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Gaza: A Childhood Shaped by Memories and Exile

Asil Ziara recounts her experiences growing up in Gaza, where time seemed to fold in on itself. The city was a dense, familiar world that she navigated between childhood and adulthood. Her family and friends would often discuss everyday issues, and she was known for her sharp wit.

On Fridays, the author’s family would drive from their neighborhood in as-Sudaniya to Rafah, about an hour away. One day, Gaza felt like a home to her, with memories of her childhood and siblings flooding back. She remembers joking with her brother about old times and walking along the shore with her parents.

The author knew she would eventually leave Gaza. At a family gathering, when asked where she planned to study, she replied that she intended to study abroad and become a journalist like her father. Some people encouraged her, while others laughed.

In 2019, at the age of 17, Asil left Gaza for the first time to study international relations. She traveled alone, carrying a court document permitting her to do so. Her journey took her through several airports, including Rafah, Egypt, Istanbul, and Cyprus.

At each airport, she faced extra security checks due to her black passport. Officers asked her about her travel plans and where she was going. Asil recalls feeling anxious and unsure if she would be allowed to continue her journey.

When she arrived in Cyprus, she slept more soundly than ever before. However, when she woke up to a loud noise, she panicked, thinking it was an explosion. She soon realized that she was no longer in Gaza.

Asil struggled to adjust to her new surroundings. Everything felt unfamiliar, especially the silence. She wandered the dorms looking for a mini market and got lost in the corridors trying to buy an adapter and some toast.

At her university’s English prep course, Asil met classmates from various countries, including Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco, and Libya. They traded words and accents, and she quickly learned new vocabulary. When asked about her homeland, some people were confused or didn’t know where Gaza was located.

The author reflects on the confusion surrounding Gaza’s existence in the world’s imagination. She recalls helping an elderly man find a carton of milk in a market and being thanked for his assistance.

Source: Al Jazeera