Naan & Tabbouleh - Give me the Simple Life. My Perspective in the Land of Far - Far Away for the Second Time..Life Is A Beautiful Struggle!!!!!!

Nane (Naan) with Tabbouleh

Have you ever been overwhelmed by "things" and by things I mean possessions? Just too damn many gidgets and gadgets so many that you in fact, just take them for granted or simply stop caring. As many of my close friends can verify I am overwhelmed in department stores for that reason, just too much coming at me all at once. Give me a small shop, you know, one where I can see all 4 walls from the entrance. That I can handle.

If you've been reading or following, I have moved and am now working and living in the Middle East/Asia for the second time in my life. What I have noticed this time around is a whole new world out here. Stay calm no need to panic I love my way of life at home. The hustle and bustle of big city living. The crowded streets during rush hour, lunch time and on the weekends especially when the spring weather first hits. But what I have found out about myself is that I while I love modern technology, gadgets and gidgets, I have a healthy admiration for simplicity.

Where I live and work now I have seen people ages 14-70 pushing carts (that would be better suited for livestock) in a torrential downpour, buried up to their knees in mud and muck that still take the time to smile at you as you pass by. I recently shared a picture with an acquaintance and she said that the placed looked deserted. I thought about and decided that she was right, it did look less traveled. But I told her that the place definitely had its' own charm about it. And what's the charm of a dust bowl you might ask? The charm is that people with so little find a way to get most out of the few possessions that they happen to have and share, and still make the time to smile and be happy. Now if that's not charming to you allow me this one introduction. "Hello ____ ,(insert your name in the blank) meet my friend Charming!" "Hello Charming, meet my friend _____!(insert your name in the blank)

Traveling makes me ask questions about things that are important. On this journey the question that repeatedly pops in my mind is "what in the hell is poverty?" I know that there is a definition but there are plenty of things defined that are defined completely differently from person to person and certainly country to country. Does it mean that you go hungry at night? Maybe it means that you don't have shoes to wear or even socks to put on your blistered feet? Maybe it means that you beg, or ask graciously for help? It might even mean that you put together a makeshift cart with borrowed wheels, a raggedy harness and pull it around on unpaved (putting it mildly, with all of the jagged rocks and debris on the road, if you can even call these things roads) roads for 10-13 hours a day? I really have no clue and being here hasn't suddenly given me an answer for that one but here's what I know! Poverty doesn't have to affect the human spirit. When I see people that the world considers less fortunate I actually see communities that are more close-knit than those that are more advantaged. I see people that take the time to smile at one another. I see a children that play carefree in places that we might consider for condemnation. What I see is a world that has a set of values that may seem to be different then my own. When I take the time to let down my preconceived notions, I find that the love that all people share is in deed universal. I love with wreck-less abandon and that makes me smile to the point of tears. I see not only with my eyes but with all of my heart. I see the beauty in simplicity. I see the character that struggle builds. I do in deed see that everybody needs love but perhaps more than we need love we need not only to open our eyes but open our hearts because if your heart is invested understanding, patience and tolerance will be soon to follow. Talib Kweli has it so right, Life is a Beautiful Struggle!

"Whistle While You Work"

"Let The Children Play"

Old Russian Tank

Wedding Hall

"Room with a View"

"Room with a View II"

On the menu today: Authentic Nane Afghani (Afghani Bread)

One of the things I love about where I stay is the smell of freshly made Naan, first thing in the morning. I'd swear there is a phenomenon across this entire country that envelops you in a warm, doughy blanket with each mornings' rise of the sun. If you are lucky enough to travel right as the sun is rising you can actually see the billowing smoke from Tandoors all across which ever area you are in.

Tandoor

A Pile of Heaven

For the Naan we need the following:

• Active Dry Yeast (2.25 Cups)
• Warm Water (1 Cup)
• Sugar (.25 Cup)
• Milk (3 Tbs)
• Egg (1 ea)
• Salt (2 tsp)
• Butter (.25 Cups)
• Bread Flour (4.5 Cups)

Start off by dissolving the yeast in warm water, allowing to sit for 10 minutes or so. Next add all of the ingredients except the butter and mix together to make the dough. Place the dough on a greased surface, placing a damp towel over it to allow it to rise for about 1 hour. Now take the dough and make fist sized balls of dough allowing them to rise for another twenty minutes. Finally, flatten each ball down to flat, oval shapes and fry in butter allowing each side to brown.

For the Tabbouleh we will need:

• Bulgar (1 cup)
• Boiling Water (1 1/3 Cup)
• Olive Oil (1/3 Cup)
• Lemon Juice (1/3 Cup)
• Parsley (.25 Cup)
• Mint (.25 Cup)
• Cucumber (1 Cup)
• Tomatoes (2 Cup)
• Salt & Pepper (TT)
• Lemon Zest (TT)

Start off by boiling water and placing the bulgar in it once it comes to a boil. Set aside off of the heat and cover for 45 minutes to 1 hour. While this is happening chop and seed the cucumbers and tomatoes then combine the other ingredients to make a dressing. Pour over the Bulgar and refrigerate for an hour or so to allow it to cool down. Garnish with lemon zest and add salt and pepper to taste.