..... Sure i will. Two places i will visit briefly IA is Borama and Sheikh. Not sure about Burco yet but i would love to. I'm just thinking to invite Xidigo for a party in Borama ,,,,

Hehe ,, been a long year this year. Had only 4 days leave and the rest was accumulated. don't know what to do though ,,, i will be probably sleeping like nobody ......

Having kissed the over hyped big 40 and being happily married with a loving wife and three lovely children -- happy testimony to the fruit of my loins -- I now watch with admiration, no envy, the way the dating rules have become user-friendly for the new generation. All very different from the horror stories we had to endure to take our squeezes on a date. The first step was negotiating entry into your loved one's township. The goons who appointed themselves the suburb's gatekeepers were your first hurdle: you either bribed them -- with cigarettes or a quart of ugologo (intoxicating spirits) -- or you stealthily avoided them. To do otherwise was to ask for all sorts of retribution -- "babezokushaya to come nice" (they would give you a proper hiding and hound you out the township) -- and you would be banned from setting foot there ever again. The girl's brothers were equally unwelcoming, and your luck was even worse if she had an unemployed uncle umayihlalela (a layabout). They would either set the dogs on you -- some of us have the scars of those dog wars -- or whip your ***. Sometimes they would just lock the gates to the yard and dare your girl to jump over high walls topped with razorwire. All you could do was wave and blow kisses at your sweetheart imprisoned in the yard. You would then go to a public phone to profess your undying love and vow that her brotherly goons would not stop you coming back. Should you and your dearest and sweetest navigate this initial minefield successfully, the second stage was even more tortuous. This entailed the girl having to convince the parents -- not to forget the brotherly Hitlers -- that she was indeed going to the movies or a friend's party and that her intentions were noble. If this worked, there were the non-negotiable deadlines to return home by, applied equally to teenagers, varsity seniors and young working adults. Any complaints were dismissed with: "As long as you live in my house you follow my rules!" Negotiating deadlines entailed the girl getting alibis of every sort from friends or a favourite "just in case" aunt. This was insurance, "just in case" the deadline was not met and you had to get home the wrong side of midnight. For young adults this meant that aunty dearest thought it unsafe for you to go home in the wee hours of the morning and gave you a place to crash. In some instances, where a girl had nice siblings, she could bribe them to open the window for sister to sneak back in. I had a friend who was ingenious. To make sure no matter how hard the young brother slept he would wake up to let her in, she would tie a string to his big toe, leave it dangling discreetly by the window and tug on it every time she got home late. It worked like magic. Of course the brother was bribed handsomely. Which is why I almost fell from my chair at the ease and nonchalance with which today's young people are able to pop in and out of the home, sans stress and rigid dating rules. I was visiting friends one of these fine, warm evenings for the usual round of sundowners, when their little diva in senior high school popped her head round the corner and, in a by-the-way fashion, told her mother she was going out. The conversation went something like this: "Hi mom, forgot to tell you, I am going to a party at Farai's tonight." "No, you are not! You can't tell me that now and expect me to …" "Sorry mom, didn't think you'd mind. Oh, I borrowed your Zanzibari ethnic jewellery and that new fragrance of yours, so divine." "Hey, you can't just up and go like that! What do I tell your father? I mean how are you going …" "Don't fret, mama, pops'll be fine, my new boyfriend Dumi's picking me up." "What time will you be back? Hey come back here! You have to be home by …" The poor mother remonstrated to no one in particular it turned out. Outside the yard a car stereo blasted and a shrill car hooter pierced the early evening calm. Next thing you heard the sound of banging bedroom doors and the little diva's cheery voice: "Bye mum, have to run, love you!" This was followed by air kisses, a run down the driveway and before you could say 'nkosi yam' (my god) the car screeched away with whoops of laughter and the thud-thud of hip-hop music. My friends gave defeated sighs and shrugs. My gulp of scotch felt stuck in my throat and when I finally cleared it I felt decidedly ancient. I was full of awe and envy: how easy they are having it these days! JABULANI MLOTSHWA

