The photograph that appeared with the article written by Theo Bos in Cycling Weekly.
Abu Dhabi - In an article he wrote for the UK's Cycling Weekly, Theo Bos recalled the help extended to him by an Emirati woman after suffering a minor accident.
Published: Mon 26 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM
Updated: Tue 27 Oct 2015, 9:04 AM
Dutch cyclist Theo Bos experienced first-hand the humanitarian values and ethics of Emiratis during his time here while participating in the Abu Dhabi Tour.
In an article he wrote for the UK's biggest cycling magazine, Cycling Weekly, Bos recalled the help extended to him by an Emirati woman after suffering a minor accident in stage two of the race.
The 32-year-old said he fell off his bike and had to be taken to an Abu Dhabi hospital. "After receiving treatment, I went to the hospital's pharmacy to buy the prescribed medicine. When I reached out to pay, I remembered that I had no money, because I was wearing my sports suit. An Emirati lady, who was waiting in line with her son, understood my dilemma and insisted on paying the bill - saving me from an embarrassing situation."
That was not all. As Bos waited in front of the hospital for his teammates to pick him up and drive him to the hotel they were staying in, the Emirati woman - who turned out to be an Abu Dhabi Police employee - offered to drop him to the hotel.
"At first I felt a bit embarrassed, but she insisted. There was an empty seat next to the driver, and I needed to get back to my teammates, so I accepted her help. More surprisingly, she insisted on giving me her mobile phone to call my mother in Holland and reassure her. On top of it all, she told the driver to stop at a restaurant and bought me food and water."
Bos said he is planning to visit the UAE again to acquaint his fiancée with this generous country. He also expressed his wish to meet the kind Emirati, Afraa Al Muhairi, to thank her for her generosity. He said Al Muhairi represents "what all women around the world should be like".
Al Muhairi stressed that any Emirati woman would do the same in a similar situation. "These ethics stem from our traditions and religion, which call for helping the needy and being generous to our guests."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
The photograph that appeared with the article written by Theo Bos in Cycling Weekly. - Supplied photos
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