Happy Birthday!

Assalamu Aleikum!

I missed a day writing this blog as I was out celebrating. 36 today! Not me, the UAE. The UAE was created 36 years ago and it's currently the school holidays for 2 days at least. Yesterday I ventured into the big city for the first time in a long while. As it was a celebration the local lads went a bit mental and there were cars painted in the national colours, boys sitting on the roofs of speeding cars, confetti being thrown at everyone and me sitting in the longest traffic jam ever trying to get to the mall. The last time I experienced anything like this was when Wales won the 6 Nations and all of Cardiff ground to a halt. In the end I gave up and headed off for the desert at about 11pm. I think I will try again on Monday, inshallah.

Back in the desert the celebrations are altogether more civilised. So on Thursday our little town had a procession of people riding camels and horses, and lots of school kids. Ours had been given the day off so the headteacher had to go around persuading a few to join the procession. But the Scouts were there in full regalia with the scout leader (one of our teachers) marching in front. A Bedouin village was set up for the day with traditional singing and dancing, food (my favourite) and as much coffee as you could drink. Some of the Bedouin boys brought their falcons and explaining the training regime for them. Apparently they only fly in the winter as the summer is too hot for them (interesting fact No 1). The Bedouin women gave me some food that was delicious - a bit like pancakes. At this point the dancers started up and they reminded me of morris dancers - all in white, carrying sticks and skipping/walking around to a set pattern. They danced to songs sung by a line of men. I didn't see it but my guide, the PE teacher, told me that when the women dance they swing their long hair around. He said it's an amazing sight. He's from Jordan and said he didn't really meet Bedouin up there as most people were city-dwellers.

All of the above was for the local Bedouin peoples. A celebration of their culture. There was not one tourist in sight. It's a real privilege to join in with the celebrations.

At the end of the event I went to a building where there was some more Bedouin music going on. As I get to the steps I noticed about 12 policemen spread out in front. I turned to the PE teacher and asked," Are they expecting trouble?"

"That's for the children. Only adults are allowed inside."

I looked at the police with their truncheons at the ready and moved inside. I enjoyed the singing inside and when we all stood for the national anthem the police must have decided to let some kids in. It was just after that I heard a scuffle behind me and saw a young lad bearing a remarkable resemblance to my over-the-wall escapee running across the tops of the chairs with a policeman in hot pursuit. I sighed to myself and thought about my 2 days off and fresh challenges when I return.

Masalamah

Yahya