Lone Ranger

From the time I landed in Qatar, I was alone. Alone in the obvious sense that i didnt have any traveling companions. Yet, i was also alone in the fact that Americans are thr minority in this foreign land. Everywhere I turn I search and search the crowds for faces that resemble my own. Every face I see matches the one before it. 
At first it was rather daunting to know that  I am truly a minority in this country.  Yet, now I realize that I am a minority because of my nationality. Before, in America I was a minority because of the color of my skin. I have great pride in my homeland of America, and I feel truly special to stand out here. Often times people stare at me when I am out shopping or sight seeing. As soon as I stare back they look away...some dont even give me that courtesy..they will just stare right back. Maybe it is my brown skin...maybe it is the way my hair is braided..maybe it is the way I talk that intrigues them. In return they receive a look of intrigue right back...I shouldn't but I do anyway...I stare at their skin...I stare at their religious scarves draped around their heads. The one thing that I look for the most is their facial expressions. In America, you can tell a lot about a persons disposition by the way they look..either it be a smile or a frown...or even a look of pure satisfaction and excitement...or a sullen look of despair or fear. However, here in the Middle east the faces aren't so easy to read. There faces are blank canvases longing for the right line curvatures to create a smile or a simple frown. The fact that I am here means that change has occurred. It means that bridges have been crossed and prayers have been answered. I Don't take my being here for granted nor do I take this lightly. I am here for one reason and one reason only....I was chosen...many are called but only few are chosen. Chosen to stand out...chosen to bring light two a dark place...chosen to build awareness and insight about American customs and traditions. No matter how superficial and trivial America can be...it is the place where I became me...it is the place where I became a woman of God...the place where I learned wrong from right...the place I call home