Today turned into an absolutely miserable day. New bumps and rashes are appearing all over – one on my face. I went to the Executive Lounge, where the Concierge with the address of a nearby clinic. It was only a few blocks away but decided to take a cab as I am directionally challenged and it is hot outside. The cab was fine but the cab behind us kept honking and then almost ran over me when I objected to the honking. The clinic was a podiatry clinic so not able to provide treatment. They sent me to the sixth floor where women’s reproductive issues were addressed but there was no doctor there. They said to go next door to another building. There was so much traffic, you could not believe and even worse, you will not believe this!! There was Christmas music on a loud speaker. I hate Christmas music, this is barely November. Singapore is not a Muslim majority country it is true – but it still seems like a sacrilegious. I gave up and walked back to the hotel, complaining to myself the whole way.
So I am still itchy and rash ridden. When I get the engird I will go to an emergency room I guess. But not at the moment. I went back to my room and sent off an email to a man of my acquaintance, accompanied by the photograph of a toilet I had just used. This is what I said.
You are probably saying to yourself: “Why is Alexis send me a photograph of a toilet?”
It is not just any toilet, it is a Toto toilet, a Japanese toilet, the toilet seat is warm and then after urination and/ or defecation it squirts warm water on your private parts and then a fan dries you. It is really rather amazing, so technological, so advanced. . This brought back memories of the women’s public bathroom, a necessary stop when we were being driven from Khobar to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last April. I have never ever in all of my 81 years ever been in dirtier public restroom. It was filthy, the floor was flooded with water, it resembled a swamp. The smell was atrocious. Remember how I raved and ranted. No idea if the women spoke English or not, but this is what I said.
Me: Why do you put up with this? The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) respected and revered women. They are considered equal to men. Cleanliness was so important, one purifies themselves before prayer, eats only with their right hand, uses the left hand only for wiping oneself. The Quran is the constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is an affluent country – and this is how the government treats women and you tolerate this? Remember I was still raving and ranting when I came back to the car. You and the driver were laughing at my outrage. I laugh remembering that scene. This advanced, perfect toilet reminded me of that hilarious moment in time. We do have a lot of fun together, we truly do. I love your sense of humor and I know you love mine. I think I am going to put the picture and my email to you on the blog. Let the whole world know of the filthy condition of Saudi Arabia women’s toilets. I am laughing to myself. You are probably laughing too!
I am sure he will remember and laugh. The ride was such fun actually. We were like two little kids , eating junk food, giggling and laughing in the back seat. We stopped at a market, he bought all kinds of junk food and for me a couple of bottles of nonalcoholic beer, which I totally love. What a guy!!! The way to this woman’s heart is through her stomach. Hahahah We had been treated very badly at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kohbar but we did not let their abusive, racist treatment affect us. We checked into the Riyadh Rex Carlton and were treated like royalty. I received a huge bouquet of red roses, and an enormous green mug which I use daily as the coffee cups at Lexis Suites are tiny. I will never stay at a Hilton Garden Inn ever again. The Garden Inns never have a garden, goodness knows why they call them that. I am a Hilton Honors diamond member – absolutely loved the Bali Hilton Resort and am loving the Singapore Orchard Hilton. There is a Singapore Hilton Garden Inn near the airport but I am not planning to repeat that experience. No way. The owner of the Hilton Garden Inn in Khobar is a Saudi by the name of Mr. Ali. He is responsible for what goes on there. There is a chi-chi bar in the hotel on the first floor – bad things happen in their, it seems to be frequented by whores. Looked like it anyway. I lived at that hotel for a couple of months. That is how I got so many Hilton Honor points – so that is good news in a way. This Hilton’s service, restaurants and Executive Lounge is amazing. I am VERY happy here, although itchy.
I was planning to go on the On and Off Bus, which would be fun but the itch and the worry is necessitating naps broken only by my five obligatory prayers. Everyone, near and far are being most sympathetic and caring. The Rich Merlion is going to have to wait for our rendezvous. Hahaha
I received a compliment on my writing, by the way.
He: Wow, i really love the way you write, so educating and sometimes funny because of your sense of humor, love how you explained carefully the mascot of Singapore. I didn’t know you also met the catholic in a restaurant too, all your men are hungry and found in a restaurant 😂😂With your new books, perhaps we should expect to hear you speak fluent malay by April next year InshaAllah 😂😂😂😂
Some, not all of the email, was complimentary. It seems he does not have a lot of confidence in my linguistic abilities. Fluency in five months. I fear the man knows me too well. He speaks Arabic. He speaks Arabic, not letting Saudis know that he understands what they are saying. They listen to his cultivated English accent, never suspecting the truth. His accent confused me when we first met.
Me: You have an English accent. You must be from London. I lived there from 2013-2017.
He: No I am from Nigeria.
Me: Where’s that?
Honestly, that is what I said. I cannot recall his response. I think he said it was in Africa. Subsequently learned a great deal about Nigeria. Used to quiz him,
Me: Where and from whom did the name Nigeria come from. It was a woman, you know.
He: No I did not know that.
I am now writing from the Executive Lounge. I came for my Malay language lesson. Discovered that High Tea was being served. You shall see a photograph of scones and my very favorite finger sandwiches – salmon and cucumber and egg salad. Yummy.
I had made reservations for lunch at a hotel restaurant named for me Chatterbox. Hahaha. It serves unique Singapore food. Perhaps another day when I am feeling better, if that day every comes.
Singapore is cold and rainy at the moment. Nonetheless the Executive Lounge is crowded with women in short shorts. This mode of dressing seems rather silly to me. I laughingly say to myself that they are announcing they are NOT Muslim, we Muslim women dress modestly from head to toe in either long dresses, or long pants – all with long sleeves. Often the clothes worn by women is cultural. I usually dress in the manner of the country I am visiting. The traditional garb is usually best adapted for the country’s temperature. Abayas are cool, loose fitting and one an wear anything (or nothing) underneath them. I used to love wearing pajamas, it made me feel rather risqué and daring.
I brought a book with me, but it is heavy reading. I shall picture it. Its title: A Brief Explanation of the Summary of Abdullah Al-Harariyy. It is not brief. A thick book consisting of 368 pages, small printing with no pictures. Took a photo, sending it to the Nigerian man.
He: That is BEEEG. Have you finished reading it yet?
Me: No!!! Once took a speed reading course but I am not that speedy. Stupid.
Guess what happened now??? The WiFi is defunct, as in not working. How this could be in a country known for its telecommunications. Things could not get any worse. If you are reading this blog it did get turned on at some point in time. I smilingly said to staff
Me: Well here is another situation where hardship and benefit comes into play. When the internet does come on it will be a benefit – after the hardship of not having it I will appreciate it.
Photographs of the thick book, the delicious High Tea scones and finger sandwiches as well as the toilet will follow.
