Less than 6 days before KSA

Hanging out at my favorite place: National Cathedral

It's crazy that 2 years have flown by. It seems just like yesterday when we moved to the area and my husband was traveling like crazy. At times it was hard without him, but I pushed on and adapted. After all it was only temporary. Now it's onto the next chapter. 

Sometimes being in the Foreign Service is like being in a movie. You know the plot and slowly the scenes start unfolding in front of you. So, here we are, less than 6 days until our departure. If all goes according to plans we'll soon be boarding an airplane with our dog, Dante and heading to the other side of the world to experience a new way of life for a couple years. Within a year in country we'll be bidding on our next post, and the beat goes on and on.

But let me get back on track and focus on the now. We've packed out and we're in temporary quarters and it's time to enjoy DC. We've been eating whatever we want, visiting with friends, biking/running on our favorite paths and trails. Yesterday we rented some bikes and road in the pouring rain. I felt like a kid; the smile on my face was ear to ear. For the time being it's been wonderful to enjoy these last few months in DC with my husband/ best friend.

Pack Out: July, Friday the 13th

shipping container

We are officially packed out and proud to say we have absolutely nothing in storage. Everything we own which is not much (75 items and a vehicle) is in this container.

Our motto since we've joined the Foreign Service is: less is more. One day when we're not moving every 2-3 yrs we'll have our dream home and fill it with memories and current trends.

Saudi Arabia: The Etiquette of Arabic Coffee

(I cut/paste the article below. Thought it was interesting. Hope you enjoy it too.) 

Regardless of whether you are an expatriate or a Saudi, if you are in the Kingdom you will experience the unique taste of Arabic coffee. Most Saudis grow up learning the etiquette which goes with the serving of Arabic coffee (kawa) but some expatriates may not know.

Serving Arabic kawa is both a production and a talent. To begin with kawa is first served to guests with priority given to the father and then followed by first-degree relatives and elders. In many large Saudi gatherings, formal or informal, guests may sit in rows of chairs or couches. Kawa should be served to the guests sitting in the front rows and/or to high ranking officials, leaders or elders. For example, sometimes Saudi Arabian television will feature news of King Abdullah greeting foreign delegations. If sitting, the King and others will be served kawa and a viewer can see firsthand the protocol associated with serving kawa.

As a matter of tradition kawa is served from the right side to the end and not served from the left side. Within a home the father should not serve coffee if his son is available to serve guests. Additionally, elder brothers should not serve coffee if younger brothers are present. An elder should not serve coffee if younger individuals are present in the gathering. The younger is always expected to serve the elder.

Source: http://americanbedu.com/2011/02/15/saudi-arabia-the-etiquette-of-arabic-coffee/

Who's Taming Who???

After a couple hours at the Folklife Festival we got on our bikes and stopped at Starbucks for an iced coffee before the trek home. We then got on Pennsylvania Avenue then Constitution, cut through the Lincoln Memorial and started heading over the Memorial Bridge.

I don’t know what happened because it all occurred so fast, but Billy’s bike got a little too close to mine and instead of me veering the bike to the opposite direction I went towards him. He sped up and I completely lost control of my bike. I saw the concrete and I knew it was going to be painful. Not only did it hurt, but I fell in the edge of the road of the Memorial Bridge towards oncoming traffic. All of a sudden my adrenaline kicked in and I scooped myself off the street and lifted my bike onto the sidewalk. Motorists slowed down and honked to make sure I was OK. I waved back utterly embarrassed but assuring them I was fine.

Billy was freaking out and all I could do was get on the bike and start pedaling before I gave myself time to reflect and completely break down and start to cry. Not only was I in pain, but pissed that I downed my brand new bike. Six hours later my entire body is aching and my Rotator cuff is tweaked. We’ll see how I feel in the morning, but for now I definitely need some Aleeve.

This photo does not do my pain enough justice.

Folklife Festival 2012

It was 100 degrees today, but that didn’t stop us from cycling from Arlington to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the National Mall.  This Festival is held outside every summer for two weeks, and it is an international exposition which honors traditions; old and new. Of course our time there was fabulous. We listened to Creole music, a Mariachi band, then walked around for a good bit and checked out many exhibits. Even though temperatures were high it was worth it. 

Aids Memorial Quilt

Mural at Folklife Festival

Mariachi Band