IN 2004, I was traveling from London to Washington DC on a business trip. It was after the 9/11 catastrophe. Wounds were still raw and an air of aggressiveness was in the air. I was in the business lounge reading a copy of People Magazine when a 50-year-old American woman asked me if the seat next to me was empty. I obliged her with a perfect smile, saying: "Yes, of course."

She was genuinely surprised to know that I was an Arab reading an English magazine. She was even more surprised to know that I spoke and wrote in English and French, along with my native Arabic. We instantly became friends and talked about many things: Family, work and politics. She was very compassionate in explaining that it is unfair to label and judge people by their appearance, and that it is ignorance to assume that people are the same, especially when they are labeled terrorists on account of their passports. It reminded her of what her Jewish grandmother had suffered under the Nazis.

Being a history teacher, her documentary information about the Middle East of bygone days was almost perfect. However, she was honest to say that her knowledge of contemporary issues was shallow due to a lack of enlightening information in the media. I left her with a promise to check on the matter since I did not know that.

I eventually checked the Internet. To my surprise I discovered that she was right: All information about Saudi Arabia is shallow and cold, and sometimes distorted. Most of the information has been written by foreigners to make money. I never felt so passionate and driven to write in English. I knew that we, as Saudis, have to take the responsibility and act as the real source of information. There is no need for salt and pepper. There is a simple need for genuine answers to all those 100 and so questions people ask about Saudi Arabia and its people. So here they go:

Dear Nadia, I lived in Saudi Arabia for five years. I enjoyed my everyday there. I used to buy Saudi truffle from the local market each winter. I am back in Boston now and I miss everything, mostly your delicious truffles. Can you tell me if it is possible to find truffles in the States? Also, what is the difference between Saudi, French and Italian truffles?

- Mark Devon/Boston

Dear Mark, I am so happy you liked living in the Kingdom for five years. My cousin lives in Boston and he adores the coffee shops there. First, let me tell you that I am impressed that you tried our delicious truffles, which, by the way, are locally known as "kamaa," or "faqaa." Some of the local varieties are also known as "zubaidi" and "khalass." A kilogram of French truffles can cost up to $140; the Italian variety can cost $2,200 per kilo. Saudi truffles sell for $80 to $270 per kilo.

- Got a question? E-mail Nadia at [email protected].