A Journal of Writings - SABES

May 23, 2003
I tried to gather friends and neighbors to make a donation for people who couldn’t return
back to their homes because it was dangerous. We collected money, clothes, blankets,
foods and medicines
Now it’s been five years since the earthquake, I wish that we could prevent these natural
disasters.
North Shore Community Action Program
TRAVEL FROM TURKEY TO KOSOVO NALAN AFACAN
Nalan Afacan
I had to go to Kosovo because my husband was working there. I took my vacation time
from my job and then I got on the airplane with my son.
This was my first experience riding on an airplane and also for my son. It made me very
nervous because I didn’t know how the plane was hanging up in the air But this was not
the hardest part. The hardest part was that I felt I should hide my fears from my son since
he was nervous too. I told him many stories to make him feel better.
The airplane landed at the airport and the hostess allowed us to go out of the plane. I was
shocked by many uniformed people coming toward me. They looked so serious. They
were taller, stronger and bigger than average people. I thought that they were war soldiers.
Actually, they were police officers from many different countries working for the UN.
They were all wearing different colors of uniforms.
I remember thinking that I wished nobody’s country was at war; because then you need
protection from people other than your own. My son started to cry. I thought he was
afraid, too. We went into a very small airport and he was still crying when we got inside.
A Turkish police officer approached us. He asked my son, “Why are you crying?” He
answered, “I want to go back to the airplane. I like airplanes.” That was why.
My son and I were both upset that day, but we had different reasons. But after that, we had
some good memories of staying in Kosovo.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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