Easy Street...

 

What an easy week!  We were off Sunday for the Eid Al Adha holiday.  And many students decided to stay home on Monday and extend their holiday.  Jennifer was missing several and at my school they actually sent the ones who showed up, home.  Then Jennifer’s last three days there were a few kids out but they continued as normal. Not me.  I taught one class, which we did minimal work with the 7 that showed up.  Then the next day I taught one class with 4 students.  Aside from those two classes – no teaching.  And the kids that did show up were sent home around 11.  Made for an easy week.  I am sure the majority will be back at school and ready to learn tomorrow.  They’ll be back at school, but I’m not convinced they’ll be ready to learn. 

One of the EMTs at my school returned on Thursday from the Hajj (the pilgrimage that all Muslims are supposed to make once in their life if they are able and can afford it).  It was fascinating watching all these other teachers come and greet him shaking hands, cheek kisses, and many hugs.  This is something I’ve never really seen – at least not with any of the EMTs.  They’d say, “Hajj Mubarak” which translates to congratulations on complete thing Hajj. We had a breakfast on Thursday in honor of those who completed the Hajj.  They gave them a nice stand and a new Quran.  There were 8 staff members who were honored.  Some it was not their first time doing the Hajj.

And the breakfast was interesting all on its own. It stated at 10 and of course at 10 they’re putting out table cloths and getting ready when most of us arrived at the canteen (our cafeteria).  Rather than wait until they say they are ready, the guys just start sitting down , tearing open the bags of bread (like pita bread) and falafel, the humus containers, and some other interested container with some bean like substance that reminded me of refried beans.  It was like watching animals who haven’t found food in weeks.  I hate to compare them to animals (as kids here think that is one of the worst things you can do – call them animals) but that’s exactly what it looked like.  I actually tried the falafel which was my first time eating it. It wasn’t bad.  Not something I’ll order often. 

This week we celebrated Halloween in the UAE with the traditional trick-or-treating.  The complex we live in has lots of folks from all over the world.  There are quite a few Americans so trick-or-treating is popular.  The kids were so excited.  They racked up quite a bit of candy. There are some very nice costumes, some very nice homemade costumes, and then some that we were not quite sure what it was.  We did see Slash, a washing machine/dryer/laundry basket trio, a camel with no hump (so I guess it was a horse? Or giraffe?), and lots of cut up people.  It was a great time! 

Yesterday the kids had their first rugby match. It was a scrimmage within the team, but the kids really enjoyed it.  Cole really got into it. He was so proud he was able to get the flag of one of the good kids’ belts.  Caralyn ran with the team but was never really wanting catch a pass and run.  When she was passed the ball, she immediately passed it on like this was an organized game of hot potato!  But it is a huge improvement from when she played soccer at 3 yrs old.  She still enjoys playing – so that is all that matters, right!??!?!  I guess! 

Even though we just returned a week ago from Sri Lanka and enjoyed a vacation away, we’re already counting the days until our next holiday!  We have the Hijra (which is like the Islamic New Year) off in a few weeks.  And then our “winter break” starts like December 13^th.  And we can’t wait to experience Cape Town, South Africa and go on safari!  And then the family comes to visit!  It’ll be an awesome time for sure!

One thing that has been hard to adjust to or just accept is the way the housemaids/nannies are treated in this country – and I’m guessing this region.  It’s appalling how they just leave their housemaids/nannies to do everything – all day.  It’s not really a day job.  For many it’s a job as long as the family is awake.  Some get a day off, some do not.  Some get paid more than others.  I’ve heard that their salary depends on where they’re from.  And some feel like just because they pay a little more than their previous employer did, they’re doing them a favor.  A neighbor was shopping one day with her kids and their nanny. When the clerk at the store was handing the bag she handed it to her housemaid/nanny and I think said something about handing the bag to the “slave” – whatever that word is in Arabic (I forgot).  It’s like – really?!?! And yet these folks walk into the mosque and stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” and “foot-to-foot” to show they’re equal before God. Interesting. 

It has been interesting seeing folks who moved here from other countries (like we did) and see how they’ve embraced aspects of this culture – like their attitude towards housemaids/nannies.  And to be able to afford to hire someone to help in your home is great – but when you begin to treat them poorly – that is not great.  It doesn’t matter that they are still better off here, financially, than they were in their home country.  It doesn’t matter that they willingly accept a job with such a low salary.  It doesn’t matter that they don’t ever say anything to you about the treatment. It doesn’t matter that you might treat them better than their previous employer.  It’s so sad when a housemaid/nanny doesn’t even get her day off for the week – when they work 6 days a week already.  Or when they work from 6am until the family is asleep.  So anyway – back to the topic – I was able to see this contract one American teacher gave to a prospective housemaid/nanny.  Just read through it (look below the pictures – you can see the actual contract) and read some of the language. The most absurd part was the fact that this American woman refers to herself as “Madam”.  Really?  What if your last employer wanted to be called Madam __ instead of Mrs. ___.  What happened to basic human rights?  It’s things like this – I will NOT miss when I move back home in about 8 months.

And while I was typing all of this, Cole was watching Yogi Bear and chewing on his finger nails.  Next thing we know – his tooth falls out!  Finally!  It’s been VERY loose the last few weeks but he’s been too scared to just push it out.  He can’t wait for Caralyn to get home  (she’s at a birthday party) so he can show her! 

Our neighbors ready for trick-or-treating!

This was our first year carving pumpkins.  The kids loved it.

 

So this contract below is the one between an American teacher and her perspective housemaid/nanny.  It's disgusting.

 

Okay - so you don't get penalized for being out sick, but you're going to penalize your housemaid/nanny?  Either she takes a day of her vacation or works on her one day a week she gets off.  And the employer will choose that day?  It's so ridiculous. 

MADAM!  Can't believe it. It's even more interesting that since this prospective housemaid/nanny (that isn't going to go work for her) was to start on the 28th of this month and that when she got paid this first month she was pro-rating the salary since it was two days short of the typical month's work.  Really?!?!  We're talking 73 AED which is about $19USD!  I wish this chick's employer took every little dirham they could when she walked in work a minute late, or was on her phone instead of teaching.  Bring her back to reality.