Although we joked about knocking each other off the back, we both happily stayed dry. The water was not very enticing… more like, yucky.

It was a fun afternoon… even though Mike asked me to tone down my wild driving (which wasn’t even that wild!).

xo, jill

Not gourmet.Probably the most frequently asked question I received while living in Abu Dhabi went something like, “What’s the food like?” or “Do you like the food?” It’s a tricky question to answer.In general, the local food is not something you’d be served in a restaurant. To get some true Emirati food you need connections. All of my experiences with local foods came during school potlucks, visits to local homes, or once at a wedding. I’d love to tell you that it was delicious, but in my opinion, it’s not. Some dishes I did like, however, a lot of the food involves meat or dates… I’m not a fan of either.

A certain dish in particular churned my stomach and that would be harees. It consists of boiled wheat and meat and looks like sticky porridge. I’ve never been so glad to be a vegetarian than during those moments at school potlucks when Sarah’s plate was being piled high with the stuff.

But there was one local snack that I did enjoy.

One day at school I joined some teachers eating at a table. Immediately they prepared a snack for me as well. I did my best to keep a straight face because the concoction was kind of ridiculous. It was like something a middle schooler would prepare when he or she got home from school. But strangely, it was pretty good. In fact, I got a hankering for one awhile ago and went to the store to get the ingredients.

I’ll teach you how to make it.

Ingredients:
hotdog buns
Puck cheese spread
Chips Oman, chili flavor

Directions:
1. Spread the cheese on the bun.
2. Smash up the chips and pour them in.

xo, jill

P.S. Forgive these blurry photos. I borrowed Molly’s camera and did not come out triumphant.

5 times, daily.

A while ago I was chatting with a friend online when she suddenly had a funny facial expression and asked, “What is that?” I smiled and explained, “That? That would be the call to prayer!”

While I was staying at Mike’s apartment, I had the pleasure of living directly above a mosque. This allowed me to have a daily front row seat to the prayer call action. It also meant that if I didn’t leave the apartment before 12pm on Friday, I’d be trapped. Men would be overflowing from the mosque and spreading their prayer rugs along the sidewalk. Because it is not permissible to walk in front of someone while they’re praying, I literally could not leave the apartment lobby.

I took a little video to give you an idea of what the front row action was like. If you’ve never heard a call to prayer, this is what it sounds like in Abu Dhabi.

Prayer Call from Jill Cox on Vimeo.

Translation:
God is most great.
God is most great.
There is no god except God.
There is no god except God.
Mohammed is the messenger of God.
Mohammed is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer.
Come to prayer.
Come to salvation.
Come to salvation.
God is great. God is great.
There is none worthy of worship except God.
(From Dubai: The Complete Residents’ Guide)

xo, jill