I HAD the privilege of joining some wonderful Saudi ladies for a short trip to Holland. A country that I have seen many times yet this time I was more observant of small details. This is a new writer’s habit that I have cultivated lately.
The first thing I noted was the long shiny uncurtained windows that seemed a characteristic of Dutch architecture. To my eye this represents the people who live in this flat green land. Huge hearts and transparency. The Dutch are proud people with a long history of trade and discoveries, and like any good merchants, they have developed an open mind about new things and an open spirit that does not need curtains to hide behind.
It’s the end of October and The Hague is covered with fallen yellow leaves that are beautiful as they wait to be removed. A question kept popping into my head to ask our Dutch host: Where does all the water that fills the canals go? And is it fresh water or salt water?
I might like to be an eagle flying all around watching people and enjoying nature. And I am sure many birds are doing so now and I can tell you that I saw some small birds that fly around my country flying around in Geneva in the summer and now in the Hague and Amsterdam. How nice it is to be a bird — no passports, no visas, no borders.
The Hague is different from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The Hague is by the roaring and passionate North Sea and if you go there by night as we did, you can see the lights of the oil rigs flashing over the dark, grey waters, fighting the elements of nature just like the Dutch did in the past. Rotterdam is different, modern architecture, busy and bustling with movement while its unique port stands with mighty pride as one of the biggest in the world. Amsterdam is also unique, with its tall buildings; the city is dissected by canals that are as beautiful as the ones in Venice.
I enjoyed my trip so much that I will probably come again. but next time I will ride a bicycle like the Dutch.
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Dear Nadia... My wife and I have both been working in Saudi hospitals since 1990, and because we live in a gated compound, and have a hectic timetable with two kids, we have not had the time or energy to go beyond our city (Al-Ahsa). I have read what you have written about the historic tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia, and since both our children have gone to Canada to finish their higher education, my wife and I feel that we should do something with the extra time we have. To be honest, we are not much interested in historic places but we love flea markets. If you know any, please advise.
— Khalil, Al-Ahsa
Dear Khalil,
Flea markets are not as organized as those in other Western countries; nevertheless, they have more of what you are probably looking for. The best ones are those done occasionally and you can find advertisements about them in supermarkets and on compounds.
Good hunting!
