Happy EID Mubarak everyone. Luckily, I was able to spend the eve of EID at an Arabic household. What this means is that I had a yummy meal and some yummy arabic sweets.
Being my first meal with an arabic family, I had to post about my experience. Right away, upon walking into the house I was greeted by family members, kissing me on the cheeks and introducing themselves. Very overwhelming at first. I was told "in this household, you're family...don't be shy. EAT" Also known as, I had a full plate, but that wasn't enough. You must EAT, EAT, EAT! It was as though I was in a greek household. The mother telling me "habibti, eat...don't be shy around us...eat" "Wallah, you don't want soda? Wallah, just water?" The generosity and welcoming attitude was so fantastic. I've never sat through a meal and been so full--in such a good way.
After the meal, we gathered around and chatted. Mostly they had conversation in arabic and I tried to follow. Being told "We're are only speaking in arabic so you will learn. You must learn! :)" Which I really do want to learn, but it's SUCH a hard language. The sounds they can make are inconceivable by my American vocal cords. Ta'al -- a word I'll never be able to pronounce, meaning 'come here'.
And OF COURSE I got to have some Turkish Coffee (with no cream or sugar, like true Syrians drink it), the Lebanese add sugar. :P Followed by a huge gulp of water, the last sip is always like drinking a heavy, thick...sand? Yeah, sand. It is really tasty though, for those of you that like the taste of coffee...like a real taste of coffee.
The best part followed...the arabic sweets! His mom even gave me some date cookies to take home! So yummy. It's a cookie made out of dates (obviously). So cookies, chocolates, and more chocolates fill the households for EID. Happy EID to all. <3
Word of the day: ta'al (come here) --try and pronounce it. Hint: ta-AH-a-le make sure it's a soft L (aka tongue on roof). It's nearly impossible for Americans.
Being my first meal with an arabic family, I had to post about my experience. Right away, upon walking into the house I was greeted by family members, kissing me on the cheeks and introducing themselves. Very overwhelming at first. I was told "in this household, you're family...don't be shy. EAT" Also known as, I had a full plate, but that wasn't enough. You must EAT, EAT, EAT! It was as though I was in a greek household. The mother telling me "habibti, eat...don't be shy around us...eat" "Wallah, you don't want soda? Wallah, just water?" The generosity and welcoming attitude was so fantastic. I've never sat through a meal and been so full--in such a good way.
After the meal, we gathered around and chatted. Mostly they had conversation in arabic and I tried to follow. Being told "We're are only speaking in arabic so you will learn. You must learn! :)" Which I really do want to learn, but it's SUCH a hard language. The sounds they can make are inconceivable by my American vocal cords. Ta'al -- a word I'll never be able to pronounce, meaning 'come here'.
And OF COURSE I got to have some Turkish Coffee (with no cream or sugar, like true Syrians drink it), the Lebanese add sugar. :P Followed by a huge gulp of water, the last sip is always like drinking a heavy, thick...sand? Yeah, sand. It is really tasty though, for those of you that like the taste of coffee...like a real taste of coffee.
Word of the day: ta'al (come here) --try and pronounce it. Hint: ta-AH-a-le make sure it's a soft L (aka tongue on roof). It's nearly impossible for Americans.
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