It was along time ago and a different world. I happened to be in Jeddah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the hope of selling films, books and drilling rigs. Our plane from Amman in Jordan stopped in Damascus and an elderly gentleman got on and should have been sitting in the window seat, but is was occupied by an ignorant man who refused to give it up. I was in the isle seat and offered this chap my seat.
He seemed very grateful and we chatted the rest of the flight. He was fascinating, talking about selling mules to the armies in WW2 and many things and he was now dealing with bits and pieces in Saudi Arabia – he invited me to dinner later that evening.
Later I went along to his Hotel and he rushed out to meet me, very apologetic he said it was awkward as his sponsor in the Kingdom has asked for an early meeting – I understood the protocol and excused myself saying I also had other appointments, at that moment his sponsor, King Faud, arrived and I was introduced – “Ah, you are the man who helped my friend Attila Turkhan” said the king to me – I smiled and left. The man I met on the plane was the agent for Boeing and General Motors
At a loss to where to go, I got a cab and asked if he knew where the Al Ahli football club was as I had made friends with a chap in London Abdul Abudowud, ‘You know this great man” said the cabbie and gave me a free ride to the club if I would introduce him – I did not know this was the national club and he was the team captain and Vice President of the club.
I met my friend Abdul and we sat on mats, I was at his right hand, and met many people, ate delicious things and drank tea for hours.
Around midnight, the was a big fuss – Abdul asked me to move down as the president of the club arrived unexpectedly – yes, it was the King – Abdul introduced me and King Faud said ) “Ah yes, I know Mr Tony” – so I sat at the Kings right hand until it was polite for me to make an excuse and leave for my modest little room downtown. He sent me in his Mercedes 1000 (probably only a 600 with a bigger badge) the drive was embarrassed to leave me in such a district – lucky he did not see my hotel