Oftentimes while speaking with people they want to know all of the glamourous and interesting details of overseas living. Here is another glorious episode of the 'glamour' I experience in daily life.
As you may have read in another blog entry, I am hosting a cookie exchange at my home. Being the hostess, I had planned a menu of cookies, breads, and fruit spreads. What is one main ingredient to at least 2 of those menu items? Eggs. Our eggs are imported from a nearby country and recently there was a bird flu scare. Consequently, all shipment of eggs was terminated until further notice. For two days I, along with other cookie exchangers, searched in numerous grocery stores, supermarkets, and neighborhood markets for eggs. No luck. By Thursday morning my patience was running thin and I was having serious doubts if there would be any cookies at all for the exchange. Then the call came. C knew I was in a pinch and heard that ONE supermarket in the town of 300,000+ had eggs. Half a dozen eggs was going to cost a whopping $3 USD.
Before I could make it to that side of town, I had to pay the electric/water bill. After standing in line for 45 minutes, I was sure I had missed my opportunity to purchase the few eggs remaining at that supermarket. I paid our bill and decided to stop at every little store on the way in hopes of finding eggs. Keep in mind I had already been to numerous stores the few days before. By the 3rd store I was verbalizing my request to the Father for eggs. A simple request in my mind. BINGO! The 3rd store had received only one crate with 12 flats of eggs one hour before I arrived. Half of the crate had already been sold. I bought a whole flat of 30 eggs for $10 USD. I sent a text message to other invitees to let them know I had found eggs. Now we can make cookies and bread for the party!
This Egg Hunt frustration was compounded by the fact I was also looking for the ingredients to make a simple spice tea. You know the one where you mix Lipton Instant Tea, Orange Tang, Instant Lemonade, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar together. This was going to be one of the gifts to be given to the party guests. Would you believe that this country does not sell instant lemonade? I found instant drink with mango, orange, pineapple, and mixed berry flavors, but no lemonade. After much inner debate, I grabbed the pineapple and added it to my shopping cart. After sampling the mix at home, the pineapple adds a nice touch. So if you are in a jam and need a quick substitute for instant lemonade, try instant pineapple.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about life's little setbacks here. There is a very true statement about living in this part of the world, "Life takes all day." Every little task that has been simplified in many regions of the world has not been simplified here. So although we enjoy and soak up all of the wonderful aspects of living where we do, there are some things that make us dream of the way things used to be.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
C's Letter of Permission
Any official process in a new country causes my stomach to do flip flops. Why? It's like I'm entering Jr.High again. You know. That awkward, out-of-place feeling you had when walking into the cafeteria and not knowing who to sit with? That's the way I feel anytime I walk into a new government building in a country where I don't speak the local language, nor understand all of the cultural customs.
Recently, my temporary driver's license expired. Remembering my trials with obtaining my temporary driver's license, I had an inkling that switching that to a permanent license could take many tries. I was right.
Knowing I would need some back-up in my attempt in getting my new license, I asked a friend of mine who has amazing language abilities and has lived in this region for nearly 10 years. She was brilliant in navigating me to the correct 'office' in order to pay someone to copy my official documents. Then we walked to another building to get a ticket to wait in a cue for a completely covered woman to help us. Our number came up and my friend explained to her what I needed. She looked through all of my papers as I could feel my faced getting warm. Her eyes focused on mine as she asked in broken English, "Where is your husbands' letter of permission?" "Excuse me?", I asked. She repeated her question and I asked for clarification in what she needed. In order for any woman in this country to obtain a driver's license, she must have a letter for her 'sponsor'. That could mean your father, if you are not married, or your husband, if you are. It's as if you are not truly a contributing member of society unless you are male. If you are female, you are subject to be just that--subject to men. Before walking away from the counter, without my permanent license, the clerk told me that I would need a letter typed in the local language from my husband claiming I had his permission to drive.
Humph! My emotions were mixed. I didn't know if I should laugh, cry, or scream in frustration. I opted for laughing as the other two responses would not help the situation. I immediately called C and explained the situation. Then my friend and I walked to another building and paid a man to type a letter in the local language that C would have to sign. Don't worry, it is legal and most expats pay locals to type letters and documents for official uses. After having C's signature on the 'permission slip', I returned to the office and received my new license with no hang-ups. Ahhhh...the joys of living overseas! Just to let you in on a secret, it's not always as glamorous at it may seem.
Recently, my temporary driver's license expired. Remembering my trials with obtaining my temporary driver's license, I had an inkling that switching that to a permanent license could take many tries. I was right.
