People: Najim
Places: Kabul, Afghanistan // Washington, D.C.
Philosophy: The words you speak can take people places.
You can be transported into another place, another world, through reading, writing and films but the sweetest mode of transportation is through in-person storytelling--at least in my opinion. Najim, my D.C. Lyft driver, proved my point when what he shared with me far exceeded what I've seen portrayed anywhere else! In only 26 (quick) minutes, Najim showed me Kabul, Afghanistan!
"We have mountains and snow and so much beauty in Kabul," Najim said while quickly glancing at his rear-view mirror to get a reaction out of me. My reaction was, "What?! I didn't know that about Afghanistan, tell me more!!" Najim continued by gushing about the food. When I asked him if there's any place he's tried in the States that matches it, he simply laughed and shook his head!" I get that," I said, "I feel the same way about Mexican food--it's never the same as it is at home!" With continued pride, Najim spoke about the education system in Kabul and how the rate of people being educated has risen to around 70%!! He said that the rate must've been at least 20-30% when he was growing up. "THAT'S INCREDIBLE," I celebrated, "what did you do when you got out of school?" Najim became an interpreter for the US army!
At the time I met Najim, he and his family had only been in the States for seven months. I asked him what he's passionate about and without hesitation, he said filmmaking! "AH that makes SO much sense," I told him. Some people seem to naturally possess the gift of storytelling, and Najim is one of those people. I was WITH him as he spoke about the ice-capped mountains, the savory kabobs and his time as an interpreter. He awakened this curiosity and wonder about a part of the world that I admittedly know little about.
We arrived to my destination and as we parted ways, I was left thinking: Was I really in two places at once right now?! It sure felt like it! Thankful for people like Najim who invite others into their stories--it's powerful, impactful and leaves people speechless!
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