Four young Arabs discover America

Je vous en prie, ne me demandez pas si j’ai réussi à le surmonter, Je ne le surmonterai jamais.

Je vous en prie, ne me dites pas qu’il est mieux là où il est maintenant, Il n’est pas ici auprès de moi.

Je vous en prie, ne me dites pas qu’il ne souffre plus, Je n’ai toujours pas accepté qu’il ait dû souffrir.

Je vous en prie, ne me dites pas que vous savez ce que je ressens, À moins que vous aussi, vous ayez perdu votre amour, votre double, votre AUTRE.

Je vous en prie, ne me demandez pas de guérir, Le deuil n’est pas une maladie dont on peut se débarrasser.

Je vous en prie, ne me dites pas que Dieu n’inflige pas plus que ce que l’homme peut supporter.

Je vous en prie, dites-moi simplement que vous êtes désolés.

Je vous en prie, dites-moi simplement que vous vous souvenez de mon amour, si vous vous rappelez de lui.

Je vous en prie, laissez-moi simplement parler de Loren.

Je vous en prie, mentionnez le nom de mon ange.

Je vous en prie, laissez-moi simplement pleurer…

I beg you, don’t ask me if I have managed to overcome this; I never will.

I beg you, don’t tell me he’s better of where he is now; he’s not here with me.

I beg you, don’t tell me he no longer suffers; I haven’t accepted he ever needed to suffer.

I beg you, don’t tell me you know how I feel, unless you too have lost your love, your double, your OTHER.

I beg you, don’t ask me to heal; grief is not a disease that one can get rid of.

I beg you, don’t tell me that God does not give us more than we can bear.

I beg you, tell me simply that you are sorry.

I beg you, just let me talk about Loren.

I beg you, just say the name of my angel.

I beg you, just let me cry…

–Sara

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Friends,

It is with the utmost sadness that I write to inform you about the passing of one of our dearest friends and most valued crew members, Loren Savitsky. He was killed in a motorcycle accident on a Los Angeles freeway on September 4. Loren worked on both the first and second seasons of On the Road in America, was truly an unparalleled member of the OTR team and one of its hardest workers.  A brother to some, a son to others, a wonderful boyfriend to one lucky lady, and a friend to all, Loren was and is a fundamental part of the fabric of the OTR family.

Loren was only with us 22 years, but he made the most of them.  As fellow crew member Stephen put it: Loren was someone who lived every day as though there were no tomorrow.  Most people who lead lives like this are destructive, but Loren was the opposite.  He gave to everyone around him, put his whole heart into everything, touched everyone’s lives and left his own indellible mark on the world. He was an old soul and we are lucky to have had him with us.

Loren’s family held a beautiful memorial gathering in Los Angeles on Friday, September 11, which we later realized was coincidentally the same day the first season of OTR wrapped.

Joseph and Shawn Thompson (our editor) put together this lovely tribute: To My Beloved Friend.

Lastly, I apologize for the somewhat late notice here, it’s just been to difficult to write on the subject.

Loren: we love you and miss you. Salaam.

– Lyzz

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MADONA 3ASHAN YE …
I miss you all much.
Bash…

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Don’t be scared, tomorrow is always better than yesterday, and don’t think loosing is a punishment; it’s an open door for better chances to enter.

Bash…

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Chaque jour, avant de travailler, avant de faire n’importe quoi, j’ouvre ce site juste pour lire et relire nos “posts” et voir nos photos. Vous me manqué enormement….

(Je suis au boulot maintenant, je pense à vous tous, comme chaque jour…)

je vous aime TOUS :)

sara :)

Every day before work, before doing anything else, I open this site just to read and re-read our posts and look at our photos.  I miss you all so much.

(I’m at work right now and thinking of everyone, as always…)

I love you ALL :)

Sara :)

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After weepy goodbyes, Lyzz ran down the street waving at the RV as we drove away from the Palamar Hotel. I was hanging out the window and I yelled “Give Steve a hug for me!” An hour later I got a text from him saying I got your hug from Lyzz. So I sent a text to Joseph “Will you give Stephen a hug for me? He’s sad.” And hour later, “I got your hug from Joseph. Thank you” I texted the remaining crew members to give Stephen hugs from me. Then I got one from Jonathan that afternoon.

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MY BODY WENT BY PLANE BUT MY SOUL WENT WALKING

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To all On The Road In America II crew and cast members,

I would like to thank you for the effort you have all given to make this show happen.

