Falafels for Alaska

> Departure: El-Hassaheisa, Gezira State, Sudan
> Arrival: Anchorage, Alaska
> Distance: 11,600km

In 2010, I arrived in the Alaska to join my husband who was living in Anchorage. In the first year I suffered so much from the bitter cold weather and I rarely left home. I wore heavy clothes and used special creams to help me withstand the low temperatures.

In the second year, I attended English classes and sold fast food, but I stopped when I had my second daughter.

My husband and I thought of selling Sudanese food to the American community. We started a mobile restaurant offering ful medames, which are cooked and mashed fava beans, falafel, shawarma, kebab, and other dishes. We attracted a large number of customers from different nationalities, mostly Americans and Sudanese. There are many Sudanese in Alaska, many unmarried young men who have become regular customers.

I was worried about failure but with my husband’s encouragement and help I decided to go for it. There were few Sudanese or Oriental restaurants in Alaska. My husband helped me by staying at home with the children when I was out at work. He works at the restaurant in the evening and does another job. By cooperating we managed to develop our food business.

It was an exciting experience and several American media outlets came to ask me about my story. I keep in touch with my family in Sudan via social media, and closely follow developments. When I get American citizenship I intend to visit Sudan with my children so they can see their motherland and learn Arabic.