Dear Mr. Obama,I know you are too smart not to notice, but I thought that I should verbalize my needs, and worries, and complaints. Even if you are not to read this. Maybe, in my mind, if I address this to you, you might have me in mind as you notice.
You are coming tomorrow, you are staying at Al-
Tahra Qubbah palace, which is 10 minutes away from where I live. The lanes have been painted on the roads you are going to take, and the walls, too, have been painted. The plants on the sidewalk; we don't have those in our daily lives, they're fresh and green and new, and they only put them when someone important is going to grace the street/road with their presence. I hope you feel special. I haven't been to the airport lately, but maybe they've done that at the airport as well. I live 20 minutes away from the airport and your visit starts at 10 am, so I don't know if I will be going to work tomorrow.
President Obama, they have even hidden the slums away from your eyes with bilboards! And that torn down building, which has been left there for ages, they were in the process of hiding it this morning. I haven't been to university for quite a while, having graduated, but I heard they're prettifying it massively over there. I only mention what I have seen, and you know what? they have passed by all the shops, even jewelers downtown and told them not to open until 3 pm. in what way is that fair? And the gas station I go to, is shut for tomorrow, because it's close to where you will be staying.
Some final exams have been postponed, some people are going to stay home all day. I had plans of going out with my boyfriend and his stepbrother and his wife, I don't know about that anymore.
On a final note, I have always wanted to meet you, especially after reading "Dreams from My Father" but I know how quite impossible this is.
Take care and have a safe trip, don't worry about the traffic, they'll have it removed for you!
Warmest Regards,
Sara
PS I am sure you'll love all the places you'll
visit.
12 comments:
Oh Sara! That's awful. I can understand the country wants to appear a certain to impress him, but those things you've shared are phenomenal. I can understand the petrol store closing as his safety would be high on the priority list.
I can only imagine what his impressions of your country will be. I wonder if they'll be a true reflection.
I like Obama but he should really be allowed to see the country for what it really is - how else can he help indicate areas that need help?
That's insane!!!!
I can't believe they're completely changing where you live to create some fake eutopia for Obama!!!! Are they placing pretty blankets over homeless people to pretend they're not there?
How silly this is.Dont feel bad we in USA have been know to hide things as well.I guess its all part of the game we play Sara.Into making people see and believe something thats not.hahah I like your last comment avbout them removing traffic for him, so true huh?Im not really inot the GREAT Obama,hes pro Abortion,so how could I be.Great blog Sara.HUGS!
By the way its your progative to want to believe what you read in a book.Im myself dont believe a word of it.Thats just me.
Sara, this is a beautiful letter, but that's so sad! I do hope he notices and is aware anyway. It's sad when people who can help (if they wanted to, or at least raise awareness) are prevented from it. I don't like what he's doing in America but I do hope he treats the rest of the world well.
with love,
cait
ow! I thought it only happens here in the Philippines....
BTW, i admire you for making such letter....
I hope the president or his staff reads this! Hide the slum behind billboards - oh and let them eat cake!
I agree with the others - I think every country or place is fake in this way or wants to show itself from its prettiest side.
The quote about change is great - so true. Exactly what I believe in even though I too am sometimes to scared or lazy or I forget that I'm the only one who controls my life and you can't sit around and wait for someone else to do things for you.
sara this is such a cool letter. and so just...strange too. it never occured to me that places do this. i guess i understand why, but it also doesnt seem right - he should see the reality.
i love the quote :) i really like him and im excited to see what the future holds.
Wow, I can't believe this. Thank you for sharing this. It's so important for us to be aware of what is truly going on in the world - instead of what I consider "living behind closed gates" and seeing things only as we wish they were. Again, thank you.
You guys had better do that for me when I come to visit :)
Post a Comment