The hot humid air welcomes you as soon as you land on this beautiful island of Cuba, in the lovely city of Havana. Despite the language barrier of hola! Adios! And so on, a language that you hear of but never see its importance, the airport is bearable as you struggle through customs. Welcome to a new world where English is a foreign language. You understand a few words such as gracias! (Which you use back at home without the knowledge of where the words come from) You get into a taxi and enjoy a ride to your hotel of choice. The green vegetation around the country crowns it all as the vegetation disappears into buildings and you enter the city. The vegetation extends even into the city. You can see a few trees here and there among the buildings. We booked a ‘casa particulare’ which means ‘a house’, so we are welcomed by this amazing lady who speaks English. She and her husband are very nice people. A reflection of what to expect in Cuba! The food is ok. The chicken and the pork is amazing. The beef is more expensive, but chicken and pork is readily available. Compared to Kenya where pork is a phenomenon delicacy that rarely appears on our tables, it is the Cubans usual and normal protein. As you pass by most kiosks you find the statement written ‘cerdo ahi’ which means ‘pork sold here’. Downtown in a hidden area, on the ground floor of one of those buildings, you find a market. The best mangoes you have ever had in your life, all juicy and sweet. Amazingly these fruits are sold in pesos ‘moneda nacional’- ‘national currency’ that is used by the Cubans. There are two currencies CUC and PESOS. Pesos are readily available to Cubans but Cuc is used by tourists. 25 pesos make one Cuc. The fruits are all cheap and readily available. The restaurants have good food and variety but you have to be sure of what you are ordering. Do not order what you do not know. From the hot humid air outside you walk into the cool air-conditioned restaurant, with incredible waiters ready to serve you. They wait to listen and try to understand what you want to order. There is a variety of food to choose from, chicken meals, fish meals, pork meals, pizza, pasta and so much more on the menu. As you enjoy the delicious pasta that you just ordered, some soft jazz music is playing in the background. I turn to see where the music is coming from and by the piano an elderly man is playing the piano. We sit and enjoy the music but do not realize that time passes by so fast. It is already 11.30 p.m. when we exit the restaurant. We are afraid of robery or kidnapping because it is very late in the night. However, there are so many people on the streets walking so we join them and walk home feeling comfortable. On our way we are not harassed and we arrive safely. I never felt so safe walking at night! We enjoy some ice cream when we get home. Cuba has the best nestle ice cream that you have ever tasted, it is addictive! It is an amazing city and country in so many ways as I may say, safe in all perspectives. You can take a night walk by the malecon (a walkway by the ocean) and feel very secure. Apart from the food you need to see and meet the people. Spanish speaking individuals but willing to do everything they can to understand you. They welcome you into their homes ready to give you food and shelter. In which part of the world do strangers welcome you open heartedly into their homes, give you food, shelter, and even wash your clothes at a minimum fee? We haven’t even reached that state of washing clothes using a washing machine, yet we call these people backward. To them lack of a washing machine is lack of a basic necessity. The people want to show you around so that you can learn about their city. In the street someone hits you and says ‘con permiso’ meaning ‘excuse me’. If it were in a Kenyan street the response would be ‘watch your way’. Later on I am invited for an evening music concert. I join my friends as the sun sets at 8.00 p.m. and we walk to the venue. We sit around and sing to the music being played for a while as we chat away. Within 2 hours the field is fully occupied, packed up with people who are ready to watch their own local artist perform. The concert is a success, the entry was free but the number of CD’s sold and bought after the show are enough to cover all expenses and make money. If Kenyans were that ready to support their local musicians, music would surely be a successful industry in Kenya. Early in the morning we stroll home at 3 a.m. feeling very safe and secure sure that all is all right. The different cities in Cuba welcome you ‘Trinidad’, ‘Santiago de Cuba’, ‘Camaguey’, and others which I don’t remember. The means of transport used is those 1950’s old trucks but they have buses, long buses that are imported from China. In one of our many trips we decided to tour the town, we got lost but someone was kind enough to show us the way. We had gone by bus, paid our way but the person who showed us the way back paid for our fare. In which part of the world do you find this courtesy? In the bus it was really full of people. Some looking like thugs, others working class. All kinds of people. We were afraid of being harassed or having things stolen from us. However none of those things happened and we traveled safely. One of the safest places to be in the world I believe is this beautiful island. There is a lot to see in Cuba. The blue water of the Atlantic ocean and the sandy beaches. The swim through the lovely warm water is amazing you don’t want to leave the water; Great waves to make the swim more enjoyable. The excitement is beyond containment. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go for a vacation. Despite the long trip of two days to the country it is a success in the end. The longer you stay the better the experience. You begin to learn the survival skills in a country where capitalism is not the leading market philosophy. That is the Cuba I know; Hospitable and worth the trip. By Diana Kimani (KEN Correspondent Kenya)

