a dude ranch pony Uncle Ben stopped for gas at what looked like a regular Texaco gas station except the writing on the sign was in the fluid lines of Arabic A young man came over to the jeep She recognized the long flow ing white dishdasha and a white ghutra headdress tied in place with a black twisted rope from her internet research He looked like he had stepped out of a sto rvbook or the bible He held out his hand and asked Where are you from His brown eyes were warm and friendly Canada she said and shook his outstretched With a generous smile he said I am Ali welcome to my country My name is Amanda She smiled back happy to have made her first Arabian friend The colour of the sand changed from creamy white to mocha to rust as they drove north toward the jagged mountains in the distance Uncle Ben explained that there were many different colours of sand in the Emirates Amanda could feel her head bobble again even though she fought to stay awake Soon they were dri ving alongside water that was so blue and clear it seemed like a post card The blazing sun's rays bounced off the water leaving a haze of
Is this the Persian Gulf Amanda knew that if she talked it would help her stay awake Yes it is said her uncle And if you were to take a boat and head straight across that way he pointed you would land on the shores of the ancient land of Persia Now of course the country is called Iran'd much rather go by flying carpet Amanda laughed as she imagined a ride with Aladdin in search of ancient hidden treasures left behind by Alexander the Great That ride will be a little more difficult to arrange replied her uncle pretending to be serious But I'll see what I can do The foamy surf casually rolled over the fine undis turbed sand Amanda wondered why there were no people on the miles and miles of lonely spotless beaches Young school children lined up outside a school as they drove past The children wore school uniforms similar to the kids back home The teachers wore the traditional long black overdress called an abaya Some covered their face with a sheer veil oth ers with a burqa face mask that left only their eyes showing and some did not cover their face at all The sun shone the water glistened the people smiled and waved and little goats ran across the road as she traveled across unfamiliar territory What a totally amazing place I have come to thought Aman da as she finally dozed
Chapter 2 Amanda stood on the balcony and listened for a while Something about the mysterious sound was peaceful and soothing She returned to her bed fell back to sleep right away and dreamt she was riding a camel in the desert traveling toward the white mosque with the fascinating sound She rode for a long time but the mosque never seemed to get any closer The next morning at breakfast her aunt asked Did you sleep well dear Yes thank you said Amanda I hope the first call to prayer didn't wake you said her uncle A strange sound woke me at 4 30 said Amanda So that's what it was The local citizens are devout Muslims and they are called to prayer five times a day starting around four thirty in the morning explained her uncle I think that is so cool But why do they have to be reminded to pray asked the always inquisitive Amanda That is part of their religion part of their culture said her aunt Well it is a good idea I guess Amanda thought about what she could do to join in and be part of the
