Ahh.. the Middle East

Jackie’s daughter works for the National newspaper in Dubai. She is the Ras Al Khaima, (RAK) correspondent and writes articles of modern and ancient traditions coming together in a short time and small space. They are amazing stories.

I miss that part of the world.

I remember the first time I visited RAK.

I had been in Oman for about six weeks, and being new to the area had no idea that my hot-box mausoleum above the Jawahar shopping center, on the side of a busy road in the middle of an empty desert, was not normal for that part of the country. I didn’t yet have the key to the big hotels or the liquor stores hidden away from the uninitiated. So when I arrived, after a five hour drive, across the border in RAK to visit with Jackie and her family, I was a little thirsty: for beer, for family, for green, for relaxation, for life!

I wanted to go for a swim in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf.

Jackie lived in paradise! She had a little private villa with a garden and a solid, high wall, located on the waters of the Gulf. It was especially breathtaking after spending so much time in a new environment, alone really, in the desert. The first thing she did was to take us to the liquor store where we picked up a couple of cases of beer and some claret. Our excitement was such that it didn’t take long for things to get out of control.

I mistakenly suggested to the friend I had brought along that I wanted to take a dip in the sea. Some how the conversation turned on us and before we knew it, we were heading out to go skinny- dipping. So, as the sound of the evening call to prayer disappeared into the dark night, Bea and I took off across the still hot sand.

Beatrice was stripping off her clothes as she went. She had just turned sixty and while lovely, was no beauty. I hurried along behind with my middle-aged waddle, also leaving a trail of clothing as I went. And trailing behind us came Nathan, Jackie’s teen age son, gathering up what we dropped with a rather concerned look on his face.

The water was truly lovely, the sky clear; it was magical.

When we got out of the water Nathan discreetly produced towels to dry ourselves off and cover up. He was a little embarrassed, but very efficient.

“What’s up Nathan?” I asked. “Never seen middle aged women skinny dip before?”

“Well yes, actually” he said. “But never on the first night!”

I love RAK!