As-salāmu ʿalaykum

ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمَا‎

The greeting "Peace be upon you" is probably more relevant now than ever in this chaotic world we seem intent on ruining. 

Ergo, I'm returning to the holiday theme as peace was certainly upon Bunty and I in Jordan !

We're on our way to Wadi Rum via the original train from the "Arab Revolt" in which the Ottoman troops from Turkey were defeated by the Arab forces of Sherif Hussein ibn Ali with support from T. E Lawrence a.k.a. Lawrence of Arabia !

It is a great comfort to someone who also had a totally undistinguished career in the R.A.F.  that Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence had an equally undistinguished time in the R.A.F. and indeed had a rank even lower than mine. 

Therein is the only similarity, and his book "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is the best known of his copious writings.

The next stop on this desert caravan was at a Bedouin encampment for a barbecue/buffet and the food was superb. Capped off by Bunty and I joining in with the locals in some Arabic dancing which was redolent of the Syrian wedding last year we'd been to in Alness.

Bunty and I also got Henna tattoos from him in thanks for our support in the initial dance.

 as-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmatu -llāhi wa-barakātuh

or

Peace be upon you, as well as the mercy of God and his blessings