Sometimes the best trips are unplanned. You know those spontaneous moments of 'let's go for a walk, or get some ice cream'? Our moment was, 'let's go to Montreal for the weekend!'. Luckily, Montreal is only a 2 hour drive East, so a few chocolate bars were packed, camera bag prepped, airbnb booked and little innocent fun was all we took with us.
They went on their first date ten years ago during the wonderful days of high school. The date was on the local bus, the OC Transpo, where they slowly but surely began falling in love. Today, after ten beautiful years together, they stood hand-in-hand professing their commitment and love for one another in front of their family and closest friends.
It’s unimaginable that in such a rugged, imposing and gregarious environment there could be anything living. Mecca has this very in-your-face-personality. A relentless sun bears over mountains, dust and sand. Barren is a generous word. But there are birds. Always. They flutter over the Ka’aba endlessly throughout the day and the night. Perched sometimes on its edges, they stand forth and move about. Small, insignificant amongst the throngs of worshippers and pilgrims whose faces are weary and anxious, desperate to catch a glimpse of the Ka’aba and to embrace it’s black façade.
As Alina put on the final touches to her makeup, the scattered rain showers we were worried about suddenly stopped. Our backup umbrellas would not be needed today! Both Alina and Mahmood were getting over a cold after a week’s worth of hard earned family celebrations leading up to their wedding day. They’ve been engaged for over two years, living a long-distance relationship, and were both so happy that their special day was finally upon them.
This world is full of disappointment, misery, trial and sometimes downright horror. You only need to pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news. But amidst such tragic happenings, humanity has found ways to overcome, unify and spread hope. This cake, I submit to you, is one such humble effort to make this world a better place.
