Unforgettable cities and friends that are irreplaceable

Travel is not just a transition from one place to another but an inner passage, reconciling with memory, and rejuvenating oneself with those we love. This summer, I embarked on a journey that spanned continents and cities, surrounded by dear friends, each of whom left their imprint and provided priceless companionship.

We started from Georgia, where I was accompanied by my friends Shakir, who had come with me from Canada, and Farid, a childhood friend of mine who had come from Baghdad.

Together we set off to Tbilisi, the capital of history, and then to Batumi on the Black Sea, where modernity blended with the magic of nature.

From there, we crossed into Turkey to the quiet, green city of Tara Bazoun, where we had the expected meeting with our dear brother and friend, Dr. Nasser Al Mansoori, who had come from the UAE. We were overwhelmed by his generosity and good company. Four unforgettable days, marked by his elegant hospitality, the details of conversations, visits, and natural scenes that enriched his presence with us.

We left Farid to return to Iraq and continued our journey into the heart of the Balkans with our friends Shaker and Ihsan, who had come from Canada. We began our adventure in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina—a city marked by both wounds and tolerance, where the memory of its past is ever-present. From there to Budva in Montenegro, a town that combines the nobility of history with the whisper of the sea.

The stations then followed:

Tirana, the capital of Albania, is a city of renewal and reconciliation with a rich history.

Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is a city where multiculturalism is embodied in its rich cultural heritage.

Pristina, Kosovo's capital, is alive despite its past wounds.

The end of the trip is in Serbia, where we have seen the spectrum of history and the echo of change.

The journey was a space for the soul, another map within us, a city of feelings, boundaries of memories, and paths of good company. In every town, we left a trace, and we carried lessons and reflections with us.

On such journeys, we realize that cities, like human beings, need to be loved to be understood, and to listen to their pulse rather than to make judgments. And that good companionship is the treasure of travel, illuminates the path and gives meaning.

Happy Friday to everyone who loves to travel and to everyone who finds in friendship a bridge between places and hearts.

There is still plenty of time to age. For cities to come and new memories to be made.