International Day is a big celebration at Sera's school. The teachers were busy preparing for this day, transforming the school to represent the different continents. Parents also had to get involved (but of course). We made flags, provided national decorations, prepared special food dishes particular to our country (oma made kruid koek) and got our children dressed in their national costume. Sera wore her favourite cheongsam from auntie Evan and I prettied her hair with some flowers. The celebration, which was themed 'A Taste of the World' centred on endless array of food from the different nationalities that made up the school community. There were pony rides, the Dubai Drummers that drew a huge audience and later got everyone dancing, henna corner and for the continent of Antarctica, an ice cream van that made every kid very happy. A busy, busy day but now school will be closed, for 2 weeks, for the Eid holidays. Even I am looking forward to relaxing a bit ... school is also hard work for the parents!!! 
Sera and Yasmin pose before school drop off
Prinicpal Birgit, dressed in a traditional German, costume start the celebration
Sera took me by surprise when she willingly went up to the pony and stroked it
And then she asked to sit on him?
Dubai Drummers got the crowd into a celebratory mood
Sera drumming to the beat
Everyone couldn't help but dance. Miss Sandra, one of Sera's German teacher, dancing with her
Yasmin was not at all pleased with all the loud drumming. She stayed away from it but only gave it a chance when the crowd dispersed and the drums were being packed away
We spent the weekend in the city of Abu Dhabi, just over an hour's drive from Dubai. Johan and I had dinner date with another couple friend, at a Japanese restaurant at Souq Qaryat Al Beri. We sat outside by the marina, since the weather was too pleasant to sit inside. The food was good and the company was even better. Wow, it has been a while since we sat down for a long, leisurely dinner. ha ha.
The next day, after having such a wonderful time, without the girls, we were looking forward to spending the day, exploring the city, with the girls. After breakfast, we headed to the famous Grand mosque that has a number of impressive architectural features. It's big for one, so expansive that the girls had no choice but to run around the 17,000 square meter floral marbled courtyard, and weave through the exterior columns (over a 1,000 of them!). The women had to cover up, in the abayas that are provided courtesy of the mosque. I really don't know to how to articulate the experience of wearing an abaya ... it was interesting just because it was a first for me but I was almost relieved to take it off after the visit.
Next we visited the Emirates Palace. Yet, another overtly grandiose hotel that looked impressive from the outside but ostentatious inside. Well, again, that is my opinion. We walked around the lobby for a while and then headed out in search of affordable food, which we found in a nearby mall. We spent the rest of the day leisurely, even had time to chill out in the hotel before we drove back. The girls and I wiped out the bags of snacks, sang songs all the way back and before we knew it, we were back home ... tired, relieved but contented. 
The girls goofing around while Johan is trying to wake up
In the courtyard of the Grand mosque
I know, not very appropriate behaviour but this was outside the prayer halls. Inside, the girls were surprisingly well behaved. 
One of many hand-crafted mosaic marble columns 
That's me covered in an abaya, with the girls
So the story goes something like that ... There was a man named Martin, who was a knight in Roman times. He was riding a horse when he came upon a beggar by the side of the road. The beggar was freezing from the cold, so Martin cut his cloak into half and shared it with the beggar. That day is celebrated as St. Martin's Day. Traditionally, in many parts of Germany, Austria, Belgium and Netherlands, the kids parade in home made lanterns and sing traditional songs. After the parade, the kids get a weckmann (a sweet bread in a shape of a man, with raisins for his eyes).
So here in Dubai, Sera together with some of her German and not so German friends celebrated St Martin's Day at Safa Park. A week before the festival, we had a major lantern making operation with some mothers from school. The moms were busy making the lanterns with very little help from the kids, but it was good fun nevertheless.
We met at the park for a picnic before the lantern parade. It was an almost perfect setting, with the sun setting and we were perched on the hilly parts of the park, so we had a nice view of the surroundings. Families were lounging lazily on the grass, while the kids were running and playing. The time for the parade finally came. Everyone gathered around for some singing, errrr ... German songs. Sera tried to follow, along with Oma. Johan was watching over Yasmin who was going around poking at lanterns, much to the horror of many parents. Hmm, that girl is uncontrollable! And I was just enjoying the moment. Soon after, the many Germans and non-Germans paraded the park with the lit lanterns ... quite a pretty sight indeed. Sera was very eager at the beginning but after a while, even she got tired. Yasmin didn't want to walk at all, I reckon she was a bit overwhelmed by all the people towering over her.
So that was one of many cultural immersion activities, courtesy of Sera's school ... or maybe just the fact that we're living here in Dubai.
Picnic with friends
Yasmin with her weckmann
Sera with her unhappy face ... she didn't like her weckmann, totally disappointed!
Home made lanterns
Lanterns made of cheese boxes
Showing off their lanterns
Sera with her friends, Elin, Nicholas and Josephine
The lantern parade
Can you tell she's having fun?
Off highway 11, towards Abu Dhabi, is a place called Gantoot. And by a wide sandy canal, we spent a rather nice afternoon with some of Johan's colleagues and their families, who were going to camp overnight. By the time we arrived after lunch, a stretch of camping tents were pitched by the bank of the canal. The girls quickly got into their swim suits and were off to play by the water. That's how the girls spent the rest of the afternoon. Easy!
By the time the sun slowly descended, BBQ pits were quickly sprouting up along the beach. We were in the midst of very seasoned campers. I thought to myself, or even out loud to Johan, that we'd never wing this camping thing, or at least, not this elaborately. But we're going to try this camping thing ... maybe next month.
Yasmin, sharing her snack with Johan
I'm always amazed at how comfortable the girls are any where ... so far that is
The camping site 
The kids looking for crabs 
This is Nico, 6 years old, so comfortable lying on the sand you'd think he was at home on his sofa
What was I thinking letting her wear this white outfit? I mean this is Yasmin, who was rolling and tumbling on the sand immediately after putting on fresh clothes ... 
Sera doodling on the sand, making sure she kept her clothes clean and free of sand
Sera posing ... but more importantly, I've only just noticed how tanned she is!
Okay, November is starting off very dry on blogger ... sorry! But here are two photos of the girls hanging out. The first one of the girls painting on the balcony. Sera was busily making hand-prints on the paper while Yasmin was painting her body. Hmm ... so in the end, both girls were painting their bodies and very tickled by it. 
One of the sweetest thing for me, is to see the two girls reading together. Sera, the book worm, has taken on the mantle of 'reading' or making up stories for Yasmin. One of the rare occasions when Yasmin actually sits still for a few minutes. This photo was taken in the morning, just before we set off for Sera's school. 
Sera and Yasmin pose before school drop off
Prinicpal Birgit, dressed in a traditional German, costume start the celebration
Sera took me by surprise when she willingly went up to the pony and stroked it
And then she asked to sit on him?
Dubai Drummers got the crowd into a celebratory mood
Sera drumming to the beat
Everyone couldn't help but dance. Miss Sandra, one of Sera's German teacher, dancing with her
Yasmin was not at all pleased with all the loud drumming. She stayed away from it but only gave it a chance when the crowd dispersed and the drums were being packed away
