Now that is an extreme understatement. Now I am sitting at the SFO Airport in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection area. For some strange reason there is an enormous back up – somehow a flight from Qatar has priority and all of we Air Emeritus people are on hold. It is, to say, the very leas, t an enormous mess. Huge, as a matter of fact. It is all together most tempting to turn around and go back.
Plans were to write on the airplane but three documentaries caught my attention instead. The first was the life story of Tina Turner – it was riveting. She is an amazing woman, my heroine. A strong woman who overcome a terrible past With style and elan. Our philosophies meld. She assiduously does not want to dwell on the past but looks ahead in positivity and hope. The second documentary brought the Vienna Symphony Orchestra – profiling the musicians, their motivation, training, and love of their musical instruments. It too was an encouraging, upbeat and hopeful. The last documentary featured Robin Williams, a film authored by his wife, a truly incredible woman. Google Robin Williams disease and several articles will pop up. The following is taking from one of them. “As you may know, my husband Robin Williams had the little-known but deadly Lewy body disease (LBD). He died from suicide in 2014 at the end of an intense, confusing, and relatively swift persecution at the hand of this disease’s symptoms and pathology. He was not alone in his traumatic experience with this neurologic disease. As you may know, almost 1.5 million nationwide are suffering similarly right now.
Although not alone, his case was extreme. Not until the coroner’s report, 3 months after his death, would I learn that it was diffuse LBD that took him. All 4 of the doctors I met with afterwards and who had reviewed his records indicated his was one of the worst pathologies they had seen. He had about 40% loss of dopamine neurons and almost no neurons were free of Lewy bodies throughout the entire brain and brainstem.”
The film and my subsequent research were an eye opener. I admit to feeling disdain at his decision to end his life. But knowing the facts, the dreadful illness which plagued him – I now respect his decision and his extreme, in a way, heroic life-ending act. If I were in that situation, at the present time, I could not take that extreme action because the decision to end life is Allah’s alone. But on Robin William’s Judgment Day Allah would be merciful, I am sure.
This blog is being written from my four poster bed. It is 1:30 in the morning. I groggily got home with the support, assistance and skill of an Air Emeritus driver. He was from the Philippines, came to the Excelsior district of San Francisco when he was seven. We had a great chat together. I told him of the success of my blog and he said I was crazy not to make money from it.
He: I would give anything to have your following. You must make money from it! It is ridiculous that you are not.
Me: Ok Ok Ok. You know the saying – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. But I promise that I will look into it when I am settled in Abu Dhabi. I know two men who could help me with a money making – not one but two. I met them during my nineteen day stay in Dubai.
So got home and went immediately to bed. Fell asleep but did not remain in that blissful state, waking up five hours later. I am definitely still on Dubai time as that would be about eight o’clock in the morning. Did some preliminary unpacking, had some breakfast but came back to bed to write this blog. I glanced through Instagram to find the MOST unbelievable entry. Synonyms for unbelievable are: beyond belief, difficult to believe, scarcely credible, inconceivable, unthinkable, unimaginable; unconvincing, far-fetched, implausible, improbable, impossible; hard to swallow, mind-boggling, mind-blowing.Antonyms: believable, credible.
This unimaginable, far-fetched, hard to swallow mind-boggling entry on Instagram featured a man flying over Abu Dhabi in his private plane – deciding he had to go there immediately. His pilot refuses to taken him there so he parachutes out landing on the roof of the Abu Dhabi Louvre. Readers are directed to a website: visitabudhabi.ae I am helpfully providing some of the information from the web site.
“More carriers than ever are flying to the award-winning Abu Dhabi International Airport. The emirate has a well-planned road system and getting around is easy. Taxis are reasonably priced and can be flagged down or booked, with public transport buses being modern, air-conditioned, reliable, and cost-effective. You can also drive yourself, with fantastic infrastructure featuring well-marked roads in English and Arabic. You’ll find all major car rental companies in Abu Dhabi, plus a few local options, but more reputable firms generally have more reliable vehicles and a greater capacity to help in an emergency. Recognised as one of the safest cities on earth, Abu Dhabi’s virtually crime-free environment and well-organised emergency services offer peace of mind.”
There is much more, but this appeared under an Art and Architecture section. “ Enjoy a fascinating day out by exploring three of Abu Dhabi’s iconic sights in one eight-hour tour.
Start at Abu Dhabi International Airport before heading to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a universal museum covering art and civilisation, which contains myriad priceless items that tell the story of humanity throughout the ages. Don’t forget your camera; you’ll want to capture the structure’s enormous dome, composed of 7,850 stars that filter light through their perforations, creating a dazzling display known as the ‘rain of light’ Then, enjoy a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a majestic, welcoming place of worship and one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmarks. This stunning sight is one of the biggest places of worship in the world and is a fantastic place to take photographs. Wahat Al Karama is next on the list. This thought-provoking destination is a beautiful, permanent tribute to the UAE’s brave soldiers and other Emiratis recognised as martyrs in the country − who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their nation.”
What did I do upon finding and exploring the Abu Dhabi site? I texted Grandson (aka MAD). It is he that took me to Abu Dhabi in the first place – he is a driver working for JW Marriot. He drove me back there many times. We have so much fun together. He does imitations of me – my words and gestures. I just almost die (or pee my pants) laughing. The following conversation took place.
He: How’s everything there? How is your health?
Me: How sweet of you to ask! Slightly sore back. The mover texted yesterday so all is going to be in order. I just want to get outta here and get back. With your great help I will slay all of my enemies. Hahaha
Me: I cannot tell you how great it is to be talking with you even though you are miles away. Allah is taking care of us.
He: Yes right.
Me: I am always right. Hahaha
He: 🙃 hahahaha
On that high note I shall close and hopefully go back to sleep. Two photos. One of me on the plane sent to Grandson. The other sent to me from him answering my question as to where he was. This was my response:
Me: You are talented! To answer the question by photograph.
Another Mind-blowing fact is that I met three funny, exciting people in the Business Lounge of the Dubai Airport. They were ‘staff’ for a private jet.
Me: Whose jet is it?
He: If I tell I will be killed.
Me: Keep it to yourself then. I do NOT want to be responsible for your death.
Then we all were called for our flights. My wheel chair arrived. One of the women is a life coach. We exchanged our Instagrams and are following one another. They were going to Stuttgart – only person, not location is confidential (apparently).
