At this moment am at the breakfast buffet having fun with a little Arabic girl of undetermined age. She is the sweetest and most playful little child. But she does not want to come too close to me. Who can blame her? Her family does not seem to speak English but the two of us can communicate very well. You shan’t see a picture of her as I do not violate the privacy of others, particularly children. But trust me, she is darling. She seems to prefer the attention of men at this time in her life. – she is not attempting to engage her mother or her sister.
I was awoken this morning with a WhatsApp greeting from Malaysia. A photo of beautiful flowers with the greeting: “Salam To my beautiful sister, Good morning”.
I responded:
Me: What lovely flowers and what a beautiful greeting, my lovely sister.
She: Alhamdulillah.
Me: I showed everyone at this hotel the greeting you sent this morning. They are happy for me Alhamduillah
She: Really U do that. Wow I’m blessed. I’m happy thanks.
I sent it to three others with this greeting.
Me: My Malaysian friend sent this to me this morning and it brought me joy. I am sending it to you.
Not heard from them – I guess it did not bring them joy. Oh well, I tried.
As I entered the breakfast buffet I was greeted by Ali, a ‘captain’ in this hotel,.
He smiled and said something I did not quite understand, asked for clarification
He: I thank Allah for you.
Me: Really???? Why???
He: Because you are old and healthy and happy and you make us happy.
Me: Oh my goodness Alhamdulillah. I thank Allah for all of that too, all the of time.
A little later after getting coffee and some food, said to him
Me: Thank you for what you said!! You made me day!!
He: You make my day, everyday.
Such a blessed way to begin day. One small glitch (an unexpected setback of a plan) is a sore neck, from leaning over my laptop. Nothing can be altogether perfect.
I was just joined by a woman here for Saudi Golf. We began chatting. She said she went to school in Canada.
Me: Where? What school?
She: Ottawa. Carlton University.
Me: How incredible. Cannot wait to tell you my story of Carlton.
She returned with her breakfast, we exchanged stories. She, a Saudi, lives in Riyadh with two teenage daughters. Not similar to my life whatsoever, but nonetheless we had much in common. Outside events affected our lives – hers 9/11, mine the Vietnamese War. Another similarity was coming to a fork in a road, taking one path, later realizing that this choice inexorably changed out lives. I was reminded of the Robert Frost poem: The Road Not Taken
‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’’
She left to play golf, I went to Ithra. I do wonder which road was less travelled Hahaha .
I was greeted enthusiastically. .
They: Welcome back!
Me: Thank you! This is my second home.
They: Where is your first home?
Me: My hotel here in Khobar. Goodbye Canada, Goodbye United States. Hello Saudi Arabia!
They: You are so glad you are here.
Me: Me too
Prior to my hotel departure to Ithra I had submitted my credit card to Reception to secure my stay in my first ‘home’ for another month. Drinking my specially prepared coffee, took a pair and pencil, did some calculations – realizing with relief that it slightly less expensive to live in the hotel than to live in an apartment in Edmonton once factoring in the money saved by not paying $30.000 annually in income taxes. Phew! My specially prepared Cafe Ness Flat White is the most delicious ever tasted. Learned the secret of R success, I am afraid you will have to come to Ithra to try it.
Although I had been to Ithra four or five times I had never taken a guided tour, After coffee signed up, receiving an immediate one on one with a young enthusiastic Saudi man. The unique and distinctive building was designed by a Norwegian architects Snohetta, who won a worldwide competition. I having travelled extensively in Norway commented upon the similarities between the two countries, the care, compassion, educational opportunities and advantages provided to their citizens.
The building has to be seen to be believed. Its constructions costs were 400 million dollars and it shows! The library is immense, constructed in a manner that the noise level decreases and one ascents to the top floor. We stopped at a lower floor, finding a television crew. I became a television star, an impromptu interview on Saudi TV. WOW. No idea when I shall be shown in all my glory but the wonderful woman interviewer said she would let me know.
