Maestro

My Dear Princess and Dear Fellow,

It's good to see Sam again. He met up with Fazzy and me for lunch today and held court, as he always did in times past. 

If this makes him sound overbearing, he is not. Sam is a generous and kind man. He likes to tell you his thoughts, but he doesn't force them on you. And he prefaces his mini-lectures with, "That's an interesting question" and "Good point".

He's very complimentary, is what I am saying. So when he talks, he also makes you feel listened to. It's a unique gift he has. I've tried to learn it, and use some of his Sam-isms.

They really work! People love it!

Today he was mainly talking about Islam. He was telling us how expensive the Haj is. I had no idea! 

Outside of Haj season, it's about $7k to go to Mecca, Medina and the other holy sites of Islam. But during Haj it is $30k!!

I didn't realise that Haj month isn't actually a month. There's only a few actual days where you can go to the sites AND you have to book special men-only or women-only accommodation too! 

Apparently you can book a special suite if you want to go as a couple but sleep in separate rooms, but then the price doubles again!

It's fascinating. I find the subject of religion very interesting and Sam was explaining to me about the different schools of thought in Islam. "But it's actually a very flexible religion. Only specific schools of thought are proscriptive," he went on.

"Thinking of joining us?" asked Fazzy.

"Hang on there Fazzy, I've got a few good drinking years ahead of me," I replied. 

But it was nice to be asked. 

I must confess though, that based on the lovely people that Sam and Fazzy are, and as happy as they both seem to be, for a moment I was tempted. 

Just for a moment though.

Then I remembered circumcision and my atheistic instinct re-emerged.

S.