Brunch with Battutah
Flori as fountain - Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 15 January 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Life was frivolous and carefree in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast until terrorists attacked the town with AK-47s and bombs. They murdered their American work colleagues, dragged a body through the street and shot at anyone who moved, Saudi or foreigner. They even threw a pipe bomb at the school my kids went to. Luckily parents were alerted that an attack was underway and kids were kept home. In a gesture of stubborn dedication, I fearfully went off to teach a class at the local college with the sound of gunfire nearby.
The terrorists had free rein for hours because they hijacked different cars and adopted various disguises (apparently even security force uniforms). Finally hours later, the gunmen were shot down miles from the initial attack. Two of them had been former students at our college. The day before the attack, one of them had gone to a dental appointment. He told the dentist this would be his last visit.
Rags from Plano, United States
I'm really sorry about what happened. Your image is playful and nice. Good job.
15 Jan 2008 5:01am
@Rags: Many thanks for your kind comment, Rags.
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
Real sorry about the events.
Very good work on this shot, love her happy smile... ;)
15 Jan 2008 6:06am
@ManuelaR: Thank you, Manuela. It is meant to be a fun shot.
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
What a contrast between the picture and the story! You are a good journalist because you describe what happened without further comment, only the dentist story gives lots to think. The story is a comment on itself I think. The only thing we can do is hope, pray and resist in words and deeds. Mr. OBL is a victim of his own ideology, like Mr. H. was in the thirties and fourties, and drags lots of young desorientated people with him.
15 Jan 2008 8:48am
@Illuci: Thanks, Illuci. Insightful as always. Interesting you should say that OBL is a victim. That's an interesting slant. Yes the dentist part makes the gunman human, I think. The dentist is a Syrian who treats both Saudis and foreigners. The terrorists were known to have wives and children in the town. Two brothers were influenced by their cousin who sneaked into Saudi Arabia from fighting in Afghanistan.
@Hans: Thanks, Hans. I'm glad you got a smile.
@DaveB: Thanks for your comment, Dave.
Steven from Montreal, Canada
Very sharp, fun image! It's hard to imagine kids smiling under those circumstances. The human spirit is strong.
15 Jan 2008 9:59am
@Steven: Great comment, Steven. Many thanks.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
I can understand both your relief that nothing happened to your family,specially the young ones, and the cold fury at nowaday's style of war - the poor man's war = terrorism! I think you found the right image to tell your story!
Gabriela
15 Jan 2008 10:19am
@Japanalia: Thanks, Gabriela. Interesting thought calling it "the poor man's war."
martie from Japan
I agree with all of the above. The image is superb and illustrates the joy and peace that everyone is entitled to. It's the perfect counterbalance to the words you've written. I am glad you and yours were safe. Thanks for the reminder of how fleeting peace can be.
15 Jan 2008 10:38am
@martie: Insightful comment, Martie. Many thanks.
Wolfgang Prigge from Canada
A playful scene depicting carefree living, but reading the background info shows us the the darker side of human nature. Too bad religion and ideology can be used to manipulate and mislead people in such a way...
P.S.: Maybe you should read the "about" page of our blog to understand the way it works...
15 Jan 2008 11:33am
@Wolfgang Prigge: Thanks, Wolfgang. You've made an insightful comment.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
My heart is saddened by the unfolding story. I must wonder about the notion that this is a "poor man's war." It seems in one of the most affluent countries of the world (Saudi) that the characterization of "poor" is hardly accurate. Plus OBL is hardly among the world's poor. So I must believe terrorism in cases like this exists for a different reason.
15 Jan 2008 12:12pm
@Viewfinder: Right assumption I would say, VF. Two of the three people who carried out this attack had excellent engineering jobs, wives and families. They were not the poor. Thank you for your comment.
Dean Francis from Midwest, United States
Michael - Such a nice shot of family with such an accompanying story line. It shows your intent to lead a good life in the heat of horrific moments. Glad to see your vision and hope. Keep up the good work - Dean p.s. - wish I could comment more frequently...
15 Jan 2008 12:21pm
@Dean Francis: Wonderful interpretation, Dean. I like it's positiveness very much. Your comments are very welcome. Many thanks for taking the time in what is no doubt an extremely busy life.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
I'm so sorry. I think you're very courageous, and although the contrast is all the more striking because of the joyful photo, I still wish the photo reflected your text...what does that make me?
15 Jan 2008 1:13pm
@Lorraine: Thanks for your comment, Lorraine. I don't know about courageous. I was plenty scared. I think I just didn't want my students, who were Saudi, to think I was too afraid to go to class. The students by the way were excited. They were the ones who had photos that reflected the text. Someone they knew must have been following the terrorists because they had shots on their mobile phones of explosion and carnage. You sound like you'd make a good war corespondent, the kind of person who would try to get that dangerous photo.
@KMF: Thanks, KMF.
Teresa Durães from Montijo, Portugal
sorry about the events. The shot is well done!
15 Jan 2008 1:20pm
@Teresa Durães: Many thanks, Teresa.
alla from Toronto, Canada
This is horrible. The shot is fun and cheerful, what a contrast.
15 Jan 2008 1:32pm
@alla: Thanks for the comment, Alla. Yes, it was a kind of before and after thing.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Enjoyed your response, I wish I were that brave...
15 Jan 2008 3:07pm
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. Your comments are always thought provoking.
@Ina: Many thanks, Ina.
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
Excellent blogging and your photo captures the joy of life amidst chaos... The description of the guy visiting the dentist is very strange indeed... I certainly don't think I would have bothered... even to brush my teeth.
