Salam Alaykum, my dear fellow virtual travellers. Are you ready for more Mallory & Bianca exploration?

Then let’s get on with it 😁

Disclaimer:

I want to mention one thing: The story does live in an alternate universe where we do not have to bother with COVID. There are political and environmental issues that are similar to our reality but all is made up. Please forgive me 

Bianca moved her long white braids behind her ears. She took refuge in Jumeirah’s favourite Stomping Grounds cafe while Mallory was on a quest to enlightenment.

“I love that girl” Bianca thought as the waiter brought a sweet pastry and her Swiss coffee which she immediately started to sip. ” But I am not sure if this new pensive person is actually Mallory!

She has hardly watched a video about the United Arab Emirates to inform herself. But only asked at the reception of the hotel about the spiritual places in Dubai and Jumeirah”

Bianca wore one of her more modest dark coloured scarves and a long, flowing deep blue dress. ” It’s not polite to dress like a typical tourist in a Muslim country!” She thought when she saw a family coming in dressed for a typical European beach trip. ” Even though the Emiratis seem to be fairly open-minded when it came to tourists.”

Bianca bit in her pastry and watched the Barista at the other end of the restaurant do his magic. “She will have to get herself out of this funk!” And after another sip of coffee ” I wish, I hadn’t brought her closer to meditation and spirituality.” The touristy family now sat at the neighbouring table and chatted away loudly about the public beach and new “La Mer” shopping center which both were just a couple of minutes away.

Bianca rolled her eyes ” Maybe Mallory had the right idea to spent the morning at the Buddhist temple.”

She got up and walked over to the check out where she paid for her lonely breakfast.

She sighed a breath of relief outside on the quiet yet hot street. She turned right and a little later again. Then she walked left down the street towards the German Consulate. Just before that official building was the temple.

“Maybe I am too hard on her. ” Bianca thought when she arrived at the temple and sat down on a bench in the shade. “After all, I had my dark tea time of the soul too … and got over it eventually” Bianca leaned back and watched another video about the Emirates.

Just as it finished Mallory came out smiling. She waved at Bianca and came over. “Namaste” she said and bowed her head. Bianca raised an eyebrow. ” You scare me!” She said after greeting Mallory with her version of ” I honour the goddess in you!” “Where is all your scepticism gone? Didn’t you tell me in Jerusalem that the spiritual world is suspect to you?”

Mallory giggled and then sighed. ” I did!” She simply answered. “But what do I know? Traveling with you has shown me that there are unseen things worth exploring!” Bianca laughed at that. ” It’s all my fault then?” Mallory shook her head. ” I might not have learned much in my life but I know one thing for sure: blaming others for my misery won’t solve anything. You didn’t make me stay with my ex. You don’t kill people in terrorist attacks and you don’t even eat meat so no animal cruelty on your part. And I start to suspect that even those who do are simply trapped in a “what-people-do- bubble” without being able to getting themselves out.”

A little away they heard music coming out of a window.

They listened for a while. “Maybe the Buddhists got it right: you simply have to let go of your attachments in this life. No attachment to people, possessions or fame and you can’t get hurt”. Bianca raised her eyebrow again ” I doubt it’s that simple but it’s certainly helpful to learn the difference between the things we can do something about and those we can’t. No sense in worrying about those. ” Mallory played with the hem of her purple scarf and looked over the street and then back to Bianca. ” Do you mean that it’s not worth getting annoyed about stuff we can’t change because our feelings make no difference in the situation. Annoyance or anger just make our life unbearable but make nothing better?” Bianca nodded. “Like it says in the serenity prayer:

God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,

the courage to change the things we can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

It’s the wisdom to know the difference that makes the difference.” Mallory got up and said “Amen to that!” She offered her hand to Bianca who took it and got up too. “And maybe I give myself a break for a bit” Mallory started walking ” Interested in an afternoon at the beach?”…

Thanks, my dears, for staying with me until the end.

I appreciate your presence.

Please stay safe, stay kind and remember that you rock!