(Disclaimer: This event is only from my point of view; that means, the people who actually don’t know the real Saudi Arabia. They know the Saudi Arabia either from the limited information available on internet or from the contacts who have been in this country some time ago. But the country is frequently changing its attire in many aspects. We guys were just 6 months young for Saudi Arabia. Situation was very funny when no one knew much about COVID19 and Lockdown. How would be the behavior of Ants and Grasshoppers Amongst COVID-19 Lockdown.)
Here we go…
Once upon a time in Saudi Arabia… (actually just around 6 months from today, at the time of writing this post) … the situation was very humorous when nobody knew much about Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and people were making their own assumptions when buzzes started floating around that the lockdown is about to be imposed at any point of time in Saudi Arabia. “Lockdown” was a very new and fancy word to us.
Time Period: Mid of February 2020
Place: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (the country where it’s not easy to acquire the information)
Hyperactive crowd: Mostly expats (Indians of my organization who were living as tenants)
Available Information: Confusing (everyone has their own database and source of information)
All the apartments in Saudi Arabia are low rise apartments (four floor apartments, ground+3). There is no Zero/Ground (0) in the lifts, ground is marked as first floor. Even these small apartments have care-takers (apartment managers) located in each apartment.
One day, our apartment’s manager asked us, “what is the matter, people are storing tens of 20-liter water bottles (water stock for whole month)”. We did not have any clue of the question.
We activated our sleeper cells to get to know that what is this war-front situation for. As in this apartment and other nearby apartments as well, are occupied by our office colleagues only.
One of our top secret agents (actually nothing secret) leaked us with the information that Saudi Arabia government may impose the lockdown at any point of time and it will be curfew-like situation. Authorities will not allow anyone to come out of their houses; else will be sent to jail and punished as per Saudi law if breaking the rule. The actual fear was the version of Islamic law in Saudi Arabia we heard of.
Hence, it was wise to collect all the things which are necessary for life. Food ingredients have alternatives but no alternative of water for life. So, our people used their wisdom and stored the water first, which can last for whole month. But some lazy people like us (Barney, Janu, Habibi, Fufa Ji and Kullu bhai and some others at their own places), simply ignored.
(To know about Barney, Janu, Habibi, Fufa Ji and Kullu bhai, please refer to the post “Getting Ready to Fly from Saudi Arabia to India during COVID-19”)
The ant and grasshopper story
(Original story of Ants and Grasshoppers : here)
One week passed on by waiting for the curfew, but nothing happened. The people who stored the water were very optimistic that they are on victory position since they have stored the water in Saudi Arabia. And, will be winning if curfew is imposed any time, they are ready. And, the lazy people like us were even more optimistic that no worries, still no much pressure of this silly COVID-19 that can bar our water supply.
That’s how some weeks passed on without lockdown or curfew. The optimistic people gradually stores more grocery items (soap, detergent powder, etc.), more vegetables and fruits, oil (edible oil, not crude-oil) for many days. And, at the other hand, the more optimistic (lazy) people like us didn’t collect anything, we were still confidently surviving with our own style (running on daily wages).
Both kind of people were fighting the mental battle with each other, that, who will be proven clever. The winning line was virtually drawn at the situation when the stored logistics is completely utilized but whether the complete lockdown/curfew is imposed or not.
The days kept flying (but slowly). People still kept visiting office, working, meeting with each-other with great level of excitement. It was mid of March 2020. Still, no clue of lockdown. Stock of one month of grocery is also finished. We, the lazy people were cheering up with the victory cup (in our minds). The game was over. But the rumors of curfew were still hot in the market and the less optimistic people again triggered the fresh beginning with a ray of hope with storing the water and grocery again…
Anyways, in such scenario, actually ants’ attitude is the savior in real world.
(Story continues in the next blog post “Ants and Grasshoppers in actual COVID-19 Lockdown”)
(To know about my last 4 days in Saudi Arabia. Please refer to the post “Getting Ready to Fly from Saudi Arabia to India during COVID-19”)
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Storing water for whole month was good idea. I guess they had collected water to tease who had not, Unfortunately they didn’t get chance like ant to tease grasshopper.