ng --I giggle a little (my best response when I don't have a clue what is being said) and then he says something else..but ha! I understand a word....POTATOES! So I take it that all they have in the restaurant this evening are potatoes....I say thank you (one of my VERY few mastered Arabic words) and briefly consider trying somewhere else. Instead I head home to make myself some rice. Tomorrow is a new day. Bring it on! Tuesday, August 31, 2010
So Much to Learn...
So last night I was out trying to buy a phone card (the store was closed) and was still out wandering at 6:15. It was interesting to walk past restaurants, store fronts, through the streets and see people everywhere with food and water sitting in front of them...untouched of course. Everyone perched, waiting those last 15 minutes out together. I have mentioned this before but I love the way Ramadan connects people and it was never more apparent than watching everyone wait and then watching them reach for their first drink of water of the day in unison. Anyway I decided to try out this restaurant that I have been wanting to go to for some fuul and falafel. Now I can't read the menu (or the restaurant name) so having done the background research to know what they serve and knowing what I want to order is key. Of course everything is different here so I walk in, struggle to figure out the system...where do I order? who helps me? what is going on? how did I end up living in Egypt again? Anyway I muster all my confidence and walk up to someone and in my best (and still mostly non existent Arabic) I ask for fuul and falafel (hoping there are no follow up questions but certain that there will be). So the man starts speaking Arabic...full, fast complete Arabic sentences. I get nothing from this except that they don't have what I want...how is this possible?? It is 6:35 - they have been open for five minutes ... they have not been able to serve food all day - they can't possibly be OUT of FALAFEL. I give my best Arabic word for 'finished?' and he starts talking again...this time I understand nothing --I giggle a little (my best response when I don't have a clue what is being said) and then he says something else..but ha! I understand a word....POTATOES! So I take it that all they have in the restaurant this evening are potatoes....I say thank you (one of my VERY few mastered Arabic words) and briefly consider trying somewhere else. Instead I head home to make myself some rice. Tomorrow is a new day. Bring it on!
ng --I giggle a little (my best response when I don't have a clue what is being said) and then he says something else..but ha! I understand a word....POTATOES! So I take it that all they have in the restaurant this evening are potatoes....I say thank you (one of my VERY few mastered Arabic words) and briefly consider trying somewhere else. Instead I head home to make myself some rice. Tomorrow is a new day. Bring it on! 
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Luckily you aren't depending on a restaurant for food - you would be starving. Thank goodness for rice!
ReplyDeleteLove you MOM
Hey! I started a blog basically to follow you and the other Melissa! <3 I've been there so many times - mustering courage to go ask for something - sometimes you crash and burn, sometimes it's hard but you get it, and sometimes you just go home and eat whatever is in your house. I love your positive attitude, though! I haven't read all your posts but am going to try and keep mine updated. It's so awesome you're doing this!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHI Melissa
ReplyDeleteI hope you managed to get falafel. Such a great meal. But also good as your mom says to have rice in the house.
Love Wendy