The fifth rainy day in Jeddah brings yet other new experiences. Heavy rains on Tuesday, January 25 followed by more serious rains on Wednesday brought various problems for Jeddah residents. Getting home, flooded homes and water-logged cars were a few of the trials.
After numerous conversations with Head Office, and another government warning about another storm coming, our school was officially closed at about 12:30. Prior to closing, the morning provided many opportunities for interesting adjustments. Students were shuffled to different classes because of rain coming into their classrooms. Adults pitched in to help wherever they deemed necessary.
The pool of water that remained from our last rain (about 10 days ago) was named by one of our students who aptly called it ‘a lake’. With the heavy rains yesterday, the lake grew to a small sea. Unfortunately, the indented canvas rested on a metal rod and hallas, the weight of the water punctured a hole in the rooftop. The rain poured right onto our beautiful stage and morning assembly area.
A team of seven women pushed squeegees for about 1 ½ hours. Hundreds of trips back and forth across the floor pushed most of the water out the front entrance doors. Three men then came to support our efforts. One man went up on the middle roof with a hose to siphon the water out of the ‘lake’. The three men stayed on to keep the area reasonable dry and rigged up a ‘rain catcher’ to fill the numerous buckets.
We all enjoyed an International lunch as it was our potluck lunch day. Spring rolls, fried noodles, Crispy Crème donuts, brownies, Caesar salad, humus, empanadas, all made our troubles seem a little lighter! Because traffic was at a snail’s pace, the delivery of lunch was delayed. Our students enjoyed some of these dishes too.
Most students were picked up by 2:30 and staff carpooled (no pun intended), to find rides home. Our regular bus driver (Adroos) was stuck in traffic in a mini van and couldn't get back to the office. Once they found an additional set of keys for the teachers' bus, Ali came to pick up the staff that was still at school. I stayed at school as two students had yet to be picked up.
What do you do with youngsters that can’t play outside and are tired of colouring? Bring out the tricycles! Boy they had fun and I loved watching them have fun. Yussuff even gave me a lift on the two seater! Taffa’s parents were finally able to reach the school just before 5:00. Now Omar the gatekeeper, Yusseff and I were left.
Ali the bus driver came back to pick me up to take me to the compound. Yussuff’s father was still stuck on the bridge and could not go forward or backward. What to do, what to do? In collaboration with Yussuff’s mom, we agreed it was best for him to come home with me. He was thrilled to be going on the big bus! Thankfully he is a very outgoing lad (reminds me of one of our own), and he was very comfortable coming with me. It did help that our relationship had been established prior to yesterday. We have met several times in my office to discuss important matters such as ‘hands to self, listening to my teacher, and sitting nicely at the carpet’.
Our ‘boat’ ride home provided more sights to see. Grocery carts under water, people wading through deep water, cars driving on curbs to lift their cars, cars finding holes in the road and stranded water logged cars.
'driveway' to our house - all sidewalks are down under!
We got home about 6:30 and when we walked in, Glenn knew I was going to be late, however, was very surprised to see I had adopted another little lad (where are the little girls in our lives?). He and Yussuff enjoyed our photos of winters in Campbell River, our puppies, the Beaumont, family photos, the animals at the San Diego zoo among other things. They analyzed the good guys and bad guys on the cartoon channel, learned about the animals on the National Geographic channel, and watched a snowboarding competition. Glenn thought Yussuff should try that sport and Yussuff said, “That is terrifying!” His English language is very advanced for a five year old with English as his second language. Following watching TV, Glenn and Yussuf determined what should be served for breakfast. Finally at about 9:30 Yussuff said, “I’m going to go to sleep now.” He closed his eyes and slept.
What a good boy in the morning. I was trying to be really quiet as I thought he was still sleeping. What a surprise when I saw he had his shoes and socks on and was playing with his papers from his school bag. Eggs, the agreed upon breakfast, were served up.
After breakie, the three of us scouted out if we could get to the gate to meet Yussuff’s mom and dad. Around the maze of puddles and flooded roads, we were able to navigate our way there. Good news for his worried mommy! Off we went back home and waited for them to give us a call when they arrived.
One more trip to the gate and the family was reunited. Unfortunatley, Yussuff’s dad spent the night in his car. He told us he was about 1 km from home and tried to walk. When he saw that folks were up to their chests in water, he returned to his car. One does NOT want to walk in the brown water. It is not just water - sewer too! YUCK! Yussuff's dad arrived home at about 8:30 in the morning.
Another new adventure in Jeddah is recorded. The Lloyds are again empty-nesters but had a fun time and lots of laughs with outgoing lovely Yussuff.
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