I sat back and took a long drag off my cigarrette, nobody was around. After all this time, the houses are still the same, lined up one by one next to each other. The homes sit away from the street, and all have high compound walls that divide property lines. Their gates open to the street and the continuous wall forms the large circular roundabout. In the center of the roundabout there is a large grassy area and a courtyard that has a playing field and playground set up - usually after lunchtime the neighborhood kids gather to play soccer and games. I glance to the fountain built into the wall of the home directly across the street from us - memories of icy water spouting out, and kids lining up for a refreshin

I felt like the boy I was when I left a few years ago. My mother ushered the women in and I hung around the gate with Khalid and his brother Meeshal chatting and catching up with the neighbors. I was not the only one who had returned, there was also Adnan. Adnan and I left for the States at the same time. He went to California and I to Miami. I felt bad that I had not talked to him since I had left, but was eager to see him again.

The sun had completely set, there was not light - it was to dark to play - everyone just hung around talking - they wanted to get the newest info on our trips and studies in the US. The chatter amongst us was long and seemed to never end. Question after question - I never realize how nosy they were. Details, details, details is what they insisted. We have no clubs. Excitement is a game of cards and an old John Travolta movie. Naturally the questions were endless. What do you when you go? Who do you go with? How much do you drink? As I answered, they laughed. Some of them were on the lying on the floor and could not stop, the others mocked me as they stood up and danced to imaginary music - it was obvious they did not believe me when I told them that I did not go -my answers entertained them. As it got darker and darker and the desert breeze began to blow in - they had more questions and so did we - I was down to my last cigarette. Missing the excitement and fun in the states, the neighborhood made me feel like I did not miss a thing.

I see Mr. Mohammed's wife coming my way, she is an older woman in her late 40's - about my mother's age. As I stand to greet her I see that she has a large baking dish and this brings a smile to my face. She is the neighborhood baker. As children we would all invade their home in search of a delectable treat. It is always customary when someone returns to the neighborhood to welcome them back with little tokens of appreciation. Mrs. Mohammed's tokens were

Some common words found in the essay are:
Welcome Sitting, Kuwait Thankfully, California Miami, John Travolta, Khalid Meeshal, Adnan Adnan, icy water, details details, rest neighborhood, rose water,
Approximate Word count = 1321
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)