Part 28

It is afternoon, we are all in our suites and some of us are pretty hungry. We are pondering whether we should go eat something or not. It is planned that we go later to the desert for a picnic. Just when this takes place, we do not know exactly. Our Big Boss from Canada and the Filipino have brought us to our accommodation and left soon after for God knows where. We do not know where they are. One of us takes his phone and tries to reach the Filipino. Unfortunately, he does not respond. Then he tries the Big Boss. After a while he answers and gives us a vague answer, without mentioning any time. We translate his words as follows: It will be long before we are back. So we decide to walk to the nearest store and buy something to eat.
In fact, it takes a very long time until the Big Boss and the Filipino return to our accommodation. First comes the Big Boss and some time later arrives the Filipino. We finally climb into the cars, (I'm wearing my Arab thobe, which pleases the staff and the other guests, many photos are taken of me and with me) and I'm happy that we finally go to the desert. But what happens two minutes later? We drive onto the parking lot of the next Carrefour and park there. The Filipino disappears in the store and comes back after half an hour. Then we finally continue.
We drive about half an hour and turn off somewhere. There, another car is waiting for us. The drivers get out, greet each other and get into the cars after two minutes. Then we drive a little in the sand and come to a halt. We're here. We get out, make us acquainted with the driver of the other car, he is a friend of our Big Boss and the Filipino, we unload everything and walk a few yards. Only then we realise where we are and stop all at once. The view is phenomenal! We are not just in the desert, we are on a hill from where you have a magnificent view over Riyadh. The view is breath taking. We go to the end of the hill and lay out and down everything. Fire is made, blankets spread, plates, cups, glasses, food, etc. unpacked. The meat is thrown on the grill, salad and rice are ready and available. We take our shoes off and sit on the blankets. A fresh wind blows around, good that I've also brought a jacket with me.
Then we finally eat. It's midnight and my stomach is growling like crazy. Since there is no cutlery as always, we have a canister of water to wash our hands. Then we eat like hungry wolves. The atmosphere is magical, I'm totally blown away by the vista, the lights in the distance, the sound of the desert wind, the fire, the smell of the food. A bit melancholy is also there, because we will be scattered to the four winds tomorrow. Too bad that our Egyptian colleague is not there. I would have liked to have him here.
After dinner Arabic coffee is being served. The pot is taken out and placed on the fire. Now someone comes up with the idea to sing something. Wow, great! Says a childlike voice inside me. Damn! says another. I'll probably also have to sing and I'm not famous for my huge eight-octave voice.
Colleagues consult what they want to sing while I look into the distance. Then it gets suddenly very quiet and they begin to sing. It is, as with most Muslims a religious song. A beautiful song. Then another colleague sings a love song. They have nice, warm voices which take me into another world. I look alternately into the fire, into the distance and the colleagues. Then I close my eyes and hover in the star-full desert sky. Eventually, as the song comes to an end and all applaud, someone touches my arm and says, come on, now it's your turn!
But I don't want to. I'm trying to get me out of that by saying that I have a terrible voice, etc. However, the colleagues do not give up and suddenly one says that I should be the last one to sing. Then it goes around and the atmosphere is even more magical. It crackles, it's electrifying.
The singing has made me feel tired and powerless. Unfortunately, it's now my turn to sing. What shall I sing? The Bavarian national anthem? Hmm ... Or the European? I take my iPhone out of my pocket and find me on Youtube a karaoke version.

O friends, not these tones!
But let us raise our voices in more pleasing
and fuller of joy.

The colleagues look at me perplexed. I just oil my vocal chords and sing powerfully and undeterred.

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter fire-drunk,
Heavenly one, your shrine!
Your magics bind again
what custom has strictly parted,
all men become brothers,
Where your tender wing lingers ...

Oh, this is magic, I love this hymn! I don't care if I do not have the right voice for it, I nevertheless continue to sing until the end. Thank goodness my colleagues are excited and I'm glad it's over.
Shortly thereafter, as we are all full, tired and weary, and the desert wind blows with more power into our faces, we decide to pack up and go. Then we need another half hour to get home. The streets are empty and my eyes wander over the past frenzied city lights.
Home at last, I fall into bed dead tired.

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                                Midnight picnic in the desert