Living abroad is a bit like being in a time vacuum. What information we get we get from yahoo when we open up our emails. It keeps us somewhat familiar with the happenings of back home. But you don’t get the full scoop on the way into work from the radio, or even the rumblings at the job through small talk. So you are kind of left with digging up what information you can when or if you remember to do it. We do have American television that can somewhat keep us updated like, CNN, and BBC is pretty good, but I don’t always watch it, and often times they are discussing this region rather than the US. Movies come out and I have no idea what it is whereas I know if I was back home, I’m sure I would see it on every other commercial. Just little things like that reminds us that we are 8000 miles away. Every now and again we hear something about the presidential race, moderated debates, etc.
Now that Christmas is here we really notice it because as you might expect it doesn’t exactly feel like Christmas (though regarding weather it actually is much cooler than I ever expected it to get. It feels perfect outside at night, nice cool breeze, clear nights, it’s just great). I usually don’t have time to pay attention to the season because I am distracted with work. The day before Thanksgiving most of us LT’s forgot that the holiday was the next day. For Christmas, most things dealing with grades have been finalized so I have a bit more time pull my head up and look around.
Because of the expat community there is a slight Christmas presence. I see some Christmas lights lining the balcony of other apartments. Ironically, these efforts blend in with all the other decorations already up for National Day on buildings and other homes, which is apparently quietly celebrated throughout the entire month. Surprisingly, Christmas trees are sold at our local Carrefour grocery store (think Walmart). Some of neighbors have grabbed one and so have we. We like it overall, it definitely helps us get in the Christmas spirit.
Something else that we thought would also help us get into the spirit was a Christmas Concert by the UAE symphony orchestra that we attended about a week ago at the Emirates Palace. Sounds nice right, and for the most part it was. After arriving at the Emirates Palace, we entered the main hall and there was a huge 40 foot decorated Christmas tree in the center of the room where various people were taking pictures in front of it. Tragically, I forgot my camera but, Natova and I did manage to snap a camera phone photo of us. We don't have an iphone or anything, so the picture is a little blurry, but I suppose its better than nothing.
The performance, unfortunately, much like our picture in front of the tree, left much to be desired. I don’t think it was the orchestra’s fault but someone made the decision not to use amplifiers for the performances, so the only time the microphone was used is when the conductor would make small talk and try and be charming before and in between numbers. So when the choir, there was a choir as well, sang and the instruments played you could hear the music but not really feel it. It was disappointing. I think they overestimated the acoustics in the performance hall, which I think was okay but not enough to really engulf us with the spirit of Christmas as Natova and I had been hoping for. And though the symphony touched on some good songs the whole affair seemed a bit too stuffy or upscale for us to really get into it.
The next day I played a bunch of stuff off of YouTube, and that really hit the spot way more than the concert (I guess theoretically we could have saved the money and stayed home, but the experience of being at the Emirates Palace was nice and it was pretty cool going to an event like that. Beside we met some interesting people while we were there, which I will discuss on another post). We played all the classics all through the apartment, Mariah, Boyz II Men, Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole, etc. But my favorite of all and has been the last couple of years since was Jennifer Hudson.
I’m not sure if anyone remembers this but Jennifer did a Christmas special in 2009 called “I’ll be home for Christmas.” It immediately became the best Christmas special I had ever seen. I was so genuine and her voice is absolutely amazing. Everyone and their cousin knew that Jennifer could sing but I had no idea she had the versatility that she has. I was both shocked and impressed. When it first came on I thought it would be sixty minutes of her shouting out Christmas songs at me, overdoing it as gospel singers tend to do sometimes. However, the control and quality of her voice was amazing, and she knew when to go for it and when to hold back. I was truly impressed and I watch this every year as I know you will too once you see it. The special was filmed about two years after the tragic events that happened to her family (for those that don’t know her brother, mother, and I think another family member were all murdered on the same day), so perhaps that made the special even more….well….special, especially (sorry) when she sings with her family. I have provided a couple of clips and if you want more you have to You Tube it. Tova and I are going to wait until Christmas Day to watch the whole thing, or whatever we can piece together on You Tube. It really is beautiful the way it was filmed and presented when you watch the whole thing, hats off to ABC.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
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