^^ Are they hired people?

^^ Do they do this everytime he leaves the country, saaxib?

Dahia was 87 yesterday, why are you still celebrating her birthday?

^^ That's what wives are for.

^^ It's fluttering on my roof now. ps (Just in case it all goes belly up, I'm keeping the blue one under the bed for now).

^^ Nobody did anything to anyone. There are just far too many Somali women and far too few Somali men. The lucky ones marry a Somali man and the unlucky ones moan about Faarax and what have you. Anyway, let them marry who they like. This really is a non issue.

RAFA OUT RAFA OUT RAFA OUT

CG, I thought I was always nice to new people (it's not a new year resolution, honest). As for Khat, here is a little incident that happened to me recently. Yes, it is another Syria story. Before I recently visited that country, I phoned a few friends there to inform them of my impending arrival. They were very excited and told me to phone them a few days before flying out! In my innocence, I assumed they made such a request so that they can prepare things and ensure I receive the best of Somali hospitality upon my arrival. But, just as I am sure you guessed, that was not it! They wanted me to smuggle them some Khat. I strongly refused and told them that I would be mad to put myself through such a risk. But they insisted that I should do it! I told them that I don't want to end up in jail, they told me that I will not end up in jail! There was a strange confidence and unexplainable swagger to their argument that I actually wondered if Syrian Airport security was that lax! After stubbornly continuing to refuse to take part in such a risky business, they changed their tack and begged me to listen to the plan they had. It was a simple plan really and I would be lying if I was not tempted (for a split second). The plan was as follows: I had to go to my local mafrash and buy the biggest quantity of Khat I could safely take as part of my luggage. Passing through UK customs and security was ok because this particular drug is not illegal here. However, once I got into Syria I was supposed to wait in the arrivals hall (before having my passport stamped and luggage checked). This is where the Syrian part of this crime syndicate was supposed to come into play. My friends said that someone will approach me and take the Khat suitcase of my hands, leaving me to go through customs with no incriminating evidence. Once I was through and in the town, my friends would have taken me to the Somali Embassy to meet the Ambassador's son and get to retrieve the suitcase from him (yes, it was he who was supposed to meet me in the Airport and claim the bag as Somali diplomatic property). His fee for such a daring feat? Twenty bundles of Khat! Khat is being enjoyed in Syria on a regular bases and I hear that many stronger willed people than I are more than happy to smuggle the darn thing to that country. Saudi Arabia too has its fair share of marshes and Khat dens! Still, as an irregular chewer myself (and though my opinion might be tainted somewhat), I don't believe Khat should be banned. Banning it, as the story above proves, will not make that much difference. Rather, what I believe should be done is to demonise the thing and make it socially unacceptable. This should (in the long term) drive all the sensible people away from it and also help stop Khat from being an integral ingredient in Somali social gatherings. This would only leave the hardcore element hooked on Khat and would allow the rest of Somalis to be free to pursue other addictions (or not). Khat itself has never been the problem.

^^ Ignore the personal questions, Marc. Only answer what you feel comfortable with. In time, people will get used to it and stop asking questions. For now thought, you're a bit of a celebrity in these parts and people are bound to want to know everything about you. ps I would not persume to ever ask anyone their real name in such a vulgar public way, I would send them a PM (Lazy uunsiga eno daar, wan so socda). My question was addressed to Willamina above not yourself Mrac.

^^

^^ Who were you before you changed your name? This has been bugging me for a while you know. I don't like things that bug me.

Originally posted by LayZieGirl: LOL@ "I dreamt one day all euro-trash people would go back to where ever they came from." You heard him Ngonge, go back to where you came from adeer. I have never lived in Holland or Norway, etc. I did not watch that particular video so couldn't really comment on Marc's argument there. At any rate, those he refers to as Euro Trash are (at worst) economic migrants. The majority of them move here to seek jobs and improve their careers. Surely Marc is not against such admirable pursuits? Ps How many frogs did you kiss this New Year's Eve? Caught any Princes? Disclaimer: Of course when I ask you if you kissed any I don't at all mean a literal exchange of saliva (xaasha li allah), I meant 'getting the look',that's all.

And there is me trying to keep the thread up (instead of letting it get burried under all the other rubbish in this section) until Dahia returns and gets to read your touching message! Hurrumph!

Warya jacaylbaro, Forget Dahia for a moment and tell me where you learned Arabic from? انك لشخص غريب الاطوار ومتعدد المواهب يا رجل

Originally posted by Northerner: Ngonge, both sides? :confused: There is a Shiica side of the Mosque. As I was wondering about and trying to check the place out, a Shiica imam beckoned to me and told me to enter a big side door. In there, there were lots of crying people! I have no idea if they cry all the time or it was a special occasion. I legged it out of there as soon as I could.

Is that it? Are you not going to give a short speech about how great she is and how every time you log into this place it is her comments that you try to read first, etc? Come on now! Give the woman some fake compliments badow yaho...

^^ I like Modesty. She has a very endearing personality and a fascinating way of expressing every last thought that crosses her mind. The thoughts and ideas she shares don't matter to me much. I am just taking immense pleasure from having watched this young lady mature and blossom in the last four years. She's not all there yet but soon, I'm sure, the hormones of youth will start to settle and her delivery will improve. (She's already learning to eat with a fork and spoon. Quite the young lady methinks).

Interim President of Somalia Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed says Somaliland troops must leave the Somali territories they have captured. Recognition at last.

I think he's claiming poetic licence for his sensational thread titles. I have now watched three of his videos and though they reveal nothing that I or any other average Somali didn't already know, the originality of the idea of airing your views online has to be applauded. Maybe with time and practice the depth contained in such clips may improve. Ps Marc, this is a different communication medium to that of YouTube! It is a discussion forum, and unless you're willing to discuss the ideas, opinions and views you're putting in those clips, somebody might mistake your threads on here as mere advertising.

^^ You and me are in the same group. Waxba ha es yariin xaajiya

^^ Like a typical somali woman, the Mrs is watching the new year celebrations on TV. I have no idea what gene females have that comples them to watch all mannar of rubbish. Lets say I am ten years older than you.

^^ You're never too young, my dear. Are you not over 20 years of age? Go for it I say.

^^ Come on, don't say you didn't expect the same.

^^ Forget all the other plans and get yourself married. PRONTO. In fact, you all should, lazy, single so and sos...

Emp, I am not sure celebrating is the right word to use here. I doubt many Somalis are out singing Auld Lang Syne! But since it is the universally accepted starting point in the yearly calendar, it is understandable that people would wish others to do well in the next twelve months. Still, like I told Duke on another thread, the only thing I would wish for anyone is stability and the continuation of their current situation! A colleague wished me a happy new year as we were leaving work and asked me what my wishes and plans for the coming year were, I was stumped! I had no solid plans (I never do) and had no great wishes. I just shrugged and walked off. Later, on my way home, I thought about it and realised that all I want at this time of year (and every year) is for things to stay the same. We are fortunate (you and I), we live in a peaceful city like London, where there are no forest fires, tsunamis, earthquakes, snakes, floods, civil unrest or war. Life, despite all it throws at you, remains stable. What's better than stable, eh? Of course, if you happen to live in a place where there is trouble and strife then I wish you the best of stability in the new year.