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<\/a><\/p>\nWe had visited all the main tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi so I looked for something different on my last day. \u00a0The Women’s Handicraft Centre is a government run initiative for local women to keep Bedouin crafts alive. \u00a0Kathleen and I were told the center was difficult to find, so we took a taxi with an adventurous driver and left the hotel. \u00a0We were dropped off at the security entrance:<\/p>\n
General Women’s Union building:<\/p>\n Kathleen and I greeted the guard at the entrance to the complex and we were directed to the exhibition hall. \u00a0The compound is made up of several buildings which also included UNICEF, a children’s day-care center, the museum and handicraft center.<\/p>\n The museum had several displays of traditional life in the desert. \u00a0The friendly guide, who was from India, told us he was available to answer any questions. \u00a0Then he directed us to the Handicraft Center and instructed us to remove our shoes and ask before taking photos of people.<\/p>\n There were individual tent-like buildings constructed around a covered courtyard. \u00a0Kathleen and I entered the first room and were greeted in Arabic by the half-dozen women who sat on cushions along the outside walls. \u00a0In front of each woman there was a padded stand with her current project.<\/p>\n Most of the women wore black abayas\u00a0<\/em>over colorful dresses\u00a0and some women wore the traditional mask similar to the woman in the photo above. \u00a0The abaya<\/em> is a sign of privilege more than religion and show a luxury afforded to women who do not have to work. \u00a0In a few rooms, some women were lying on the cushions, resting. \u00a0The women nodded, smiled, and greeted us,\u00a0“Marhaba”<\/em> as we walked around to admire their handiwork.<\/p>\n The woman in the photo above gave me permission to take her photograph before I asked. \u00a0She proudly showed off the henna design on her hand. \u00a0The women were weaving Telli<\/em> embroidery which is a form of braiding silk thread around a flat silver or gold thread. \u00a0This would later be sewn on sleeves, cuffs, and the bodices of dresses. \u00a0Some women showed us their decorated sleeves and cuffs.<\/p>\n A few of the women asked me to take their photos. \u00a0They nodded happily and pointed to my camera. \u00a0Some women spoke English and one woman said her daughter lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. \u00a0The young woman in the picture below made sure to remove her abaya <\/em>before she posed for the camera.<\/p>\n In one room there were large looms set up to demonstrate Sadu<\/em> weaving of goat and sheep wool. \u00a0Red, black, and white are the traditional Emirati colors seen everywhere on cushions and wall coverings.<\/p>\n We visited several rooms and all the women cheerfully greeted us and were chatting, and laughing and seemed to be enjoying themselves. \u00a0They welcomed us and proudly showed off their work. \u00a0It was like any group of women anywhere in the world – sitting together, taking about their lives, laughing, sharing experiences….<\/p>\n In another room, the women were weaving thin dyed palm fronds into strips. \u00a0This is the traditional Bedouin palm weaving called Khoos<\/em>. \u00a0Later these would be woven together into baskets and large mats.<\/p>\n When we entered this room, I noticed an older woman who wore a bright yellow caftan lying down on the cushion. \u00a0She seemed to be sleeping. \u00a0Kathleen and I quietly walked around the room while the women demonstrated their weaving. \u00a0The sleeping woman, who they called Mama,\u00a0<\/em>said something to one of the others and the young woman presented me with a large woven mat. \u00a0I was astounded!<\/p>\n The women chatted among themselves and gave Kathleen another mat. \u00a0We happily thanked all the women, especially Mama, <\/em>for their\u00a0generosity. \u00a0We were amazed by their kindness.<\/p>\n The woman in the photo below told us she head learned English in school. \u00a0She was very friendly and smiled and laughed easily during our conversation. \u00a0She rose from her work to offer us tea and sweet dates.<\/p>\n The last room was filled with cutting tables and several sewing and embroidery machines. \u00a0The women didn’t want their photos taken but let us take pictures of their projects. \u00a0They made dolls, children’s clothes, and accessories.<\/p>\n We had so much fun meeting and talking with the UAE woman. \u00a0During the tour, we had met countless workers from many other countries but very few “locals” because the local people are wealthy and supported by their monarchies. \u00a0Kathleen and I were thrilled to finally experience the hospitality and graciousness of the local Emirati women at the Handicraft Centre. \u00a0This was definitely a highlight of this trip!<\/p>\n Later as the sun set over Abu Dhabi, Kathleen and I met for dinner. \u00a0We decided to walk along the creek to one of the restaurants in the Souq. \u00a0We wanted to have our last supper in the UAE outdoors overlooking the water.<\/p>\n But, would you believe?! \u00a0Did we have hummus or babaganoush or lamb?? \u00a0No, we both ordered a burger and fries for our last Abu Dhabi meal! \u00a0It was delicious!!! \u00a0I guess we’re ready to go home…..<\/p>\n Wednesday – February 14th – \u00a0Twelve of us left the hotel at 11pm to board a 2:10am British Airways flight to London. \u00a0Seven hours later, I had two more hours at Heathrow to make my connecting flight to JFK and home. \u00a0I walked the maze of the British airport, showed my boarding pass several times, and played the security game of dumping fluids and removing metal to pass through their machines. \u00a0Then wait at the gate….<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n