To add on to it, a 250 ml water bottle cost US $ 1/- (then Rs. 45/-) which was really shocking for an Indian who in Orissa could afford a whole meal with it.

 The small aircraft to Hargeisa was even horrible- with the seat belts broken and the seats were so crammed like the Orissa buses and I couldnot make out what was wrong with the airconditioning of the craft. The heat was intense and the passengers were in demand of water every now and then. The French hostess in the craft would pass on a jug of water and later they ran out of water too and all this while I was wondering whether I would ever be able to reach my destination at all. Nausea and headache had overpowered all my senses. Thanks to God, the gruelling 45 minutes were over and we landed safely. I took my bags and started for the exit and as the door was opened a lovely cool breeze blew on my face and I was suprised and the expression was so evident on my face, the two Danish women whom I had befriended while in Djibouti and who were aware of my condition smiled and one instantly mentioned "that's Hargeisa for you, the land of the lovely breeze". What a relief ! I have always loved that cool breeze of Hargeisa since then. 



Then started my sojourn with Somaliland and its people. The people were friendly and their hospitality always amazed me. They loved inviting us to their homes and lovely feasts would be served at dinner. I have always loved the food that our Somali friends treated us to, in their homes but couldn't replicate it ever myself- whenever I tried it, was a disaster.

I loved the little birds that make their homes in the thorny bushes and trees in Hargeisa. They are so many in number and the whole place, especially the residential areas are always so full of their chirps and shrieks that the environment can easily cheer a passerby.

There is something about Hargeisa which can relax one's nerve. The offices here usually function from 8 am to 2 pm and then everybody is home. The stress factor is less. One gets more time with the family and there is ample time to indulge in relaxing hobbies like reading, gardening, cooking etc. It is here that the first time I thought of blogging and had created a blog "Living Moments" (livingmoments.blogspot.com). The lovely breezy evenings are another treat in themselves.

Hargeisa brought me closer to God as I could experience Him in the stillness of everything. I had time to count my blessings and thank Him for everything in life. And the call to prayers 5 times a day would remind me to at least remember God during those times.

It is here in Hargeisa that Tejas was conceived in my womb. I was going through the training by UNDP and University of Hargeisa to be a faculty member in the Civil Service Institute then when I came to know of it. So, till today we make fun of Tejas calling him "Manufactured in Hargeia", "Product of Hargeisa" etc.

Eid Lunch 2006- at a friend's place.