When in Abu Dhabi...

Our final morning to enjoy the fabulous buffet at the Emirates Palace, so we each got our favorite foods and savored the meal and the view.  Today Mianna and Kimberli took a plunge into the Middle Eastern culture.  As the boys stayed at the hotel to enjoy one last day of poolside luxury (or rowdy water play), the girls spent a typical day at the salon.  To be more precise, it was a typical day-before-Eid-at-the-salon day, which means that there were no appointments made ahead of time and we waited 3 hours to have our hands painted (which took an additional 2 hours)!  This experience was to me one of the most unique ones I've had, for Mianna and I were the ONLY non-Arabic-speaking, non-locals in the room.  It was eye-opening to be a part of this ritual that is so special for the Muslim women getting ready for Eid.  Many women brought their children to have their hands tatooed and Mianna made quick friends with a 10-year old girl who translated for her.  After our 5-hour salon experience, we returned to Eisa's for a home-cooked meal of chicken and rice which Mianna, Sean, Eisa, and I devoured Arabic-style (plastic on the floor like a picnic blanket, one big platter holding all food, no utensils, no plates, facial tissues--you're welcome, Beckie--for napkins).  Later tonight we will drive to Dubai to drop Huda and the kids at her family's home and then to Fujairah to visit Eisa's family for Eid.