Only in the Middle East

This morning after totally oversleeping etc., we missed going to our place of prayer. Sigh...some days are just like that.

Munchkin #2 was playing this morning and came scooting into the living room on her knees pushing her camel ('Camie') with two riders. The 'riders' are mice dressed as Bedouin. Munchkin #2 has a collection of dolls (like Barbies), but they come with a collection of culturally appropriate clothes. So, the mice borrowed from the dolls and were "off on a desert adventure." Wow. I guess my kids are really thinking about the culture in which we find ourselves if it shows up so vividly in their play.

A great story (ok. I think it's great.) Yesterday, upon picking up my kids after school, I needed to have a conversation with a mom of one of Munchkin #2's friends. The mom, who is Dutch, is also fluent in English and Spanish (Spanish is actually her first language). This other mom (and good buddy) and I needed to discuss some things that we didn't want the kids to hear. So, she switched to Spanish. I could understand her and respond with simple words (my Spanish is very rough). So here I am living in the Middle East, and I'm talking with a fellow mum who's Dutch, but we're speaking in Spanish. And, I'm trying to learn a touch of Arabic. Well, at least my Spanish seems a bit better than I thought.

Speaking about Arabic, I learned from a very gifted 11 year old I know (and well traveled) a few bits about saying 'Hello' in Arabic. In the United Arab Emirates and in Saudi Arabia, the proper greeting is 'Salaam Alaykum' (which, essentaily translates to 'peace of Allah be upon you') In Oman, it is 'Marhaba' (grind on the h a bit in the back of the throat). I'm not sure what is appropriate to Qatar and Bahrain. Arabic will vary between different countries. As I learn stuff, I get more interested.

A few weeks ago, I met a lovely woman from the same home country town where our house is! Her daughter and my Munchkin #2 even used to go to the same place/group for their sport of choice! We have so enjoyed meeting each other, and our daughters really seem to enjoy one another. They are even on the same flight as us on 20 June heading for home! And they are not coming back! They are moving back home. I am so bummed. It's hard to find people that you immediately click with. We will stay in touch.

As an aside, a very dear friend of mine (years ago she drove past tornadoes and for about 4 hours to meet me at hospital when my son was born) is currently traveling outside of our home country. She and her husband are currently hoping to adopt. Good thoughts and prayers for them. I have not heard from them since they left the home country. Again, good thoughts and prayers.

Peace/Salaam/Paz