Sunday, the 10th of June, was sort of my first day out of school.
Really the full-time teachers still have to report this week, but
technically there's nothing for me to do in the school, so I did not
report on Sunday. Actually, I used the fact that Sunday was Hannah's
last day in Kurdistan as my excuse not to go to school. Instead, we
planned a shopping trip to the big bazaar that morning so the 3 of us,
Hannah, Virginia, and I, could pick up some gifts to take to America.
We had also received a lunch invitation from Mrs. Linda for Sunday
afternoon, so we were looking forward to a busy, fun-filled day.
At around 9:45 am the 3 of us grabbed a taxi and headed off to the bazaar where we enjoyed some shopping among the local people and in the traditional style. There were scarves a-plenty, from which we each made our selections. We perused small stands with henna and searched for ornate (and gaudy) teaspoons to bring to America. I even found a great mug tree, but not for mugs. Karoline will use it as a jewelry hanger. You know how I love to re-purpose! We wandered around among the sweaty people, hanging beef and lamb, buzzing flies, and noisily shouting salesmen for a couple hours, then made our way up the steep hill to the Qalat (Citadel). Virginia loves the antique shop there and, since she's single, I guess she has the money to buy antiques. :) She purchased some treasures, including another dagger (soooo Virginia), then we headed down the steep hill to finish the outing with ice cream or juice. Virginia got her favorite pistachio ice cream, but Hannah and I decided to try some mixed juice flavors we'd never tasted before. Hannah chose henar and gindora---translation: pomegranate mixed with a melon (like cantaloupe). I went with a safer mix, strawberry/banana. Well, Hannah's was way better!!!! I will buy that again. So, happy and re-hydrated, we headed home in a taxi. Kinley called to say our family had received another invitation for 5pm that evening! Whew--it was shaping up to be a very busy day! If you know me, I love it!
As soon as we arrived home after shopping, I had about 30 minutes to freshen up from the stale heat and dust of the bazaar before meeting Mrs. Linda at the school to go to her house for lunch. Go, go, go!!!! At Linda's house, Hannah, Virginia, and I enjoyed a small lunch of beef kebab in samoon and a soup with kuba. We chatted about all kinds of things; family, students, TV...it was nice and relaxing. We had tea and the sweet they call manna. Nearing 5pm, Kinley called to ask when we were coming. So, Linda graciously changed her clothes and drove us back to our neighborhood. As soon as I walked in (at 5:34) Kinley and the girls walked out. We were late for our 5pm invitation. Oops! MY fault.
Now, remember, this is NOT a time-oriented culture. However, Kinley had an agenda for a small side mirror car repair and wanted to get it done before the shop closed. So, my family left me home to shower and rest a bit. An hour later, Kinley returned for me. The girls were already at the home of our great Kurdish friend, Shemal! Remember, he's the construction worker Kinley became friends with 2 years ago when the house next door to ours was being built. So, we arrived at Shemal's around 6:45pm. He lives at home with his parents, his wife, and 5 younger siblings. He also has 5 older siblings, all married with children who have their own homes, mostly nearby. We had all been invited to see the new baby. Shemal was just married last summer, and Friday, June 8th, his first child was born--a son, Niaz. Not all the family came for the visit, but most of them, including all their children. I think there were 25 people, but I lost count! I know of at least 11 more who were at the home of one of Shemal's brothers. I was just waiting for them to show up. It was an amazing evening--and night, of Kurdish language, food, celebrating, pictures, laughing, Uno (yes, my daughters have introduced them to the card game), and squealing, shrieking, running, and playing of lots of children. Wonderfully, Shemal has one older sister with 7 children; 6 girls, one boy. The oldest girl is 16 and they go on down from there to an 18 month old! We had never met them before, but we found out they actually live on our own street in our neighborhood!!! Amazing! Plenty of girls for our daughters!! Now, there was some serious language confusion between the girls, but hey, it's time to learn! Believe me, Hannah Montana and Justin Beiber are the same in any language! When Shemal invited us, we told him we would come in a week or so after his wife rested from the birth of a baby. He said that's when guests come. We are not guests, we are family and we will come when the family comes. It was so sweet! He calls Kinley his brother, and he means it, truly. We had a long night, trying to listen and translate and communicate, but we were filled with the spirit of why we are here; to love the people of Kurdistan and be a Light into their lives. What a privilege to be called "family" by a national man and his extended family. We left Shemal's house around 11:30pm. We are tired today, but filled with joy and overflowing with blessings of friendship! As a matter of fact, Kate is so overflowing, she's still in the bed at 11:30am!!!!!
