Tuesday, November 22, 2005

The Airport

I like Airports. I think they are sociologically interesting spaces; places where diverse human emotions and interpersonal attitudes come into expression. Some people gaze at the terminal gate in hopeful anticipation, scanning every face that passes by. Some even have flowers in their hands. Others spend the last moments with their friends and family, knowing the days of separation will start soon.

On Sunday, I accompanied a friend of mine to the Airport. She came to visit me on Friday and was then on her way to South Africa. We were standing in the check-in line, having a conversation about my work. I heard someone speaking Farsi behind me. I took a quick look at him, and carried on with the conversation. He was a normal looking man and wore a mustache. In my quick scan, I couldn’t see who he was talking to.

A few minutes later, I turned around to check out the surrounding, when I suddenly saw him. I recognized him instantly. I looked away. Thoughts came into my mind. I knew him since I was a young boy. In a way, he represented my forgotten past, a period I had lost contact with a long time ago. I’ve always had a great amount of respect for him, and for years, I’ve been looking for an opportunity to go and see him… it never happened.

I turned around, looked into his eyes, and smiled, “Mr. Shajarian?” I heard myself saying.

11 comments:

Hydra said...

For those of you who don't know Mohammad Reza Shajarian: he's the absolute master of Persian classical music. His singing is flawless. Some consider him as the most perfect vocalist Iran has ever produced.

See also http://www.opus125.org/shajarian/

Kimia said...

The world is so small.

Anonymous said...

That's so cool, like a second chance to do something you didn't get do in your past for whatever reason. Glad it happend for you

Dr O2 said...

well it would be interesting to know what the response has been!?? wasn' he surrounded by a bunch of friends & agents???

Privacy said...

The Shajarian? I interviewed him and his son...A very cool and an accomplished individual.
I know airports can be fun...but I hate them.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Mr. Shajarian :)
Beautiful voice, wonderful artist, and much more...
What can I say about airports? Hmmm...
I used to be in love with airports! To me, it was a place to escape to something new. I still love airports, but I'm not in love with them anymore.
A nice post, as always Hydra :)

Anonymous said...

.....way bar man/way bar man/ sozad o sozad ghonchehaei ra ke parvardam be doshvari / dar dahane gode goldanha/ rozhaye sakhte bimari/ rozhaye sakhte bimari.......

Hydra said...

Dear Kimi, small it is. This was the second instance I had to agree with that phrase this week. It's freaky!
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Thomas, thanks. Sure it was a nice experience, but I'd rather see him in concert than at the airport!!

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Hi Omid, actually he was accompanied by one gentleman. I think he was his host or his concert organizer, cause I caught him speaking Dutch, so he couldn't be traveling with him (I live in Holland). No security, nothing. The answer to my question was a humble yes, we shook hands, and talked briefly.

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Hi Sanaz, cool! Where can we read your interview with them?

____

Dear Farzad, don't you wanna escape anymore?

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Narges, beautiful! Now if you could sing that as well, I would be really impressed!

Anonymous said...

No, I'm done ;)
Cheers :)

Dr O2 said...

well our celebrities live a diff life than other countries. I have heard Shajarian is a gentleman of his own kind & acts very polite when meeting his fans.

Anonymous said...

"i like airports."

to me, they are the red string (rode draad) of my life.

it never crossed my mind though, that my face and my flowers would seem sociologically interesting to anyone :)