Happy New Year - It's 1434

Happy New Year !

On November 15, the Islamic new year was welcomed in. It's official it is now 1434.
I didn't even know there was more than one calendar in this big world of ours. In fact - here is a little tidbit of information...
Besides the Gregorian calendar that we currently use, there is also the Islamic calendar which is a lunar calendar, but other countries or faiths also use a lunar and solar calendar. I learn something new everyday. 

The Islamic new year was just recently celebrated and unlike the new year celebrations that take place around the world on January 1, the Islamic new year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers, readings and reflection. 

The short time I have been outside the United States I have learned more about other holidays and celebrations of other countries, than all the years I have been alive. It has been fun to watch the different celebrations unfold and research all the specifics about them. Another recent event I have enjoyed experiencing and learning about is the celebration of lights - the Hindu celebration of Diwali. 

The holidays and celebrations I am accustomed to are not celebrated in the middle east (even though some of the retailers try hard to make the  expatriates feel more at home by selling Christmas and Halloween decorations). In fact, the holidays I am used to celebrating usually slip by quietly, without a lot of notice or fanfare. Seems weird....

On Thanksgiving this year, nine families got together to celebrate. But this year, for me, it was very international. Besides all of the Americans enjoying the make shift Turkey dinner ( hard to find all the essentials), we also invited two British families, a person from Scotland, and a family from Germany. It was the first time I have been away from my family at Thanksgiving, but the amazing families I spent the day with were a great substitute.

The "biggest holiday of them all" in the United Arab Emirates  is coming up on December 2 - it is National Day !
Similar to the 4 th of July in the United States,but on Steroids. Preparations are being made now with gigantic flags and lights  being hung from every wall, door, building, etc. The United Arab Emirates does everything big and over the top so you can imagine the decorations and the flags that are being put up all over the city.

The picture below is a local business decorated for National Day on December 2. This is typical of businesses all over the city. The city is a glow.

I am looking forward to celebrating national day with all of the other millions of people that live in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 2. I have heard that nothing compares to this experience. Several of our expatriate friends have said that we should stay home that day and avoid the madness, but no, not us, we will be out in the middle of it, seeing and experiencing it for ourselves. Why not ?!
This should be fun !

Dressing Up Is Just Not For Kids

I hope I never grow up.

It is said that holidays are for kids. If that is the case ...I must be the biggest kid around..

Halloween time is a family favorite and wearing costumes is not just for kids. Let me repeat...not just for kids.

Christmas will always be the #1 holiday, but Halloween and the 4th of July are very close seconds. The best thing about Halloween and the 4th of  July - there is no gift giving, just a lot of fun.

Jeff and I have hosted a family Halloween party at the Herr haunted house for years, but because of our temporary move to Dubai, we really did not think there would be an annual family Halloween party this year. There was saddness :(.

But fortunately, as luck turned out, I was back in Utah in October and with help from my daughters and their spouses we pulled off the annual party (thank you Shawn for staying up late one night and helping me stretch webs from one end of the ceiling to the other and Ansley for making and sending out the very scary invitations).

Yes, the costumes below were made by my nephew and his wife. Pretty amazing aren't they?

There is much anticipation on what everyone will come as from one year to the next and sometimes the costume planning starts the day after the family Halloween party is over. No leaking of ideas or telling what someone is thinking of coming as the next year is allowed....it is a secret. The costumes get better and better every year.

Even my parents and an aunt who is dressed below as Carmen Miranda, are in their eighties, dress up and anticipates the grand prize to be awarded.

With the fog machine going, the house decked out in scary webs, lights dimmed, the fun begins and each time the door bells rings we all stop to see what or who enters through the door. We eat the traditional chili along with many other ghoulish food items, while enjoying halloween games and doing the limbo to Halloween music. Doing the limbo with costumes on is a special treat. Everyone needs to try it once in their lives. I am always amazed at how limber my family and extended family can be ...especially on Halloween night. They all seem to be unusually limber one night out of the entire year and some of them bend like pretzels - backwards.

Anticipation grows and the judges finally arrive. One at a time the costumed family members strut there stuff in front of the judges - then it happens, first, second and third place are awarded.  Not everyone can win - maybe next year !?

