But there is a problem. I recently discovered that since I will be leaving from London Heathrow, I am only allowed a total of 50lbs for my checked baggage (as opposed to the two 50lb bags for those leaving from North America). I can have as many suitcases as I want as long as the total weight doesn't exceed 50lbs. Even the small bag can be stuffed full enough to weigh more than that! So, as I pout about the injustice of it all (That's not fair!), I dive into the packing game by sorting through the must-haves and the not-so-must-haves. Here is what I've come up with so far:
A book of Arab folktales by Inea Bushnaq. I love folk and fairy tales, but these are the first of the Arabian type that I have read. I have never read One Thousand and One Nights, but I have heard that the Arabian Gulf does not really hold it in high esteem, at least not as much as the Western world does. Hopefully, Inea Bushnaq's translated tales will prove helpful for me and my girls in Abu Dhabi (well, I know they will do me good)!
Back in '99, I went to Saudi Arabia on a military tour with the Army. I bought an Abaya from the downtown Riyadh market but never wore it. I suppose I didn't want to dirty it, or something along those lines, because I continued to wear the plain old Abaya supplied by my unit for off-base travel. Anyway, I am excited to bring it along with me and put it to good use!
Here is a close-up of the detailed embroidery. I hope it is not considered out-of-fashion (it is more than 10 years since I bought it).
And the back:
Nice to finally add some pictures to the blog! I'm not so handy when it comes to a camera, but I hope to keep adding more in the near future.
