WHAT if there were a genie, and a magic Lamp? What if you could be granted three wishes, or as my daughter asks, “Why not a million? Why only three?” Would your answer be as cliché-ish as asking for health, wealth and prosperity? Or would you be more adventurous and eccentric? This weekend I conducted a small test that I usually do by mobile texting a question each month. Each time I try to make the question more difficult. There were a few answers that were really outstanding.
The first: I would ask the genie to change me into a genie, and then I would have his powers. I would grant many poor and sick children their wishes. Power can be a blessing if used properly.
The second: I would ask the genie to give me a real way to guarantee lasting world peace or the power to find a real way. Then I would go and spread it and eliminate a lot of misery and unhappiness. I cannot be happy with all the misery around me in the world.
The third: I would ask for vision to see beyond the universe. Faith would make me happy, and faith comes with knowledge.
And the last and most amazing came from my eight-year-old niece: “I would ask for a magic soap that could wash away all human evil.” And what would be your wish and command if the genie came to you?
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Dear Nadia,
I have seen many of my Arab bedouin friends from Saudi Arabia and Jordan wearing a unique wool winter coat that is very heavy and comes in different colors. Sadly, I moved to Egypt before having the chance to buy one. Can you please tell me what such coats are called, and where I can buy one?
— Mark
Dear Mark,
These spectacular, warm wool coats are definitely bedouin and are called Bedyyah. They are handmade by bedouin women. Mostly you find them in bedouin markets such as on the outskirts of Riyadh or in Nuwariyah and Saffaniyah, north of Dammam. The original handmade ones are usually heavy because there is genuine wool as an inside layer. They are not cheap but you can always bargain. Just beware of Chinese versions; they do not contain real wool and are much lighter in weight. The easiest thing for you would be to ask a Saudi friend to buy one for you and send it to you in Egypt. Good luck.