The party has expanded beyond family members to include non family members alike. There have been years when I don't even know some of the people at the party and I have to keep asking, "who is that", but we welcome anyone to come and have scary fun with us. The more the merrier or should I say scarier....One condition they have to wear a costume.

I am so happy that I have a family that loves to play and have fun. Thanks for being great sports and let the planning begin for next years costumes!

The Coolest Day Trip Yet

Jeff said that it was the best birthday ever.

We took a short trip to Dibba, Oman and did a day long Dhow Cruise, along the coast of the Arabian Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean. On a clear day you can the country of Iran. It is very close and this is probably the closest I will ever be to Iran.

This area of the world is old ...an ancient fishing community that has been passed down from generation to generation. They have been fishing this area for thousands of years. Isn't that amazing to think how old this area of the world is?

 

Today was our lucky day, besides us and the couple we we went with, Meagan and Stephane Budge and their two small children, William and Hazel, only one other couple  from Belgium were on the cruise with us.

 

How awesome was that ! We had the entire dhow to ourselves. Two floors of food, Arabian music and floating fun. The weather and the stillness of the water could not have been any better. We were off on an adventure on a strikingly beautiful day.

 

But watch out...the Indian Captain asked Jeff if he wanted to steer the dhow out of the dock and into the open sea. He was so happy to oblige. With a wide grin on his face, we were on our way.
 

 

The scenery was beautiful. Sheer cliffs jetting straight up out of the ocean, turquoise blue, green water that was so still, you could see straight down to the sea floor as sting ray, fish along with other sea creatures in their natural habitat swam around. It was like being at an aquarium but 100% better. Flying fish followed along side the dhow - jumping, skipping along the water catching bugs in the air. As they fluttered above the water, it reminded me of fairies following the dhow.

 

 

We stopped along our journey at the ancient village of Haffa, Oman. The only way to get to this village is by boat and it has been that way for thousands of years. There is very little to this ancient village but homes, boats and fishing equipment. There are @ 150 residents of this ancient, enchanting village. One thing to note - the children are transported by boat to school in Dibba every day.
 

 

Our captain got the small small boat we pulled behind the dhow ready to transport us to the beach, but also challenged the brave, or should I say "the crazy", to enter the water by jumping from the top of the dhow. He said, " it is only 20 feet". I decided to be safe and take the small boat ride into the beach, unlike my husband that decided to take the 20 foot plunge and swim in.
 

 

The beach was over run with sea shells, hermit crabs, goats, one friendly donkey that made it known to all of us that he was the welcoming committee chairperson, and one groping fisherman.That's right, you read it correctly, one groping fisherman that was so happy to see females on his beach. That is another story or definitely a later post.
 

 

All around us on this small inlet were ruins of rock homes that used to be, old deserted boats, fishing nets and a lot of isolation.

Wow, I cannot imagine living so remotely away from civilization or even close to one neighbor.
 

 

Once our time was done on the beach, we ventured with off in our little boat, into hidden caves. As the sea water filled the cave, we entered with our small boat. The walls of the cave were colorfully streaked, just like a rainbow and the water was crystal clear. Stunning, captivating - it is hard to express the beauty and awe of this tucked away place. We all sat in the boat, stunned at what we were seeing, speechless.
 

 

Back on our dhow we were feed an Arabian lunch and then continued on our journey until it was declared we had arrived at the best snorkeling spot. But wait we are in the middle of the sea - I need to jump directly into the sea, no gradual wade in to the water or guard rails? On went the snorkeling gear and we plunged into the blue green sea. The water - stunning and the perfect temperature. We spent over an hour paddling around the sea in our snorkeling gear. Life is so good !
 

 

Jeff did however have a run in with a sea urchin while snorkeling, which left 23 quills embedded in his right hand and had to be removed by a surgeon at a later time. Next time, maybe we should wear gloves while snorkeling or be very careful where hands are placed.

Sea Urchin 1- Jeff 0.
 

 

We had a beautiful day cruising on the dhow, exploring and enjoying sites that few people ever see.
This was Jeff's birthday but I also benefited from this wonderful day trip to Dibba, Oman. 
 

 

Happy Birthday Jeff !