I am so fortunate at this moment. I am totally convinced that this Oberlio Hotel is the nearest thing to Jannah . It is so nurturing, so positive, so uplifting, so organized, so well-managed. I suddenly thought of the petri dish, this hotel is a petri dish for my Islamic Faith. My faith thrives, multiples and grows here.
A petri dish a “place or situation in which something can be tested, examined, or encouraged to develop: Used in a sentence and as an example: “Group therapy is a perfect petri dish for interacting and communicating with people that you don’t know. The Petri Dish is a tool most often used in a laboratory, to provide storage, allow observation and supply nutrients.
It is interesting to observe the number of supervisors and managers amongst the staff. There was a saying from Canada in the olde days: “ There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Looked it up: “In business there are too many managers, supervisors, bosses and not enough workers to work efficiently.” (I know it was from the olde days when we called Indigenous peoples Indians. Supposing that white Canadians thought if they called them Indigenous all the wrongs imposed upon the native peoples would be forgotten. Newsflash: They did not. Massive window dressing is everywhere, playing lip service; announcing this is treaty # 6, 7 or 8 land where the event is taking place. However, at the same time Indigenous people continue to be discriminated against; with Indigenous women being murdered in huge numbers, with no investigations, no repercussions, no convictions.
To pay lip service is to say that you agree with something but do nothing to support it:
Back to this blessed hotel. As mentioned in a prior blog, the staff are long term – most here for decades, their own place of employment. This phenomena is usually unknown in the ‘hospitality business’ – the huge turnover of staff makes for inefficiency, lack of standards and guest malcontent. The Hilton Riyadh a prime example of this guest’s malcontent.
Malcontent, used as an adjective, has many synonyms which described my feelings. discontented, dissatisfied, disgruntled; fed up, annoyed, irritated, displeased, vexed, peeved, piqued, put out, teed off, ticked off. I was not happy when I left the place. I am very happy here.
Suddenly I am able to make a connection. The number of supervisors managers is intrinsically related to having a staff that remains with you for years. Workers come to the hotel, are encouraged to stay because there is ‘upward mobility’, they can see that becoming a manager is a real possibility. The best of them become managers, there is another level of management they can aspire to. They work diligently to reach that level etc etc etc. It is ingenious (so was I, by the way for figuring it all out.) Give credit where credit is due.
Ingenious does describe both situations. It can describe a person: (of a person) clever, original, and inventive. It can also describe a machine, an idea or a hotel” cleverly and originally devised and well suited to its purpose.
Looking at the synonyms, it is easy to see that anyone would want to be ingenious: inventive creative, imaginative, innovative, resourceful, enterprising, insightful, inspired, perceptive, intuitive; clever, intelligent, bright, smart, brilliant, masterly, talented, gifted, skillful, capable; sharp, astute, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, quick-witted, trailblazing, pioneering, on the ball, thinking outside the box, genius.
I would love to think that I am thinking outside the box, on the ball, capable and sharp. Not just to think it, but to be insightful. Inspired, talented and astute. Astute Alexis has a nice ring to it.
When on says credit where credit’s due‘, there is an admittance that praise should be given for a task completed or a good quality that is possessed. This is an example with its repercussions. A boss steals a your work and claims it as his own. This can be the most disengaging experience. The person is no longer motivated to do well, everything and everyone suffers. The phrase is attributed to Samuel Adams in a letter he wrote in the late 18th century.”
Subsequent to the original writing of the above, I spoke to a supervisor while consuming sushi in the Kyoto Restaurant. Capat Abdul Rahamman Kantoor added extremely valuable information, saying that he and his colleagues remain working in this hotel for one reason: it is in Medinah, a place of peace, where worldly concerns are not experienced. Sacrifices are made, more money could be made elsewhere, prestige could be achieved climbing the corporate ladder of five star hotels. Instead peace of mind, working in Medina. I must give him credit when credit is deserved, and I did.
His input allowed me to become more masterly, creative and sharp. The secret of this hotel’s success is apparent.
But back to me, if you please. I do and I am the one doing the writing.
I do know this from past experiences. When I am content, when I have peace of mind; my mind is open to new ideas, new ways of looking at things. These ideas, this inspiration came come from a variety of places. This came to me from Instagram.
The Instagram post read:
I’m in that stage of my life where I am relearning Islam because everything I was taught as a child was culturally influenced.
