How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph.Page)
Quote #10
The sea outside was a raucous blue, dusted with tiny whitecaps. Across the room, a painting of what appeared to be the Swiss Alps.
"Strange in a beach house," Alan noted.
"Everyone wants to be somewhere else," she said. (XXXII.102-104.311)
Alan discovers the odd little Swiss Alps picture when he's on a "date" with Zahra Hakem at her brother's beach house. He's trying to wrap his head around all the cultural contradictions of Saudi Arabia as well as the diversity of Zahra's educational and family life.
Alan's really not able to process it all, but Zahra sums it all up for him: we all have the need for something other, something better. Alan doesn't recognize it here, but this also describes him to a T: he's always searching for the next big thing, the next exciting opportunity.