November 14, 2010

camels!
Camel's milk chocolate. Reminded me of wrapped chocolate Easter bunnies.
The New Villa

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First thing: A vigorous and heartfelt’” HUZZA” to Gary and Rhonda (For those who do not know “huzza.” It is a cheer of good job or victory from medieval England. My daughter Hanna resurrected the term and uses it regularly.) Those two have been watching over our -------- affairs and have gone above and beyond the call of duty. We are very thankful for all they have done on our behalf. If anyone is interested in buying a Victorian home, ours is for sale and Gary is our realtor.

Also we are very blessed by the ladies at the Resource Bank. Again, they have been very helpful in handling our finances and helping us to get things in order. I love small town banking where we know the names and faces and when we call, we speak to a real person. Marge has been very long-suffering and patient as we are learning the international banking system. What a workout!!!

I am also thankful to Dolores. She has kept me abreast of the Historical Society affairs and the members. This is very dear to my heart. I helped start the Society and I sure do love the members and the Board members. They really touched my heart.

Diane has been watching over our Lake house and doing a splendid job of running the whole show. She has been incredible.

Things I have recently learned:

1) Muslim women love colorful clothing and house decorations.

2) People who have never been to the United States want to be there, and people who have left the United States to live in Dubai, do not want to go back.

3) I understand why Westerners, those from Europe and North America are not generally respected here.

4) Arabian mosquitoes are more vicious than an irritated badger.

5) Men are very needy.

6) Truly, nobody is in a hurry to do anything around here.

7) I do use my huge dictionary a great deal and really miss it.

8) No matter where you go, there are very poor people.

9) Uzbekistan is a Russian speaking country and they love their vodka with pickle chasers.

10) Taxis are a great way to get around.

11) Tiger Balm is amazing for what ails you.

12) Every belly-dancing class needs someone like me in it. I make everybody else look good. Somebody must be the morale buster, and I am just the person for the job.

13) It is possible to move the diaghram muscle in and out, very fast, without rolling the abdominal muscles.

14) Jim and I love Lebanese food.

I have a lot of explaining to do.

1) I must confess, I thought that Muslim women wore only dark, non- shape fitting clothing all of the time. I do not know why I thought this, but my eyes have been opened.

While shopping at Dragon Mart, I saw women in the clothing stores and they were buying very colorful garments and unmentionables. Every so often we would see expensive red or black high heels, tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops under one of the gowns they wear. I observed one woman wearing very colorful trousers, with a pair of tennis shoes. I just smiled because that print and combination was something my daughter Julia would have chosen when she was very young.

They also seem to choose very colorful and shiny home furnishings. I must admit, I love color and texture. (Ask my children, I drive them nuts with it sometimes.) I am so thankful that God put so many in the world He created. I was relived to realize that the women here also appreciate it. I don’t know why it mattered so much to me.

I am not fond of too much sparkling gems, gold and bling. It is much too ornate and in your face for me. But, it sells big here. Maybe my problem is that I do not know how to put it all together and have it look nice, not gaudy.

2) I have been asked about jobs in the United States, how to get there and how does one get a visa. They are all hard workers, of course, and they want me to hook them up with family or friends in the States, so they can get there. I have been in contact with the American Women’s Association, and the women I have spoken with say that their families do not want to go back to the States. Plus the articles that appear in the paper here are for the most part very positive. It has been very rare for me to have heard anyone say they dislike Dubai. I know that a few are out there, but I have not met many.

3) When Jim and I go into the stores, guards follow us. At first this really bothered us. Then my son Andy told us that the biggest problem in Dubai is theft. And Westerners are the biggest culprits. I believe it. I have encountered more arrogant, rude, selfish westerners than any other nationality. They eat out of the produce bins like a buffet. They are ungrateful and rude. They drive like maniacs, and won’t respect the few requests for appropriate dress and behavior in public. I have been very fortunate in that I have been out with people from Europe that are polite, take their time and try to help others. We can tell that at times people are very shocked to have heard a ‘”Thank you”, or “Take your time. We will wait.” Or “Let me help you with that.” Just a smile and saying, “Please” means a lot to the people here. So, when you come to visit, please be patient, and polite. It does go a long way here. And remember, no one is in a hurry unless they are driving. So don’t be in a hurry when you drive.

4) Insects do survive the summer heat. Flies are every where and people seem to be very tolerant of the pests. I do not remember flies when we were here in July, too hot, I guess. Now that the temperature has dropped and people are outside all of the time the mosquitoes are here. They are so small, but they have a very painful bite, Tiger Balm seems to take the sting and itch away right now. They are aggressive and seem to chase you down once they have set their sights on you. Be careful. Marie was covered with the bites for days.

I am going to end this, as it is very long. But, there is more to come as the list above is still not done. . Let me know what you think. But, be kind as you are being truthful.

Lisa
*Hanna is relaying all of these posts from emails*