We started as individuals and we are continuing as a big, multinational family. I came to America wondering how Americans would accept me being an Arab, especially because I know that stereotypes are our biggest enemy. I met the crew the second I left the airport and the RV didn’t stop rolling from then on, always wondering what comes next. We traveled from city to city, and I thought we were just crossing the country.

We met black people, white people, anti-Arab, pro-Arab, religious and non-religious.  All of them were astonished to find that we were Christians, Jews, and Muslims all traveling and living together in one space. Once, we were having dinner in Santa Fe and a beautiful lady in her early fifties came up to me and asked, “What are you doing here?” I told her about the show and its purpose. She asked, “Who are all of these people?” I answered spontaneously, “My American family.”

After the lady left I thought about what I said, and I realized that friends and co-workers might have dinner together one or two days but never three days in a row. We were together eating at the same place, same time and the same table for 40 days– isn’t that beautiful?  I used to love taking food from Micah’s plate without asking his permission, which pissed him off big time, and then go to Guy and give him a bite from my plate so I could take the rest of his plate. I miss you guys!

In this trip I saw a Muslim sheikh shaking hands with a rabbi, laughing and talking as if war never existed in their history.

We began in LA and for the entire time until we reached DC, we were building a family.

I learned about people, community, and religion, and I realized that bad and good is everywhere.

Before I finish this letter I would like to ask you all to write me one line about what you have learned from this trip, and what you would advise the world to do?

I will start with myself.

I have learned from this trip to accept change, and to love life with all the good and the bad.

I advise the world to communicate and hold hands, because it is community that creates governments, but governments have never created people.  Never differentiate between Muslims, Christians or Jews, black or white, Arabs or Americans, because we all have the same common ground; GOD and HUMANS.

If you want to Call GOD “ALLAH,” go for it, if you want to Call GOD “JESUS,” go for it, even if you want to CALL GOD “NATURE,” go for it; this is something between you and GOD. Don’t allow anyone to change your belief and don’t allow yourself to criticize religons. You are not GOD to say who is GOOD and who is BAD– leave this to the creator who brought us all together to face the world.

Anyway, I am going to start my next journey in Chicago, it’s a very beautiful city and the people here are amazing (you were right, Allison). If any of you are planning to come to Chicago, you have a place to stay.

All the best to the best crew and cast I have ever worked with.

Bash…

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First of all, Lyzz, you’re awesome for keeping this blog up and writing such wonderful things.  You and Katie’s blogs bring tears to my eyes!

Most of you don’t know me.  I was hired as the local producer in New Orleans (the greatest city in the country, thank you very much, Stephen!).  I have worked with Lyndsey, one of the field producers, before on a couple of shows in L.A. before I moved back home to New Orleans about 1.5 years ago.  I was perusing facebook one day and saw Lyndsey’s status asking if anyone knew of any churches in New Orleans.  I responded, she was looking to hire a local, and the rest is history.

Now, I had decided to leave the TV business about 6 months ago.  But, after I spoke with Lyndsey about the project, I was absolutely sold.  For once, I wouldnt have to worry about who is paying for Paris Hilton’s spray tan or figuring out how to get the last eliminated cast member home.  Instead, my worries are how receptive will the cast be to all of these different religious views?  Or what will they think of zydeco music?  Or what will they think of crawfish, a true New Orleans delicacy. (Thailand’s got NOTHING on New Orleans crawfish…right Bash?)  Will they embrace different cultures?  Things that matter.  At last,  a project that actually could have a positive affect on our country, or the world, for that matter.  Soooo, a big thanks to Lyndsey, Jerome and Allison for bringing me on and giving me the chance to meet all of you wonderful people!

I will say this.  For the first time in my 7 year production career, I have found a show that I am actually proud of.  I mean truly proud of.  On top of that, I had the best time working with this crew.  I know I was only around for 10 days of the shoot, but they were certainly the best 10 days of my production career.  You guys really have something special.  I felt the “togetherness!” So, to the cast and crew, thank you for allowing me to hang up my production boots on a great note!  I miss you guys like crazy!!  You are all welcome to come back to NOLA anytime for some more fun on Bourbon Street!  Huge ass beer anyone?

Lots of love from New Orleans,

-Melissa

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Things I learned about myself while working on this show:

1. There is no reason to live anywhere other than Los Angeles. Other places have large bugs. Other places are hot. Or cold. Or humid. Or All of the Above (I’m looking at you New Orleans).

