There's a big fat man in the Lounge wearing nothing but a towel
Sep 28, 2007, 1:46 pm
#1
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There's a big fat man in the Lounge wearing nothing but a towel
I swear it's true. Well almost. He was actually wearing two towels. One around his ample waist, and one wrapped around his hairy torso and over one shoulder.
It was in the Lounge at AMM, at lunchtime today, as I was waiting to board the flight back to LHR. There, across the Lounge, was a rotund man, walking around dressed in two white towels and a pair of flip flops.
Now can anyone suggest what might have been going on?
- He took a shower and someone stole his clothes? (But there are no showers, only very scary loos in the Lounge).
- Someone told him there was a toga party going on?
- This is a Middle Eastern tradition I am completly unaware of?
It was in the Lounge at AMM, at lunchtime today, as I was waiting to board the flight back to LHR. There, across the Lounge, was a rotund man, walking around dressed in two white towels and a pair of flip flops.
Now can anyone suggest what might have been going on?
- He took a shower and someone stole his clothes? (But there are no showers, only very scary loos in the Lounge).
- Someone told him there was a toga party going on?
- This is a Middle Eastern tradition I am completly unaware of?
Last edited by Smirnoff; Sep 28, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Sep 28, 2007, 3:12 pm
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Sep 28, 2007, 3:16 pm
#8
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I saw a similarly dressed gentleman in DXB being driven through the terminal in a buggy. It certainly adds to the flavour of the travelling experience and nobody but me seemed to take any notice of it whatsoever.^
Sep 28, 2007, 5:34 pm
#9
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Sep 28, 2007, 5:39 pm
#10
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It depends on the time of year. In the summer heat, they use a thin linen material. In the cooler months, they use towelling material. What you have to bear in mind is that they have to live as pilgrims in fairly austere surroundings and mainly sleep in tents. If they get cold, there is no running to a heated area or wearing a jacket. It is like shedding your worldly possessions.
It is a Muslim tradition not just in the Middle East. But other than in Mecca (where they are all heading to), you only see them at airports around the world making their way to Saudi Arabia. Strange time to year to do an Umrah (the name of a mini-Haj which can be done at any time of year) since it is currently the Muslim fasting month as well so it is physically very demanding. I trust the individual was not eating or drinking in the lounge. I always think it is strange that while they have to live in austere surroundings in Mecca, flying in First or Business is not an issue.
If you want to see mass crowds in similar robes, head to airports around early December since the time for the Haj is just before Christmas I think.
It is a Muslim tradition not just in the Middle East. But other than in Mecca (where they are all heading to), you only see them at airports around the world making their way to Saudi Arabia. Strange time to year to do an Umrah (the name of a mini-Haj which can be done at any time of year) since it is currently the Muslim fasting month as well so it is physically very demanding. I trust the individual was not eating or drinking in the lounge. I always think it is strange that while they have to live in austere surroundings in Mecca, flying in First or Business is not an issue.
If you want to see mass crowds in similar robes, head to airports around early December since the time for the Haj is just before Christmas I think.
Sep 28, 2007, 7:09 pm
#14
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I know. But it can look funny. I just tried my Ihram on this morning for the first time (I am performing Hajj this year) and I looked something like what you described in your post.
The Ihram must be worn by pilgrims performing Hajj. It consists of two unsewn sheets of cotton, one wrapped around the lower body and one draped over the upper body. During the Hajj, a man may undrape his right shoulder but otherwise will be well covered. A pilgrim is required to wear an Ihram because it removes the class, wealth and status and individuality aspects of the pilgrim - making him equal and at one before the masses and more importantly before God.
Generally, one dons the Ihram at their point of departure for Makkah. If I were flying from DFW to AMM and on to JED, I would also change in the lounge at AMM.
The Ihram must be worn by pilgrims performing Hajj. It consists of two unsewn sheets of cotton, one wrapped around the lower body and one draped over the upper body. During the Hajj, a man may undrape his right shoulder but otherwise will be well covered. A pilgrim is required to wear an Ihram because it removes the class, wealth and status and individuality aspects of the pilgrim - making him equal and at one before the masses and more importantly before God.
Generally, one dons the Ihram at their point of departure for Makkah. If I were flying from DFW to AMM and on to JED, I would also change in the lounge at AMM.