Travel Worn Satchel David Harden

Conversations in a time of Covid, Episode 7: X
*** Final Episode in this Series ***
X is an eloquent cultural educator, storyteller and tour guide born in Amman, Jordan to Palestinian parents.
We discuss the influence having exiled Palestinian parents has had on his own political awareness and activism. X recalls the nascent Arab Spring in 2010 and how it is having a positive, progressive and measured effect in Jordan ten years later.
I learn about Wasta: obtaining both basic services and benefits from personal contacts. While it is pernicious, Wasta is a way of life.
Citizens use Wasta to jump the queue to schools, universities, jobs and speed up government paperwork.
In a light-hearted moment X tells me about a former health minister who thought he was George Clooney.
This is the final episode of this series. I will be back soon so (continue to) subscribe to Travel Worn Satchel podcasts
Music: Fesliyan Studios music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com)

Iraq.
Thura, a young diplomat, and I discuss the misconceptions about women in Iraq and how, in fact, women have always had a pivotal role in Iraqi society.
We talk about how the people are now more positive in the aftermath of recent conflict in Iraq, due in no small part to the people and their culture.
Music: Fesliyan Studios music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com)

Conversations in a time of Covid, Episode 5: Ketaki
Ketaki is a young market research analyst working in Hyderabad. As the city emptied during the pandemic she returned to her parents’ home.
Ketaki tells me about the Diwali festival and how the attitude to the caste system is changing among young professional people.
We discuss politics and how the adoption of new technology is starting to impact Indian society.
Music: Fesliyan Studios music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com)

Conversations in a time of Covid, Episode 4: Sajad
Sajad, a young Afghan MBA student at Kabul University tells me about daily life in Kabul. We discuss the impact of Covid on the population and his family.
Despite regular suicide bombs he remains optimistic about the future. A future, he sees, being driven by young people like the group of 16 year old girls from Herat who build ventilators from old car parts.
Note: the interview as recorded over a mobile telephone so at times the sound quality dips.
Music: Fesliyan Studios music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com)

Hafsa is a South African lawyer living in the outskirts of Pretoria. She talks about life in a township, the rise of informal settlements, crime, corruption and fat cats in South Africa. But also how the community rallied round the local population during Covid.

Conversations in a time of Covid, Episode 2: Mustafa
I hear how life is very tough for Egyptians at the moment through a conversation with Mustafa, a teacher from a small town outside Cairo.
Music: Fesliyan Studios music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com)
Thanks to Woodstock (Woody) Taylor from Absolute Pitch for introducing us.