I see memories like pictures, snaps and flashes captured images plastered to the walls of my brain gotta strain sometimes through my dust covered mind but it’s one of these times that’s inspired this rhyme - flash I’m 12 or maybe 11 my little brother Travis is just 6 or 7 I see my older brother Kirk, Trav, my Dad and me all hiking up this peek through a creek See I’m from the East, where it’s covered with trees and leaves and between branches are hidden many mountainous streams I feel the breeze on my face from that mountain I see us hiking round the river it has flowing straight down it It carved the boulders til they molded around it and the waterfalls sprayed off like upside fountains 3 stories each and them shits were steep And the algae made’em slick you slide off like Weirs’ beach If you dare walk a top that rock with bare feet And then - flash "Oh shit grab Travis!" but he's just out of reach and he slipped…
I never could have caught him or stopped the fall And even if I could, I don’t know if I’d had the balls Here’s my little kid brother sliding right for the drop 15 foot down smack onto the rocks then flash - to slow motion flash - the image stops then flash of pale skin, here comes Pops snatches Travis up by the back of both arms tosses to him the shore and then headfirst - flash - gone…
slip
Now that cold river water is pretty as hell but it sure don’t break a fall so well He fell straight down, smashing off the jagged granite bashed his head and his legs before his body landed 4 inch puddle with a rocky splash He's lying all gashed up in a crumpled mass and now everything is flashes I’m looking in his face dazed, confused, shock I never see him this way I see my Pop’s he's bloody Eyes buggy Seeing fuzzy His expression is blank a skewed and funny and now I'm running and I'm holding up his shoulders I'm wishing I could carry more, wishing I was older doing everything I can to keep him up Swatting horse flies from his head they came out for the blood I wish I could grasp all the pictures from this trip but the older I get the more the memories slip…
slip
Bashed but not broken he’s a tough old bastard said he vaulted off them rocks like he was back in gymnastics And the doctor said he’s lucky, fact is if he hadn’t fall like that would have definitely killed Travis He passed a test for his sons I guess we watched Pop jump first, no concern for nets He squashed any second guessing in a split second made sense of conversations that had left us disconnected without a lot of time for wrong or right he flashed his true colors and i captured them bright I try to live that way and remember the sight Pops of the Falls bravest thing I...
Read moreLocated in Shawkiyyah, Makkah, Baytoti is a well-regarded spot for Chinese cuisine, offering a variety of dishes that cater to fans of this culinary style.
Food: 4/5 Baytoti’s menu features a range of Chinese dishes. The fish dish was notably good, served hot with a tender, flaky texture. However, several other dishes, including the mixed fried rice, arrived cold, which affected their overall taste and quality. The crab soup was disappointing, with a lot of corn and minimal crab meat, and the shrimp noodles lacked flavor. The mixed fried rice was particularly salty, likely due to excessive Ajinomoto, which overshadowed the natural flavors of the dish.
Service: 2.5/5 The service was friendly but had several issues. The wait time for food exceeded 30 minutes, which was frustrating and almost led to canceling the order. Additionally, the card machine was out of service, requiring guests to pay in person at the main entrance, adding to the inconvenience.
Atmosphere: 3/5 The atmosphere at Baytoti is basic and casual, with unremarkable décor and lighting. The overall ambiance is functional but lacks the inviting charm that could enhance the dining experience. Background music is generic and does not contribute much to the atmosphere.
Value: 2.5/5 The cost of the meal, around 300 riyals for three soups, two shrimp noodle dishes, mixed fried rice, and a rice and fish combo, felt high given the quality and preparation of the food. The added inconvenience of paying in person due to a malfunctioning card machine further affected the perceived value.
Overall: 2.5/5 Baytoti in Shawkiyyah, Makkah, offers a selection of Chinese dishes but faces challenges with food quality, service efficiency, and value for money. Improvements in food temperature, seasoning, and service processes could enhance the overall...
Read moreThis Chinese restaurants' facade looks classy. The interior looks fresh and well illuminated. However, the food tastes mediocre--lacking true elan and class the facade of the building falsely assure. Their menu doesn't offer anything much aside from the usual and limited "chinese" cuisine that the locals recognize. They usually serve their rice isn't hot upon serving basmati rice instead of sticky rice or Thai rice which is a turnoff for a supposed Asian restaurant.
The service isn't good too, we had to hail for a waiter multiple times before we had someone had the initiative to place plates for us. Though their waiters were quick in taking our orders, and the complimentary appetizers were served quickly, we had to wait 10 minutes for someone from the crew to finally serve us with plates. Their service is inconsistent as there were other tables who came later than but were served relatively faster and ahead of us. Their dessert takes forever...
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