Katrina
At around 9:45 am the 3 of us grabbed a taxi and headed off to the bazaar where we enjoyed some shopping among the local people and in the traditional style. There were scarves a-plenty, from which we each made our selections. We perused small stands with henna and searched for ornate (and gaudy) teaspoons to bring to America. I even found a great mug tree, but not for mugs. Karoline will use it as a jewelry hanger. You know how I love to re-purpose! We wandered around among the sweaty people, hanging beef and lamb, buzzing flies, and noisily shouting salesmen for a couple hours, then made our way up the steep hill to the Qalat (Citadel). Virginia loves the antique shop there and, since she's single, I guess she has the money to buy antiques. :) She purchased some treasures, including another dagger (soooo Virginia), then we headed down the steep hill to finish the outing with ice cream or juice. Virginia got her favorite pistachio ice cream, but Hannah and I decided to try some mixed juice flavors we'd never tasted before. Hannah chose henar and gindora---translation: pomegranate mixed with a melon (like cantaloupe). I went with a safer mix, strawberry/banana. Well, Hannah's was way better!!!! I will buy that again. So, happy and re-hydrated, we headed home in a taxi. Kinley called to say our family had received another invitation for 5pm that evening! Whew--it was shaping up to be a very busy day! If you know me, I love it!
As soon as we arrived home after shopping, I had about 30 minutes to freshen up from the stale heat and dust of the bazaar before meeting Mrs. Linda at the school to go to her house for lunch. Go, go, go!!!! At Linda's house, Hannah, Virginia, and I enjoyed a small lunch of beef kebab in samoon and a soup with kuba. We chatted about all kinds of things; family, students, TV...it was nice and relaxing. We had tea and the sweet they call manna. Nearing 5pm, Kinley called to ask when we were coming. So, Linda graciously changed her clothes and drove us back to our neighborhood. As soon as I walked in (at 5:34) Kinley and the girls walked out. We were late for our 5pm invitation. Oops! MY fault.
Now, remember, this is NOT a time-oriented culture. However, Kinley had an agenda for a small side mirror car repair and wanted to get it done before the shop closed. So, my family left me home to shower and rest a bit. An hour later, Kinley returned for me. The girls were already at the home of our great Kurdish friend, Shemal! Remember, he's the construction worker Kinley became friends with 2 years ago when the house next door to ours was being built. So, we arrived at Shemal's around 6:45pm. He lives at home with his parents, his wife, and 5 younger siblings. He also has 5 older siblings, all married with children who have their own homes, mostly nearby. We had all been invited to see the new baby. Shemal was just married last summer, and Friday, June 8th, his first child was born--a son, Niaz. Not all the family came for the visit, but most of them, including all their children. I think there were 25 people, but I lost count! I know of at least 11 more who were at the home of one of Shemal's brothers. I was just waiting for them to show up. It was an amazing evening--and night, of Kurdish language, food, celebrating, pictures, laughing, Uno (yes, my daughters have introduced them to the card game), and squealing, shrieking, running, and playing of lots of children. Wonderfully, Shemal has one older sister with 7 children; 6 girls, one boy. The oldest girl is 16 and they go on down from there to an 18 month old! We had never met them before, but we found out they actually live on our own street in our neighborhood!!! Amazing! Plenty of girls for our daughters!! Now, there was some serious language confusion between the girls, but hey, it's time to learn! Believe me, Hannah Montana and Justin Beiber are the same in any language! When Shemal invited us, we told him we would come in a week or so after his wife rested from the birth of a baby. He said that's when guests come. We are not guests, we are family and we will come when the family comes. It was so sweet! He calls Kinley his brother, and he means it, truly. We had a long night, trying to listen and translate and communicate, but we were filled with the spirit of why we are here; to love the people of Kurdistan and be a Light into their lives. What a privilege to be called "family" by a national man and his extended family. We left Shemal's house around 11:30pm. We are tired today, but filled with joy and overflowing with blessings of friendship! As a matter of fact, Kate is so overflowing, she's still in the bed at 11:30am!!!!!
Katrina
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