In Sharjah, UAE

 At the local park

I've been in Sharjah an entire week and am finally getting around to posting a little about what we've been doing. Much of my activities revolve around the adorable grand-girls, Meme and Majd. I have walked them to school, picked them up from school, played with them at home and on the playground, watched their ballet classes, read them stories, told made-up stories and stories about their mama's childhood, put them to bed, and watched a nature documentary with them. We've had a wonderful time and by the time I leave, I will have fit in about a year of grannying in just a few weeks.

Yesterday we played on the beach at the Arabian Gulf. One day we went to Dubai Mall to look at the aquarium, watch the water show, and eat at what must be the world's most extensive food court (I had Indian kabobs served with 3 varieties of rice). We have been to the fantastic Islamic Museum and the rustic old souk.

Meme window shopping at the candy store at Dubai Mall

Outside the Burj Khalifa, world's tallest building (not in photo)

The Arabian Gulf

Without the grand-girls Carolyn, Bridget and I went to the Al Noor Mosque in downtown Sharjah. I have been to mosques in other Muslim countries, and in beautiful downtown Beaverton. This one was a unique experience as it involved a one-hour class about Islam. The woman who presented it spoke excellent English and obviously loved her religion and wanted us to appreciate it too, and we do.

We were required to wear a hijab and abaya, as seen below.

Here is the presentation.  At this point they were explaining the various types of clothing worn by Muslims.

 

Some Muslim women wear this extra piece on their faces--I've seen them in the souks but couldn't figure out what it was without staring at the women.  It protects their nose and cheeks from sunburn.

 

That's me on the left trying out the more conservative form of dress.  I was instantly overheated.

 

Ceiling of the mosque

 

Carolyn, the presenter, Bridget, me

 

Exterior