By MIKE BIDDISON
Special to the Times
Noor Zamani moved his family to California in 2005, but he hasn’t been able to spend all that time with them. Until just recently, Noor had been traveling around the Afghan countryside on assignment for the U.S. Army.
The first thing you notice when approaching the front door of the Zamani household, not far from Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, is the jumble of shoes on and around the front porch. Not that it’s unusual for people to request “please, no shoes inside the house,” but it is difficult to locate the pair one arrived with, when there are so many to choose from.
On this particular afternoon a number of relatives, including brothers, sisters and cousins were on hand. Also, the couple is blessed with seven children.
My wife, Peggy, and I had been invited to dine with Noor and Merry Zamani Sunday afternoon, and we were not sure if this was the normal state of the household on a random weekend, or if it counted as a special occasion because of visitors.
The Zamanis emigrated from Afghanistan to New York initially to escape the Russians. Merry came first. Noor followed in 1999. They subsequently wed, settling in quarters, now described by their oldest daughter, Sidiki, as ‘very small and very expensive’. The area proved less than ideal in other ways. Social life was lacking and neighbors did not look out for one another. So, the family moved to Bangor, Maine, where people were more accepting of the newcomers and employment opportunities abounded. Noor says he is skilled only as a mechanic, the trade he has pursued to establish himself in this country, but he’s had no trouble learning the complexities of the English language.
When visiting California 14 years ago to attend the funeral of a loved one, they found the weather much more agreeable than what they had been living with, and welcomed the chance to relocate. A house in Patterson turned out to be much larger and less expensive than anything available in Maine. They soon settled in, and Noor began work at his brother’s tire shop. Normally, people don’t expect more space at less cost in this state, indicating that maybe all things are possible if one is open to opportunities. Sidiki, now a striking and articulate Merced College student, was thrilled with California — she had a room to herself!
After the move, Noor enlisted in the National Guard to demonstrate his commitment to this country. A few years later, the Army called him to active duty. Naturally, since his origins lie there, they sent him to Afghanistan. For nine years he flew all over that country acting as a cultural advisor for the U.S. government. He can’t discuss anything else about his deployment, except it’s where he became intimately familiar with military transport aircraft, such as the C-130s on display out at the Castle Air Museum. Noor says the C-5 is a quieter and more comfortable aircraft. Just so you know.
Finally released from his military obligations, Noor is now adjusting to family life in Merced County. Their recent move to Merced resulted in even more room for the family with a new, larger house. They have opened their own tire-store, Crown Tires, on 16th Street in Merced, between R and V streets, nestled in among the vintage landmark motels that line the street. Merry claimed employees from other tire shops in town recommend their store because of the deals and the service to be found there.
In addition to helping out at the store, she manages an increasingly complex household with aplomb, and treated us that day to a traditional seven-course Afghan dinner, including three meat dishes, home-baked naan and a sweet, creamy rice pudding desert. She confessed she doesn’t prepare that much food everyday, but allowed that when there is occasion to celebrate, as with the upcoming nuptials for their oldest son, the quantity and variety of food from her kitchen is astronomical.
Noor observed there is not much Afghani presence in Merced County compared with some other Middle Eastern cultures, but the couple’s openness and easy way with others ensures they will have no trouble finding commonality with good people.
No doubt there will always be a tangle of footwear on or about the front porch of their home.