BasimMousilli.com » peace

Laid back like a criminal in Laos

Basim Mousilli — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:35:48 +0000

Day 2: Vang Vieng, Laos. This is the most chill place on Earth, I tell ya. Where else can you can lay down sprawled out like a dead man at a crime scene, decked out at a coffee shop slash restaurant (“video bar”) in shorts and a tank top, get served by beautiful people, and watch dozens of reruns of Friends like it’s nobody’s business? We’re live from Laos!

So you might ask why the hell are you doing all these Western things in the middle of the Orient?

I must admit – day 2 of the trip and I’m at a coffee shop watching TV and having greasy pizza. Yes, even backpackers miss home sometimes. Around travel days, your full day is shot being lazy and coping with being human. You have to rest to be energized for the rest of your travels.

Travel mix up. The reason for this rush is I told the lady at Air Asia to book me to Vietnam and she booked me to Vientiane, Laos! We changed our whole travel plans but I think our plan B is going to work; just a lot of rushing through the first sites because I’m on a visa pinch.

Ok, enough depressing news – here’s an unrelated picture riding around in the city. There are tons of motorbikes here!

Thai-French vibes: Vientiane, Laos

Basim Mousilli — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:46:17 +0000

On Day 1 here in Vientiane, Laos. Now this place is the most laid-back capital on earth. Picture this: narrow French pastry shops dotting the dimly-lit streets serving baguettes, cheese, and coffee. It’s quite an interesting spectacle seeing a society whose a mix between Thai and French influences. It’s also interesting see the new (modern buildings) and the old (monks begging for food) all in the same day and in the same suburbs.

People are very peaceful and surrendering, warm and welcoming, and speak in voices quieter than pin-drops. We had some good spring roles here, curries, and noodle soup. We’re taking a bus tomorrow to visit some interesting sites.

Highlights of the day:

Witnessing animists worshiping ancestors
Getting served by 6-year old waitresses
Finding 75% of people on motorbikes women
Seeing French influence on a Thai-like country
Meeting the most peaceful kind of people on Earth!

Island hopping in Kota Kinabalu

Basim Mousilli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:16:25 +0000

Clear skies and clear water is the name of the game in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, where they don’t play when it comes to exotic island hopping, restaurant hopping, and shopping hopping!

Noura and I spent a fabulous Eid in this slice of heaven. KK is a short-stop before KL with a mild yet vivacious city climate and a silky serene island scene. We jettied our way to Manukan Island which is located just off the edge of earth between nowhere and no care. Shot great pics. Fabulous.

Gandhi, my new role model

Basim Mousilli — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:35:34 +0000

Mahatma Gandhi died as he had always lived – a private man without wealth, without property, without official title or office. Mahatma Gandhi was not a comm- ander of great armies nor ruler of vast lands. He could boast no scientific achievements or artistic gift. Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man in the loincloth who led his country to freedom. Pope Pius, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Truman, Chiang Kai-shek, The Foreign Minister of Russia, the President of France…are among the millions here and abroad who have lamented his passing. In the words of General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State, “Mahatma Gandhi had become the spokesman for the conscience of mankind, a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires.” And Albert Einstein added, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”

This speech was delivered at his funeral sermon. It is indeed hard to believe that a short man dressed only in a loin cloth could lead an entire nation to take on the mighty British Empire using non-violent means. Yet, that is what Mahatma Gandhi did. Most famous Gandhi quotes bear testament to the fact that this man was truly a Mahatma or Great Soul. More than half a century after his death, Gandhi continues to be an iconic figure.

Gandhi was a revolutionary hero and a “game changer” that introduced a new way of resisting oppression; this redefined war from its traditional terms of guile deception, elimination, and humility to transparency, benevolence, and a benign heartful humility. He showed us the meaning of self-sanctity and human respect through nonviolence. Innovative in his genius simplicity, he serves as a unique example for us on how to appeal to humanity and win hearts and minds of the masses with swift paradigm shift mechanics, leveraged by simple the ingenuity of passive resistance. My hero!

Déjà vu trickling down my spine

Basim Mousilli — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:01 +0000

She’s back in town and it’s definitely a good feeling. Sometimes I tend to forget. It’s very easy to become complacent with what you have, and always expect more. It’s man’s manifest destiny to seek, conquer, and spread his dominion. It’s a sickness inside.

With hope I write you and with a sigh of relief. When she tossed her head back in comical relief and laughed at the airport procedures, I felt a drainage pipe break through. It came gushing forth, all coming back to me. The whys and hows all came together like a symphony. Alhamdulillah, Allah has not forsaken me. I am whole again in love.

Tribute to Masjid Al Amawee

Basim Mousilli — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:42:42 +0000

Enchanting was your impression on me at sunset today, Masjid Al Amawee. Preserved in your original beauty, you are the source of pride I see in Middle Eastern and Islamic history. I feel innocence and salvation is near in the abode of peace in your heavenly courtyard. That God has chosen Syria as the cradle of your presence sends messages to the living that my land is either one of a proud past or a promising future.

