VISITING Geneva as a tourist for a short trip is great, but it is definitely not like living there. I discovered this calm, and serene city when I was 10. My mother had a crush on three major cities in Europe, to be specific, Geneva, Paris, and Salzburg... I don’t think she will appreciate the new Paris since now it’s very crowded. But Geneva, and Salzburg are almost the same. But to those raised eyebrows — Why Geneva? — it’s really very simple. The city has maintained the sweet-boring attitude of a slow, relaxing mood. Everywhere in this day and age we see booming cosmopolitan cities sprouting without control. Without asking anybody’s opinion, I feel that people think that we all prefer big bustling cities. I, for one, don’t. My nostalgic brain refuses to acknowledge new crowded places, and refuses the idea of new hip. I also refuse to acknowledge that to be new, you have to wear bling bling instead of diamonds. From my small veranda at the Qui du Mont-Blanc it rains cats and dogs but the cats are clean and fresh and the dogs are aspiring and oxygenated. My eyes embrace the lake with its famous giant fountain and the magnificent mountains behind it. My brain dwells in a sweet memory of yesterday’s stroll by the famous Corniche, and thank God for the blessing of being here. I do adore my land, do not misunderstand me, but here in the lush green of Europe, I rekindle my soul.
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Dear Nadia, I have been in Saudi Arabia since March. It’s my first visit to this wonderful country. My question is easy — since I came it seems like all months are hot summer. When is winter here?
— Lola Philly
Dear Lola, I know what you mean; it seems like endless summer but in fact we do have the opposite. We do not have autumn and spring though but you will be amazed how fast the weather will change in the middle of December. It’s like suddenly it’s cold and sometimes freezing cold in the night. This cold weather could last a minimum of two months. If you are an outdoor person and heard about the desert trips that the locals frequently make during winter, my advice is to be extra careful since the days are very tricky. You could start the day warm and think that you will reach your desert camp at the same temperature when, in fact, you don’t. The desert nights are fierce and intensely cold and cruel. So make sure you get enough cover for that. If you are in the city, it’s easier since you have, already, enough shelter. Layering when wearing clothes is best idea. When it’s warm, you can easily remove one or two pieces. The major markets in Saudi Arabia are full of modern merchandise that you can pick from with reasonable prices. The weather varies from one area to the other since Saudi Arabia is almost a continent in itself. The north (Tabuk) is extremely cold with hail and rain, not to forget the severe north wind (Shamali). The middle is dry, cold, and treacherous in the desert with sandstorms.