You know I often wonder how people can be so self=absorbed, mean, petty etc. I guess I am naive, OK I know I am, but it is so easy just to be nice. We have two men with us, barely, they spend all of their time just taking pictures and hardly listen to the narrative. As you know we are in and out of many mosques. We take off shoes, cover heads etc. They, meanwhile, tear through the monuments taking pictures and disturbing everything.
Yesterday (yes I have been stewing for a day), we were inside a mosque and they were running around taking pictures. I was taking mental pictures. Several men were praying in the front. One of these two pendejos passed by me and said “It’s so quiet.” “yes” I whispered, “they are praying.” “I don’t give a shit!!” he barked.
I was so taken aback that I didn’t even respond, which, as you know is pretty rare for someone as quick as I am. I wondered why he would come to so many holy places. Just to take pictures of arches and windows and mosaics?
His partner literally attacked our guide for spending so much time on “this God shit.” Regaling him with the fact that the two of them did not believe and didn’t want to waste time on this.
He said it in front of our two Muslim couples who are serious and devoutly religious. I have not spoken to them since and wonder how they justify such disregard for other. So sad
