Observations on the eve of the Eid Al-Adha Holiday

I want to avoid this becoming weather central but the eartly winter assault on the US east coast even made the Arab News. I understand that the 'Burgh was spared the worst but Janet reports that the norm has been late November-like weather in October. It's quite a different story here of course but on my walk home from my gym work-out last night, there was a strong breeze that actually felt chilly - and that was a first.

I am preparing for what for me will likely be a rather long week during the Eid holiday which extends officially from Saturday, 11/5 to Friday,11/11 though some of my colleagues began early. The high point is the Eid-Al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice. This holiday provides the opportunity for the faithful to make the Hajj, the trip to Makkah (Mecca), which (in theory) is an obligation for the faithful Muslim, at least once in his/her lifetime though exceptions are made for practical reasons, e.g., prohibitive cost, family obligations. Apparently, between 1.5 to 2 million Muslims from across the globe make the journey annually. According to one of my colleagues who made the Haj with his wife and mother several years ago, you sign up with  group travel agency who makes all the arrangements including food and travel. The greatrest challenge other than the crowds of people in procession (a snapshot of Disney World queues and long waits for the attractions comes to mind) are the distances to be covered in performing the rituals associated with the Haj observance. The proscribed rituals include walking seven times around the Ka-ba, the huge black stone within the Grand Mosque, seven runs (or walks) between twin hills, symbolizing Hagar's search for water in the wilderness, traveling to Mt. Arafat (which I understand does not entail any climbing) and stoning the three pillars at Mina which represents the Devil and distribution of sacrificed animals to the poor at the end of the pilgrimage (source: No God But God, Reza Aslan, 2005 - a really interesting cultural history of Islam). By all accounts the Haj is a profoundly moving experience for those with the means to participate. Some are housed in tents and there is literally a moveable feast...

Well, back in Riyadh for the expat infidals, limited options... My College remains accessible and the Hospital never closes along with its cafeteria and excellent coffee shops featuring great cheese croisants and chocolate covered donuts (ah, my heart sings!). Although I had planned to take advantage of  some scheduled shopping trips from thre compound to various malls and markets, those have been cancelled for the next four-five days. So office, coffee shop, gym and villa for me, perhaps not so exciting but I'll endure...