Thursday, April 27, 2017

An Arabic breakfast in London, Ontario


I had to giggle, when my friend from Abu Dhabi decided on the Paramount, a Middle Eastern restaurant, as our breakfast meeting place. 

She is a friend from Abu Dhabi who just happens to also be from my home town. Actually, with her Lebanese background and our shared history, it was perfect. (And delicious, by the way).

She, her husband and two kids are in the process of repatriating and they are struggling with it, as most every expat does. 

I compared it to leaving a relationship that has a great many good aspects, but isn't right for you any more - those are the ones that are easiest to slide back into.

And they agreed. 

When I make these visits back to Canada and see my friends and my family, my gorgeous niece and nephew, when I see how it's changing but still the same, and I try to imagine myself back there, the whole 'should I? Could I?' Takes over a lot of my inner dialogue. 

People who have left tell me that you know when it's time to go, and that it can take a couple of years to get settled. And when I think about my abrupt decision to move to Abu Dhabi nine years ago - and how that turned my world upside down - a couple of years to get settled seems perfectly reasonable. 


Boys in dishdashas: The picture I've been trying to get for 9 years


One thing that makes my heart instantly melt over here is the sight of a little boy all dressed up just like his dad. It's not that common - they are usually wearing the rough-and-tumble gear any little boy might wear - but when it happens it's the best. I've never been able to snap a photo though, mostly because I just couldn't figure out how to say 'can I take a picture of your little boy' without sounding like a Western weirdo.

Then, last weekend, while sampling the food truck fare at Reem Weekend, this little trio came walking towards me and I spotted the opportunity.




















Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Overheard in the newsroom: Lunch order edition

Editor A: What kind of cheese do they put on it?

Editor B: I think whatever they have lying around. 

How to be a happy expat

Because a cloud wall makes you want to take a selfie.  After 10 years living in the UAE, some of that time happy, some miserable and ...