This was an extremely unusual day, yet again. I awoke to a glorious day, the sky was brilliantly blue, both Ithra and the Kohbar Water Tower were where they always were. Such a relief that was. It was another lesson, well learned, about the benefits of hardship. My appreciation, my love of the vibrant blue skies, the clear air was electrified by the dismal, bleakness and the sense of confinement of the day before.
Yesterday morning was one of peace despite the weather, which I appreciated when I got into a shall we say, disagreement was an acquaintance. The misunderstanding required my explaining, standing up for myself. One must remember that this is Ramadan, which requires and allows peace of mind.
Me: I am most respectful of people’s privacy. I choose to abandon my privacy rights for a good cause, I do believe. Others who meet me have not chosen to abandon their privacy rights for my cause. If you would read the blog you would see that I do not even mention the name of the hotel in which I reside for various reasons, including my safety. I am not incautious, nor stupid and actually hate my fame.
Peace was restored. The individual sent an emoji with “God Bless You.”
Me: He does, I say, with absolute and complete gratitude.
Incautious synonyms are a mixture (both descriptive and amusing) Rash, careless, unthinking, reckless, foolhardy, asleep at the wheel, leading with one’s chin.
Again, the hardship/benefit equation. Valuing “God Bless You” in contrast to the feeling of being misunderstood and criticized.
My mispronunciation of Arabic words leaves me, of all people, tongue-tied. This morning I summoned the bravery to WhatsApp my precious Mecca friend, carefully saying in Arabic: “I love you.”
She was delighted, she always tells me she loves me in English in response to my GIFs and emoji messages.
Afterwards a lazy, peaceful morning reflecting upon the events of the night before. Enjoyed Iftar with a Saudi man of my acquaintance. Upon his request wore the traditional Southern Saudi clothes I was wearing when he and his friend first met me. His friend was too shy to ask for a picture. A repeat performance was needed. I happily complied.
The dinner was superbly delicious. My Iftar companion, the Saudi man has a flaw. He initially refused, and has steadfastly refused, (even though we have Iftared together many times) to tell me his name. Finally, last evening, told me what it meant in English, forcing further research, Research completed, now I know, and now you shall know.
The meaning of his name: “He who is victorious; defended or aided by God. Mansour is a masculine name capable of invigorating baby with unbridled self-confidence. A variation of Mansur, Mansour stems from the Arabic root naṣr, meaning “victory,” and is understood best as “he who is victorious.” Others appreciate its meaning as “defended or aided by God,” which does little to taper Mansour’s winning nature. If you wish to put baby on a path to triumph, perhaps Mansour is a good place to start.
His nickname is going to be Mr. No Name. Interestingly, he spoke of his mother’s ambition for him. His father has two wives – Mansour is the son of the first wife. He is a very successful Saudi business man – his company audits huge companies such as Aramco. He is well respected – he is also funny, and persistent. Although I am not sure why I am being pursued, perhaps to relieve tension and boredom during Iftar. I am doing an excellent job of that.
Once I sat, by myself, near a table where he was sitting with three other men. I have never eavesdropped on a more boring conversation – and that is saying something. When one is alone it is impossible not to eavesdrop, unless you either have AirPods or talk to yourself loudly and continually. I do not always have my AirPods with me. One can ask to be moved to a quiet table – that can prove impossible. Then one only has two choices, to either make a fool of yourself by blathering away or inadvertently be bored to smithereens.
It is time for some word definitions. We shall begin with eavesdrop, which means to listen secretly to the private conversation of others. “Eavesdrop started off literally: first it referred to the water that fell from the eaves of a house, then it came to mean the ground where that water fell. Eventually, eavesdropper described someone who stood within the eavesdrop of a house to overhear a conversation inside”
Apparently it is not all bad: “New research shows that listening to others improves social cognition. Eavesdropping may improve our theory of mind skills, which are crucial for social interaction. In an experiment, eavesdroppers outperformed conversational participants on tests of theory of mind.” Hahaha, you disapproving folks, my theory of mind skills are being improved, and yours are not, because you are stuck listening to your boring husbands. Been there, done that. I developed a particular skill during the first marriage. I learned to listen to him and to eavesdrop at the same time. I just remembered that skill set. I could probably teach it to others, charging for instruction, of course.
But perhaps, teaching the skills of covert eavesdropping should not become a pursuit in because the Islam Faith gives great importance to the fundamental human right to privacy. Some verses from the Holy Quran: ‘Do not spy on one another’ (49:12); ‘Do not enter any houses except your own homes unless you are sure of their occupants’ consent’ (24:27).
On the other hand, one cannot expect, in a crowded restaurant, to experience privacy. It is risky.
This discussion on eavesdropping shall end with some interesting synonyms: listen in, spy, snoop, bug, earwig. I prefer snoop and bug.
Smithereens was mentioned, as in ‘bored to smithereens’. It can refer to Natives of Smithers, a town in Canada. That was not the usage I was thinking of. Hahaha
It literally means a lot of very small broken pieces: Used in sentences:
“Gaza was bombed to smithereens”
“His hopes were dashed to smithereens”
“I wanted to smash him to smithereens”
“the toilet bowl was blown to smithereens”
Perhaps this is not a perfect choice of words for being bored, but look at it this way. If you are snooping or earwigging on a very boring conversation, your mind is broken into small pieces, you are unable to focus when totally bored.
The highlight of the Iftar dinner was an utterly charming little girl, sitting at an adjoining table with her mother and father. She was beautifully dressed, her hair with a special bow, fancy white shoes. She was fascinated with me. WhatsApped a picture of the little girl to Noor with the following conversation.
Me: A precious little girl at Iftar. Her parents live near here and invited me to visit in their home. Her mother is covered. The girl is SO sweet. I think because I am so different from her mother.
Noor: Alhamduilliah Of coz u r different. Beautiful different u know
Me: Alhamduilliah Differences are good. She probably appreciates the quiet attention of her mother more although fascinated with my public self. In these days in Saudi Arabia she does need to be more public to adapt to society here. Her mother is so important and valuable to her and a good woman but she needs to see another way, always respecting her mother.
The father, who spoke English, asked if he could take my picture. I happily said yes and asked him to take one with my phone. I told him I would not put their daughter’s photo on the blog with its public exposure. He glanced at his wife, she nodded her head and then he said:
He: No we do not mind. We would like you to.
Therefore I will. You can readily see how darling she is. She can remain anonymous in other ways.
The attached photos will include two the darling little girl and me.
Another photo is one sent to Noor with this caption.
Me this morning! Had a great room service breakfast. Get way to start another day of fasting. Then a GIF Have a Fun Filled Day sent to my WhatsApp folks.
Also a funny GIF sent to a blue eyed-Medina Muslim man with the caption:
Me: Look at him. Blue Eyes and Musical Ability.
I send this off for posting. One and a half hours until food. ‘Son’ is joining me for Iftar, of course looking forward to it.
