Waiting in anticipation

It's a wonderful time of the year! The munchkins so look forward to the winter break. I so look forward to the winter break! In anticipation of our temporary return to the home country, a Lego inventory has been done (see above snap). Munchkin #1 has decided that he is bringing back just a massive bag of nothing but legos. Both munchkins are just plain hoping for new stuff no matter what! But, it never ceases to amaze me how this winter break, they are more excited about seeing the family and being back in the home country than they are about new toys. (Side note: I love Munchkin #2's pink rug with fish on it! - see the above snap)

If we were not leaving the region for the winter break, I would loved to have gone to a very special event taking place near AbuDhabi, the Al Dhafra Festival. http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081222/NATIONAL/388157011/1119 It is a giant camel sale, but more importantly it is a celebration of bedouin culture. It is not a tourist thing. It is a wonderful jolt of beautiful real life. If I ever have to spend the winter break in this region, I'm going to embrace it and go to this festival. Click on the above article and scroll through the photographs. Excellent shots of what life really looks like. Not to mention, the beautiful baby camel that looks almost white. Camels are such amazing creatures. This festival is an excellent reason for me to practice Arabic a bit more. For more information on the Al Dhafra Festival, click on http://www.arabiatourism.co.uk/events/2nd-al-dhafra-festival-2008-2009

Peace be upon you and don't forget to savor life.