Ciidanka Illaalada Xeebaha Somaliland oo ku Dabajira Budhcad badeed la Sheegay inay Dhuumasho ku Soo Galeen Xeebta Laas-Qoray iyo Jasiirrada Rabshiga ee Gobolka Sanaag Hargeysa (Qarannews)-Ciidanka ilaalada Xeebaha Somaliland ayaa hawl gal ka wada Gobolka Sanaag, taasoo ay ku baadi goobayaan budhcad badeed la sheegay in ay firxad ku soo galeen deegaano ka mid ah xeebaha gobolka Sanaag. Ciidanka Illaalada Xeebaha oo uu hogaaminayo taliyaha Ciidanka ayaa shalay galinkii danbe ka ruqaansaday fadhiisimadooda Maydh iyo Xiis si ay gacanta ugu soo dhigaan budhcad badeeda soo galay Xeebta Laas-qorey iyo Jasiiradda Rabshiga. Warkan waxa uu xaqiijiyay Taliyaha Ciidanka Illaalada Xeebaha ee Gobolka Sanaag Mr. Maxamed Yuusuf Maxamuud (Otto) oo kolkaa ku sii jeeday isaga iyo ciidankiisuba deegaanada Laasqorey iyo Jasiiradda Rabshi.. Taliyaha Ciidanku waxa kale oo uu sheegay in Budhcad badeeda Soomaaliya ay ku soo biireen rag uu sheegay inay isugu jiraan Yemeniyiin iyo Hindi iyo Ajanabi kaleba kuwaas oo isu xulufaystay inay Qafaashaan Maraakiibta, taasoo ay ka helaan dhaqaale badan. Waxa kale oo uu Taliyuhu noo xaqiijiyya in Budhcad badeedan soo gashay Deeganada Xeebaha gobolka Sanaag ay ka yimaadeen meesha la yidhaahdo EYL iyo Nawaaxigeeda oo ka tirsan Gobollada Dhexe ee Wadanka Soomaaliya isla markaan ah Meelaha ay budhcad badeeda Soomaaliya kaga duusho maraakiibta Maraya Biyaha Gacanka Cadmeed iyo Badweynta Hindiyaba. Taliyuhu waxa kale oo uu intaa ku daray in Budhcad badeedan oo waayadan danbe Afduubkii Maraakiibta ka heshay dhaqaale Xoogle ay Sheer (Share) wadaagaan Masuuliyiin badan oo ka tirsan Maamul Goboleedka Puntland ee Somalia iyo Ganacsatada Waawey ee reer Puntland qaar kamid ah. Isaga oo taliyuhu ku tilmaamay in aan la kala garanayn maamulka Puntland iyo nimanka Budhcad badeeda ah ee weerarada Ba'an ku haysa Maraakiibta.

Salaadu dadka miyay qabataa mise iyadana wax kalaad uga jeedaa ,,,,,,, Walee kaa yaabay ,,,,,,,,,,,

Sh. Sharif Arrives in Muqdisho Alshabaab is fighting with ONLF in Af-Madow district An explosion targeted ex-security officer in Galkayo. Alshabaab are expanding their control over the regions of Somalia. Kenya is arresting Somalis in Nairobi including some TFG officials. Ethiopia is pouring new and fresh troops into Somalia. halkaa ka sii wada ,,,,,,

Yes can't go and Sheekha can go ,,,, hehe ,, what a change ,,

I don't have the details but i received an email from a reliable source that there is a fighting today ,,,,,,,,,, let's see

Dear Garaad,!! It is a common and sad well known fact that the region of Sool region is the least developed parcel of Somaliland. While an intensive study would be worthwile, among all the diverse causes explaining why the situation in Sool is more desperate than ever, leadership remains the elephant in the room. For the Lascanood native that I am, you are, dear Garaad, predisposed to hearing my lamentations on this matter. Like all Lascanooders abroad, I was extremely thrilled by your crowning last year; who else that you could build intergenerational bridges in Somaliland and at the same time get the diaspora more involved in the rebuilding of our region. Our region were facing pressing issues and it took a man of vision and great influence to bring about the changes we all needed. However, almost immediately my hopes were dashed by the fact that Puntland authorities ruined your installation by creating a tug of war with Somaliland and the former ICU. You could hear some small-town politicians from Garowe bullying your hosts; no elders from Hargeisa, no political talks... Those that deemed the burial of our late Garaad unworthy of their presence were adding insult to injury by shamefully politicizing this multi-century traditional ceremony. Your answer, dear Garaad, to this total lack of ceremonialism, was to say the least, completely appalling. Instead of notifying and summoning the Garowe schizophrenic dictator, you folded like a cheap bag. Moreover, a week later, you embarked on an embarrassing region tour with a no name Puntland minister, making yourself the receiving end of a cheap propaganda stunt. Granted, dear Garaad, Sool is particularly hospitable to political intrigues and divided loyalties since many resident subscribe to different administrations. However, you had the advantage of first hand knowledge and the guiding principles of our former Garaad. Nothing else could have given outward testimony to the value of the late Garaad leader than the fact he kept both Puntland and Somaliland political manoeuvres at bay, while keeping bridges open. Unfortunately, there is considerable doubt and much discussion as to whether you could hold this tenuous balance, and observe in a way this strange power taboos inherited by our Garaad. Our leaders have always have been referred to by their admirers as visionary and beyond politicians and there is plenty of evidence to support this point. Dear Garaad, this subservient attitude you have towards Puntland had let to become sadly, dear Garaad, the hostage of the ProSomaliweyn faction of our people. Your ten month long visit abroad became a happening for all disgruntled Siadist languishing on Abdillahi Yusuf waiting list for a future diplomatic postings. While your predecessor, a dynamo of a man, would have lived the life of a recluse and fought with considerable energy and determination to address Buhoodle and Cagaare crisis, your decided to visit endless towns (sometimes only an hour apart) when we needed you the most. Dear Garaad, Ninkii tiisa Daryeela tukale ku dara. Our people need not to worry about displaying huge Somali flags in community centers, but to solve pragmatically our problems. Hope your take the lead. With my utmost respect Mohamed Sougal

