My New Iranian Friends

Can I take your picture he asked? Hmm...(inner thoughts) think Lissa, think...why does this strange man want to take my picture...if being Black and traveling hadn't had it's ups and downs over the past month already....will I be on his facebook page...hasn't he seen a Black person before, he's not that light himself..it took courage to ask me I guess...at least he asked and didn't assume I was entertainment for the day...hmm...He don't do a drive by photo snap which had been done earlier that day...hmmm. I asked him, "Why, why do you want my picture?" He said, "I like American." I asked, "What's your name?" and he responded. I introduced myself and Matt. I asked him where he was from and he said Iran. He then introduced me to his entire family (sister, brother, kids, nephews, etc.). I finally responded with sure, you can take my picture, if you are in the picture with me. After I walked away, I decided I wanted a picture of him and his family. I ran back and asked him. His family quickly got into position and posed. I was then welcomed into the family picture that you see above. After walking around for a minute or two, my new friend found me again and asked from my email in which we both exchanged. It is interesting how God allows things and interactions to happen. How different that situation could have gone given my response. There have been many odd, strange, and down right rude encounters with some locals and Black members of our community on ship, but you have to put it all in perspective, and breathe through the challenge. It won't stop me from traveling, so the world will just have to adjust!! This previous situation was weird and awkward, yes, but maybe this is a future bridge for understanding and human connection that was made. With our country at war for things most of us don't understand, I found some peace in this unusual serendipitous moment in life. We have to ask questions. We have to enage with people that are different than us. If we don't ask, we'll never know. To my new friend from Iran, I am you and you are me. A relationship of dialogue and understanding will last longer than a picture, so I hope we connect soon.