As we were riding, I kept thinking "What in the world is going on?" I could not erase the scene of this man riding up to me and stretching out his hand, as if to help an old friend. Obviously I never met him. I have never been here, or at least I think I have never been here. But in the same sense, it seems very familiar. I cant put my finger on it, but I am not afraid. I am very comfortable. Not as scared as I thought I could be, or would be.
We reached the tent, and the stallion came to a screaching halt just near the entrance to this massive tent. I have seen these before in movies, but not real life. It almost looked like an old circus tent, but made of cloth. The man, whom I still didnt get a name, dismounted and ran inside. I climbed down and stood next to the horse, surveying the land and the structure next to me that flapped in the breeze. Native people mulled around staring at me. Some pointed. I smiled at them. They quickly turned their faces as we made eye contact. Children ran around playing games of their culture. Everyone was going about their business, but there was a new person in their camp. They were curious, but not too much.
"Come, come. I need you in here" the man said standing at the entrance of the tent. I walked past him as he held open the flap that was the door. It was dark, and then my eyes adjusted to the interior. Oil lamps were burning, casting a warm orange glow through out the tent. On the far end there was a group of about 4 older men sitting in a circle. A cloud of smoke surrounding them. What was this? Some sort of pow-wow I thought? They were mumbling in their native tongue. Sometimes the conversation got intense. The man from the horse led me to the circle. An older man stood up and held his hands out clasped together. He bowed to me. Thinking of oriental tradtion, I instinctivly bowed back. "No, please. You do not bow to us" he said briskly. Again, his dialct was now english. Odd.
"Sit. Tell us of your journey". The old man made a place for me, then they all stood and waited for me to be comfortable on the pillows before they sat. "My journey?" I rubbed my chin. "Well, I was dreaming of a desert, and next thing I know, I am walking along, and then I saw him" I pointed to the horseman. The elder looked around at the others. " You have no idea who we are, or why you are here, do you?" he spoke quietly. "Um, really, I have no clue" I returned. The elder shook his head, looked at the horseman and spoke to him in their native tongue again. The horseman shook his head, almost dejectedly, like he was ashamed of something he had done.
"Najeeb, the man who brought you here, was to tell you these things." Najeeb. Ok, so now I know who the horseman is, but what about the others? The elder turned back to me. " You are to help us cross this vast desert". "Help?" I said. " How can I do that? I dont even know where I am." The elder stood up and walked over to Najeeb and put his hand on his shoulder. " Najeeb will show you to your tent and make sure that you are comfortable. If you need anything else, please ask him and he will be happy to help you."
With that being said, the elders stood up. I also stood, turned to Najeeb, and he held out his arm in the direction I was to go. The first elder stopped me, bowed and looked at me. " What am I to do" I asked. He raised his hand as if to silence me and said " Nothing. You do not owe us this priveldge, we owe you and are humbled and honored to have you with us". I followed Najeeb to the entrance of the tent, then out and made a left. We came up on a tent that was about 2 thirds the size of the tent I was just in. I followed him inside and he directed me to my sleeping area. " This is you bedding. If it suits you, please let me know. You will have servants to bring you anything you wish. They will follow your every instruction. If they do not, please tell me and I will deal with them myself". "Ok, I will. Thank you very much Najeeb" I said as I stuck out my hand for a shake. "Please no. I am forbidden to shake your hand". What is going on here, I thought. "Ok, then how shall I say thank you?" " He smiled " You just did". Ha! Humor.
Najeeb bowed the same way the elders did, then backed out of the tent. It was quiet, except for the sound of the wind. I sat down on the bedding. Even though it was a bunch of pillows on the floor, it felt like a normal bed. I was tired. Maybe a little nap. Im thirsty though. I look around and on a small table to my right I see a clay jar and a small "cup" next to it. I walk over to it and smell it. Well, you never know! Water. I poured some into the cup. A small woman came running in shouting "No No No, you no pour! I pour. You rest." She took the jar from my hand and poured the water for me. "You go sit" and she pointed to the bed. I oblidged. She handed me the water. " You drink now, then you sleep. You tired and soon you will wake and eat. I will bring food when you are ready" I sipped the water. Even though we were in the middle of the desert, the temperature in the tent was around 70, and the water was even cooler. Hmm. This is weird. She stood there while I sipped the water. Her hands clasped together in front of her.
She was an older woman, wearing a white robe type dress and a veil. I could only see her eyes, but could tell she was older than me. She took the cup from me when I was done. "Lay down and sleep. You will need your energy." There it is again. Energy. Why am I to save up my energy? Tired, I am tired. My eyelids were getting very heavy. Kinda like when your watching a TV show and you drift off to sleep. Then, I started to dream...
