Friday, August 14, 2009

In Riyadh - the beginings

The Economic crisis hits the now staggering Dubai market, the modern day land of opportunity (at least to the surrounding region). Many fall, some keep their balance. I was one of the lucky ones, or so I thought, finding another job after I was "retrenched" with a smile, an apology and a pat on my back.
I enter this new minefield gingerly, keeping my head down and huddling with the masses. Hoping that the scythe of unemployment does not swing my way again. And when I finally start to regain my normal breathing pace, and begin to shrug off the shackles of unease, I get sideswiped with a blow that I now recognize is from the trident of the Devil. For where Death is an agent of the heavens, where his blows are unadorned and frank, the Devil's fork comes disguised and seemingly harmless.
"Go to Saudi" I was told, "usher in a time of prosperity and balance to our existence there" they intoned. "For we have great faith in your abilities" they wooed...."plus you’re the only Arab-speaking guy we have" the followed.
At first I was taken aback and then I asked myself; Is this my calling? Am I the one foretold? Will I return victorious, in my wake the plunders of the Saudi ad market?
I then began to inquire from those around me and from those around them about this land beyond our borders. Is it a habitable land? Is there sufficient life sustenance? Will I be able to bear its perils and trials?
“Do not fret” was the answer “for undoubtedly the land is barren and devoid, but there lies an oasis every so often within that land that quenches the thirst and replenishes what you may lose. In fact, there be such life at these watering holes that you may find the land to your liking?”

They lied, they lied.

It has been just over a month since when I first set foot in this land. And from the onset, it has been a struggle. I told myself that I would make the best of it. I convinced myself that the time will pass quickly, for my mission is only for 6 months. But as I spend yet another weekend in front of my screen, on the net, as if I am in a self imposed quarantine, I realize that this country has a much more sinister level.

For I have noticed that the populace of this country’s capital go about their lives unaware of its effects, even those who are from beyond its borders unwittingly contract its permeating essence.

I call it a virus.

It is not a virus that has yet been classified, discovered or even studied. Yet it is a virus that is quick to infect and is far more deadly than the menial versions that have so wracked humanity thus far. It needs minimal exposure for a chance to latch on to the cavities of the soul and infect it with a fetid and putrid existence that festers and then saps the soul from its unaware victim. It leaves an empty husk of a human, not even a parody by denying its host the will to live.

It is a social predator, as in it hunts social gatherings and activities and steals from them enjoyment that they may offer. Leaving in its wake a stench of “whatever” and laziness that crawls up the nostrils to settle at the solar plexus and feeds of its energy.

In my short stay here so far, I have been accosted by a so-called holy man and criticized for adorning an accessory. Oh how proud I am to be a person of faith, where my clergy busy themselves with shepherding the faithful from unholy fashion trends lest we all end up in Hell for choosing to look like part of the 21st century.

I have been astounded by the reckless driving of Riyadh’s citizens, where they rush about and break innumerable laws as if possessed. You hope at least that this is due to some urgency or essential business requirement. But no, it is so that they can reach their destination and do nothing, to practice the effervescent nothingness of their existence.

I find most of the food lacking in texture and taste, as if a by-product of this virus is the loss of any sensory perception of the taste glands. Yet there is nothing else to do here but eat and gain weight.

These is but a sample of the Hell created in this land by the powers that be. Briefly said; Life here is but a word that holds no meaning. The pursuit of the afterlife is all powerful. But we are not allowed to decide how, when, where and the why.

Until next time, if my sanity prevails.

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