Discover the story behind the book
Unveiling the Journey of "Riding The Khamseen Wind"I finished this book in December 2019. Two months later COVID-19 swept across the world. I went into total quarantine in March 2020. Offices closed, no replies to phone calls, emails, nothing. The world was shut down. People were dying everywhere. I was on my own in an unfamiliar strange new world. I knew I would have to self-publish, so I began that long, arduous journey. I lived overseas for 25 years, mostly in the Arab World. I worked in Vietnam during the war. I traveled down the International Hippy Trail from India to Thailand and Laos after that. I married a Lebanese and lived for 16 years in Saudi Arabia. We spent time in Lebanon during the Civil War. I have lived in Cairo on and of more recently. I have had a very interesting life. I know you will enjoy reading about it. Take the chance, you won’t be sorry and you will go on a journey around the world that you won’t forget. There are great photos also
The Author's Inspiration
Across the Middle East, Zarif's decision to write "Riding The Khamseen Wind" stemmed from her extraordinary life experiences spanning multiple continents and cultures. The title itself is a metaphor for her journey, with the Khamseen being a strong, hot wind that blows. "Khamseen means 50 in Arabic. These powerful desert winds blow on and off for about 50 days in the spring.
““I realized my life story was not just mine to keep. It was a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and human connection across cultural divides.””
