First lunch, final meeting, with Nasser

            After learning that Nasser actually has a meal plan and sometimes eats at the BLUU, we decided to eat lunch there today. But unfortunately by the time lunch came around, Nasser wasn’t feeling like eating because his breakfast wasn’t sitting too well. I went and got my food, and then we sat and talked.

            He asked me how my organic chemistry test went. Bad. That was all I could say. And then I quickly changed the subject. He said that he just realized he has three projects and a presentation by the end of the semester, one of which he has to give the day he flies back home to Saudi Arabia. Sounds like today was a little rough school-wise for both of us…

            Since we were eating lunch, I asked him what a typical lunch is like in Saudi Arabia. He said rice is very important, rice and meat. Lunch is the big meal in their culture as opposed to America where dinner is the main, heavy meal. Since he said meat (other than beef) is so important, I asked if there are many vegetarians. “Oh yes!” He said that are about 20 different types of vegetarians. I asked if they have typical American food. I was thinking more pizza, hamburgers, chicken, salads… I got another “Oh yes!” He said in Saudi Arabia there is Chilis, Fridays, KFC, McDonalds… They even have BigMac’s in their McDonalds. Why are Americans everywhere? Militaristically and commercially…

            He asked me if I have ever been to the musical performances on campus. I have only been to the theatre, not the music recitals. I asked if he has ever played an instrument; he said he tried to teach himself but he wasn’t very good. I have never played an instrument either. Gymnastics took the place of piano lessons for me.

            I asked him what he was going to do with the rest of his day, or what he normally does with his days. He said he loves to go to Starbucks and study; he goes there almost every day. The baristas not only know what he drinks (even after one visit and a two week break in between visits), but now when they see him getting out of his car, they start making his drink and have it ready by the time he gets to the counter. What service! I would love to be known in a Starbucks like that, except that I can’t afford to go to Starbucks that regularly, even when all I drink is a small, black coffee.

            I needed to go work on a group project, but as I left I told him that we were done meeting for the required meetings, but that if he wanted to continue to meet we could. He said he would like to meet some more; he likes the practice. He wished me a Happy Thanksgiving and told him to enjoy being home in Saudi Arabia for winter break.

            Whether we meet again or not, I have thoroughly enjoyed taking the time to sit and talk with someone not only from another country and culture, but specifically someone of the Islamic faith who enjoys talking about religion. My favorite discussions were those where we talked about our beliefs, never shooting each other down, but always comparing and contrasting beliefs, asking questions, and breaking down stereotypes. I think that has been the most beneficial part of this aspect of the class: breaking down those generalizations and stereotypes that Americans hold true about the Middle East and Muslims.