Farewell Jeddah

Hello friends,

So it's finally over and done with. I have officially left Jeddah. I had about ten days there to do as much as I could, and I tell you, my days had been filled with packing, attending dinners and spending quality time with my parents and sister. We also went to Medina, spent a night there, as well went to Makkah and did my farewell tawaf. A lot of my time was spent at home, making the most of my time there.

I was only months old when we moved to Jeddah. I practically grew up there. I went to three different schools there. I worked there for a year. I have way too many precious memories of being in Jeddah. I was in complete denial the whole week I was there. I would tell myself I am not leaving.

It was only when I arrived in Dubai today morning that I thought what a crappy city Dubai is. I wanted to go back to Jeddah so badly. I miss the tranquility and peacefulness of being in Jeddah. I miss the not-so-crowded traffic. I miss Jarir and Al Baik. I miss Tahliyah street and the malls. I miss the corniche. I miss my home.

The good news is that I still have my residency permit for another year, but the bad news is that it seems unlikely I will get to to visit Jeddah anytime soon, and even if I do, my house won't be there. However, having said that, I must say that as I was leaving Jeddah for the airport, I saw positive signs of changes. Newer malls were cropping up. Roads were being developed and fixed. Laws and regulations were eased, and depsite the restrictions placed on women (driving etc)and other negative aspects of the city (which city isnt flawless?), my sister and I still love Jeddah the way it is.

Today I was reflecting over the last 29 years I have spent in Jeddah, and there were way too many memories, and it seems like that everything around me reminds me of Jeddah. When the mosque next to my house called for prayer, I was reminded of the prayer I would hear in Makkah and I wept a little. When it was evening time here, I missed my home and the family routine we had in Jeddah. When I went to McDonalds, I was reminded of the Saudi who served me at McDonalds in Jeddah. When I went grocery shopping, I was reminded of Sawary Superstore (grocery shopping is miles better in Jeddah!)

I have to keep things in perspective. I spent 29 years of my life in Jeddah. Now, I have to look forward to the next 30 years fo my life. In order for me to live for my future, I have to let go off my past, but I cannot simply do that overnight. So if you all can bear with me, I will be taking some time off from blogging as I feel really crappy being here in Dubai.

Mansur