The Al-Khazam family on the boat from Egypt to Italy,
under a new moon. Drawing by Laya Al-Khazam.
On a week when the weather was good and the seas
were calm, Laya’s parents decided it was the safest
time to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
It was December of 2014 and the beginning of winter.
Laya’s family left from the shores of Alexandria, Egypt
under the cover of a new moon, when the sky was
clear and dark, so that others wouldn’t see them. They
were scared because they knew that the journey was
dangerous.
They traveled on the sea for a week. There was
only one bathroom for 400 people. At times, Laya
wanted to get up and run around. But the boat was
crowded, and people were not in a playful mood. So
instead, Laya sat quietly. She looked up at the sky and
dreamed about reaching Sweden.
By the seventh and final day of the journey, there was
no food or water left. Lots of children cried and people
got sick. But Khaled and Rana, Laya’s parents, were
surprised. None of their children, eight-year-old Laya,
ten-year-old Waled or even four-year-old Lara, cried or
complained the entire week they were on the boat.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the Al-Khazam’s boat
reached the shores of Italy. They finally had made it to
Europe. When all of their family was off the boat, they
stood on the beach and hugged for a long time
In Dreams but Walking Around the Room
CITAT N°35 • 39