A Very Mandi-licious Thanksgiving

I'm a few days late and several pounds heavier, I'm sure, but Happy Thanksgiving!

I spent my first Thanksgiving away from home with my grandmother and great aunt, which was such a nice treat. They were able to fly in to visit from New York for a few days and we have been ripping and running ever since they landed. I unfortunately have no pictures to post because I was enjoying myself too much to take any but maybe they will be nice enough to share a few with me later.

We started our Thanksgiving with a tour of the Grand Mosque, naturally, and then had a traditional Arabic meal for dinner.  Meals at traditional Arabic restaurants are served while you are seated on the floor and consist of really flavorful rice and either chicken or lamb. It wasn't the same as turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy, but it definitely hit the spot, so if you're ever in Abu Dhabi you have to go to Najd Palace to eat for sure!

On Friday, I had to do another border run to Oman, so grandma and Aunt Yvonne got to experience that with me. It wasn't really that exciting but now they can at least say they got to visit two countries in one trip. I also took them to see Jebel Hafeet because how could I not? It's not every day you get to see a huge mountain in the middle of the desert, and then to have lunch on the top of it makes it even better.

And finally, we spent today haggling and making new friends at the gold souk here in Abu Dhabi. From the outside the gold souk looks like some place you definitely would not want to go inside. It just looks kind of dirty and crowded and smelly, but we soldiered on and went inside. Once you get inside it's really a whole new world, it's air conditioned, clean, and there are rows and rows of shiny, sparkly jewelry stores. I've never seen so many diamonds in my life. I have my eyes set on a pair of beautiful diamond earrings, but that's neither here nor there :) We wound up spending the most time and money at the gift shop of two guys from Kashmir. Those Kashmiri are some charismatic people! They also make some of the most beautiful crafts I've ever seen. My grandma bought a handmade cashmere duvet cover set and a bunch of cashmere scarves and other gifts for family back home.

I'm sad to say that my time with grandma and aunty is coming to an end, they're heading home this evening. They were here just long enough to really mess up their sleeping patterns. It's hard to believe it will be December in just a few days, but December means I will be home very soon. Only three weeks and counting!