Summary

Riad’s family moves to Syria where his father is an assistant professor. Panels taking place in Syria have pink as a primary accent color. Riad’s father has not been to Syria in 17 years. On the plane, Riad’s father has a dream in which he finds a stream of gold, but when he goes to show the gold on his hands to other people, it turns to mud. When they reach the airport in Damascus, Riad’s father is nervous and there appears to be something wrong with his passport. Riad’s father speaks to one of the soldiers checking passports in private. Riad’s father gives the soldier “a few dollars” and then leaves the airport (69). Outside, Riad’s father explains that he never completed his military service and had to give the soldier money.

The taxi drivers outside of...