A Bit of Eid and Sur Trip

Well, the computer crashed at the internet cafe during my uploading of pictures... so this was all I was able to upload from my trip to Sur...

The sunset at Aseer Desert Camp. We sat out on the sand dunes to watch the sun set around 5:30pm. The sky was so clear and the sands a surprising red.

Jessica, a fellow SIT student, and I at the beach party following Eid. Stayed at the beach all day, with the families cooking, everyone eating, and a bit of swimming.

(Left to right) Me, Nihad, my mother, Ifaat, and Ahlam on the first day of Eid.

In the desert in our 4x4. Annelle, our driver, and Erick with our car on the top of a sand dune. Usually we flew over these dunes (quite literally flying), but we stepped out to sink ourselves in the sand for once.

Sur is famous for its dhow boats. Caught this photo driving past the port one evening.

More camels... I know. We took a rest at a camel "farm" to release the air pressure in the 4x4s' tires so we could go dune bashing. Spent some up close and personal time with a lot of camels!

Met these women at a more "touristy" spot while our group at Omani coffee and dates at their home. I bought one of those lovely tapestries from them, and almost bought a burka mask... but I think I would have fulfilled their dreams... I was told a story about a British woman who looked like me, came to this area of the desert, converted to Islam, and lived here. Though they were very sweet, didn't want to give any false hopes... But I talked to them about Bedu lifestyle, eventually ending in a long conversation and demonstration about eyeliner. These women are so strong, hilarious, and bascially shatter all stereotypes about women who look the way they do. Go them, I say.

Peace be with you

Peace be with you... I've said about a million times these last few days, and a million more to come. Of course, I say it in Arabic, but I dont know how to type it.



On Wednesday I got to meet my host family! After all of us waited around like little puppies waiting to be adopted, we finally all found our new homes. My mother and father came to pick me up, we went shopping for some pillows, ate some Indian food, and came home to meet the family. I cant even keep track of all of them... but there are some older brothers, who think they are regular gansters, a younger brother who wants to be just like them, grandparents, some older children who live outside the home, cousins, nephews, nieces, and a girl my age named Ahlam who I room with. Their family is from Zanzibar, so they mostly speak Swahili at home... so I'll hopefully come back with some Swahili AND Arabic. Really interesting to see all the family roles... not so sure where mine is yet.. as its only the second day, but its a little difficult to conform to the more woman does the cleaning and housework role. We'll see how thatll go haha



Yesterday they took me on a boating trip, departing from Mutrah and along the coast. A-MAZING. Really hot, but was nice to see the sea. We stopped in a little cove where the water was calm and a tropical green to eat lunch with the family and friends that came along. Talked to some of the aunts and uncles about the US... somehow a big discussion was Oprah! One woman was interested in what I thought about an episode of a Saudi woman being beaten.... and she was upset that Oprah talked about Muslim women being slaves. (Which of course is ridiculous) But it was very interesting to hear her opinion.



Tomorrow is my first day of classes (as the weekend ends on Friday) and I am excited to hear about other people's homestay experiences. And will be nice to learn some more Arabic to use in the home.



Glad to hear from all of y'all- makes being away from home so much easier! Mannn I miss being able to go to a restaurant or coffee shop by myself... sacrifices, sacrifices! haha



Some interesting meals of the week (for you mom ;) )

-Butter chicken and rice

-Chicken Biryani

-Chicken Kadai

-Beef liver, potato wedges

-Rice with salt fish, chicken, and rice

-Chicken schwarma

Germany is once again, one of the most comfortable places I can visit. Yesterday the rain finally stopped! I met up with Anne Dusemund, an old friend from ILA, last night. What started as a tad awkward ended up being a fabulous night. Had a little stop at her house, which is so gorgeous in this small town of Rachtig--which they continually keep trying to get me to pronounce correctly... Raccchhhhtig. As always, I felt bad for not being able to communicate fully, but we all made do- lots of jesturing haha. Soon after we arrived, we all walked over to the post-government-wedding party (there is to be another with all the glamor of a church wedding) of her cousin. In the German tradition, we met all the "youth" of Rachtig fully armed with horns, bells, air guns, and an engine (each with his own earplugs or ready set of fingers) to create as much noise and raise enough hell as possible. A lot of the parents smashed plates, pots, cups, anything in front of the couple. Was such a riot! The festivities included a ton of food and a ton of beer until all hours of the morning. Go Rachtig!

Today Anne and I woke up early to sightsee. We drove all around, stopping at gorgeous overlooks of the Mosel, Rachitg, Ürzig, and Berncastle. Had a coke at an old castle/overlook and ate lunch in Berncastle before boarding the boat to Rachtig. Chilly ride, but had great sights and a fun course. Anne and her mom showed me a DVD of the Carnival festivities in Rachtig... really cool dancing! And enjoyed the sun and her mom's garden for about an hour before heading back to Trier. Was such a short time, but such a fun one! Im falling in love with these small German towns... the pictures explain all its beauty and the friendships represent all its fabulousness.