Monks

I just wrote a very long, heartfelt blog about my experience in Nepal. As I was about to publish, it was eaten and spit out in illegible form. After a few tears and expletives, I have downloaded some other photos for your viewing pleasure.

These Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags are called 'Flying horses'. Every time the wind blows a prayer is made. I am assuming these flags are praying for the recovery of my previous blog. Somehow I don't think it is a windy day. I will sit and wallow. Damn Blogger, damn technology.

Colorful Nepal

The color assortment for Tihar.

The idea of visiting Nepal lingered for a while. I insisted on going during this time of year for two reasons: 1. The weather would be exceptional; 2. Dipawali/Tihar would be incredibly colorful. Luckily, it was just like I remembered it. Plus, everything looked extra bright after coming from dismal Qatar. It was a fanfare of bright flowers, vibrant colored powders, and lively fireworks. It did not disappoint.

Afton just so happened to be reading Eat, Pray, Love while we were in Nepal. I am not really a fan of the book, but the idea of summing up a city with one word really appealed to me. After being to so many countries and so many cities, there really is a vibe to each one. Some speak to me, some don't. Over a Nepali meal we all discussed the word for Qatar. Sadly, 'dry' was the most apropos word to describe Doha (in all its literal meanings). Conversely, I proposed that 'life' describes Kathmandu, and all of Nepal for that matter. It is a place for living. The colors denote life, the land and soil easily creates life, and the spirit of the country inspires rich living. When I returned, I felt alive again.

The dog puja is part of the Tihar celebration. I loved spotting the KTM dogs and the shameful look on each of their faces silently stating, 'I've been puja'ed'.

After enduring the dry Doha summer we all needed a splash of color in our lives. I think we were all thirsting for a little bit more vitality and life. And in Nepal, that was just what we found.

Arrived

The KTM airport. Sadly, none of those bags were mine.

Nepalcation officially began when we met Amber at the Dubai airport. She flew all the way from Rotterdam to cavort with us through Nepal. It was SO good to see her and it set the bar for the rest of us on how far we would travel for a good girlcation. No distance is too far.

Upon our arrival, my first experience back 'home' was the loss of my luggage. My bag never made it. The loss of my possessions was the least of my worry. My guard, Gotham, who worked on painting our home in Qatar for several days earned an extra sum of money to buy gifts for his family. He sent an expensive new phone and beautiful sarees for his wife. All of these items were lost and have yet to be found. Going commando and borrowing clothing from my friends was nothing in comparison. I am still actively working on getting it back.

Devendra staging a very typical international pose. Never look at the camera, and whatever you do, never, never smile.

When we got out of the airport, Devendra was there ready and waiting. I can't tell you how great it was to squeeze that little man! I love him so much and it was like no time had passed. He gave us a beautiful marigold garland and took us straight to my old van. It was like I was coming home.

Amber brought us the most delicious gifts. The stroopwaffels and dried fruit crackers sustained us during those hard-to-find-a-sanitary restaurant excursions through town. Pixie stick hand outs also made us popular with the little street kids.

We stayed at the Crown Plaza hotel--the same place I worked out everyday during the time I lived there. I remembered most of the bellmen and everything was too familiar. Even the first restaurant we ate at was one of my favorite Chinese restaurants that Axel and I used to visit often during our date nights. The waiters remembered me and everything was just the same as I had left it.

This trip was oh so much fun, but also oh so difficult. I rode an emotional roller coaster the entire time. Lots of photos and lots of stories to come....

Halloween Bromley Style

October is a big month for us. We have birthday and Halloween celebrations in nonstop motion. I think because the expat community is so worried halloween will be overlooked, they overcompensate. The kids don't complain but after all the sugar-rush naughtiness, I do.

The month began with another impromptu party for Heavah and Xavier. The party was held at the pool, because our compound pool is extra special. I didn't post pictures because, well, I forgot. Oh, and we just moved in a week before the party was held. Other than buying pizza and salads, the only thing that made the party extra special was the cool cake my friend made:

Three days before halloween our old compound had a trick-or-treat night. Heavah had to make sure we went so that she could enjoy the holiday with all of her old friends. It was great to see all of our old friends. The party was held in our empty garage. I wanted to walk in the door and watch the fun from the comfort of my own home. Instead, I mooched off all my friends and caught up on all the neighborhood gossip.

