I have spoken and pictured the strange sculpture staring prominently at me through my view window. Could not find the word for it, suddenly thought of gargoyle – not exactly but could be a variation. Wikipedia says:
In architecture, and specifically Gothic architecture, a gargoyle (/ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/) is a carved or formed grotesque[1]: 6–8 with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing it from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between. Architects often used multiple gargoyles on a building to divide the flow of rainwater off the roof to minimize potential damage from rainstorms. A trough is cut in the back of the gargoyle and rainwater typically exits through the open mouth.
Not exactly, because there appears to be no spout, not an animal but, close enough. My curiosity sated. As usual Wikipedia goes on and on and on about the subject, mentioning they were added to religious structures to illustrate evil and sin. Also used to ward off evil and sin.
Okay – I shall make it my pet gargoyle watching over me warding off evil and sin. I feel better already. Wikipedia warms:
“According to Lester Burbank Bridaham, writing in Gargoyles, Chimeres and the Grotesque in French Gothic Sculpture, “There is much symbolism in the sculpture of the Gothic period; but we must be wary of reading in too much meaning” .
The word wary jumped out of that sentence. Wary: feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. Sone synonyms; on one’s guard, on the lookout, hyper vigilant, on one’s toes.
A recent email exchange with Computer Guru Chris immediately came to mind. Yesterday read:
He: I will post this Ok Alexis, I’ll wait for the blog – do be careful, this does all sound like a massive scam. Love Us x
Me: What sounds like a massive scam. There is authority for the post Ramadan celebrations in Nigeria. I made the reservation through booking.com. I have frequent flyer miles for the journey.I am not stupid! There are no plans to marry Hammad in the near future and only after I meet his family. The goat is safe. Huh?
Woke up at 3 am and suddenly realized he was talking, not about the blog which had NOT been posted, but the blog before. Needless to say I laughed and laughed and laughed.
Me: Oh my goodness. Thanks for looking out for me but I was being on my toes and hyper vigilant, I always am. People might think I am kind-hearted and naive but Allah (SWT) is on my side and protects me. I definitely am laughing!!.
Again, using booking.com I extended my stay at this hotel for another week to figure out my next move. . Do some more writing and continue to find peace and good health recovering from the scabies and inhumane treatment from Penang Lexis Suites and Noor. Hammad is missing in inaction. Hahaha. No idea what is going on with him. I do not think he has any idea what is going on with him either. He has the rather charming tendency to disappear, then resurface Not an admirable trait, not one anyone would want in a husband, or a friend or anyone. .
So it is back to reality, which was found in the strangest way. The hasty replacement of my screensaver. Hurriedly went to Favorites, found therein a photo taken at the Medina Prophet’s Mosque a year ago in December. I am dressed rather unusually as you shall see. I look downright dumb but happy. Prepared for the cold day I am dressed in sweater and wool scarf. Do hink I remember the events of the day, without resorting to a previous blog. Had gone for a walk walk slowly making my way through the vast grounds of the Masjid. Outside the gates tes I spied a sign saying The Center for Lost Children. Thought it would be hilariously funny to be pictured outside of it, looked about to find a photographer. Spied a guard outside the gate doing nothing. But when approached he became absolutely insulting, accusing me of not being a Muslim. I was prepared for that – my phone had my ‘indoctrination’ papers. Then showed him my Oberio Hotel room key. He slunk off, sitting around doing nothing again. The guards at the Prophet Mosque do nothing. Unsuspecting worshipers shoes are stolen on a regular basis, forced to buy shoes at nearby stores at inflated prices. They do nothing about that, or anything it seems
But all was not lost, a wonderful woman observed the interaction, We laughed and took a selfie of the two of us. Proud and victorious over a man hired and governed by those in command of the Prophet’s Mosque. Only one example of the atrocities occurring in Medina.
Two days later went back to the Prophet’s Mosque, spontaneously recording the three selfies which you will find on YouTube. You shall learn of the extreme conflict I had been experiencing with what I saw as the desecration of the Prophet’s Mosque, its misuse of it for the purpose of greed. As I sat and spoke , reached resolution and understanding due to the kindness of sweeper who gave me a stool, insuring my comfort. In summary I finally understood that most Muslims on their group pilgrimages had their religion and I had mine. I had, and hav, e the blessings of solitary practice. I worship alone with our Creator in my solitary hotel room, Just me, my prayer rug and Allah (SWT),. . Others, usually born in the faith, have other Muslims, often family,, usuallyeven extended family, additionally other families from their nearby mosques. I do not have a family, mosques are not made for women although they were in Prophet’s (PBUH) time. Sex segregation was invented sometime later. Women were always encouraged to pray in their homes. Only men are obliged to attend Friday prayers. Recently I was on the outskirts of Penang’s Central Mosque. Women are not allowed in the mosque on that day, due to the crowds. It was a compelling sight, watching the men all clad in white, stream forth from their prayer.
It was with surprise I looked at the dates and realized the Lost Children Photo was taken one week to the day that I meet Hammad. He was clad in white, not his usual colorful Nigerian apparel. Learned the videos were recorded on December 16.
Surprisingly, you will see a photograph of me watching myself on television the video of December 18. I am dressed in a beautiful Nigerian abaya gifted by Hammad’s mother. Hammad took the photograph. The famed Instagram video “Lunch at the Oberio features me, Hammad at my side wearing white. He had been to Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque. Oh my goodness what an extraordinary life I lead.
I look back at those days in December, filled with the betrayal of so many people, at the Oberio Hotel, my ‘grandson’ and his father, even a Sheikha from Bahrain guaranteeing a royal car which would meet me at the Bahrain airport. It did not, even though she was there and in the presence of Mr. Ali when I made the commitment to leave the Oberio due to the number of guests who were arriving on December 23, 2023.
I did reflect upon this, remembering a lesson painfully learned. My adventures sprit, nourished at encouraged by my London student visa days, found me at odds with my old friends. Remember a poignant moment with Collette, a long time loyal friend.
She: I want the old Alexis back.
Me: But she is not coming back. I do not want her back. I have moved on.
To ease the pain I suggest we stop seeing and having contact with one another. Learned this lesson, somewhere and somehow. I did not betray her, she did not betray me. I had outgrown her. It happens in life. I constantly and continually face this. The vast majority of people cannot bear to be alone – so stop themselves from changing, growing, experiencing are things. I enjoy my solitude, particularly now. I am never alone, I have Allah (SWT)
Alas and Alack I am betrayed by lies. Sir Walter Scott’s famous quote comes to mind. “What a wicked web we weave when we practice to deceive.” I do never practice to deceive. Others have proven themselves to have done so. Sir Walter Scott is buried in Dryburgh Abbey, near Melrose Scotland. My birth name is Dryburgh, visited the spectacular ruins at least twice. As General McArthur famously said: I shall return. Such an extraordinary life I now lead.
Photographs will include the screensaver, the selfie of the photographer and myself taken that day. The photograph of me watching me, taken April 15,2024. Also a photograph of the pink clouds at sunset last evening. In the midst of some despair found comfort, hope and optimism provided by our Creator. I also commend to you the three speaking selfie Prophet’s Mosque reels Prophet’s Mosque 1, 2 and 3.
