People Watching

After several weeks of seeing such crowds everytime I went out the door,

now that I am home,

the streets seem so quiet, in comparison.

Mecca was a haven for people watching.

Whether in the mosque,

out on the streets,

waiting at cafes,

there were people everywhere.

Mosaic Monday: Minarets and Mosques

Sharing with you some images of minarets and mosques from my trip.

More mosaics over at Mary's.

I am Home

After five weeks of travelling, I am home.

This is where I was: Saudi Arabia.

Particularly, in the small shaded rectangular area in the bottom corner of the map.

I have missed you all

and will be along soon to play catch up.

Day 35 of 35

Where do you call home?

Male', Maldives.

Day 34 of 35

If you dug a hole from where you are right now, all the way through the earth and ended up on the other side, where would you be?

Right where I want to be. :)

Day 33 of 35

Tea, coffee, or something else?

Tea, spiced with cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.

Day 32 of 35

What herb and spice do you use most frequently?

I use a range of herbs and spices,

but the most common would be

fresh coriander leaves and whole cumin seeds.

Day 31 of 35

What do you hear and smell right now?

I can hear the gentle hum of the air conditioner

and the call for prayer in the distance.

I can smell the soothing fragrance of lavender as

the aromatherapy candle burns.

Day 30 of 35

Something you want to do before the end of the year?

Sail away somewhere

away from everything else

and do nothing much else

except enjoy being with my family.

Day 29 of 35

Something you wish you could do well/better?

There are many things that could be listed here.

One would be better public speaking skills.

Day 28 of 35

What do you never leave the house without?

I often leave without keys

~far too often~

but I will most likely have my phone and watch with me.

Day 27 of 35

What activity recharges your inner battery?

Some beach time, and playing in the water.

Day 26 of 35

What is one activity that scares you, but would like to try?

This may come as a surprise, but I would like to learn how to handle a gun.

Day 25 of 35

What three things are always in your fridge?

Milk (for the milk guzzlers in my home),

cheese,

olives.

Day 24 of 35

How long would it take you to get to your place of birth, from where you are right now?

I live on the island where I was born.

In fact, the hospital where I was born is just two minutes walk from my home.

Day 23 of 35

Would you rather swim in a pool or in the sea?

I am not a fan of swimming pools. I would much rather be in the sea.

Day 22 of 35

One thing on your night stand?

Whatever I am reading at the moment.

Day 21 of 35

Are you a night owl or a morning lark?

I am a completely morning person. I can be up and alert really early.

I think I do my best work before sunrise.

Day 20 of 35

What are some of the weirdest things you have ever eaten?

Oysters (never again), haggis (yuck) and tripe (what was I thinking?).

Day 19 of 35

If money were no object, which fantasy would you like to fulfil right now?

Own a yatch and sail around this archipelago and perhaps further afield.

Day 18 of 35

What was the last thing you cooked?

Roasted tomato soup and garlic bread.

Day 17 of 35

What is the last thing you watched on TV?

The last thing I watched on television was an episode from the series Jamie at Home.

Day 16 of 35

What would you like to be doing on a grey, rainy day?

If I was alone, curl up with a good book and some hot chocolate. If I had my children for company, maybe get on our rain gear and stomp in the puddles :)

Day 15 of 35

What’s on the top of your want-to-go destinations?

Bend, Oregon. No question about it.

Today's photos are not mine; they were shot and sent to me by a very dear friend. Thanks, J. ♥ Love, love, love them!

Day 14 of 35

Do you have any phobias?

Snakes.

Day 13 of 35

What is your most-read book?

Most-read would probably be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen … I really do love the story, but I have read it so often really because I had to study that book for three different exams.

Day 12 of 35

What is on your desktop background?

My desktop background changes from time to time. It is usually a photo of my children, but currently it is one of the two of them with me, taken four years ago. On my computer at work, I have a series of photos of beautiful places that make me smile and dream; places that I one day hope to see for myself.

Day 11 of 35

What is the scariest/spookiest thing that has ever happened to you?

This may not be the scariest, but something that still gives me the chills. I was 17. I was staying with a Srilankan family in Colombo. I remember waking up in the middle of one night, and walking along the long corridor to the kitchen to get a glass of water. I remember too that on the way back to my room, I knocked over a glass vase; but that I left it as it was. The next morning, I woke up to be told that the house had been robbed. Suddenly I remembered that I had been up during the night and slowly, it all came back to me… how I had walked in a sleepy reverie towards the kitchen … and saw a man with a moustache crouching in a corner at the end of the corridor, looking towards me, but I had walked right past him and into the kitchen and back to my room, knocking down a vase. I hurried to check on the vase … it was still lying on the floor, shattered. Thinking about the incident, remembering the man crouching in the corner, I still get goosebumps.

Day 10 of 35

If you could wake up tomorrow,
having mastered a new skill, what skill would you like that to be?

The ability to be exceedingly patient.

Day 9 of 35

What movie do you never tire of watching?

Forrest Gump;

and I don’t think I would complain if I had to watch

Ocean’s Eleven a few more times again

(yes, it’s the George Clooney factor, and J, don't roll your eyes).