Gifts of the Spirit

Three moments of wonder and awe that took place within a 10-minute period, en route to my apartment after spending the morning at the bookstore:

Al-Ghubra road heading south from the Azaiba round-about was relatively clear. No large trucks putzing along, causing cars to swerve and speed. I couldn't believe my eyes, and sped to 100 km, relishing this rare occasion.

Turning left, heading east from the clear road, there is a hill on which sits the Royal Hospital. Cresting that hill during the daytime, I always catch my breath at the sight of a beautiful mountain backdrop. On the clearest of days, you can see the stratifications (I don't know if that's the right word) and all the geological details of the majestic mountains.

As I entered my small apartment building, I looked up and wondered how, after 6 months of living here, I never noticed such a beautiful display of Arabic calligraphy above our humble threshold. It simply states, "bismallah, ar-rahman, ar-raheem," which means, "In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate," a common phrase in the Muslim world (for example, you would say it before eating, kind of like a grace, or before you set out on a journey, among many other common uses). It was carved in beautiful calligraphy and painted white, camouflaging it with the rest of the white-washed building.