Cultural Lessons...

One of the best things about living overseas is learning so much about other cultures. Sometimes things can be strange to us, different, or even down right weird. Other things can be wonderful... and something you treasure and will always keep as a part of you.


While we were living in the sandbox and in the land of the pyramids, we learned something that is very "cultural" to Arabs... or at least the ones we know. When you are given a plate of (some kind of food) to take home... you ALWAYS return it with something else on it, as a gesture of "thank you" so it seems to me.
I have met one of my neighbors who is from Morocco and I LOVE HER. She is kind and we try to speak French to each other. She is very helpful and encouraginng of my French... but the other day, I couldn't get out what I wanted to say, she says to me (in Arabic), "Just say it in Arabic!!" We laughed, and I did answer her as she wanted... and there was clarity!!!
So, I decided to make her a small tray of pseudo rice krispy treats. (Pseudo because they were with corn flakes instead because I can't find rice krispy cereal here!) When she returned the dish, she returned it with a tray of homemade dessert "yummies". (I have no idea what they were, but they were good!)
I'm so thankful for little lessons like this... thankful for friends who help me to learn... and for good food I enjoy in the mean time.