Even though the Mahboula sand will never replace a White Christmas, no evening is ever a Silent Night, and you can't even mention where The Little Town of Bethlehem is located, Christmas does indeed happen here in Kuwait.
Maria, Erin and I went to an excellent Christmas concert on Friday night. The Almahdi community choir boasted seventy members and invited the audience to join them in singing their hearts out on several holiday favorites. Wonderful way to get into the season.
There is plenty of festive comfort food around. We had Justin and Sarah over for tortilla soup a few nights ago, and Nancy joined us this past weekend for pesto pasta. Bowls of Lebanese staples make their way into any sort of impromptu gatherings. Others will stop by for snacks, conversation, and goodbyes during the week.
An interesting tradition here at the high school. Not only do the plates of cookies, cakes, and baklava make their rounds, but people in the many different admin offices buy platters of food (Arabic pizza, sandwiches, the delicious Lebenese fatoora, puff pastries) and then share with the other offices. So my lunches have been covered for well over a week without even being asked. I just stopped bringing food in because I know something will show up late morning. Gaining weight in December seems to be a global issue, not constrained to just the United States.
Not exactly Christmas related, but our Arabic class had our test outing recently where we had to practice what we knew. The inflection really makes a difference; I knew what I was saying but Arabic speakers seemed to have a difficult time understanding me. Oh well, I was not alone, and it was an enjoyable evening nonetheless as we ate, shopped, bargained, and negotiated taxis. Hasan our teacher showed us the expensive incense and perfume shop where I would have never gone in on my own.
Russ went to a white elephant party on Friday and scored a really nice Starbucks mug and chocolate. I also have had a wonderful Secret Santa who surprised me with a Yankee Candle, Godiva, and organic granola over the last ten days.
I got my hair cut and nails done this past week. I always feel infinitely more put together after a treatment. Thai Lanna is the teacher go-to place. Julie went with me for the first visit and Maria came along on the second. Maria is great to call up and ask "wanna go?'. She also helped me pick out Secret Santa gifts and small baubles for some of the kids in our building.
Ok, so this is hardly Christmas, but it does show some of the trappings. We are looking forward to flying out on Friday morning and being home later that evening. And there might even be snow!
No comments:
Post a Comment