What Is Essential Is Invisible To The Eyes

Remember i said that KusKus is a local delicacy that is cooked every Friday and eaten after the prayer? I was invited to another KusKus meal last Friday by a colleague named Jawal. Jawal is a 24 years old good looking and charming young man who works as a Sales Advisor in Toyota. It was him who had spent the night with 2 ladies when i first landed in Oran. Looking at him, i have no doubt that he can do it because he is definitely good looking, a bit on the playful side and has 2 dimples so deep when he smiles that i think most girls will be falling to the ground when they see the smile. Anyway unlike Nourhard who had built himself a house, Jawal together with his 2 younger sisters and 1 younger brother and the parents live in an apartment that is very similar to our low cost apartment in Malaysia. His house is in the second floor and since there is no lift, i was glad.

When we first walked into the living room, we were greeted by this young chap with a pacifier. He looked rather happy to see us and was running around. Before long, the mother came out with all the food and fruits just like my last KusKus meal. The only different is that this time more vege such as cucumbers and cabbage were added. It was still cooked with raisins (which i hated!) and mutton and the gravy was a bit spicy. I didint take as much as the first time but nonetheless it still taste great. To be honest, i can tell that i am not a fan of KusKus by now. So lunch was pretty short because of this and it was time for dessert. Dessert was excellent! It is called "clam cream" in French. It was made from milk, banana and avocado and finished with a spoon of Caramel. It looks like our tau fu fa and tasted similar to, except for the crunchiness of the fruits. It was so new and good that i finished it within a second, and when Jawal's mother saw that, she was so happy and said that she will make us some for us to bring back. Of course we declined.

Just when we want to go into the TV room, another boy came in. His name was Sohaib and i thought he has the Beckham look! Blue eyes, blond hair and a shy but mischievous smile. While Jawal resembles his father, Sohaib has the features of the mother. Since Jawal is the Romeo of Eye-Turk, i am sure will Sohaib's charm could easily be the Romeo of Oran! I was told he is Jawal's younger brother!Then who is the kid we met when we first came in? Apparently Islam is the neighbor's kid and he just loves to come to Jawal's house to be fed and sing to sleep. For a moment i can't comprehend the situation. I was told that Jawal's mother is a very lovable lady and all the kids in the building love her and she loves them too. So she will just welcome whoever who wants to come. And then i was shown another baby boy who is the younger brother of Islam. As if that wasnt enough, there was another kid who belongs to another family. All the 3 kids were preparing for their afternoon nap! I was speechless! This will not happen in Malaysia for sure, not when there is no pay.

The Current Romeo and the Future-Romeo-To-be

Jawal's lovely mother and Islam posing together.

When tea was served, so did roti canai! Well it's not call roti canai here but it sure tasted just like roti canai. The only different is that it is also eaten with honey. So out of courtesy, we have to nibble on the roti canai and at least finished a cup of the tea. Then it was time to leave and a surprise came to us. We were given home made small cup cakes as well as gifts wrapped nicely. It was a total surprise on our part especially the Chinese customs always stress on the guests bringing gifts to the host and not vice versa. Plus, we only brought them a huge bar of chocolate and now we are given back bigger gifts instead?

We bid our farewells and lots and lots or merci to the mother eventually. It turned out that the 2 nicely wrapped presents are sleeping gowns for me. How lovely and thoughtful. Just when we thought Jawal's mother has done enough for us, we got a knocked at the door at night and was given a huge bowl of "clam cream", which will take us maybe 1 week to finish. Though i do not like KusKus but the hospitality that was showered upon us were overwhelming and made KusKus a really special dish to us. That reminds me of what the Fox told the Little Prince when he was about to leave him, " What is essential is invisible to the eyes".The meal is no longer so much about how it tasted and what ingredients were used. What is important is the thoughts that were put into while preparing the meal and the loves that was blanketed on us. It is now special to us because each time when we talk about KusKus, this touching gesture will always be remembered and will be told to all our friends, and KusKus will be the best dish we ever had in Algeria. That is the good news. The bad news is, because of us, a secret competition has risen among the local colleagues. I was told today that we will be going to another KusKus meal next friday prepared by Arminah and have to judge which family cooks the best. Burp! I am already full now thinking of the next KusKus! God Help me!

"Please tame me," said the Fox.

"One only understands the things that one tames. Men buy what is ready made but there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, so men have no more friends," the Fox continues.

"I will cry when you leaves me for i have been tamed. But what is essential is invisible to the eyes," explained the Fox.