The remains of John the Baptist, the Son of Hussain, Sayyida Ruqayya, and Salahulddin Al Ayyoubi are all within dear proximity of your sturdy stone walls. Oh how I wish the days of old were still here. Imbeciles like me don’t know how to appreciate your glory as we flick and frolic around your holy grounds balking at what is a masterpiece of God, a place where roamed the greatest figures in history. I am honored to be in the embrace of your holy shade.

Kuching, Malaysia: “City of Cats”

Basim Mousilli — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Noura: “What are we doing this weekend?”

Basim: “No plans. Let’s just stay at home. Just chill. You know, it’s been a while since we’ve done that…”

Noura: “No way! Why don’t we go to Kuching?”

[24 hours later we’re on a plane eating peanuts...]

What a beautiful hidden city in Malaysia. It’s a perfect walking city and a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of KL. Kuching was a pleasant surprise for me.

People are so nice and easy going here. The Sarawak people have this happiness and peacefulness about them. I’m glad I came.

Living in Muscat, Oman

Basim Mousilli — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 05:08:18 +0000

Back in Oman on a business trip consulting. This time I set up a home here so I’ll be living here for 5 months. I must say, Muscat is a beautiful and soft-spoken haven. A place where you can get away and be totally in your own world. Omanis are virgin nice and have superior family values; it’s like they have seen no evil in their entire lives. Hospitality in Omani culture is unparalleled. After living in Oman for a total of 4 months, here is my review on the place…

The people are very innocent and detached from the outside world.Wherever you go, there is a small town feel to the place. The taxi drivers are very devout and peaceful and loving. You see, Omanis are not really stout, outspoken, arrogant, or lavish like other Gulf inhabitants may seem. Still, Omanis display their pride through the way they dress, the respect they show to their elders, and their village affinities.

Everyone speaks good English. People are really peaceful and open to Western ideas, but they do not rush to adopt them with blind passion as you may see in Beirut, for example. What I mean by ‘open’ is that they are not sold to misunderstood Islamic ideals that are very secular and unopen to the international world. That goes a long way for an Islamic state coming up quickly.

It is for this reason that I say that Oman has earns its gate to the international business world. Omanis language, food, tolerance, people, permitting government, natural resources, easy visa process, peaceful terrains, internet and 3G phone network infrastructure make it very inviting for foreign investments. Oman is rife with oil – Petroleum Development Oman practically builds the country, well for well. The place is growing by leaps and bounds. We tried to book a hotel and we had to go to nine hotels before finding a vacancy. Even the streets are packed – the city of Muscat can’t contain itself – it’s like the infrastructure is dated already compared to the growth the city is experiencing. A new airport is being built in addition to Seeb International. It’s funny to see a small town grow. The perversions that it will learn will be horrible. Oh, the innocence it will lose…if only it could remain.

Ok, positive note. It’s unbelievable that in one of the hottest countries of the world there are beautiful beaches that make for beautiful getaways. Diving in Oman is a fantastic thing to do on the weekends. Oh, and did I forget the seafood in Oman is the best I have ever had in my life. Do try the prawns, King Fish, and calamari…

My conclusion on Oman is that it has a unique position in the Gulf, as compared to the overtowering empires of the Emirates nearby. Oman remains the peaceful, serene, innocent getaway – a fast competitive advantage and key differentiator. On the contrary, Dubai is hustling and bustling and overflowing with hype, style, energy, and pushing the edge to create the next world’s biggest this or that. Oman is not that. Oman is a counter-balance and is here to stay and flourish slowly. Because that’s the way Oman does it. And rightfully so, it is an adorable place to escape to.

Serenity in Zürich, Switzerland

Basim Mousilli — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:07:38 +0000

It’s been stunningly peaceful the past few days. People are pretty positive, but I’d vouch completely removed from the world. It was a very sedate place. Almost too much so in the area I was staying. There is definitely a feeling of suspended detachment and elite utopian serenity that overcomes you in a slow sensation.

Switzerland can be expensive. The weather is starkly cold compared to Oman. It has been a complete 180 for me. Going from secluded, dull, and hot to open, colorfol, and cool was a complete change of pace. I feel a little ill- maybe because of the drastic environment change. I’m rocking it out, though. I don’t get to come here every day now. I really wish my family was with me to experience all this beauty around me.
The green and blue go really good together here. The rolling prairies, picturesque mountains, white picket fences – it’s all too perfect here. It really seems the clock works slower here. I went to Heidi Park today. The story of the legend was pretty cute; you should Google it.

I get a feeling of elitist independence around here. Like people are completely unaware of the wars and movements happening outside the country. Not that it’s bad, it’s just so interesting each country is living exclusively its own past and executing on solely its own objectives without being very apparently aware of the outside world. Maybe it’s the socialist side of me. I’m not being a hater, this place is beautiful; just a thought that came to mind.

Anyways, was a really short trip. I desperately need to make it back here to catch winter on the Swiss Alps. Would love to test the slopes here. I think this has a completely different flavor when the winter blanket covers this heavenly country.