I do admit to an excruciating ecstasy I find in naming – people, places, and things. Naming people takes the form of nicknames, The naming of things is more complex – Saudi Sojourn: my recent absolutely fantastic tourist experience in Saudi Arabia is one example. Now a new naming: The Edmonton Escape; my departure from Canada to reside in Saudi Arabia. This Edmonton Escape is very well planned, well executed escape, Nothing shall be left to chance.
Nothing left to chance is to prepare for everything possible. If you leave something to chance you resign yourself to something’s outcome being determined from forces outside of your control. Now it is worthless to worry, to overthink. Instead lay trust in Allah (SWT), do what you can in your capacity, try as hard as possible, leave no stone unturned in terms of your effort and then leave the rest to Allah (SWT).
To leave no stone unturned” is a proverb that means to do everything possible to find something or to solve a problem. Used in a sentence: We have a responsibility to leave no stone unturned in our effort to increase security and peace. Making every possible effort, in this instance, necessarily includes consulting professionals on the matter. I did. Met with my brilliant tax accountant three days ago, posing the following question:
Me: What do I have to do to leave this country?
He: Leave the country, close your Canadian bank accounts, liquidate your investments, file a CRA tax return for money owed.
Me: I will not have to worry about closing the bank accounts and liquidating my investments – when I file the return those greedy tax people will take all my money anyway.
Such is taxation in Canada. Did not realize that when I arrived in my homeland. Now I know but, fortunately there always is the Edmonton Escape.
Maintaining one’s sense of humor is absolutely essential – essential to me anyway. My trusty tax accountant did provide some helpful tips to (shall we say) ease the pain. All legitimate, some requiring effort – but one does not get something for nothing. Oops, here comes another proverb. “One cannot expect to receive some benefit if one does not pay for it in some way or does not face a counterbalancing hazard or harm. “
Thursday was tax accountant day, not terribly jolly. However, the first appointment of the day was with my fantastic hair guy – an icon, an Edmonton Institution, Tony Ricci. Did not leave any stone unturned there – filmed a video of the work in progress, placing it on Instagram with this caption; Yesterday,I had my hair cut by Tony Ricci, an Edmonton treasure and icon. Only one thing I do not like about him??? He has over four thousand followers on Instagram and I do not. Hahahaha
Then along came Friday (not surprisingly, as it is the next day of the week). Two emails – one from AK, the other from my dentist asking if I could come that afternoon for my teeth cleaning (rather than next week). Fortunately ,and blessedly reached Manjender, he collected me in a timely fashion off we sped to another adventure. The dental hygienist and I had such a jolly time. She was originally from New Delhi, schooled in Edmonton. We laughed so much, the laughter energized her, time passed most quickly, and it was not painful.
She: I wish everyone was like you! You are my favorite patient of the day, of the week.
Me: Probably the most favorite of your career, but you would tire of me. Hahaha.
It was an entirely positive experience.
Me: I love taking care of myself. It feels so good to know that you are treating your health with respect.
They: I totally agree.
The dental office is (almost )next door to Ross Sheppard High School. Graduated from there in 1961, Decided I should drive through my old neighborhood to bid a fond farewell. In the past such drive throughs have been painful – not this time. The homeowners in the Dovercourt section of this city maintain their rather modest homes in perfect condition – a marked contrast to other neighborhoods in Canada and in the United States. It reminded me of the hope and promise that were found in the late fifties and early sixties.
Me: This has been most encouraging. The trees have grown immensely since those early years, the homes and yards show pride of ownership. Took me back to the days when Canada and the world held great promise.
He: It is good to see you being so cheerful.
Drove past the house where I lived from the age of 12 until I left at 19. The drive also saw the former home of my best friend Beth’s and Marilyn’s and Jenny’s
Me: Please congratulate me. I can remember their names even though it has been years and years and years. Eons, actually
Manjender: Impressive! And you have not seen them in eons.
Me: No. But did see Beth, she came to visit me in London in about 2014 – we had a great time.
The next destination was London Drugs in Unity Square. Two photographs were destined to be enlarged and framed for my prayer wall. One of the Women’s Gate of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The other of a cherished and sacred place – the Rawdah, in the Prophet’s Mosque a place located between the Prophet and Aisha’s house, peace be upon them, and between the Prophet’s Minbar (or pulpit.) It is absolutely sacred ground, it is amazing that I was allowed entrance. That story shall be told.
Wait until you here this! One of those ‘coincidences’ that I am specializing in, happened again. I was Googling Rawdah when, all of a sudden, an August 11, 2023 Arab News article appeared on the screen announcing the spectacular rise of Saudi tourism.
