Day before yesterday was a strange day, in oh-so-many ways. Traveling back from an appointment, then lunch in Spruce Grove (sort of a suburb of Edmonton). As we drove Manjinder Punia (his real name with permission) and I were speaking of Edmonton. I shared some background information. A rather astounding connection made in Saudi Arabia. This was the background information shared.
Met and began a conversation with a manager at the Riyadh Hilton, an absolutely charming man. We spoke of many things. Much to my surprise he had lived in Edmonton (of all places. There as a student at my alma mater, the University of Alberta. (It is my alma mater, not his, because I am older than he is).
He: Edmonton is like a village – its thinking, its people and its view of the world.
Me: I never thought of that before. But you are so right, so correct. I first left there in 1967, returned in 2022. It had grown immensely, become more diversified but it still has that quality, now that you mention it.
When this conversation was relayed to Manjinder; he immediatelyagreed. He, from Punjab, has been living in Edmonton for 29 years.
He: I agree with him. It is so true.
Me: I am so happy, absolutely joyous that you agree with the Saudi man and myself. It actually brings comfort and joy explaining why I have never been able to totally feel at home in Edmonton. ,I was always outside the norm, that is most alienating when one is living in a village. I have always been outside the norm, even at the age of 12 when our family moved to Edmonton. My decision not to have children, to pursue a university education in the 1960s placed me outside the realm of expected behavior.
In the midst of writing this, checked the spelling of the Saudi man’s last name He had told me that his family owned property in Mecca, his Egyptian uncle was having the ancestral home converted into a UNESCO site. Inspired by this sudden connection and armed with the proper spelling, did a Google search and, as if by magic, this headline article from the August 7, 2023 Arab News appeared.
Saudi heritage chiefs unveil plans to give tourism makeover to historic sites
- “That comes in the framework of the competent authorities’ efforts, in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comprehensive vision for all sectors, including the antiquities and tourism sector
MAKKAH: Saudi heritage chiefs have unveiled plans to take over the running of several historical and archaeological sites in the Kingdom and restore them as tourist destinations.Among palaces earmarked by the Heritage Commission are Al-Bogari, Al-Kaaki, and Jabra in Taif, Mardhyah palace in Al-Ahsa, the Nabonidus site, and properties in Al-Hait.Jasir Al-Harbash, the commission’s CEO, has agreed procedures for representatives to be identified for each property and committees set up to oversee the handovers in negotiation with the existing owners.General director of the Center for the History of Makkah, Fawaz Al-Dahas, told Arab News that the move would benefit the economies of numerous cities while preserving Saudi cultural heritage. And he highlighted the importance of sites in Makkah, Madinah, and Taif and their links to the Prophet Muhammad and Arab history.Mahdi Al-Qurashi, a Saudi researcher specializing in the history of Makkah, noted that heritage sites were essentially open museums that told the stories of previous civilizations.He said: “Expropriating some of these sites in Makkah aims to restore them, thus qualifying them to play a tourism and heritage role.“That comes in the framework of the competent authorities’ efforts, in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comprehensive vision for all sectors, including the antiquities and tourism sector.“It is everyone’s duty to advance these historical sites. It is also necessary to preserve historical and archaeological sites, revive them, and establish heritage cultural centers that play their tourism, educational, and economic roles in the most complete manner,” Al-Qurashi added.”
Ia this not an amazing coincidence? How likely is it that all of this comes together so perfectly???
What is a coincidence? The definition suitable for this particular situation is remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection: Coinciding synonyms are: serendipity, fate, destiny, fortuity, providence.
It was fate, destiny and fortuity to type in a man’s name and an article in Arab News appears on my computer screen, on the exact subject, written almost on the same day? It happened once before. Read the blogs of July 16 and July 17, for a reenactment of the same circumstances. AK and I correspond via email these days, as he is in Saudi Arabia and I am in Canada. I sent him a draft of this uncompleted blog yesterday. His email began my day in such a blessed manner.
He: Your energy and dedication to your blog writing are truly remarkable. The synchronicity of your writing and the articles from Arab News can’t be mere coincidence – it’s as if you’re meant to share these stories with the world. I look forward to reading the upcoming blog. It’s heartwarming to hear your plans for your return to Saudi Arabia. Spending time in Riyadh, Medina, and even Asir for tourism potential sounds like a rewarding journey.
Me: (sent via WhatsApp) I got and read your email at EXACTLY the right time. It was another in the lengthly series of blessings from Allah (In His Glory), It is time to make plans for my return. I shall send you an email with my ideas. I am beyond happy.
This story has Instagram implications as well. An extremely short reel of a baboon and me was placed on Instagram. Instagram breathlessly told me that my response to that reel was 402 times more successful than my previous reels. It had been viewed by 1707 individuals, – 1603 ‘others’ and 233 followers. I got all of 32 Likes.
I ponder this, finding it rather meaningless actually. Sorry Instagram, this reel did not contain any profound message. Those 1701 viewers got to hear my laugh and the laughter of my SUV companions. The caption read: Yeah! I found these guys on the road between Mecca and Medinah. Thought this was supposed to be a religious experience but instead baboons. Found out that thy are actually dangerous. Soon on blog why they are. Stay tuned.
How many of these 1707 individuals read the July 17, 2023 blog to discover why the baboons were dangerous? Very few I suspect, but who knows??? I am thankful, on a daily basis, that people cannot reach me through the blog. I do occasionally have my statistics done, out of curiosity. I am gratified that my Saudi numbers are almost equal to my Canadian viewers. But this does not govern my existence, nor dictate what I write about. Sheer numbers can be nothing. There is more to life than Likes and Followers and Instagram congratulations.
Photos are two sunsets taken from my view apartment on successive evenings. Sunsets are never exactly the same. I shall miss these spectacular sunsets, rather desperately, when in Saudi Arabia. Will take one or two small framed photos with me to place on the hotel room walls to bring some comfort.
The other photo displays my fridge magnets. I collected fridge magnets from every museum I visited over the years. They are (I guess) in storage in California. These are ones from Canada except for two on the far left and the far right. They were a spontaneous gift from TCW ( a AK colleague). How could she have known about my obsession with fridge magnets when she had never met me??? Yet another situation of Serendipity.
Your energy and dedication to your blog writing are truly remarkable. The synchronicity of your writing and the articles from Arab News can’t be mere coincidence – it’s as if you’re meant to share these stories with the world. I look forward to reading the upcoming blog.
It’s heartwarming to hear your plans for your return to Saudi Arabia. Spending time in Riyadh, Medina, and even Asir for tourism potential sounds like a rewarding journey. Your energy and dedication to your blog writing are truly remarkable. The synchronicity of your writing and the articles from Arab News can’t be mere coincidence – it’s as if you’re meant to share these stories with the world. I look forward to reading the upcoming blog.
It’s heartwarming to hear your plans for your return to Saudi Arabia. Spending time in Riyadh, Medina, and even Asir for tourism potential sounds like a rewarding journey.
