Brandon Stanton's Blog, page 200

(¾) “Ten days passed and we hadn’t heard anything. So...

(¾) “Ten days passed and we hadn’t heard anything. So we were starting to lose hope. Then one night there was a knock on the door. We didn’t have electricity in the house so it was very dark. I was very scared. I thought the soldiers were coming back for me. When I opened the door, I didn’t even recognize him at first. He was very dirty and barefoot. I thought he was from the street. Finally I realized that it was him and I started crying and screaming: ‘My father is home! My father is home!’ But he didn’t say a word. He didn’t want to talk for a long time.”

(Amman, Jordan)

(2/4) “While they were searching the basement, some shooting...

(2/4) “While they were searching the basement, some shooting began on the streets outside, and the soldiers grew very nervous. I tried to make friendly conversation. I wasn’t worried because there was nothing in our house to find. But they grew very cold. They said: ‘We can’t trust you.’ They grabbed me and led me to a van. I told them: ‘I’m an old man. I’m not a threat.’ But they didn’t listen. On our way to the prison, they kept stopping on the street and collecting more people. They blindfolded me when we arrived and they beat me very badly. Then they put me with seventy other people in a room smaller than this one. It was very cold because it was December, and I was barefoot because I’d lost my slippers. There was nothing but a hole in the ground for a toilet. We all had to face the wall. Anyone who looked toward the door would be shot. We stayed there for ten days. I barely slept or ate. There was no room to even sit down. Occasionally a guard would throw bread through the window for people to grab. I thought I’d eventually be executed. But on the eleventh day, they called my name, and released me out into the cold to find my way home.”

(Amman, Jordan)

(¼) “We saw on the television that other countries in...

(¼) “We saw on the television that other countries in the region were having political problems, but they always seemed to fix themselves. So when people began to demonstrate in our town, we didn’t think much of it. Then the government began to crack down by arresting people. People were disappearing. So I made a point of being very non-political. I avoided the areas where demonstrations were occurring. I wouldn’t even associate with people who I knew were political. But one night a group of soldiers came to our house and asked for our IDs. They seemed very nice. They were polite. So we felt very relaxed. My father brought them downstairs to examine the basement. We didn’t see him again for eleven days.”

(Amman, Jordan)

(3/3) “They are too young now, but one day I will tell them...

(3/3) “They are too young now, but one day I will tell them about Syria. They are already asking questions. The oldest one overhears us talking on the phone to our family back in Syria. She asks us: ‘If our aunt is hungry, why can’t she just buy bread?’”

(Amman, Jordan)

(2/3) “Life had been going so well for me before the war came....

(2/3) “Life had been going so well for me before the war came. I’m a driver, and I’d just saved enough money to buy a new car. I was starting a family. My father had given us a house and we’d bought all new furniture. But one day a mortar destroyed a wall of our house. It was too dangerous to stay. I left because of the children. The years we’ve spent as refugees have been very tough, but we’ve just learned that we’re going to Detroit, Michigan. I have a brother-in-law who says it’s very nice there. He says he is allowed to work legally and officially. So hopefully I can start driving again. He says there is heating in the houses and the water is warm when you shower. And he says that America cares about children. He tells me that there is a bus that picks them up and takes them to school.”

(Amman, Jordan)

(1/3) “Sometimes I sit by myself and I blame myself for...

(1/3) “Sometimes I sit by myself and I blame myself for leaving Syria. I used to own my own business. Now I’m working as an employee in a dairy shop. I have nothing here. When I feel nostalgic about Syria, I remember the smell of jasmine in my back garden. I remember my four best friends. We were always laughing and joking together. On Friday mornings during the summer, we’d wake up early to drive to the lake and swim. In the winter we’d play cards and smoke the water pipe. But I have to remind myself that Syria isn’t there anymore. Our old town doesn’t even have any food. A bag of salt costs $50 now. And all my friends are gone. One of them is in Egypt, one is in Turkey, one is in Lebanon, and the other was killed by a sniper.”

(Amman, Jordan)

Last night President Obama wrote a very sweet welcome note to...

Last night President Obama wrote a very sweet welcome note to the scientist in Tuesday’s story.

I want to take a quick pause from the Syrian American series...

I want to take a quick pause from the Syrian American series to announce that we will once again be doing HONY for the Holidays this year. (And by we, I mean Erin, who does 100% of the organizing.) There are many people in New York City who, due to circumstances beyond their control, will have nowhere to celebrate Christmas. I know because I was one of those people when I first moved to New York. I just didn’t have the money to go home. It’s not a good feeling to be alone on Christmas. One of the worst feelings, actually.

BUT DO NOT FEAR. There are plenty of families who have room in their heart, and an extra spot at the table, for one more. And we’ll help you find them. Over the past four years, HONY for the Holidays (100% Erin) has matched hundreds of people. And much joy was had by all. So please, don’t let shyness keep you from having a place to go on the holidays. Get in touch.

And please, please, please, if you think you may be able to host one more in your home, consider volunteering as a host. Extensive effort goes into learning about each guest, and matching them with hosts. Nobody’s contact info will be shared before both sides agree to a match, and everyone will be well acquainted before the big day. So please consider giving the gift of companionship this Christmas.

Please email: honyfortheholidays@gmail.com
Unfortunately we are only have the capability to match people in New York City.

HOSTS: If you have a place at the table, write HOST in the subject line. Please include how many people you can accommodate, your NYC neighborhood, and a little bit about the gathering you will hosting.

GUESTS: If you’d like a place at a table, write GUEST in the subject line. Please include your approximate location and a little bit about yourself!

Thanks, everyone. Happy Holidays!

“Fevers are very dangerous for him because of his condition....

“Fevers are very dangerous for him because of his condition. One night he got a fever and there was nothing I could do. The doctors and the pharmacists had all fled our village. It was too dangerous to even go outside. We didn’t even have a phone. All I could do was take his clothes off and wipe him with cold water. He shook all night. At one point his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He was like a body without a soul. I cried all night. The fever broke in the morning but that was enough for me. Three days later we went to Turkey. I’m hoping there will be a surgery that can help him in America. He is very attached to me. He cries whenever I leave him. I just hope one day he’ll be able to tell me exactly what he wants.”

(Gaziantep, Turkey)

(7/7) “I still think I have a chance to make a difference in...

(7/7) “I still think I have a chance to make a difference in the world. I have several inventions that I’m hoping to patent once I get to America. One of my inventions is being used right now on the Istanbul metro to generate electricity from the movement of the train. I have sketches for a plane that can fly for 48 hours without fuel. I’ve been thinking about a device that can predict earthquakes weeks before they happen. I just want a place to do my research. I learned today that I’m going to Troy, Michigan. I know nothing about it. I just hope that it’s safe and that it’s a place where they respect science. I just want to get back to work. I want to be a person again. I don’t want the world to think I’m over. I’m still here.”

(Istanbul, Turkey)