Evening with an Emirati Family

Although a bit blurry, the entry hall inlaid marble can be seen. The main door to the house is at the top of the pix To the left of this picture is the woman's sitting area - or what we'd call the Parlor. Turning directly around the picture below is that of the flying staircase and the sitting area at the base of the stairs. Although other office areas in the home, this central area seems popular with the children playing computer games.

Ornate furniture & many pillows/floor cushions are evident through out the house. The staircase was marble with wrought iron railings. Richly patterned and textured wallpaper is used extensively, as are lush area rugs.

The downstairs formal living room is circular. This is where the family gathers in the evening if they are not in the other less formal area. The "informal" living room is directly behind the photographer which has the TV and lots of very comfortable furniture & a huge central serving table.

This is the upstairs sitting area outside the bedrooms. This room is just above the first floor living room . All of the windows have blinds of some type and many layers of heavy and ornate window treatments - sumptious. To respect the cultural preferance to females pictures being published, we will keep well back and not reveal facial details.

Christine wearing a "old school" facial veil, this is also known as a burka. Both the beautiful silk scarf and burka belong to family members, who were quite amused to see a western woman in their garments. She is sitting in the family room with the main entrance behind her. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The most sincinct way to describe our evening with an Emerati family would be GRACIOUS HOSPITALITY. From the moment we entered the front hall, until we took our leave 4 hours later, we were pampered and made to feel so very welcome. Christine was inside the house all evening with the women. She received a tour of the entire house, but Scott was only shown a few rooms on the ground floor. These are the rooms pictured above.

Christine's Impressions: I was introduced to 4 generations of Emerati women. The younger women treated their seniors with respect and a sharp word or look was all it took to reprimand an errant child. The older women did not speak any English (well, hey, I do not know more than 10 words in Arabic...). The younger women were quite busy repeating everything into the other language. The 2 young girls from the photo above were delightful. An 11 y/o daughter of the house and a 9 y/o cousin spent a great deal of time sitting near me and explaining conversation, customs and asking me questions and teaching me a few words). Polite and well mannered were the children of this home.

I was offered delicious food and drink the entire visit. Fresh mango juice and fresh avacado juice with raspberry topping was absolutely amazing. Arabic coffee is quite different from American style, but lovely none the less. The meal was huge and the women sat around a gorgeous table in a special company room. I'll let Scott describe the food in his comments, however, it was interesting as all given silverware, but I was only one using it. One of the women told our hostess that she should eat with her fork because I would be offended. Perhaps, I was the one who would have offered offense for not even trying. If we are ever fortunate enough to be invited again, I will certainly use my hands.

Dessert was served in the visitors room right inside the front door. Scott was invited back inside for black forest cake and more delicious chocolates & coffee. We sat with an extended grouping of the hosts' family. Every family member made such an effort to see to my comfort and make me feel welcome. This was an absolutely amazing evening for me AND I got to hold a 3-week old baby!

Scott's experience:

As Christine said - gracious hosts and so welcoming. I was escorted to the men's majlis - or meeting area which is a complete house outside the main house. One room is "Western" with seating, the other is Arabic with cushions on the floor. I and 14 other men conversed all evening - again some in Arabic and when required - in English. We talked politics and found that most are in complete agreement with the situations in Egypt, Bharain, Yemen and Libya. All see the oppressed finally getting their say in the future. How the USA fits in was interesting and at times we took it on the chin but other times were praised for our support. We actually sat outside on a carpet with cushions and a fire going in a patio fireplace. A TV was also outside and was tuned to a news channel to monitor any goings on. It provided a constant source of topics to debate.

Around 10:30 we were called to dinner. I found a small table set for me in a western style. The main course was on a big platter in the middle of the floor. Lamb byariani with tabouli. I passed on the the western accomodation and we all sat on the floor and ate with our right hand tearing the meat from the bone, rolling it into a rice ball and popping it into our mouths. The food was excellent and the lamb melted in your mouth. Following dinner we all returned to the patio and enjoyed tea and coffee served by a house servant who was quite adept at keeping the tea and coffee flowing. Around 11:30 I collected Christne and we said our goodbyes to all. This was our first experience on sharing in an Emirati party and we are anxious to be asked again. They are good people and we certainly felt welcomed. Again in keeping with our hosts privacy I've omitted their idenity. Privacy is a HUGE componet of the Emirati social order and we were honored to be invited in to get a glimpse of this culture.

I did check out the kitchen - it is a seperate building out side the main house and it is not what you'd expect to see. They use applicances specifically made to cook the rice and slow roast the lamb which are easily transported and are gas bottle fired. Although there is a traditional looking kitchen- it is not used as we would. I found this interesting as my love of cooking ( and eating) got a big "Huh" when I realized the use of the appliances to do the majority of the food prep.

To wrap it up, We were honored to recieve this gift of Emirati hospitality.

Love to all,

Scott and Christine