“Saudi Arabia is tapping its potential of becoming a major international tourism hub, attracting increasing numbers of foreign visitors seeking a unique travel experience at any time of the year. Our ‘Rethink Summer — Visit Saudi’ campaign is encouraging people to visit the Kingdom to experience its dynamic and diverse locations, including the cool, green Asir region, where an eight-week cultural festival is running until Sept. 1,” he added.“Saudi Arabia is leading the way as the world’s biggest investor in tourism, committing $550 billion to new destinations alone by 2030.“The investment is paying off with the country receiving an impressive 94 million plus visits in 2022 and total tourism spend amounting to SR185 billion ($49.3 billion), an increase of 93 percent compared to 2021, while 2023 has also seen record visitor growth.“These figures are excellent news for Saudi tourism and clearly show huge opportunities lie ahead with Saudi firmly on the map as a must-visit destination for international tourists.”In July, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s minister of tourism, noted that the Kingdom’s travel and tourism market had grown 12 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.”
This article then spoke of Asir. I have an Asir connection (so to speak).
“Those less familiar with Saudi Arabia’s varied landscape will not likely have heard of Abha, the provincial capital of the Asir region. Situated at 2,200 meters above sea level between the Sarawat Mountains, Abha is a gem, not just for its more temperate climate but for its myriad natural wonders and heritage, including the ancient village of Rijal Almaa, which features unique stone castles. “With its light breezes, refreshing fog, and lush mountains, Asir is a summer haven for travelers as temperatures rise globally — and we expect to see its popularity as a destination continue to grow,” said Al-Dakhil of the Saudi Tourism Authority.”
This led to a July 28, 2023 Arab News feature:
“Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb was seen rowing a boat in the Wadi Taraj Lake during his visit to Asir, with photos of the minister going viral on social media.The images of the picturesque landscapes in Asir showed the minister rowing accompanied by Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed and another official.“The lake is located in Wadi Traj Dam in Tanumah, Asir with a 4 sq. km area,” said Mohammed Al-Tuhami, director of Husaak Co. which is in charge of supervising events on the lake.”
I shall explain my “Asir connection” in a subsequent blog.
But it is back to Edmonton for more news of the day. Unity Square also houses the Art of Cake, a bakery with the most delicious of pastries and cakes. (LOL’s birthday cake came from there, it was mentioned in a May blog). Manjinder has a ‘sweet tooth’, it was time for a treat. We found at least two. One a coconut, raspberry and rhubarb square; the other a woman by the name of Del. She was so incredibly stylish with white hair the same color as mine. In my typical fashion I began to speak with her.
Me: I love your hair and your sense of style. Do you live in Edmonton?
She: I do. I have lived here since I was seven. I love Edmonton!
Me: Did you live here when I was first in Edmonton in 1955?
She: Yes. I am 92.
Me: I cannot believe that! My goodness you look younger than I do. I am not supposed to tell my age, but I can tell you.
She: You must go next door to Dots. I work there, they have the greatest collection of clothes!
Meeting Del was a gift. Now I have a role model. She works, she is mobile, she is enthusiastic, she is 92. I did not believe such a thing was possible. I can find her again, I know where she works, Hahaha I desperately needed a role model.
Of course, I simply HAD to go to Dots. It was difficult to find (next door had a different entry) but Manjinder was a great trail blazer. What a find!!! It is enormous, with both men and woman’s clothing, all inexpensively priced with an additional sale in progress. A white linen dress spoke to me.
She: Buy me! Buy me! I have an extra 40% off.
Me: I will. You will be perfect, worn under one of my stylish abayas. You are going with me to Saudi Arabia.
She: I have always wanted to travel!
Disclaimer. Most of my conversations are real. This was imaginary.
Time for more word definitions If someone has a sweet tooth they have a a great liking for sweet-tasting foods. A trail blazer is a pioneer; an innovator OR a person who makes a new track through wild country. (However, the streets of Edmonton cannot actually be described as wild). A disclaimer is a a statement that denies something, especially responsibility. Used in a sentence: Alexis denied that the white dress actually spoke to her.
Three photos follow. Two were enlarged for my prayer room wall. The other is me, wearing the white dress. It is impossible to see as a gorgeous black abaya covers it. The photo was sent to AK with the following email caption: “With everlasting gratitude”. It was the second of three gifts, graciously and gratefully received on August 2, 2023, the day of my departure from Saudi Arabia. The abaya is coming home, I shall accompany it. There is an oft played Instagram reel, speaking of coming home. Home is Mecca, a short, fast train ride from Medina, where I can also visit a woman who calls me the white heart lady.
