Rich Experiences and Culture Shock

When visiting another country, it is important to remember that the way you've always done something is not the only way.  Each culture has its own ways of doing things.  This week I've been involved in some deeply cultural events.  I would like to share these with you and ask that you think about them with an open mind.

On Tuesday, my Head of Faculty arranged for several kindergarten teachers to visit another kindergarten school in Al Ain.  This school had really cool murals painted on the walls and there was a great sense of community. Upon entering the school, we were asked to go to taboor, which is a morning assembly where students gather, sing the national anthem, and have other morning activities.  All the kindergarten students were gathered and singing when we arrived.  They were dressed very ornately in honor of the National Day activities going on.  The principal greeted us and asked that we have a seat and enjoy the program.

Two ladies came and brought ood to share with us.  Ood is scented wood or charcoal like material that is burned in a small bowl.  The smoke is very aromatic.  The ladies brought the ood to each individual teacher and shared with us.  By sharing, the bowl is brought to you. They wave the bowl close to your clothes and the aroma encompasses you.  This is a sign of hospitality and not taking the ood would be a sign of disrespect.  When going into malls, the smell of ood and other incenses are everywhere.

Next, the women brought Arabic tea, which was served in small ornate cups.  I'm not a tea drinker, but to refuse the tea would have been disrespectful.  Actually liked the taste of it and will try a little honey next time.  We left the taboor and went to our assigned class. Visited with Mrs. Sheila and saw some really good strategies.  Loved how she had centers set up.  Her children were adorable...speaking in complete sentences in English. Loved the role playing center.  One little boy dressed like a soldier was sitting in a chair and his "wife" was preparing and pouring tea.  He had his feet propped up and everything....too funny!  

On Wednesday, a group of parents treated the staff to a very special lunch.  This lunch was very different than I've ever had. (Would have loved to have taken pictures, but Arabic women do not like to be photographed.)  The following description is my take on a very cultural event...eating.  No matter the culture, it's always very social.  We laugh and catch up with old friends while enjoying the cuisine.  

Picture this:  There were 2 HUGE, HUGE, HUGE, HUGE silver bowls covered with ornate tops at the end of 2 long cafeteria tables and many other huge covered dishes inbetween.  Was very curious what was inside....couldn't wait for the reveal.  Well, I couldn't believe my eyes when the top came off....These huge bowls had half of a goat in each sitting on a HUGE mound of rice, veggies, and other items.  Yes, one bowl had the upper portion...including the head, while the other bowl had the lower half.  It was cooked tender and was falling off the bone.  When the tops came off the bowls, the line or lack there of, began to go down the table loading up plates. Most of the Arabic teachers LOVE goat.  The table was swarmed like Walmart on Black Friday.  I stood back and watched...love to go last in line.

Walked over to the dessert table and grabbed a banana from an ENORMOUS basket with almost any type of fruit available here.  By the time I went back to get in line, most people had made their selections.  As I came to each bowl,  asked what everything was and they gladly shared information with me....can't remember any names now, except for goat :).  When I came to the goat, it looked picked over, but could still see those poor little eyes staring back at me.  A very nice Arabic woman   asked if I liked goat.  Told here that I'd never had any and she scraped around and found a piece for me to try...oh boy!  I smiled, thanked her, and went to my chair.  She was watching me to see if I was going to eat the goat, so I had no choice....in it went....NOT MY FAVORITE, but I smiled and gave her a thumbs up.  

Then, I saw something I'd never seen before.  In the bowl that I had just gotten my goat out of, the hosts were reaching in making rice balls and putting in their mouths and putting hands back in to make another rice ball.  In this culture, it is common to eat this way.  Groups of friends sit around, chat, and share the bowl. Different cultures have different ways and I'm always respectful.  As an American, I'll share my fries with you, but not sure about my bowl.   

National Day Celebration happened on Thursday.  The children came ornately dressed and sang two songs in Arabic and "If You're Happy and You Know It" in English.  They danced and did a great job.  Everybody's Momma, Momma's Momma, Poppa, Grandpoppa, and 2nd cousin twice removed showed up.  The room was packed with people...wall to wall.  Even the aisles of the auditorium were packed with people and it was sometimes difficult to keep my children together. In the Arabic culture, standing in line, making a line, and following procedures is sometimes a difficult task. Everyone wants to be first, but someone has to be last. I like being last.  You get to see the whole picture, not just a little part :)   

In terms of behavior, this week is like the last week before Christmas.  Teachers, remember how tired you are?  Well, I'm there!  We have a 4 day weekend and looking forward to some rest and fun.  Only a short time from now, I will be coming home for Christmas!!!! Dec. 14th, I'll be on American soil :)  So looking forward to seeing my family and friends.  Until we meet again!!!  :)