2. I absolutely do not believe in God, at all. Religion is a very silly thing to fight over, especially considering how small the differences between them are. I had more exposure to religion and its different facets during our trip than I’ve ever had before. The experience solidified my belief that people believe in God because they are afraid of being alone, that their path through life is determined solely by their actions. When faced with tough choices it must be nice to think that some greater being has a special plan for you. Maybe, though, we are each responsible for our own destinies and maybe all we have is this one life and maybe, if this is really all we have (hint: it is) we should use our time wisely and be nicer to everybody.

-Stephen

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Friday, June 26.  Yesterday we wrapped.  Everyone is gone, I am here in DC (where I currently live), trying to get back to “real life” again.  My head is still reeling, possibly more from the extreme lack of sleep in the past couple weeks than anything else, but certainly also from the complex mix of emotions reverberating through my heart and head.  A week ago, I wanted nothing more than to be home in my own bed, with my own pillow, my own shower, my own kitchen, my dear boyfriend, and normal work hours.  But finally being here has been existentially confusing, to say the least.  It’s always difficult to close one chapter of your life and begin another, but perhaps somewhat easier when the break is a clear one– graduation, break-ups, birthdays, moving.  This show made for an incredibly difficult few weeks, without much time for personal contemplation.  Did I learn anything about myself?  Am I any closer to answering the biggest question of all, the Why?  Maybe this is what we all struggle with forever; eternal internal jihad.  Is peace possible within oneself?  Is it possible anywhere?  I think that in all cases, we must believe and we must try.  It’s easier sometimes than others.

Shooting here in DC after being on the road so long was strange for me.  I am at home, yet still on the road.  The same long hours, the same production crises, the same late nights, but the added complexity of returning home after a long absence.  And then, as suddenly as it started, it was over.  Goodbye RV, goodbye Bertha, goodbye extra mini-van seat, goodbye Penske truck with the scrapbook of hotel room keys stuck on the back with gaff tape.  Hello bills that need paying, floors that need vacuuming, laundry that needs doing, dishes that need washing, back to the office every morning.  Standing there, saying goodbye to this group of people who I’ve lived, sweat, worked, complained, cried, laughed, and loved with for the last month made all the stress and all the headaches melt away like ice cream under the Texas sun.   There was a point, somewhere in the South, where I wondered what the hell I’d gotten myself into.  But as I happily enjoy a highly selective memory, I know I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.  And I’d start next week.

In Nashville we were privy to one of the most incredible electrical storms I’ve ever seen.  The lightning stretched out in a brilliant web across the sky, like the hand of God reaching down to us.  We stood on the balcony of the venue where we were shooting country singer Greta Gaines, no one willing to blink for fear we’d miss the next flash.

I’m sitting in my apartment on Capitol Hill right now.  It’s small, but comfortable enough for my boyfriend and me. We have a velvet orange couch inherited from his parents and a string of paper star lights around the front window, wine bottles with pretty labels doubling as candleholders.  It’s raining outside, that pounding warm summer rain that begins in the blink of an eye out of a still blue summer day.  Thunder is rumbling in the distance, I am still partially delirious without sleep.  The hail has started, it’s drumming on the windows and pinging the AC unit.  The children next door are yelling and running inside to their mother, holding a pink towel and rushing them through the door.  I make some iced tea, it’s still so hot and humid.

And now, like the climax of a dream, the sun is breaking through the clouds again and lighting up the yellow-green trees across the street, the hail is declining, and the rumbling thunder is fading into the distance.  It seems fitting that the end of our journey be capped like this, a downpour to sooth our heads, cleanse our minds, wash away our transgressions.  And after the deluge what is left but a sparkling new chapter, new friendships, new loves, new understanding, new perspectives.  Not tears, but a blessing.  Not the end, but the beginning.

-Lyzz

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Okay, so we have a whole sub-culture over the walkies. When we’re driving is the most hilarious, because we are bored and silly. Production uses them the most on Channel 1, Camera uses Channel 2 once in while the cast gets really feisty and will hop on for one call.

This morning –Micah called out the word of the day, “Togetherness.” Now-this wasn’t some kind of AM inspirational go team moment – it meant, while driving in DC today, a Monday morning, to be exact, we need to keep all 4 cars as close as possible so we don’t lose each other; so we can find parking and help the Penkse (my truck) parallel park. Aka “Togetherness.”

