When I packed my suitcase to embark on my holiday, I never thought there would be surprises once I reached my destination.
First, the plan was just to travel with my wife and then it all changed. She told me, with pleading eyes, that could we take two of her friends with us? I rubbed my chin, not because it was just a challenge, but looking after three women, perhaps it would be like a mountain to climb. But I assure myself it would be challenge to test my escorting skills.
When she saw my hesitation, she told me “they are lonely” and they needed a break somewhere exotic. They cannot do it by themselves since they needed an escort. I said “yes” so I started the plan.
I was more than happy to do it all. From ticket bookings, hotels, taxis, trains and tours. It was all an adventure and we did not have to cross choppy rivers, climb jagged mountains or trekking the spikey tracks. It was all safe adventure.
But what I did not bargain for was that, I would also be a tour guide throughout the duration of the holiday. I would also be a “body guard” when suspicious people walked behind us during the dark.
But trust me, it all was fun. Why? Because it was different. Something I have not done before while on holiday abroad. It was even hilarious at times. As the days went by, I began to enjoy the “adventure” of taking them around. For men who usually take a group of women on holiday will testify to this experience. Shops and bazars are on top of women’s list when they travel. They flashed their money around and I really thought we were going to be mugged. But miraculously, that did not happen. I would like to think that I was around and muggers kept away.
When finally, they let me loose to be on my own for a couple of hours, I found a coffee shop on a busy roadside. So, finally, I started writing this column. At least, I thought, they gave me a topic to write about this week.
On that coffee shop, not only I had a nice hot brew, but an exotic brown bread like the Omani “mandazi.” As I was drinking and eating it, I was wondering where the other “mandazis” were while I was sitting out there.
Since I was relaxing and had time for myself, I watched the crowd, the traffic and even the birds that were chirping on the tree branches. Then an old couple stopped and started talking to me in their language. I motioned that I was not a local person and they walked away with a smile.
A young man, who was listening, came to me and translated. He said the old couple were asking why I was sitting alone and where was my wife?
I told him somewhere in the jungle of shops escorting her friends. He smiled and said,” good for you and enjoy your free time.”
Ten minutes later, my wife sent me a message to join them for dinner. As usual, they picked a restaurant and I obliged in the same spirit of the holiday mood. When the holiday was over, I was glad of the experience because it was different.
My mother used to say, “men do not think but women think for them.”
There you are. So next time you take a bunch of women on holiday, leave your brains home.