When moving there are a lot of unknowns. It’s unknown how you will exist in the physical space, how the location will suit. But perhaps most importantly, is how compatible the people in the shared space are. It’s near impossible to know exactly how you will get on with the people you share a home with. Living together can breed everything from animosity, to friendship, love, and compassion, to frustration, confusion, and everything in between. So there was uncertainty when I moved to a new flat acquiring new flatmates. But I have been so lucky to find delight in sharing a home with Haneen and Khulud.
Haneen and Khulud grew up together in the west of Ireland. They both are in the first generation in their family to grow up on the Emerald Isle. Egyptian and Libyan are their roots, respectively. Thus, I am fortunate to experience an additional layer of learning about cultural customs, traditions, and more. I’m also fortunate to enjoy chats, tea, and delicious 
apple crumble together. For having paid rent together for the past 5 months, we have spent relatively little time together, due to lockdown and where we spent it. Thus, I was honored and excited when I was invited to join in the festivities, a surprise 21st birthday.
We surprised dear Haneen with 7 or so of her closest friends who would be staying with her in a castle-like accommodation. She thought her best friend was just taking her to dinner at a surprise restaurant. But instead, she brought her to this house where we were waiting inside. As they were pulling up, Haneen commented on this building, saying “That looks like a castle, I would love to live there!” To which her best friend replied, “Okay, let’s knock on the door, maybe we can go inside…” Imagine her shock when she entered, to see decorations, some of her closest friends, and even her sister who flew in from the UK to be there. The icing on the cake was ordering Dominos – her favorite – and an actual, unicorn, cake.
We had the opportunity to meet horses and explore an abandoned castle. First, we saw the stallions, then the mares and foals. I never before understood the deep connection some humans share with horses. Having spent little to no time with these majestic animals, I was ignorant to the magic they possess. But when I brushed my fingers on the nose of the various horses, I experienced a connection, unlike anything I had with another animal before. For those fleeting moments, I shared space with this massive creature, and behind those soothing brooding eyes, I saw wisdom, compassion. Though I have still yet to ride a horse, even spending time in its company was soothing, an experience to channel.
After spending time around the stable, we trudged through a field full of dry bushes that would yield grapeseed in a few months’ time. As a reward for this adventure through the brush, a weathering castle waited for us at the top of the hill. We climbed on this stone that once potentially housed nobility and wealth, though the structure was now in ruins. Vines wrapped the stone around it, a stark display of the power of nature overtaking stonewalls previously built by humans. Various old windows provided a portal to the surrounding views.
I returned home after this weekend with a reminder to find excuses to celebrate and to do so with people you cherish. We need to continue finding ways to surprise each other, to spoil one another. To say yes, take advantage of opportunities that present themselves to you. I am reminded that I had to say yes to so many things in order to have a moment stroking a horse’s nose, a moment peering out beyond the field in an abandoned castle. I am so grateful that these decisions led me to this quaint flat in Ranelagh, shared with Khulud and Haneen.
