At Home in Syria coffee is an essential part of family gatherings it is an invitation to be together. Coffee is there all the time, at weddings and happy occasions as well as funerals and the time of mourning. Since I left home, I don't make Arabic coffee anymore except when I have my friends who understand the significance of this drink. Coffee is the drink that I don't like to drink alone. The aroma of coffee takes me back, it is connected with the family mornings and fayrouz music. My coffee now represents the Nostalgia of the busy home and the birds singing in the morning.

In my suitcase I packed the coffee pot and some cardamom seeds and some spices when I left, I thought I wouldn't find those things in the new place, but when I arrived, I was surprised to find those beautiful copper cups to go with my coffee I was very happy when I found them.  When I make my coffee, I listen carefully to the noise that the teaspoon makes when it hits the bottom of the pot. The noise can indicate if the coffee is ready, this image and that noise takes me back to sharing coffee with my work colleagues and with my friends. In my new home my friends and neighbours like my coffee but they find it very strong. Today I drink my coffee with a hope that one day I will reunite with my family and friends to sit around the table and exchange the morning gossips and plan the day. Today I drink my coffee as a sign of hope.