The cradle of life, this is what the Bedouins of the Jordanian desert call the Dead Sea. To them the story is obvious. Here was the first name for the first profit — and here it all ends.
I was more than honored last month to have been selected to be among 16 business leaders from the Middle East. The finalists who were chosen by the well-known and prestigious firm of Ernst &Young whisked us away to the luxurious Kempinski Dead Sea Resort for the big event.
I have been all around the world and my imagination never suggested that I would see more than I had seen: Nature and great architecture.
But that was not the case with the Dead Sea. My journey on the 400-meter below sea level zigzag trail that the fancy shuttle took from Amman airport was not the case — nor was the pressure on the ears like that in airplanes. The gray, and glorious mountains that towered all around the cradle of salt water was not the case. And neither did the stillness of non-existent waves prepare me for the trip of a lifetime.
At first I thought that the feelings of awe and wonder were due to the early flight I had taken from Bahrain to Amman. Add to that a tiring and heavy work schedule.. But that was not the case either for I realized the next day and the day after that that I was witnessing nature unfold and history was being re-written in a bizarre way. I realized what the Bedouin driver had explained on the way down. I am in the cradle of life, the glorious Dead Sea.
*****
Dear Nadia,
My Spanish mother gave me my Arab-black long hair. I used to flaunt it in Germany, my father’s home country, but I never thought when I was young that all that hair would be prone to damage. After marriage and two kids I was sad to discover that my black beautiful hair was damaged. I tried everything over the counter but nothing worked. Two weeks ago while surfing the netm I read about the henna treatment used among Arab women and I saw many beautiful pictures. Can you help me and tell me which henna is the best, and where I can get it?
— Norma, Germany
Dear Norma,
You probably know that you need to take extra vitamins first plus henna. Alone the henna will not be enough. Originally henna was used by Arabs and Asians and specifically Indians. The best kind are the leaves which are difficult to find but with some effort, you can find them. Dry them and grind them into powder — no additives but water. There are a lot of powdered henna in the market but I have to warn you to be extra careful. Henna is never black; it’s green and when applied to dark hair it shines with a beautiful redness. It’s not good for grey hair at all. Black henna sold in the market is a hoax and very damaging to the hair follicles for it contains cheap coloring. Pure henna is very natural and healthy for you hair — enjoy.