Old Shemaissy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Old Shemaissy, my home for the last 4 years of my stay in Saudi Arabia, it's an area teeming with life and culture from various ethnicity. Here you may find living together Filipinos, Pakistanis, Indians, Bengalis, Sri Lankans, Saudis, Badus (Black Local Saudis), Yemenis, Syrians, Jordanians, Turkish, and some Chinese. One can just wonder the mingling of these people, it's like a mini world within a world.

I have had my own fair share of life's experiences here, one fact is that for the last four years I have move six times around this small area, yes six times! But I think I am settling with the last, otherwise I told myself no more for moving out and in a new place is not for the faint hearted, it is not easy!

Here, I find everything I need without going far (unless I want a more uptown atmosphere, I'll go to the malls), grocery stores or "bakalas", bakeries, barbers, tailoring shops, mosques, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruits stores, banks, atm machines, restaurants with choices of Indian, Arabic and Filipino foods, or if you want the commercial fast foods, you'll find KFC, Kudo, Pizza Company, Pizza Hut, Seattle's Best, Cinnabon and Krispy Kreme, what is unbelievable is that ALL of these are just a few walks from each other!



I also have a lot of experiences meeting all these ethnicities here in Shemaissy, and you get to know their lives and cultures in one way or the other, some were nice people, others were too proud of theirs, some are only nice because they need something from you, others doesn't even care, there were those who thinks their the best people, whence others I feel sad because they do the lowliest work just to survive.

But regardless of that, I found real friends here, a handful, one-handful that is. I found life here, find new experiences everyday and I am not sure how long will I stay more, but I am sure I will be missing this place when I leave, and when I look back, I could say that in one small town far, far, away from where I was born, along the winding streets, mud houses and twisting corners, in a busy town called Shemaissy in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, I was there, and the memories will linger on.

Michael Buble` - Home

It is the season to be jolly, but I cannot truly feel the atmosphere of love and joy when I am so far from my family, my home, this Christmas time.

The sacrifice an OFW had to make just to give their loved-ones the life they deserve. I will be missing Christmas again this year with my family and friends, nevertheless, they'll always be with me, in my heart.

This song, aptly named HOME sang by a great singer Michael Buble, most probably sums up all the OFWs feel and those who are far away from home this Christmas. I know I did.

Home

In less than two weeks I'd be coming home. I can't wait to see the smile on my mother's face when we see each other again. I miss her and her cooking. I think I am going to spend more time with her this time.

Not to mention I would be hearing my nieces' and nephews' laughters again. They're bigger now, but they will always be my little angels.

There'd be non-stop sibling chit-chats again, talking the night away with my brothers and sister, sharing stories, laughters and some heart to heart talks.

Time to relax, to rejuvenate, to smell the roses as they say.

I promised myself to spend more time with my family this vacation. I miss them so much.

On the other side, I'd be seeing also my bestfriends. I miss them too. Friends that had been there through my ups and downs. Some time with them would be fun.

I'd be seeing my sister in Singapore, yes, I would be having a sidetrip in Singapore! Whoopeee! It would be my first time there, so my adventurous side would be up and running again, I'd be exploring each nook and cranny of Singapore and that would be very, very nice.

Then before I come back, if plans would push through, I'd be meeting a friend in Hongkong, one of my favorite places to visit. I miss Hongkong too, been there a couple of times, and I just love it there.

But not to forget, I'd be there during the Lenten Season, and I could be doing a Visita Iglesia hopefully, if time still permits. Otherwise, just a quiet time with the family would be good.

A month isn't that long, but I'll make the most of it. After all, it's not what I bring home that matters, but just being with the people I love and care about is worth more than the Balikbayan Box I'd be carrying home, or is it? hmmmmmmm....

Winter Rain

One of those rare moments in Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Shemaisy Area where I live, when it rains. I woke up yesterday to a feeling of being back home in the Philippines. Having two windows in my room, I would always know whether it was sunny or cloudy outside. But this time the sky was a bit darker than usual, it was already 10:30 AM. Then I heard wee small sounds of pitter-patter and a smell of fresh morning. I looked out my window facing the street below and the street were wet, sounds of cars on wet pavements, and the air is colder than before and it was raining.

Reminds me so much of home, I love it when it rains, not the "Ondoy" kind that is, just drizzles, and staying home. Just imagine waking up on a rainy day to the smell of cooked "sopas (tube pasta soup)", creamy, tasty and hot! Or to the taste of hot "champorado (chocolate porridge)" together with fried "tuyo (dried fish)."

Staying home the whole day in bed, just reading, watching tv or simply sound tripping.


I remembered playing with my nephews and nieces, conversing with my sibings while Mama is cooking another favorite "Nilagang Buto-Buto with Chinese Bola-Bola and Herbs!

When I was younger, I would always come out and play in the rain with my childhood friends. We would make very small boats from popsicle sticks and play race on the sidewalk canal flowing with rain water. Shower under the falling water from roof gutters, play tag or rode our bikes amidst the slippery streets and mud or catch small fishes, tadpoles and small frogs from nearby ponds!

Those were the days.


How certain moments, food and smell could trigger feelings and memories is truly nostalgic, nevertheless, it is always a blessing knowing that these things were a part of us, we never forget those wonderful feelings and memories. It keeps you grounded, it makes you smile thinking that wherever you are, home is always where the heart is.