There were times when I was in the mist of the crowd and found I was the only one who didn't have a rock in my hand. I almost felt out of place.

When I was standing on the podium, actually, I found her in the crowd and I don't think I have seen her happier before. Her smile was very big, and it made me really satisfied. It makes me remember the whole way that I've gone through, many years of hard training.

All of my colleagues really did a tremendous job that day under some very trying circumstances. I really felt proud to be a Blade reporter that day.

It was one of those situations where you have instincts as a reporter, and instincts as a human being. There are times when you are not thinking of stories, you are thinking of people's safety.

In 22 years of being in the business, there is nothing else that I can compare it to.

[But there was at least one official who apparently didn't get the word on his visiting VIP. In Jeddah, when Hughes paid a courtesy call on the Saudi Minister of Information, he greeted her by saying:] Tell me what you are seeking to hear I'm not sure what it is. ... I'm really here to listen.