It Was In Aleppo – Pomegranate Blog
Monday-Friday
9 AM - 9 PM
Saturday&Sunday
10 AM - 6 PM
Our Blog

It Was In Aleppo

It Was In Aleppo
09-Dec

The best part of the year for me was always summer time. Not because there was a break from school, or because it was time to have fun, but it was because summer time meant going to Syria, to my Aleppo, to my hometown.

I remember every summer was the same exact scenario. When my family and I would be in the plane about to land, I would ask my mom “Mama, do you have perfume?” she would smile knowing that I would ask this question, and pull out perfume from her purse. I would be super excited. No toy or other trip would ever draw the same smile as I had when going to Aleppo. After landing, the toughest part was waiting in line to get our passports stamped. It would be torture! Sometimes we would be lucky because the passport officer would take the women first, and so my torture would be over earlier.

Next we would stop to get our luggage. Every year I refused to stand for this stage, instead I would tell my mom “Mama, can I go? All of our cousins are waiting outside, I want to see them!” and my mother replies to me the same way every single year “Of course Saritta, go!” Now comes my favorite part, going out, and searching in a huge crowd for familiar faces. Then finally, my tallest cousin would be waving to me, and that’s when I would run.

The happiness, love, and sense of belonging I feel in Aleppo are feelings I felt when I was there. It would be so adorable when both sides from my family (my mom’s side and my dad’s side) would fight over us. The mini trips of exploring town, the men selling watermelon on the street, the unlimited mosquito bites I would get, the parties we would have everyday, games like “Sherta Harami” (Police and Thief), and the sleepovers, are all memories I hold dear to my heart.

I had the privilege of living in Aleppo for a year and a half. I lived in the same neighborhood as all my cousins, and apparently the friends I made also lived there. I was in heaven. I became the Sarah I always wanted to be. I became the Sarah that would wake up at 4am, because I had football practice at 5am- before school started. I also became the Sarah that would stay after school because my class and I promised we would help a baboon in the Aleppo Park. We would hold fundraisers,movie nights, and we even created a band to raise awareness. I became the Sarah that would travel to Damascus, and Jordan to participate in international soccer leagues. I also became the girl that got to understand politics, and human rights. It was in Aleppo where I realized the field I wanted to invest my life in.

The person I am today, was shaped by many events and people, but mainly, I am what I am today because of my Dad, my Mom, and my hometown. With that said, no words could describe the love and sense of belonging I have to that land. It’s been almost 7 years, but I know that we shall meet one day. For now, I have many people close to my heart that do a perfect job in keeping me company and loved.

Sarah Tabbara,
Marketing & Sales Executive - Social Unicorn
Pomegranate Institute