Knowing I would need some back-up in my attempt in getting my new license, I asked a friend of mine who has amazing language abilities and has lived in this region for nearly 10 years. She was brilliant in navigating me to the correct 'office' in order to pay someone to copy my official documents. Then we walked to another building to get a ticket to wait in a cue for a completely covered woman to help us. Our number came up and my friend explained to her what I needed. She looked through all of my papers as I could feel my faced getting warm. Her eyes focused on mine as she asked in broken English, "Where is your husbands' letter of permission?" "Excuse me?", I asked. She repeated her question and I asked for clarification in what she needed. In order for any woman in this country to obtain a driver's license, she must have a letter for her 'sponsor'. That could mean your father, if you are not married, or your husband, if you are. It's as if you are not truly a contributing member of society unless you are male. If you are female, you are subject to be just that--subject to men. Before walking away from the counter, without my permanent license, the clerk told me that I would need a letter typed in the local language from my husband claiming I had his permission to drive.
Humph! My emotions were mixed. I didn't know if I should laugh, cry, or scream in frustration. I opted for laughing as the other two responses would not help the situation. I immediately called C and explained the situation. Then my friend and I walked to another building and paid a man to type a letter in the local language that C would have to sign. Don't worry, it is legal and most expats pay locals to type letters and documents for official uses. After having C's signature on the 'permission slip', I returned to the office and received my new license with no hang-ups. Ahhhh...the joys of living overseas! Just to let you in on a secret, it's not always as glamorous at it may seem.
All I wanted was Diet A&W Rootbeer
Strange how you don't know you truly miss something until you find it staring you in the face. This past Tuesday was my birthday and I stumbled upon a treat for myself at the corner market--Diet A&W Rootbeer! I used to love drinking it and have not even seen regular A&W on any shelves in this country. So when I saw it, I grabbed it and deemed it my very own birthday treat. I paid for that and a few other items and headed home. As you might guess--it tasted great with my sandwich and soup lunch.
The next day, I finished teaching the Conversation English class and decided to see if my little treat was still at the corner market. To my delight it was! YEAH! I snatched another A&W and headed to the counter along with a small bundle of fresh spinach. When the man quoted the price as 6.50, I was shocked and I'm sure my facial expression showed it. I asked the man to repeat the price, because surely I had not heard him correctly. Usually a can of coke (or soda, or pop, or whatever you call it!) costs about 1.00. I knew the spinach was only 3.00 and there was no way ONE can of Diet A&W Rootbeer could cost 3.50. The man quoted the same price and then kindly pointed out to me that I was wanting to buy 'beer'. All 'beer' or alcoholic beverages are marked up an automatic 18%. I tried to explain to him that A&W Rootbeer was not truly 'beer' or an 'alcoholic' beverage. The clerk proudly walked from behind the tiny counter and to the cold drink section and pulled out two 'beer' beverages that had the word 'beer' on the can. He placed the two cans next to my A&W and pointed out that all three of them had the word 'beer' in it. He would not budge on the price due to his clever evidence. I sighed in disgust and disbelief and resigned myself to purchasing only the bag of spinach.
I suppose I will have to wait until next December 4th to treat myself to another Diet A&W Rootbeer. This is when language barrier and cultural differences truly want to make me pull my hair out!
A quick note to friends and family: thanks so much for emailing and calling me this past Tuesday. Your words of encouragement and friendship were a blessing. C treated me like a Queen and gave me cards, text messages, gifts, and a fancy Italian dinner---best of all he has given me his love, support, and daily deepening friendship.
The next day, I finished teaching the Conversation English class and decided to see if my little treat was still at the corner market. To my delight it was! YEAH! I snatched another A&W and headed to the counter along with a small bundle of fresh spinach. When the man quoted the price as 6.50, I was shocked and I'm sure my facial expression showed it. I asked the man to repeat the price, because surely I had not heard him correctly. Usually a can of coke (or soda, or pop, or whatever you call it!) costs about 1.00. I knew the spinach was only 3.00 and there was no way ONE can of Diet A&W Rootbeer could cost 3.50. The man quoted the same price and then kindly pointed out to me that I was wanting to buy 'beer'. All 'beer' or alcoholic beverages are marked up an automatic 18%. I tried to explain to him that A&W Rootbeer was not truly 'beer' or an 'alcoholic' beverage. The clerk proudly walked from behind the tiny counter and to the cold drink section and pulled out two 'beer' beverages that had the word 'beer' on the can. He placed the two cans next to my A&W and pointed out that all three of them had the word 'beer' in it. He would not budge on the price due to his clever evidence. I sighed in disgust and disbelief and resigned myself to purchasing only the bag of spinach.
I suppose I will have to wait until next December 4th to treat myself to another Diet A&W Rootbeer. This is when language barrier and cultural differences truly want to make me pull my hair out!
