Walking Through the Streets of Al Rigga

An old post I made in my Friendster blog which I thought is worth a space here too. Reminiscing time...

Having my insomnia again, I decided to just prepare breakfast instead of counting more sheep. It's getting cold here, and every now and then, I get a tingling sensation running through my spine despite wearing socks and having a thick blanket over me. It's winter time, so they say...weird though because I don't see any snow (I always had the perception that winter means snow). Oh well, now I know that winter can be without snow. The cold weather made me think of hot soup or congee, so I decided to buy the ingredients. When I went out of the building, I saw mostly students waiting for their buses. I again felt the cold wind brushing my face and I shivered...brrrrr...good thing I was wearing a jacket because it felt like I was opening the door of a refrigerator.

I checked on the nearby convenience store (the very first store I entered when I arrived here in the city of gold) and it was still closed so I decided to check on the other shops. As I was walking through the streets of Al Rigga (one of the streets in Deira, Dubai), it made me realize a lot of things. How time flies! Before, I was still contemplating if I should really go or not...then there I was finally walking through the streets of my once-planned destination. Only a few were walking, I realized at this hour, compared to late afternoons and nights when the stretch of restaurants going to Al Ghurair Mall become swamped with people from all walks of life...dining...having fun...chit-chatting with their friends. It felt weird actually to see the street so empty and lonely.

I've come across some people who were hurriedly walking...probably rushing to get to work. I had a ready smile, but sadly no one to smile to. All seemed to be too busy to even look at the stranger passing by. Then I saw a man sleeping on one of the benches seemingly unaffected by the cold weather. I had to say a little prayer that I am still so blessed for having a roof under my head while a lot would just sleep on the streets. I passed by some construction workers busily doing their work for the metro rail, which I hoped would ease the traffic. As the day moves on, those same men would be sweating profusely as they go about their work, not to mention being immersed in the dust and dirt that goes with their work. And so, I again said a silent prayer thanking God and telling myself how lucky I am not doing that kind of job for my existence.

Realizing that the shops were still closed, I walked back again to where our flat was. I passed by some stray cats and then I remembered my dogs. If I were living in my own place, I would most probably take those orphaned cats to my house so that they wouldn't have to suffer the heat, cold, dust, and hunger they have to deal with every day. Then I saw some birds, which is quite a rare occasion, flying from one building to another, as if they have a choice when there is not a tree in sight. Then I saw some people getting their shops ready...all busily cleaning racks and display counters. What a life we all must live! Then I felt glad that I got to enjoy the morning walk as I stretched my muscles in the way I wanted and not out of occupation.

Finally, I arrived at my destination - back to our building. I decided to once again check out the convenience store, and lucky me, it was already open. I smiled at myself and mumbled good morning to everybody as if they could hear me. I told myself that this would be a lucky day for me and I am starting it with a thankful heart for all the blessings I have. So, I bought all the necessary ingredients and walked back happily towards our flat.

I was already in the middle of cooking the porridge when we ran out of gas. Oh well! But since I felt lucky (and of course being a true blue ingenious Pinoy), I remembered that we have a rice cooker and so I used it to finish cooking the porridge. See! there's always a solution for everything.

Sometimes you only have to see the imperfections around you to realize how blessed you really are. It's just a matter of thinking. When you're thinking positively, things will always look bright...and you will always feel lucky, happy, and blessed! Maybe I should do this more often...I think tomorrow I will walk through the other side of the street and see what else is there.