I leave this womb tomorrow. Since it is planned it must be a a Caesarian section. Hahaha!!! The origins of that word are fascinating, something unknown until a few minutes ago. Dates from the early 17th century: Caesarian from the story that Julius Caesar was delivered by this method. MaShalla! Julius did not just pop out like I did, his mother needed help. That is a story even I was not aware of, so I am certain that none of you knew either. .
Back to the topic of why my departure from the womb in planned, and then later why this has been a womb, this my Medina Oberio Hotel Refuge Camp. Weeks ago, contemplating a much longer stay at this refugee camp, speaking to FAME who suggested I speak to Mr. Ali about busy times. The plan was I could depart during busy times, returning when the hotel was less crowded. Obediently took the suggestion spoke to Mr. Ali to learn that December 23, 2023 -January 1, 2024 were busy times . Also during Ramadan and Hajj. Therefore, I made arrangements to leave on the morning of December 23, immediately obtaining a plane reservation from AK. Faithful readers will learn that other arrangements were stalled because of the inattention of two members of the Bahrain Royal Family, who invited me and then one Saudi man who was leading me on with false promises.
Obedient is a word that requires explanation at this time.
Obedient is complying or willing to comply with orders or requests. It is also submissive to another’s will. When informed that I should ask Mr. Ali about busy times I was willing to comply with this order or request. Upon receiving news of the busy times I voluntarily made arrangements to leave. Mr. Ali did not request nor order my absence and made that clear to the Bahrain Sheikha. I did so for my convenience and for the hotel’s convenience.
It is convenient for this hotel because as there are certain times that they can, and do, charge more money for occupancy. All hotels everywhere do this, depending on the celebratory seasons and the attractions surrounding the hotels. . Florida, Paris and Anaheim Disneyland hotels must be incredibly expensive and so busy during these times because of Christmas break. This hotel is also busy because of Christmas break. Christmas is not celebrated in Indonesia, for example, as it is definitely a Muslim majority country but there are school holidays during this time. Therefore, they travel to worship in Medina and Mecca during this time.
It is convenient for me for two reasons. I do need quiet and peace in order to write, study and worship. Children can be. and are noisy. Also the air conditioning in this hotel is a closed circuit system, so when crowded everyone’s germs and viruses are circulating, fresh for consumption. There was a crowded time during my occupancy. At that time I fell ill, at first sneezing constantly and followed by fatigue, a sore throat etc etc etc. I have no immunity to children’s diseases, nor the diseases of foreign lands. Constantly exposed as I pray in my room., seldom venturing outside the hotel. Therefore this is good time for me to say Bye Bye. It is a Win-Win.
There is much more to be said about obedience, particularly in the context of Muslim practices, but now is not the time, nor the place.
At this time, decided to use the search engine of the blog looking for Win-Win. Could not find it, instead a post from December 25, 2022 grabbed my attention. I shall quote it in its entirety. It is very amusing and most topical. To place you back there, I had just returned from my Umrah pilgrimage, a rather luxurious three week trip.
December 25,2022 Blog
Today is Christmas but there is no real reason for Muslims to celebrate this holiday as factually Jesus was not born on Christmas Day and further, He is not the Son of God – a Prophet within the faith held in great reverence and the Prophet who will rescue us when the Great Tribulation arrives but not the son of God. Rules Police abound in the Islamic faith shouting that absolutely anything done on Christmas is forbidden, but that is just plain silly and restrictive. I am being obedient, spending the day alone in my Edmonton apartment. I did email my cousin, wishing she and her family a Happy Day. But practicing Muslims in Saudi take a more enlightened view – one amazing woman in a shop gave me a Christmas present last week.
My preset to all this Christmas Day is some humor, actually ‘lifted’ from The New Yorker. The hilarious title is Questions Reporters Ask Mrs. Claus That they Would Never Ask Mr. Claus.
Here are some examples:
“I’m thinking about all the little girls who look up to you. Are you setting the right example by shackling yourself to the patriarchal heteronormative institution of marriage?”
“Do you feel like you have the right kind of temperament to lead this rapidly growing organization?”
“How’s the love life with the big man? Are you on the ‘naughty list’ this year?”