It is just that you are Faran-Cab ,,, darawalkii Faran sow maaha ,,

aad iyo aad darwalkoow .........

Yes ,, he arrived today and escorted by heavily armed militias to a residence where he will stay. Let's see what is next ,,,,

There is another fighting in Afmadow district going on now between Alshabaab and ONLF ,,,,

He must be a geel jire living in the deserts of the Syrian remote areas ........... And i think he is beenaale about the passport thing ,,,

Soodigii taageersanaa alshabaab adigu ,,,,

THAT IS TRAGIC ............. VERY SAD The Proctors were on their way to catch a flight to the US

Call the number and ask them directly ,,,,,,

Qarax xoogan ayaa saakay waabarigii ka dhacay magaalada Gaalkacayo ee xarunta gobolka Mudug. Abaaro 6-dii Aroornimo ee waabarigii saakay ayaa waxaa si weyn looga maqalay magaalada Gaalkacyo ee gobolka Mudug qaraxyo Xoogan kuwasi oo lala eegtay labo gaari oo ay kala lahaayeen hay'ada MSF Holland oo ka howlgaleeysay Cusbitaalka k/magaalada Gaalkacyo iyo Col Cabdi Jaamac Xareed oo ahaa gudoomiyihii hore ee amniga maamulka Galmudug. Ma jiraan Wax qasaare geeri ah oo ay qaraxyadasi geeysteen marka laga reebo dhaawacyo fud fudud oo soo gaaray Colonel-ka waxana bur bur xoogan uu ku yimid labadii Gaari oo nuucooda uu ahaa leylo Calawi gaariga loo yaqaan,waxana qaraxaasi uu ku soo aaday xili dadka inatooda badan aysan ka soo bixin xafadahooda. Miinadani oo aheeyd mid meelaha fog fog laga hago ayaa waxaa uu ka dhacay meesha lagu magaaco Hobyo 1 oo magaalada Gaalkacyo Konfurteeda ku taal gaar ahaa inta u dhexeeysa Cusbitaalka magaalada iyo Hotelka lagu magacaabo Ambas. Qaraxani oo ahaa mid aad u xooganaa isla markana si weyn looga arkayay Uuradiisa guud ahaan magaalada ayaa waxaa halka uu qaraxa ka dhacay isugu soo baxay dadweyne aad u farabadan kuwaasi oo la yaabanaa qaraxani ku cusub magaalada isla markana la yaabanaa cida lala doonayay waloow lagu qarxiyay labadani gaari.

Bashir Makhtal lived in Toronto’s Riverdale neighborhood. He became a Canadian citizen in 1994. He worked as a senior programmer for two of Canada’s biggest banks, Bank of Montreal and CIBC. From 2002 until December 2006 Makhtal conducted business outside Canada, in countries such as Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea and the United Arab Emirates. On December 31st, 2006, Kenyan authorities detained Makhtal while he was attempting to cross the Kenya border from Somalia. Kenya illegally rendered him to Ethiopia under extraordinary rendition laws on January 20th, 2007. Bashir has been without legal counsel and has had limited contact with Canadian authorities since his arrest. Please join us at the Fundraising Event for Bashir Makhtal When: Saturday December 13, 2008 at 4 PM to 8:30 PM Where : Kipling Collegiate Institute Cost: $20 380 The Westway Etobicoke, Ontario M9R 1H4 For information contact: Abdirizak Karod at 613-799-2296 or Saeed at 647-408-7300 Proceeds from this event will go to the Bashir Makhtal Legal Defence Fund

Thanks for the reminder ,,, time to update my linkedin too ....

Oo ilayn berigaana waad noolayd xaajiyo ,,,

looooooooooooooooooooooooool@attorney Lazie G

No, that was just a question if that is possible but the one is Borama is already there waiting for his arrival ,,,,,,,

I don't know why most of people go to UK complain about it ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, No, i don't think it is coz they spend their time in houses ,, there must me some other logic.