Riding the Khamseen Wind

By: Susan Zarif

Narrated by: Susan Zarif

Susan Zarif's memoir is a breathtaking journey from her traditional, small town American childhood to the University of Arizona in the 1960s where she met Salim, a Lebanese foreign student she later married. After graduation she went to Vietnam during the war from 1970-72. The war made such an impact on her that afterwards, she made her "Great Escape" and traveled down the International Hippy Trail from India to Istanbul to Thailand and Laos.

After this, she reconnected with Salim and lived with his traditional, Muslim family in Sidon, Lebanon until she settled with him in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for 16 years. During those years they went in and out of Lebanon during the civil war there. They spent the summer of 1982 in Sidon during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Later she lived in Cairo on and off for 2 years battling in their courts to try and save their investment.

Zarif's journey through life is a coming-of-age account through many lands and cultures. It is also a fascinating bi-cultural love story with all the problems to be expected. There is a historical dimension that sweeps through the breathtaking religions and cultures and histories of the Far East and the Middle East.

It is also very informative, vastly entertaining and really funny at times. The listener will laugh and maybe cry too...or gasp in shock and sometimes be furious or sad or happy. One thing for certain, you will never forget the journey you will make with this book.

©2024 Kay Susan Zarif (P)2024 Kay Susan Zarif

A story of adventure, bravery and love

I am amazed at this author’s life story of adventure, craziness, passion and appreciation for colorful and scary cultures and for her dedication to all causes that were important to her. I am surprised that she survived her phase of wandering through the Asian countries as a hippie and smoking all the crap that was available. Her bravery in dealing with the radical Muslims through much of her adult life is mind boggling. I love her incorporation of the Spanish and Lebanese phrases throughout the book. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the author’s own narration through which her emotions came through very clearly. I am so intrigued that I have to find the printed or electronic book, mainly because I want to see all of the pictures. This book would be a good one for universities to incorporate in their studies of cultures. Many thanks to the author for pulling this together and sharing your story!

Reliving History

The stories the self narrating author tells take you on a wild ride through the history of the 60s through present day through the eyes of a naive young midwestern American woman. There is great first hand cultural insight that seems especially relevant to today’s current events surrounding the turmoil in the Middle East countries. Part travelogue, part history lesson, and part love story, the journey will stay with you well after you finish the book. Narration is honest and emotional at times making the story that much more compelling. Well done!

middle east education

this lady kept a very detailed journal of her life, so she didn't have to rely on possible incorrect memories, but how it was and how she felt at the time. it was very good.