Newlywed couple from Yemen

Fourteen hours at Dubai Airport, not four! Oops.  Arrived at 10 pm and departed at Noon the following day. Just crazy enough of a schedule that there was not the time or daylight to take a tour of Dubai.  This was my second trip via Dubai that I did not have he opportunity to leave the airport with enough time to return to airport and make it through all of the security points.  I flew Emerites from NYC to Dubai and then Fly Dubai from Dubai to Kathmandu.  Fly Dubai is the economic airline for the Arab nation.  Emerites is something else.  Beautiful flight attendants speaking 30 languages with a choice menu.

I finally made it to Terminal 2 which is the exclusive terminal for Fly Dubai.  I found a wall at the far end of the airport to sleep and just a few minutes after I made myself comfortable a young couple joined me on the seats right next to my sleeping spot. They were clearly in love and enjoying each other. The young man started talking to me. We ended up talking for much of our stay. 

He and his wife had just married. They are from Yemen.  He is 22 and she is just 18, yes just 18.  They were heading to Pakistan where he is studying to be a doctor.  He speaks many languages, Arabic, English, 2 languages from Pakistan and is learning Japanese which is where he would like

to continue his studies. He learned English in 3 months. He was at the top of his high school class and was offered a full scholarship to study medicine in Pakistan.  

He has been waiting for Ather's hand in marriage for years. They  grew up together as she is his cousin. She lost her mother when she was young and has taken care of her younger brothers for years. She has 2 older brothers and 2 younger brothers. Now Murad's Mom will take care of Alther's younger brothers while she joins her husband in Pakistan.  

Murad said that Yemeni need to pay $6000.00 for a visa to visit Dubai because they have always been workers in Dubai. Now Yemen charges those from UAE the same though few from UAE visit Yemen. Murad said it would be too dangerous for me to visit Yemen as an American.  He showed me videos of the revolution there, the countryside, his home. My goodness it is beautiful. He hopes to become a doctor and work in his country to help his people receive needed health care.  

His father is a police man and his brother is a pilot for the army.  Both of them give 50% of their wages to help the poor as there is so much need for assistance.  They all live in a family compound with three generations of family and cousins. His mother also takes care of his cow and goats.

The Taliban often kill civilians for no reason. And now that the army has split and there are 2 groups fighting each other often civilians are caught in the middle. 

I cannot figure out how to upload a photo of them....will do soon.

Some day when Murad is a doctor in Yemen wouldn't it be something to put together a team of medical professionals to go to his country.  This young man is 22 and has so many plans and dreams and dedication to his people. I was in awe of his strength, commitment, life experience and knowledge at such a young age.  

I hope to send the newlyweds a Taste of Maine when I get home to congratulate them!