7/13/2008

30 Years of Ma Ra Beboos

Three weeks ago, I celebrated the 30th anniversary since I arrived the United States. I remember going to visit San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirhardelli Square with my parents and my sisters for the first time exactly 30 years ago in July 1978. There was a man sitting on a street corner, playing his guitar and singing songs in many different languages of the world. He would ask you where you were from and would break into a song from your country! We told him we were from Iran and he started singing "Ma Ra Beboos." Every time I went back to visit, he would be there, singing the same song and being jolly and kind, earning his tip! I hadn't seen him for a few years and I was delighted to see him again yesterday when we took my cousin for a sightseeing tour of the City! There he was, looking exactly as he did before, and when he asked me where I was from and I said Iran, he broke into "Ma Ra beboos!" I told him the story of my 30th anniversary in the country and how he had stayed my "friend" for all the years I have loved San Francisco. He gave me his business card and when I snapped a bunch of pictures of him, he kindly got up, pulled out his camera and snapped some pictures of me! His name is Mr. Norbert Yancey. He is one of the reasons I love this patch of the world and he is one of the reasons I had a very joyful day yesterday. Have a good Sunday you all.

17 comments:

احسان الف said...

Nazy Jan,
He is a very funny guy.
Your cousin is very lucky to have a passionate and informed guide like you to show her the best of Bay Area.
Isn't San Francisco the city to love?

Anonymous said...

my goodness I know him..... I have seen him before.. San Francisco is truly a magical place. I love living in this great city/\

Anonymous said...

to khaili zeeba az hame chiz tareef mikoni.donya ra zeeba tar mibini.
merci nazy joun az film.khaili jaleb bood.

Marzieh

Esfand` said...

WOW! 30 YEARS!

Happy 30th Anniversary!! seems like a life time to me ....
You've got many more to go! :)

This story of yours, your life, is interresting and beautiful! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Have a great week ahead of you Dear Nazy!

مسعود said...

سلام نازی خانم
این چند وقت پست هایت کمی نچسب بودند.حالا شدی همان کسی که ما دوست می داریم و هر روز می خوانیمش و زندگی را در تابلوهایی که ترسیم می کند زیبا و جاندار می یابیم.چه خوب حافظه تاریخی خود را با همه ملت پیوند زده ای.اینروزها،دوستی میان دو ملت،سال 57،همسازی فرهنگی (بقول ا.ش.).جالب است.نه؟

Anonymous said...

I don't know how fascinating the story was for you... but I can't help myself enjoying it!
To be honest I have no idea about 30 years itself hence I am far away from the-30th-anniversary concept!
Be happy...

abc said...

Dear Nazy
happy 30'th anniversary!
The story of this man and the song was amazing!
have fun my dear
Boos

abc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

That was great!

Daisy said...

Nazy jon, Happy 30th Anniversary!
I always wanted to visit San Francisco and now I've two reasons for it. There is some discussion going around that I might take a family trip to San Francisco during Christmas. I do pray that happens so I get to see you.
Have a good week

jeerjeerak said...

what an absolutely wonderful story, nazy jan, what a wonderful story...

Anonymous said...

سلام! امیدوارم همیشه نشانه های خوب از خاطرات قشنگ گذشته ات ببینی خانم نازی بسیار عزیز تا شادی و خرسندی خاطرت هر دم افزونتر شود؛ گرچه باید بگویم کمتر کسی دیده ام که تا این حد در نوشته هایش بازگشت به گذشته مشهود باشد. رمز آن در چیست؟

Anonymous said...

Happy 30th anniversary Nazy jan!
It must be so wondeful looking back at all the experiences you have passed through, isn't it?

May you go on much happier and less sad...

Take care

Reza said...

He's sung to me too :)

It is funny; we were talking about the same guy, yesterday, with some friends, having some good coffee in Cafe Greco.

By the last sentence, I just wanted to give "daisy" a third reason to come to "the city by the bay" :)

Shadi said...

happy 30th anniversary Nazi joon!
and what a beautiful story... you are very especial and so are your feelings and the way you see the world

Anonymous said...

It is nice to hear your voice from this short clip :)

Anonymous said...

Nazy jan,

What a voice you have!!!! WONDERFULLY STRONG AND "DELNESHIN",,,

Haven't you tried to sing before?