Or how I lived the true meaning of Ramadan in an unexpected situation.
I won’t bother going through the whole story of why I ended up travelling to the Middle East (be it the “new” one) in the heart of Ramadan. I’ll just say it involved cheap tickets, poor prior knowledge, and impulsive decision-making.
So here we were, my companion and I, having spent a great vacation week in Dubai and Abu Dhabi no matter Ramadan but still feeling we were missing out on one major thing: the desert. You know, the real one, the one that includes bumpy driving on sand dunes, traditional tunics, and tea drinking while the sun is setting and Arabic music is playing. Also maybe camels.
We soon decided that organized excursions to the desert were not worth it as they were largely adapted to Ramadan season. In another instant of rushed decision-making, we decided to rent a car to drive outside the city and through the desert ourselves.
Long story short, this didn’t get us far. The endeavour ended abruptly when we pulled the car on the side of the road – some side of some road in the middle of the desert. That was like moving sand without actually being one, and we observed the car wheels getting stuck grain by grain. Meanwhile, no soul seen in the background. I now think that’s why they call it desert.
Until one passing jeep stopped nearby. Your typical Arab man disembarked, and our conversation led to this:
I can help you. I’ll bring a rope from my farm which is just a few minutes from here, and I’ll pull you out with my jeep. Come with me!
Stranger in Dubai
We did go with him. He showed us around his small yet grand farm in the middle of the desert. He had date trees, goats, chickens, and a small hut among others. He talked to us about his family, himself, and the Emirates.
And in the end, we returned to our car, he pulled us out, and we wished each other the most sincere “Ramadan Kareem” before parting.
I can’t tell you that no fear crossed my mind when we joined him – Hamad – to his farm. After all, he was a stranger, and we watch way too many Hollywood movies.
But this one didn’t only end well back then but keeps reminding me of kindness, generosity, and thankfulness every Ramadan since.
Cool stuff.
Image is my own.
I walk fast. 