February 18, 2023. As 4×4 vehicle sounds of roaring engines vibrate through the grounds of nature, they drive over big pit wholes, crisp, split grounds, and small boulders. As massive, empty waters ways come up at some point, the level of steepness offered only the sight of the ground and, oppositely, the sight of the sky with the last bit of the highest peak in the area. There is no clear way to go, and it is definitely not an adequate place to get lost.
In the Islam, there is always a way, they say, and so we most definitely, better said, Mohamed found his way and safely reached our long-awaited destination. The edge of the world.
That is not a nice place to end up, you might think. In this case, it was. Maybe it might even be a fun place for you to be and for you to explore, it might be your philosophy of life. If you hang too high over the edge, though, you might someday fall. That’s why just like here in Saudi Arabia, going to the Edge of the World and in any other aspect of living or being at the edge of the world, have a person that you trust along the way. That we have here today in Mohamed.
Shukran, Mohammed, for your invitation to join you to the Edge of the World today.
Edge of the World a place you reach only after driving roughly one hour through thorough dirt roads and a brave, capable driver.
The challenge of the Tuwaiq Mountains. This one hour is sixty minutes of geological flat land (excluding all pits and waterways, of course).
After 3600 seconds ticking seconds of surpassing the flat lands, the path we took made our drive to the Edge of the world an adventure in itself.
As far as the eyes can look, the way continues flat. Yet there is a twist to it.
This flat terrain continues only after a 1.131-meter drop.
In the west, the Tuwaiq mountains come to an abrupt end. To the south, the mountains continue ceaselessly all the way to Rub al Khali, meaning the ‘Empty Quarter.’ An area inhabited by sand dunes, the penetrating summer heat, wildlife, and a few Bedouin souls.
Two extremes, two philosophies, two beauties. At the Edge of the World, where the horizon can be seen without boundaries, the number of flying birds in the sky can be counted, and an empress’s view over the land of Saudi Arabia is gifted to everyone who dares to take on the adventure.
A place where you feel like a king looking down on his land having a full overview. The Tuwaiq Mountains that for long have hidden the presence of the Edge of the world come to an end. Surrounded by different tones of browns, skin tone, earthy colours and but little green.
No soul is to be found after the drop. Down there, the trees lead way to dried-out water sources that have once flown and boulders that, over the passing of time, the passing of day and night, of rain and sun, drop, crack and break in the blink of an eye.
As nature plays with itself, the world stands still and has no words, no thoughts to speak or to put nature’s forces to a halt.
I’d like to think of it as the living cliff of the king itself. Actually, you know what it feels like standing on the edge of the world? It feels like you’re on top of the world, looking down at all that nature and earth are. Looking down onto an ancient ocean bed whose story you and I will probably never find out. Untouchable and so beautifully unconstrained you are, Mother Nature.
Earth is independent, earth doesn’t need us. We are the ones that need Earth, and so if a boulder from the Edge of the World drops into depth, it is only an opportunity for planet earth to create a sharper edge, a new environment. It is its own unpredictable, powerful message.
We walk up along the cliff on small bouldering rocks away from the edge. With every step I take, the image of the edge of the world becomes clearer and clearer. The arc that marks the contrast of altitude so beautifully gives this place the name it undoubtedly presents ‘The Edge of the World.’
A place that becomes more powerful, steeper, and surreal every step you take. Jeeps stand parked close to the edge, honking proudly, leaving their Jeep light on and a single car door open.
It seems as if everyone is in connection with Mother Nature, saluting her and her forces with deep respect and thoughtfulness.
This I come to understand as I stand firmly on top of the edge. The wind is blowing so hard that my hair doesn’t let me witness the view to the fullest, my eyes are dry, tears start to flow, the sun is setting, the sky turns into vibrant of blues and pinks, and the cities once to be seen in the far distance start to fade.
Nature is communicating to us; it is time to go back home. And so, with a last glance and a small, extremely hot cup of Karak Tea, given to me by a Saudi ‘stranger’ (nope, I guess you Saudi people don’t believe in strangers, do you?) I stepped foot into the Jeep. As I did, the sun had set fully, and the night started to call.
I congratulate you, Edge of the World, for treasuring your preciousness and keeping your wildness a secret till a little time ago, until the first of us have come to discover and respect your sovereign allure.