Bigger fish to fry strangely came to mind, so of course, I Googled to find that it was an idiom meaning that one has something more important to work on or other things one would rather do. The literal meaning of the phrase says that someone is in possession of a fish that’s larger and worth their time to cook, in comparison to others they might be offered. But, the phrase is very rarely used to actually refer to cooking.
Going backward for just a moment you shall receive the reel of the air taxi landing in Neom, my destination in about ten days. The link to the landing: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ct1GFYXhtXG/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==. My plans to visit this famous place are coming together brilliantly due to the assistance of the Hilton Honor program. It is the most amazing system ever encountered. One merely goes on line, requests a call and immediately one is received from an intelligent, incredibly helpful person who lives (and works) in South Africa. That is most handy as these individuals speak clean and understandable English, therefore it is not one of those offshore dreadful experiences, where no understanding is reached. They haunt my life. Trusty Travel Guru was letting me down – so I went to my totally reliable back up plan – called Hilton Honors. I was in desperately in need of a hotel in Tubak as I am staying there overnight at the end of the archeological tour. To my wonder and amazement, there is a Hilton in that rather unknown place. Like magic I have a reservation, which I can cancel at the last minute (by the way). PHEW. I was able to make a Hilton reservation for my next destination at the same time. That is so profoundly exciting, you shall hear about that later. Absolutely everything is falling into place.
But back to the big fish. Just when I was playing with the concept of a bigger fish to fry a text arrived from SOFTS.
She: Did you hear about this recently?
Me: No! How do you do this?? You are absolutely brilliant.
She: All synchro. Someone emailed these articles to me today.
Me: What makes it utterly amazing is that I was going to start writing a blog. And this is the perfect topic. It could not be better
She: Also the email said: The Saudi flag is is behind Saudi Leader Mohammed Bin Salman, but the US flag cannot be seen behind Biden This is a sign to the world that he is not viewed as a representative of the US people.
Me: That is no surprise but there is no representative of the US government, nor its people and I left. Hahaha The poor country!
SOFTS send a link to Arab News with the following groundbreaking amazing story. Please note it came from Arab News – not the Western media.
“BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday his call for a state of Palestine to become a “full member” of the United Nations, state media reported.Xi expressed Beijing’s position during a summit with Arab countries in Saudi Arabia in December, although the latest call comes as the Asian powerhouse works to strengthen its role as mediator in the Middle East.Xi met Abbas during the December trip and pledged to “work for an early, just and durable solution to the Palestinian issue.”Beijing has since positioned itself as a mediator in the Middle East, brokering the restoration in March of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in a region where the United States has for decades been the main powerbroker.“China supports Palestine in becoming a full member State of the United Nations,” Xi said during a meeting with Abbas in Beijing, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The fundamental way out of the Palestinian issue lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian State,” he said.Abbas will be in the Chinese capital until Friday, his fifth official visit to the world’s second-largest economy.Xi told Abbas at a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People that China was “ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Palestinian side.”“Today, we will jointly announce the establishment of a China-Palestine strategic partnership, which will be an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations,” Xi said.Abbas arrived in Beijing on Monday to hold talks with top Chinese leaders including Xi and Premier Li Qiang.The two sides are using the opportunity to discuss ways to advance relations and resolve longstanding challenges to the Palestinian-Israel relationship.Beijing has sought to boost its ties in the Middle East, challenging US influence — efforts that have sparked unease in Washington.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called long-time Palestinian leader Abbas an “old and good friend of the Chinese people” during a regular media briefing last week.Finding a lasting solution to Israeli-Palestinian tensions may prove elusive, as peace negotiations between the two sides have been stalled since 2014.Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts in April that his country was willing to aid peace negotiations, Xinhua reported.And Qin told Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al-Maliki that Beijing supports the resumption of talks as soon as possible, according to the state news agency.In both calls Qin emphasised China’s push for peace talks on the basis of implementing a “two-state solution.”
I find this to be rather amazing. China solving the 75 year conflict between Palestine and Israel. My considered intellectual viewpoint about this can be summarized in one word
Me: HUH?!?!
Alter Ego: Cannot you think of anything else to say, Alexis?
Me: Well I did say to SOFTS that the Emir of Qatar was going to the UN a lot and making speeches about the failure of the UN to enforce its Resolutions but he got nowhere fast.
Going nowhere fast is an idiom which describes a effort which fails to make progress or to produce a desired result There are many synonyms related to going nowhere, such as: absurd, aimless, fruitless, futile, impotent, and inconsequential. OOPS did I just call the Emir of Qatar impotent and inconsequential? That was very tactless. It was just that nothing came of his well publicized efforts. I did praise them on the blog, I absolutely know I did. Will look them up in the search engine. But is is rather irrelevant at this point in time.
Here is the link to Arab News: Looked through the entries. It is going to be my go to place for news. How terribly convenient as I am going to Saudi Arabia. Hahaha
I am funny and do realize I have been letting down my faithful readers who love my humor. I am sure it will return when I report the fun and enjoyable times in Saudi Arabia. I shall tell all (well perhaps not ALL). Hahaha.
I shall miss my Edmonton home and the wonderful, kind people who surround me – there are many. It seems as if they are all handpicked. The blemished, bruised ones seem, somewhat miraculously, to disappear from my firmament. Therefore room for the handpicked s leaves room for the handpicked ones. All praise to Allah (SWT).
If I were forced to choose, between what I would miss most about my apartment home I would say: !) My private mosque, my prayer room, and 2) the incredible magnificent sunsets. One such sunset appeared, unbidden the last night before my departure. Your shall be accorded the privilege of seeing it by looking at the photo. Lucky you! Hahaha
