But progress is happening, despite the impatience of this "old" skipper.
Walking on the level is now comfortable, stairs a different matter. An education in patience and on being a patient myself - not something I'm used to being. And of course time for further reflection on that sand dial of life itself.
Although not permitted yet to walk on a sandy beach, or to go swimming, heaven forbid with fins, it is necessary to take on the salty air from the solid shores of the Red Sea. Although life does throw us these "curve balls" from time to time, it can be viewed as an opportunity to do, and look at things, in different although meaningful ways.
A trip to the Jeddah Aquarium was planned to see the sea from the view of most land based people.
But first the essential early morning coffee on our balcony before the heat of the day arrives - small pleasures being savored.
The aquarium is located in a part of the Corniche that continues to be "renovated", but does allow easy strolling by the sea. Fortunately only a ten minute drive from our apartment courtesy of the hospital transport cars available for our use.
Inside they have done a fairly good job capturing the denizems of the deep. We skipped the Dolphin pool & show having swam and had physical contact with dolphins myself before.
Interesting - more sharks here than what one actually sees while finning the depths - public perceptions continue to be biased. In all my dive trips on the Arabian side of the Red Sea I have never seen a shark, although they do exist, others having had more luck while diving. However on the shores of the Red Sea on the side of Egypt, I have been fortunate to have dived in the company of several sharks (reef, nurse, hammerhead). The marine park system on that side (eg. Sharm) does not allow for fishing, allowing more large marine life to flourish. However the aquarium does allow images of life that is more commonly seen but viewed at a more leisurely pace.
As the aquarium is on the shore, views from its outer structure are worthwhile, being able to see the horizon as well as land based denizens.
A walk along the shore from here illustrates some of the recreational value of this area to the locals - not just sand dunes, but nearly always sunshine.
Yes a weekend outing is good, walking a simple pleasure, an appreciaation of what is taken for granted. Also the simple, but important act of dinner with friends after a "long day" (for my knee anyway). The choice a Lebanese restaurant a five minute walk from our apartment - and of course the many courses ordered by one of our Lebanese Canadian (from Montreal) friends.
Maybe philosophic, but the importance of simple pleasures.
A reminder in some ways of a quote from Epicurus: "Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance".
Also not a bad climate to enjoy winter when ambulatory stability is taken into account - no ice to navigate!
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