Two days before halloween the school held a party. There were spook alleys, a trick or treat lane, games, bouncy castles, and food. It was a party. There were a few people dressed as Qataris and I couldn't tell if they were dressing up or for real. I felt that way about my Superman Asa and Princess Dona. They are awesome by the way.

Heavah in front of the spook scene I helped with. I cannot take credit for the ever-so-creative skeleton/witch to the left. However, I did help make her look a little bustier.

Asa's reaction to the spook alley. I have never had a wimpy kid, but when it comes to ghosts and coffins, Asa's a wimp.

One day before halloween there was a compound party with all the fix'ns. I spaced it. Completely forgot. Too many celebrations for one mom to handle.

Halloween day was celebrated in our new neighborhood. What a party! Our compound had all the difficult-to-find candy. It was awesome. My children's bags were treasure troves of American goodness. Honestly, where can one find a Butterfinger in this city? Apparently you have to dress up and knock at my neighbor's door. My house wasn't as exciting. We just recycled all the crap candy that was collected the few days before.

Our new digs.

The scariest house in the neighborhood. Asa is still talking about this ghost. He wouldn't walk within 20 feet of this house. When the ghost moved, Asa ran 1/2 way down the road. Who knew Superman was such a wuss?

The kids fell over by the end of the night. Xavier was begging to go back home and Asa asked for susu and night-night. We had so much candy that Xavier and Heavah were giving away their own candy to the late-night trick-or-treaters.

The American loot

I do LOVE halloween, but I think I could wait another 12 months before it returns. I think we have enough candy to last us until then.

I am off to Nepal tomorrow with my gal pals. I can't wait to feel some cool air and eat at all my favorite restaurants. There should be some good stories to share....

Leadership Meeting aka Aftoncation

I am the Young Women's President in Doha. No matter where I go, I am put into this call. I absolutely love the girls, but it can be extremely time consuming. I swear I will get it right this time and the next ward I move into I will be Ward Greeter, either that or I take up smoking.

One of the many perks with this calling is that I am required to go to Abu Dhabi every so often for leadership training. It is a blessing as long as Afton keeps her calling as Primary President so we can make a girlcation out of the trip.

1. We ate and talked nonstop. Since I have moved, Afton is no longer my neighbor. It is hard to go without an Afton daily report. There was a lot to catch up on. It has been a whole two weeks. A lot of stories can develop within that amount of time!

Villa to my right, Shangri-La to my left

2. We stayed at the glamorous Shangri-La, which just so happens to be across the street from the Abu Dhabi church villa. What other choice did we have?

3.We pampered ourselves with a divine visit to the Chi Spa.

4. We visited Ikea. Who knew how much happiness one could feel when given the opportunity to buy so much cheap crap? Afton successfully found the heaviest item in the store, but the dutch oven beans she made a couple weeks later was so worth it!

It was a short, but indulgent evening full of laughter and fun.

Aladdin's Kingdom

During my recent Aftoncation/Stake Leadership meeting in Abu Dhabi, I was lucky enough to visit the Abu Dhabi Sheih Zayed Mosque. And oh, so grand it is! It is one of the only buildings in the world that can slightly compare to the Taj Mahal. For me, that is saying a lot. The Taj was one of the only buildings in the world that practically moved me to tears by just the look of it.
All the inlay work was done with precious stones. This is also like the Taj except you can steal the stones in India, not in the UAE.
The first room you enter is supposed to represent a garden. Muslims believe that heaven will be like a beautiful garden. This one just costs a hell of a lot more.

The chandelier is supposed to be the largest in the world. It is also the gaudiest.

The carpet is supposed to be the largest in the world. Imagine the number of child laborers involved in this puppy?

The 80 names of Allah. Do you think our Christian God feels gypped?

Me and my travel companions.

Truly, the mosque is a sight to see. I am not a fan of the typical Arab style of all-things-gilded and ostentatious, but this mosque is classic, traditional, and awe inspiring. It is a definite must-see if you are in this neck of the woods.