“Is it true that you keep the ‘nice list’ on a private e-mail server?”
“Isn’t the greeting ‘ho ho ho’ a bit misogynistic?
“Is the stress of the holiday season getting to you, or are you just on your period?”
“What would you say to those who accuse you of spending too much time being holly-jolly, and too little time focussing on the issues that face hardworking North Polers?”
“How many chimneys did you shimmy down before hitching your wagon to Santa’s sleigh?
The link shall be provided at the conclusion of this blog.
Do I anticipate that this will bring down the wrath of Allah, this humour on this day.? No, because it is about Santa Claus, (there is no religious message) and the Islamic faith is to be one of ease – happiness is encouraged. The fourth reason is that when Allah gives you a gift you are supposed to use it. I have the gift of humour and I do share it – in person, on the blog and occasionally on Instagram. I also share my humor with people I know, meet and greet.
This to the wonderful Air Canada employee who lent me her winter coat.
She: I never used that jacket before, hopefully it will be ok. It was that or my ling teddy jacket, would have you looking like Yogi Bear.
Me: An attractive look perhaps. Hahaha
Me: Shall put this text exchange on the blog. Photo of me in coat on Instagram. Perhaps the ling teddy jacket would have enjoyed the fame. Hahaha
The fame is getting strange and grows. As I said in the Happy Day email to my cousin.
“There are constant messages from my ‘fans’. Posted a photo of two Saudi women who greeted me after a stressful flight, welcoming me to the faith and giving me a chocolate bar.
There were 51 Likes. I am thoroughly amazed, one even from Middle East Royalty. And I was born in Saskatchewan. (It is a joke between us as she was too). Then there have been 268 likes of the nighttime reel made in Mecca showing the immense crowds. You have no idea how this feels.”
I went on to explain the impact it has had on me. “But feeling a bit overwhelmed. Looking forward to the simple life for a couple of months.”
Do admit that I am counting the days until my return to Saudi Arabia – 82. Also made a preliminary investigation. I can travel from Edmonton to Riyadh with only two stops – one in Montreal and the other in Qatar. I feel (and am) more loved by both men and woman in Saudi Arabia. But most importantly it is a country that reveres, preserves and protects the memory of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). It also reveres, preserves and protects his history to an extent unknown in Western civilizations. As General McArthur said: I shall return.
Other offerings of humour shall be cartoons from The New Yorker. Came home to a pile of them. Picked out some of my favorites. Then I shall go back to sleep, The sun is up
Jet lag is a horrible thing. Slept some but woke up in the middle of the night. Was awake for Fajr prayer, made a breakfast of yummy eggs. Took a photo of the Christmas lights decorating the buildings nearby which shall be attached to this blog. Planning to go back to sleep when this is off for posting as Asr prayer is not for hours. .
I shall now provide you with the link to the Ms. Claus article. https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/questions-reporters-ask-mrs-claus-that-they-would-never-ask-mr-claus?utm_source=onsite-share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=onsite-share&utm_brand=the-new-yorker.
Attached were two funny cartoons from the magazine section of the New Yorker. Although the magazines were to be forwarded by Canada Postal System, it has not taken pace, despite my paying over two hundreds dollars for the service. That is SO Canadian. As said constantly and continually: Goodbye Canada. Hello Saudi Arabia!!
This is now being written at the end of a most eventful day – an unbelievably eventful day. There will be no funny cartoons unfortunately. Instead a reel from the Health Club in the Oberio Hotel. My cinematographer is Mona, my very able and competent trainer, supplied by my refugee camp, the Medina Oberio Hotel. As you see I am ‘covered’. It seems more than a little unusual to be in a gym that overlooks Medina. Unfortunately a massive construction project which will built more hotels. There used to be a date farm there, most probably dating back to the Prophet’s (PBUH) time. Greed and money interests are ruining Medina – more about that later.
There will also be another video taken at the Breakfast Bar. It is entitled Not the Last Supper. The caption reads: Great breakfast surrounded by families from Indonesia. Indonesians are the best Muslims in the world. This to be explained further on the blog.
More about my exciting day tomorrow. Will write from the Medina Airport and plane to Bahrain.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1JYaRNsT6Q/?igsh=ZDBjMWI0ZjMxOQ==
