Extraordinary People

The best thing about traveling is being able to meet really fascinating extraordinary individuals.A few months ago at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, I had the opportunity of meeting the lovely couple below.Both the husband and the wife are dentists. They are originally from Germany but were enroute to Malawi via Jeddah. It was the first time that they landed in Saudi Arabia and they were fascinated with the abaya clad women and the Arab men dressed in their thobes and shemaghs or Ghutras...I was really impressed and honoured to meet them. There are few good people still left in the world and it is because of these people that the world is still functioning....The couple chose to leave their first world country and carry out voluntary work in Malawi under the auspices of an NGO organisation. They were filled with enthusiasm and pointed out to me the importance of helping others...A thought ran through my mind whilst talking to them...In our narrow minded South African Indian and Muslim communities we tend to brand anyone who is not a Muslim as a nasaara or a kaafir etc etc...And yet look at the good work that many of them are doing...How many of our South African Muslim doctors would leave their practices and luxury homes to render out voluntary services in poor, impoverished areas across the globe....How many of them will leave their money spinning businesses to assist another human being? Sadly my friends, its just a handful!!!!!

Three days ago I met a fascinating French couple who were also in transit at King Abdul Aziz International airport in Jeddah. This couple travel from country to country in a caravan . They have driven from France to New Delhi, India three times already passing through Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan . So you probably wondering what do they do for a living. The woman does nothing and is more like a companion to her partner. Her boyfriend Ritcha, is a tattoo artist, musician as well as a fire juggler. The couple spend an average of six months in one country travelling from city to city . At each city Ritcha does fire juggling shows and plays music on the street attracting the public who give him money. He also does tattooing from his caravan. The couple are not religious and do not follow any specific religion as such. However, Ritcha was quite upset about the French government banning Muslims from wearing the headscarf. He mentioned to me that even Christians in France are not allowed to wear a cross. In his opinion, all women across the board should be wearing a headscarf as a symbol of modesty and respect.His favourite country in the world is India. He told me that he is taken aback with the warmth and hospitality of Indian people in general. "In India I feel free.The people are simple, down to earth and humble...I am yet to see another country like India." he said. I suggested to them to write a book about their travels and experiences. After having a short conversation with the couple I bid them farewell and a safe trip. What incredible, extraordinary people indeed!!!!!