More on Jeddah Flood

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 Please check out American Bedu's post about what YOU can do for the Jeddah flood victims.

'Aashooraa' Reminder

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2010 is almost here but 1431 started a few days ago!  So for a little reminder of the blessings of fasting for 'Aashooraa' (the 10th of Muharram which coincides with December 27th 2009) have a look at this post from last year.  It might also remind you of what was happening back then.  A year on, how are things now?

We've been busy ...

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

... being ill and taking various herbal concoctions

Twigs from a type of Arak tree (the trees that miswaks come from!) that grows in Makkah

... embracing Jeddah mall culture. Ok, not quite "embracing" ... "making use of"?!  

 

 

Yes, those phones are lifts! This particular mall has an outdoor eating area which is generally great for this time of year.

... crafting and baking for Little Uncle's return from London.

... chomping on chocolates that he brought back!

... missing the snow, hence, making our own versions of these snowflakes!

... dressing up a boring brown board (like this one - as I didn't take a "before" photo!)

Life Continues

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This is December here in Jeddah, when the mornings are cool and the nights are cold enough for duvets and blankets to make an appearance.  After the rain, the sun shines on.

 

The sun shines on and our lives too, just carry on.  We busy ourselves with the meaningful and the mundane.

As I posted before, a few weeks ago this is what happened in the Southern districts of Jeddah.  A few of those closest to me saw some of this first hand.

The death toll is above 1000 and continues to rise.      

Sometimes people that we come across everyday in real life or in cyberspace are being tested at great heights and we have no idea!  If you don't usually follow American Bedu, a very informative blog about life in Saudi, do read this recent post about the trials in her personal life.  Susie has also posted about it beautifully here.

What to Expect

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There are some things that you have to get used to when you live in a country as an expatriate,  Some things are definitely hard to get used to.  Others are the things that make you feel blessed and thankful for being in your host country.  There are some very important factors to consider and they vary from person to person or family to family.

On a lighter note though (and a very random one), living in Jeddah means the occasional breakfast (or even dinner) of foul (broadbeans) and tamees (a type of bread).  Below is a more flavoursome version of the broadbean dish called gulaabah. 

Expect it on every street corner, usually in a tiny, little shop that smells deliciously of fresh bread!  Also available at the local foul shop: lentils cooked in a similar way and ma'soob (bread mashed up with bananas and/or cream, dates and honey) for a sweet breakfast.

Sometimes though you see things that you wouldn't expect, like ...      

      

 

chestnuts.

Or grey mornings.

 

They don't come very often, which is why I always blog about them!

Or even a Saudi Yellow Pages!

And then there's the adhaan (the call for prayer), heard from a number of mosques at the same time.  You can always expect that, along with the closing of businesses.  But the reaction of this lady (Kate Humble) was one that I wasn't expecting when I first watched this video.

South Jeddah Flood Appeal

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Just before 'Eid festivites had a chance to begin in the south of Jeddah, the area was submerged as a consequence of this rain. Families were stranded on roof terraces, cars and buses were swept away and with each day the death toll rises.

Deadly Jeddah Flood


Source: see note below

If you are in Jeddah and can help out with home suuplies, food, school supplies. clothing, home appliances and/or money please call Miss Rasha Hifzi: 054 163 9486.

They also need people with 4 wheel drives to help deliver the items. If you can help with this please call Sumaya: 050 551 7277.

Please pass the word along. Jazakum Allahu khayra.

ETA: The people that are organising this are probably extremely busy! If you can't get through to either of them, you can go along to the back of the Exhibition Centre on Madinah Road in the evening to hand in items or to help out. I have to check to see if they will be there during the rest of the day or not.

Note about photos: These photos were NOT taken by myself. They were circulated by email.

'Eid Sweets?

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You've been cleaning up, sorting and tidying? You just about managed to get some gifts, balloons and bits for the kids? But you haven't made any 'Eid sweets! What?!?! No Eid sweets!!! Don't fret. Fridge cakes will work. Which is why this one's a great quick-to-make 'Eid sweet. The kids loved rolling them into balls!


You might then find that you have enough time to make a few other types!


We're going cross-cultural this time with just a few of each.


Now I could stay and chat but there's worship to be done (Day of 'Arafah!) and a whopping great To Do List to get through too!


Eid Mubarak! Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum.