Just A Glimpse

Where to begin... Saudi Arabia.....Beautiful Saudi Arabia. I feel truly blessed to be here and to be experiencing this country and this life. Before...although I felt I was a good Muslim, I wasn't as good as I knew I should or could be. Some of you may be wondering why I am speaking of my religion while I am supposed to be describing life in a foreign country, but that's exactly it. Islam is life here, and you may not truly understand what that means, but Insha Allah in time I hope to give you a glimpse of the beauty I see and feel everyday.  Jeddah is a city surrounded by beauty. On one side you have the Red Sea. The Sea that is so great and yet calm at the same time. Dark blue and turquoise mix together close to the shore as the smell of salt fills the air. A busy road full of Saudis, the men in their topes and the women in their abaya and hijab. A walk along Cornish road will reveal many restaurants and hotels all looking out to the sea. (By Hotels I mean 5 star hotels.) There are also many private villas for rent each with a personal sized pool. Small booths can be seen every few miles where you can purchase snacks like ice cream, crepes, potatoes, and corn. All things I have come to truly love and enjoy. As I sit with my husband and eat my honey and cream crepe I can't help but to look out to sea knowing that Moses actually parted this great body of water. It's astonishing to imagine the great power of God and I can only be thankful in these moments. Alhamdulillah.  The opposite side of the city is lined with Mountains. While the city itself is a brilliant mixture of old and new. Freeways run perpendicular to sandy roads as villas and mansions can be seen behind tall walls. You may even pass a palace or two on a drive through the city, but only the locals can tell you that. Much like any city, the streets are lined with buildings. Business's flourish on the bottom as Saudis fight for parking. Here you can dine on anything from authentic Indonesian cuisine to Pizza Hut or KFC. Traditional Saudi food can also be found however it's mostly eaten in the home. It's also extremely delicious and not like the Mediterranean food found in the states. Maybe some day I'll share a recipe or two, InshAllah I am attempting to learn.  They are calling for the prayer now. It's the most beautiful music to my hears. The whole city will stop what they are doing and business's will close as everyone goes to praise and worship Allah. God is everywhere here. Since the day I stepped foot on this sand, I truly felt like I was home. My heart felt full again and an amazing peace came over me. I can't say for sure if it's because this land is blessed or this country is truly at peace...but I just know that it's because of God, so now like the rest of Jeddah I will thank him.  Ma'a Salama my friends and family