Ithra accurately claims that the he world is evolving, transforming and changing, and Saudi Arabia is changing at an even more rapid pace. Ithra, owned by Saudi Aramco has as its aim to “make a tangible and positive impact on human development by inspiring a passion for knowledge, creativity, and cross-cultural engagement for the future of the kingdom.” Ithra’s slogan: Accelerating potential, inspiring minds.
I saw it in action – it inspired my mind and accelerated my potential. I saw it happening to others, helped one woman achieve the same result.
The end of the tour found us in the vast reception area. A new program greeted guests. A reader could register, choose one of the many books assembled in temporary cublicles, sit and read the book on the many comfortable chairs and sofas. When one reached one hundred pages, or finished the book a staff would confirm the accomplishment and a tree would be planted in your honor. Never had I ever heard of such an inspired idea – where knowledge would benefit the environment. Staff spoke of a young Saudi twelve year old boy who had planted 1,000 trees. They introduced me to him, a rather shy respectful jewel.
Me: I am in awe of you and what you do! They said you read your books in English.
He: Yes I do.
Me: You inspire me. I will do it too, This is good for me as I am a writer, and have not been reading books lately. This will get me back in the habit.
He: What do you write?
Me: I have written self published books but I write a blog, almost daily. Here is one of my blog cards.
The efficient staff helped me register, sending me to choose a book. I almost chose Shakespeare’s As You Like It, one of his plays I have neither seen nor preformed. Instead a slender volume Who is Issac Newton? Seemed interesting. I knew he was a famous eighteenth century scholar and scientist but was fuzzy on the details. It was a book aimed at Young Readers, excellently written, full of details, summarized clearly and engrossing. I finished the book, marched to over to the staff and was rewarded. Rather unique jewelry. I was SO proud of myself.
I learned of Issac Newton the man, his discoveries, his unique ways of living and learning. He did gravity, he did calculus, he did coats, he did it all He did not accept Aristotle’s principles which were unquestioned for centuries but instead did experiments of his own, disproving theories of not only Aristotle but other accepted philosophers, scholars and scientists. He lived through the plague, the isolation encouraged his brilliance. As a newly minted Muslim it was fascinating to learn that he read the Bible, used his powers of intellect and rational thinking to conclude that Jesus was not a God. The truth was important to Newton, espousing it would have led to conflict. Cambridge professors were, at that time, required to become ministers, promoting the Christian religion. He cleverly requested an audience with Charles II, the King and head of the church. But rather than speaking the truth conflict with Christian theology, he informed the Monarch that he was also a Professor of Mathematics and could serve Cambridge better in that capacity. Charles II agreed. Newton died at the age of 85 and is buried in Westminster Abbey.
The 1,000 tree Whiz Kid shyly approached me.
He: I read you blog. You are a good writer.
Me: Coming from you that is an immense compliment. Thank you SO much.
Happily, and hungrily, went to my favorite Greek restaurant on the 14th floor. Spoke to a wonderful Moroccan woman who is on staff. I inspired her. We went down to the cavernous lobby, she registered, got the same book. We made plans to get together on Saturday to laugh and discuss the book. WOW. She is a fascinating person, a Muslim. We have many of the same beliefs, most unusual, as yet again, one would think we have little in common.
Previously mentioned that I was a newly minted Muslim. If you describe something as newly minted or freshly minted, you mean that it has recently created to give a fresh meaning. Perhaps that is so, time will tell.
My next blog will speak of the unique friendship I share with my Malaysian friend. I already have her permission to speak of it and to use a Medina selfie of we two taken at our first, (and only meeting). I shall also speak of the amazing day spent at the Ithra Children’s Museum and the events that led up to it.
Photographs will include my Malaysian morning greeting, a photograph of the Issac Newton book cover, the accoutrements of the Ithra book project. Accoutrements is such a great word. It means additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity. Its synonyms are endless but here are a few of the amusing ones: paraphernalia, stuff, things, rig, outfit, regalia, appurtenances, impedimenta, odds and ends, bits and pieces, bits and bobs, trappings, chattels rubbish, junk. I wear the trappings, the stuff, the bits and bobs with pride.