A quick note to friends and family: thanks so much for emailing and calling me this past Tuesday. Your words of encouragement and friendship were a blessing. C treated me like a Queen and gave me cards, text messages, gifts, and a fancy Italian dinner---best of all he has given me his love, support, and daily deepening friendship.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Celebrating the Season in the Sand
I've wondered what the "Christmas Season" would be like in our new land--seeing as the country does not officially celebrate the holiday. To my surprise, there a few stores that have a 'mini' section for Christmas decorations and gifts. It's nothing like C&I have experienced in the States. But it's not all bad. No "Black Friday" shopping. No Christmas rush in stores or long lines for mall parking spots. We don't even have to worry about icy or snowy weather. In fact, as I'm typing this blog, I'm sitting comfortably in my orange chair (no--I did not pick out my own furniture) with the windows open enjoying the cooler air. The high for today happens to be 84. That might sound high to the majority of readers, but 84 is about 30 degrees COOLER than when we first arrived in this desert land.
I suppose what we DO have for Christmas is a reason to celebrate. We do have a cause to make us pause and give praise for the most amazing grace gift ever offered. While we may not have many 'things' here, our reason for celebrating during the holidays does not change. We are humbled even more by His gift to us as we watch how His love is ignored and pushed aside within this region. His written word is considered an invalid tampered-with historical document. Those who chose to accept His grace and mercy also make a choice to abandon a life they currently know and understand. Yet, He continues to pour out Himself for all peoples and nations. Now that is love. To continuing giving when few seem willing to receive what is freely given.
The other day I helped a friend sale Jordanian handicrafts at a Christmas fair. Before the afternoon of festivities began, Santa Claus had to make his grand entrance. Did he come in on a sleigh with reindeer leading the way? No...see for yourself! Boys and girls, now we know how children who live in this part of the world receive their gifts from Santa. He stops by their homes while riding on his trusty camel, Abu.
C called an hour ago to say that he just found out that he WILL have Christmas day off! I'm so thankful. He will have the week prior to Christmas off due to the Eid Holiday. What? Two Eid Holidays in one year? Yes. The first Eid follows the end of Ramadan. The second Eid comes approximately 6-8 weeks later. This is the time of year when lambs are sold for slaughter in atonement for their sins. It is also a reminder of what their Father Abraham did for his son--Ishmael. Sound familiar to anyone? s
Points to Ponder:
-C...teachers, you know better than anyone else how to lift up C and his work. Not only is it his first year teaching, he is working with a large numbers of students who do not converse easily in English. He continues to pour into all students, no matter the barriers.
-E...throwing a Christmas party for local and expat women this month. Ladies I've met are being invited to our home for one evening. To my knowledge, none of them haver ever been to a Christmas Party and most of them are curious and excited about coming. Several expat ladies will be joining me as well.
-C/E..thankful for 6 months of marriage, family & friend encouragements, and care packages from family!
-C--thankful that OU beat Missouri (couldn't resist typing that one in for C and all Sooner fans!)
- Thankful--for the physical healing of many manual labor workers in one night. Truly miraculous to hear how the Father poured out His healing and power for those in need.
I suppose what we DO have for Christmas is a reason to celebrate. We do have a cause to make us pause and give praise for the most amazing grace gift ever offered. While we may not have many 'things' here, our reason for celebrating during the holidays does not change. We are humbled even more by His gift to us as we watch how His love is ignored and pushed aside within this region. His written word is considered an invalid tampered-with historical document. Those who chose to accept His grace and mercy also make a choice to abandon a life they currently know and understand. Yet, He continues to pour out Himself for all peoples and nations. Now that is love. To continuing giving when few seem willing to receive what is freely given.
The other day I helped a friend sale Jordanian handicrafts at a Christmas fair. Before the afternoon of festivities began, Santa Claus had to make his grand entrance. Did he come in on a sleigh with reindeer leading the way? No...see for yourself! Boys and girls, now we know how children who live in this part of the world receive their gifts from Santa. He stops by their homes while riding on his trusty camel, Abu.
C called an hour ago to say that he just found out that he WILL have Christmas day off! I'm so thankful. He will have the week prior to Christmas off due to the Eid Holiday. What? Two Eid Holidays in one year? Yes. The first Eid follows the end of Ramadan. The second Eid comes approximately 6-8 weeks later. This is the time of year when lambs are sold for slaughter in atonement for their sins. It is also a reminder of what their Father Abraham did for his son--Ishmael. Sound familiar to anyone? s
Points to Ponder:
-C...teachers, you know better than anyone else how to lift up C and his work. Not only is it his first year teaching, he is working with a large numbers of students who do not converse easily in English. He continues to pour into all students, no matter the barriers.
-E...throwing a Christmas party for local and expat women this month. Ladies I've met are being invited to our home for one evening. To my knowledge, none of them haver ever been to a Christmas Party and most of them are curious and excited about coming. Several expat ladies will be joining me as well.
-C/E..thankful for 6 months of marriage, family & friend encouragements, and care packages from family!
-C--thankful that OU beat Missouri (couldn't resist typing that one in for C and all Sooner fans!)
- Thankful--for the physical healing of many manual labor workers in one night. Truly miraculous to hear how the Father poured out His healing and power for those in need.
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