15 Jan 2008 4:07pm
@Earnest: I guess the dentist part shows the human side of the gunman. Thanks, Earnest
Ras from Plano, United States
I like the contrast between the intro and the beautiful care free photo. It makes one think about the place we live in and what attitudes we take when things out of the norm happen to us.
15 Jan 2008 4:15pm
@Ras: Great comment, Ras. Many thanks.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
Looking at the carefree shot I was thinking that she was enjoying a wonderful life. Then I read the story. Take care of yourself and your family.
15 Jan 2008 4:17pm
@Michael Rawluk: Many thanks for your very kind comment, Michael.
Oswegan from Lake Oswego, United States
Great composition on this shot. The story that accompanies the photo is quite hauting. I'm not sure I could have my family in such an environment.
15 Jan 2008 4:37pm
@Oswegan: Thank you for your very reasonable comment.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
impressive story, and i'm really surprised : French President Sarkozy wat in Saudi Arabia yesterday : and nothing about this event in French news today.
Your shot gives a little freshness, after this terrible story.
15 Jan 2008 5:39pm
@Calusarus: Many thanks, Calusarus. The story is not new. It happened some time ago.
Frankie from Boxmeer, Netherlands
The image is such a contrast with the accompanying story: a great image and a sad story
15 Jan 2008 6:24pm
@Frankie: Kind words. Many thanks, Frankie.
Pedro from Santander, Spain
Terrible contrast between the text and the picture, it make me think about what is happening day by day
15 Jan 2008 8:59pm
@Pedro: Yes, a huge contrast. Thanks for your kind comment, Pedro. Heaven and hell every day.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
I quite understand what you feel Michael. I have live a similar story in Madagascar in 1972.
Nice to see such a live and happy picture under those circumstances
15 Jan 2008 9:30pm
@standley: 'Thank you for your very understanding comment, Standley.
@badala: Thanks for your kind comment, Badala.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
That images makes me smile and your report unsettles me. I'll take this as a reminder that happiness can't be taken for granted and that it's important to bemoan the grief of the world as well as to grasp for felicty, even if it could be over any moment.
15 Jan 2008 10:16pm
@MadScientist: Your comment is very insightful. Many thanks, MS.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Your story brings home the fragility of our lives, but your image is so full of the fun of living. Its an interesting juxtaposition of image and story. Lets hope for a better world for future peoples.
15 Jan 2008 10:34pm
@Richard_Irwin: I agree. A wonderful sentiment, Richard. Many thanks.
gandz from Kharkiv, Ukraine
there's not much left to say, and anyway words are meaningless. I love the picture and the story really touched me. Thank you.
15 Jan 2008 10:58pm
@gandz: A very kind comment, Gandz. Thank you.
@Brites: Thank you, Brites.
MGB from Lisboa, Portugal
The young lady is beautiful and more as a fountain. Great capture, eh Michael! This is to be in the right place at the right moment as well as in one of the moments of the events you described to us.
15 Jan 2008 11:54pm
@MGB: Great comment, MGB. Thank you.
Camiller from Lisboa, Portugal
Hi Michael!
This post reflects how life and welfare are fragile and impermanent. A document.
16 Jan 2008 12:11am
@Camiller: A great comment, Camiller. Thank you.
Nick from Australia
What a lovely juxtapositioning of photo and accompanying story. Deeply effective.
16 Jan 2008 12:44am
@Nick: Thank you, Nick.
Jen from Alpharetta, United States
Oh wow what an incredible story!
Makes you reflect on what's important which the photo shows...enjoy life, have fun!!!
Live, Laugh, Love!!!
16 Jan 2008 12:46am
@Jen: Great song, Jen. Thank you for the comment.
Photographs by M.E. from Encino, United States
that's a creative shot and reflective post! the contrast in photo and post, made the message more powerful.
16 Jan 2008 1:50am
@Photographs by M.E.: I really appreciate your comment. Thank you.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
Wow.You got me worried after reading your commentary.I suppose i never ought to take a country's security against such threats for granted.I really admire your courage to still go to school,but i had another thought.Whenever my husband goes to the army for reservist,where he had to do rifle range,i will start imagining things and nagged him to be careful because we hear stories of freak accidents where soldiers get killed during training like that.And i will say,'Dear,please dont be a hero.Remember you have a wife and 2 kids at home.We all need you.'
I see that your reasons for going are just as valid and courageous,an indeed worthy of respect,but please take care of yourself!I am praying for you and the country you live in.And also for your children.This picture seems such a paradox with your comment!
16 Jan 2008 2:33am
@tyan: Your comment is beautiful, Tyan. I want to thank you for it.
@Craiger: Many thanks, Craiger.
@Porcsin: Glad it made you smile. Many thanks for visiting, Porcsin.
Rasheed from Saudi Arabia
Before leaving for Saudia Arabia I remember seeing this picture when I was doing my research on the area. Now I come across it again and it's kinda cool that from the little details in the pic I know exactly where it is. We were initially staying at the guest housing in the same area (madkhal 6) but then we were asked to relocate to Camp 7. It's not all that bad but it's certainly nothing compared to the guest housing or worst yet compared to my home in the US. If you're still around I figure you're at the bigger college otherwise I would have met you by now. Yanbu is such a small town that we would have probably bumped into each other already without knowing it -- if you're still here.
Keep posting these creative pics and may God's guidance be upon you & your family wherever your travels take you.
-- Rasheed
14 Nov 2009 8:28pm