This struck a chord, it was so inspirational to hear someone say they were relearning their childhood faith, they were born Muslims, not become Muslims, like me. I immediately wrote in response.
Me: That is so wise of you! I am a very recent revert and see ,with some clarity, the results of learning of Islam as a child., a faith strongly influenced by cultural norms. Its largest impact is the treatment of women, I think. But there are many others. I applaud your efforts. You are an example to all.
They author emoji hearted it, which was most gratifying. Got thirty Likes and received this response.
He: You are surely blessed. Allah (SWT) guided you on the right path.
Me: Thank you for saying that . It means a great deal to me to have you say that. I do feel I am on the right path. All praise to Allah (SWT)
An Instagram reel, a Story Night from Nouman Ali Khan who speaks of connections between people – meeting someone, some soul you immediately connect with. Wheres with others, even your family with whom you say: “How are you my relative? Here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwFh6GMsrZQ/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==
After listening, I immediately responded.
Me: Yes! I met a woman who lives in Mecca who does not speak English and we are SO connected. I do not speak Arabic. I am totally alienated from my non Muslim family.
News of that response. Received 63 likes AND I shall soon see my Mecca friend. I will be spending ten days in Mecca – my first stop after leaving this hotel.
Exchanged another ‘wisdom’ with a woman on Instagram, she a Canadian, We were in close contact a one time, not recently. .
She: What if this is a is just one, great, giant experiment to see how well and just how much love we can muster for ourselves and each other while we’re still here.
Me: I think this is an excellent philosophy of life. By the way, I think I am going to put it on my blog.
I received a heart (emoji) by author. An esteemed honor. By the way, she did capture what the Islamic Faith is all about I think. Recently, since my reversion to the faith, I am succeeding in this experiment.
The above was written two days ago. Yesterday a ‘calamity’ occurred. It seems I have been banned from Instagram. I cannot give nor receive messages, I cannot refresh feeds. This has never happened before. I have been not been able to post comments – some force has been saying that s I have offended ‘community guidelines’. My writing is not offensive, nor negative. I do speak the truth, it is the truth, not misinformation and lies.
I was not panicked, despite the fact that there is no way to question this ban. Pondered the situation, deciding it was a blessing in disguise. There is far too much falsehood and negativity on Instagram. Its anonymity allows harm, encountered over the years. Catfishing men, people who want to direct message, wasting your time with their questions and insatiable needs for attention. There is positive content but one has to scan so much garbage to get to it. I have many followers, communicating with many, even Middle East Royalty.
It is a time waster however, its negativity can be a total downer. Instagram does not present a true picture of the world – everything is reduced to sound bites. Complex concepts can not be explored. It salves the conscience of many – thinking a flash comment has contributed to the dialogue, they have done their part for social discourse, and whatever cause they are temporally promising. It can be done anonymously and ‘safely’ The vast majority of followers are so passive they can not even use their finger to poke a Like. I have subsequently learned that all trace of Alexis Dryburgh has been removed from Instagram, it is as if I never existed.
Upon reflection it is apparent that saying farewell to Instagram is a blessing in disguise. Wikipedia discusses the concept, in its thorough fashion
“ A blessing in disguise is an English language idiom referring to the idea that something that appears to be a misfortune can have unexpected benefits.[3] It first appeared in James Hervey‘s hymn “Since all the downward tracts of time” in 1746, and is in current use in everyday speech and as the title of creative works such as novels, songs and poetry,
Wikipedia also provides related phrases. Related phrases are “count your blessings”, meaning to be grateful for the good things that have happened to you and not spending time regretting the bad,[16] and a “mixed blessing”, meaning something that has good and bad aspects.
The Islamic Faith has at its very core the concept of hardship . It is so important at this horrible moment in history. The horrendous hardships suffered by the Palestinian people will have a benefit in the long run. I cannot imagine what it might be – cannot possibly imagine what it might be. Nevertheless, notwithstanding, having said that, my faith in Allah (SWT) provides hope.
Photographs include the exterior of the Kyoto Restaurant, my sushi lunch, a photograph of me eating taken by Saleem Katipalla. The photographer has worked for the Oberlio for 26 years, not as a photographer although he did a good job. There is also a photo of Saleem and me a photo of he and me taken on a previous occasion.
