It was if the copy was screaming my name after reading my mind.
"Are you bored with your life? Are you in a dead end boring job? Are you tired of snow up to your eyeballs? If you are ready for some adventure and sunshine in a warm desert climate, we have job openings for you in the beautiful country of Sarjah. We are rich in oil but poor in people with office skills. Fill out the enclosed application and find out in less than twenty-four hours if your new life is in our friendly country."
In my present mood, I was ready to apply to hell just to get warm so I filled out the app and hit send before I could change my mind. The next day I received an online notice asking me to interview at an office on the west side.
I realize we all have preconceived notions on ethnic groups and mine had always been that Arabs put women down. However, this office was run by women and I liked the feel. From the receptionist to the lady who interviewed me, all were polite and friendly. Miss. Sallina said the job was mine as soon as I took a physical and could get my papers together, they would fly me to Sarjah. It was a two-year contract at almost twice my current pay. I would be required to sign a nondisclosure pack, as my work would be sensitive to the security of the country. She mentioned that although they were a forward thinking country I would need to have my head covered when out in public and that I would need to dress conservatively. I started to tell her that as chubby as I was that was the only way I dressed but then I just agreed. It was all so fast and amazing; in less than a week, I was on a 747 to my new home.
I had long been a believer in 'If it looks too good to be true it probably is' and yet when we landed I was stunned by how beautiful the airport was. As we flew in over the ocean I was awed by how blue the water was as well as the white beaches. As I deplaned, I saw a man holding a sign with my name on it, just as you see in the movies. I felt so important as I walked up to him but quickly found out he spoke no English. He merely nodded to me and turned to walk away so I followed. I tried to inquire about my luggage but I saw it at the curb next to a big Mercedes four door. We drove out of the airport and up the coast along the beach. We drove for miles and yet I didn't anyone on the beach, maybe the afternoon heat was too much, and everyone went to the beach in the evening. Looming in the distance was a large dwelling and I was shocked when the driver turned in the driveway leading up to the estate.
I was greeted at the door by a servant who spoke some English; he welcomed me and said I needed to change to traditional dress for the swearing in ceremony. He implied I had to swear allegiance and was just a technicality. I felt as if I was in a dream as I was led to a room were women helped me dress in a long gown and then enclosed me in a Burka. When I saw myself in a mirror instead of felling repressed, I thought of myself as mysterious and actually alluring.