Somali Scarf Shopping

I came back from my trip to warm temps, greener grass, and full-throated frogs in the wetlands. And that means I need to move from my winter hats and think about lighter headwear for summer. I tell you, I am enjoying this bald-headed challenge and loving the hats and scarves!

I had thought of this a few times seeing East African women in St. Cloud, but in the airport one woman with a scarf was so inspiring I almost asked if I could take her photo. And last night there was a wonderful Frontline on Syrian children and the teenager was rocking all variety of headscarves. The girl could tie a scarf!

So today, as part of my errands, I went to a local Somali shopping area. This place has really grown, and every spot is occupied by Somali businesses. There is also a place for prayers, and the parking lot was full and men were coming out of that space. There is a pharmacy where the old Asian grocery used to be, two restaurants, a grocery or two, and other multi-use spaces like “Sistah’s Beauty Supply” which I misread twice as “Susan’s Beauty and Supply.” How’s that for chemo brain? That space has a myriad of household items, clothing, fabrics, a sewing machine for customization, and in the back a money transfer office.

In the shop I was greeted by a very kind, gentle, beautiful man. He wanted to talk. He showed me the scarves and particularly preferred a blue one with lots of silver. I said, “That’s too much silver for me,” and he smiled broadly. “Yes,” he said. “Maybe for a very special occasion,” I said. “Some people like it.” I picked this one and he showed me the mirror where I could try it on.

Then Asha came in and was standing nearby. I smiled at her and she showed me a dress she liked for her daughter, but it was too small. I asked if she could help me tie the scarf, and she did. I didn’t want to take off the turban I had on already, which confused her a bit. First she tied it long in back, simply.

Her English was very good, but when I complimented her on it, she said, “Oh, no, it’s broken.” We talked about her children, at school at Stride Academy, a “tough” school with lots of work.

I tied a little side rosette. I said I wanted something “fancy.” She asked if she could help retie it, and I said of course. She is the professional; that is why I came.

“I am a professional at the hijab,” she said. She readily agreed to a photo. Isn’t her version better?

I asked her name and she asked mine. She knows another Susan: “She works with us at Talahi, the school,” she said.

While she was retying the scarf, she asked something like: “Why do you want to wear this scarf?”

“I have cancer,” I told her, and her expression fell.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“It’s OK, I’m doing well.”

“Prayers,” she said, “for you.” Also, “I am glad you are doing well. You will live, right?”

“Yes, I will live.” We came very close to hugging– I would say we did hug, though not in the American way.

I bought two scarves. I went back to ask if I should pay her, but she had her prayer mat out and was praying.

So I went back and found the kind gentleman. His face lit up. “That is so beautiful, so beautiful,” he said. $12 for two scarves.

At the grocery I bought a bag of rice and asked about the meat. They had camel, but I went for goat instead. There is time for one more good stew this year.

Then I went to Byerly’s, an upscale grocery in St. Cloud. They have good meat, too, and organic sour cream. A man was there in front selling newspaper subscriptions. “I love your scarf,” he said. “It looks great!”