Musings from Riyadh and Madinah

1)The first day was pretty relaxing. Found a mosque adjacent to the Al Khozaymah Hotel. Quite convenient for congregation prayers

2) Second day was spent examining final year medical students at the Department of Paediatrics, King Saud University. It was OSCE station for abdominal xamination

3) Students spoke good English and typical for OSCE, they were irritatingly well rehearsed almost to the level of a pre-programmed performance.

4) Most did well, except one or two who almost swore that he felt a big spleen when there was none. A few digged well into the abdomen, claiming to elicit tenderness.

5) The next day was a debate on results.Presented my analysis of events and trying to make hosts as comfortable as I could. One dared asked " Are our students as good as any in the world?".Difficult to say on OSCE alone.There were generally safe. I thought

6) Then the formalities with Deputy Dean, Dean, Cheif of Clinical Services. Cordial and diplomatic

7) They made me deliver a talk. I choose " Research- For Whose Sake;Really?.Someone thought the talk was 'dangerous' !

8) I then took the postgrads for 1 hour. Fun, assertive lady docs fully clad in burkhas. Very intelligent tho. The men folks were typically quiet

9) Visited ENAYAH - an organization to help the poor - impressive efforts

10) Madinah was a far cry from the bustle of Riyadh.Serene, wise,cold and very friendly from the start. A Syrian University student gave me a lift from airport to hotel. Most hotels were empty as the Haj season had just ended. As usual, emotional scene near the Prophet's tomb, with people queing up to say 'salam' to prophet, and his 2 beloved companions, buried next to him. Always a moving scene.You could almost hear murmurs of confession " Yes, we failed to do as you said, and now people are killing your children and grand children ;in brutal murder"

11) Met a Malaysian studying at the Madinah Islamic University.A confident young man whose knowledge of history of Madinah was a pleasure to listen to. He'll be organizing my zam zam water delivery in few days. Gave me a lift to the airport

12) Back in Riyadh the same evening, I attended a sumptous wedding reception. Almost 40 tables,; the main table had 10 large plates. In each saw a roasted lamb resting on a bed of rice; the torso was savoured and shared by a company of 4. Impossible to finish the rice and the lamb. although everyone made sure that the torso lost its resembelance to a sheep at the end of the feast. A pure act of sharing. I was told that what remains of the uneaten food will be handed to a company specializes in handling leftover food to be repackaged and distributed to the poor.

130 The next day was time to pack things up. Had to buy 2 extra bags to place the 30 kg dates that were given as gifts. Lovely , memorable visit, but alas, it could have been more enjoyable had the killing of children by adults whom they have never met and hated, happening in the north hadnt taken place!!