A New Side of Somalia

Background

I was born and raised for the majority of my life in downtown Toronto. I soon moved to the suburbs of Scarborough shortly after Grade 5. As a son of parents who were both born in Somalia, I would always hear stories of Somalia told by them or by my grandmothers but never had the opportunity to experience the lifestyle they often reminisced of. Both my parents have travelled back home since their arrival here in Canada almost 25 years ago but only on a limited number of occasions.

"Remember to love your parents...We are so busy growing up, we often forget they are also growing old"

What Is My Dream Vacation?

Somali Flag

The quotation above struck a chord in me the moment I laid my eyes on it. We are so consumed by an individualistic lifestyle that Western society has brought us up to live that we often forget about those who put us in the positions we are in right now. As a result, I chose Somalia for two reasons: firstly, for my father who loves going back with every chance that he gets. Secondly, as the country of my origin, it is pretty embarrassing that I have yet to travel there. I will probably be taking an unorthodox approach to my dream vacation compared to my fellow colleagues however I feel it is important to shed light on the resources Somalia has to offer rather than to choose a generic location. The side of Somalia that is often portrayed is riddled with piracy, corruption and terrorism. I want to take this opportunity to show others and experience firsthand a New Side of Somalia that includes an appreciation of family and fine cuisine to learning more about its rich history and culture.

Vacation Plan Summary

Who: My father and I; he has had the pleasure of experiencing the country we call home despite spending almost more than half his life here in Canada. I look forward to sharing unforgettable memories and opportunities with him while also learning more about the culture and history.
When: Two weeks during winter vacation (Dec. 2012-January 2013)
What: Rekindling my culture and exploring sites that I have heard on numerous occasions. Such sites include the Independence Monument, Baraaka Market and Lido Beach.
How: Travel via flight and reside with family and relatives; this will allow me to further embrace my Somali roots with a firsthand experience.

Vacation Itinerary

In Somalia:

December 21-26: Hargeisa
December 27: Yagoori
December 28-31: Lasanod
January 1 - January 5: Mogadishu

Of course being a Kinesiology student means that my last exam is on the last possible day at the last possible time slot thus the transition from ending exams to starting my dream vacation will be bit hasten. Nonetheless, this itinerary will allow me to fulfill the goals I set out to achieve in Somalia.