There were several funny moments on ten minute the drive to our first location. One, Lyzz got left behind.

“Lyzz! Togetherness!” over the radio…

When I hedged someone off from merging into our lane

“I Togethernessed his ass!” over the radio…

Our local let someone in and then kicked them out.

“Back-togetherness.” over the radio…

Maybe you had to be there to get these radio jokes. Maybe not. I do know, that you definitely had to be on this trip to understand that there is a real togetherness amongst us.

With 2 days left, I’m thinking back on the journey and the personal highlights I shared with the everyone. There are the obvious moments– in the prayer circle on the NM reservation. Mr B’s dinner in New Orleans, the caravanning on the freeway, handing over a subway sandwich from the Penske to Camera vehicle at 75 miles an hour on the freeway. That was AWESOME!! But there was one morning in Nashville where I felt the real togetherness I’m going to miss.

3 of the 5 vehicles were pulled around front. I was casually doing my craft service routine, filling the coolers with ice, mix up the soda and juice in the coolers. Does everyone have fruit, chocolate, salty chips? Which car is Lyzz driving, no bananas in there. Where’s MY coffee?… People were steadily coming down to the front with their breakfast in hand. Jonathan loading the gold mini, Adissa, packing our luggage in the back, cast members sitting smoking their cigarettes, drinking coffee and laughing in Arabic, Steven shows Joseph the new Iphone he got up at 6am to go buy. Lyzz’s voice over the walkie and I hear Guy say to someone very cheery “Good Morning.”

Holy shit…this is like a family. A familiar morning routine, and together preparing to take on the day. Underneath the obligations of the my job, I felt an understated fondness for everyone. That is the togetherness I’m going to miss. That is the priceless experience cast and crew talk about. That is the hope. That is the point of the show – this feeling of Togetherness changes people and can change nations, one little road trip at a time.

Good word for the day. Good word for a lifetime.

-Katie

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count down started

-Joe

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Personnellement, je trouve que la musique est la plus belle langue, la plus parfaite pour les émotions, elle possède un pouvoir que n’ont pas les mots. Elle suscite les émotions de ceux qui l’écoutent. Que ce soit pour exprimer la plus grande joie ou la plus extrême tristesse.

♥

En effet, le rythme et l’harmonie ont le pouvoir de toucher mon âme au plus haut point.

J’adore la musique.

Sara :)

Personally, I find that music is the most beautiful language; perfect to express emotions, it has a power that words cannot.  It arouses the emotions of those who listen, whether to express great joy or great sadness.

♥

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We dance for laughter,

 we dance for tears,

 we dance for madness,

 we dance for fears,

 we dance for hope,

 we dance for screams,

 we are the dancers,

we create the dreams…………………………………………… :)

Sara:) 

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Now, I don’t have kids, but I feel like the stay at home soccer mom supporting the adventures of the cast and crew from the sidelines. I’m in charge of craft service (aka the snacks)  This can be challenging, but I learned quickly what tickles the palates of our cast and crew and it’s a joy to provide that to them. Here’s a few highlights– favorites and absolute dislikes:

Guy – Sea Salt and Vinegar chips
Jonathan – Iced tea (doesn’t drink coffee)
Cecilia – Iced Starbucks Coffee Drinks
Loren – Raisins
Jerome – Diet Coke. And Diet Coke. And Diet Coke or die.
Adissa – Messy f’ing Sunflower seeds and small water bottles.
Lyzz – DOES NOT LIKE BANANAS
Micah – Vanilla Powerbars, no nuts
Leon – All non-Hershey chocolate
Allison – 5 hour energy shots and m&m’s
Noessa – Diet Coke
Lyndsey – Cheese
Steve – Anything candy
Lama – …honestly I don’t know her favorite, but the rest of us appreciate her staying away from gassy foods.
Sara – Nothing that’s actually on the menu
Basheer – Protein – fruit, veggies, hummus.
Joseph – everything plus eating what the rest have left behind.

As for me, I like orange juice, green apples, butterfinger bites and luna bars. Plus I keep mini stock pile in the Penske of everyone’s favorites. Because, okay, you know those random childhood memories, that involve food somehow? Like grandma’s cinnamon toast after the doctor’s office or sloppy joes at sleep away camp? Simple gestures that end up having a long standing impact. That’s what I hope the trail mix and Diet Coke provides to my On The Road in America Family –a delightful little joy amidst this incredible journey.

-Katie

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