Tag: UAE

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19 – Cultural Souvenirs from Arabia

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Leaving a country is traumatic. What’s worse is being back home and thinking, “I should have bought that when I was there!”  What stops me? I have this silly feeling that anything that costs more than 100 of any denomination is too expensive.  Before I left Saudi Arabia, I went on a jewelry binge. This is not healthy shopping. It’s less painful to take a few weeks and buy a souvenir (French for “to remember”) here and there, carefully and selectively.       I love rugs, however, I’m not a doctor or an oil executive.  I’ll invest in fake Chinese rugs … Continue reading 19 – Cultural Souvenirs from Arabia

Aunt AliceLeave a comment

First Times – Part 2

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

The first time in a Las Vegas casino, I was shocked at the shorts, t-shirts, jeans and cheap dresses of the gamblers. It didn’t look like “Dallas – worldwide popular American TV show about wealthy Texans.”   I was also surprised by the free food and drinks, discounted hotel bills. Rather than gamble, I played Pac Man for the first time. The first time I was in a Monte Carlo gambling casino, I was astonished at the artistry and plushness of every square inch of the place.  I was also shocked at the whole idea of gambling, and gambling such lush … Continue reading First Times – Part 2

Aunt AliceLeave a comment

Engaging Students with ‘First Time’ Writing Prompts

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

      It’s difficult as a teacher to get students to write interesting compositions.  Over the years, I’ve invented bizarre topics to force my students to think.  However, transplanting American topics to the Gulf just doesn’t work culturally.  Gulf students are more private than Americans and don’t indulge in discussing the same topics which per-occupy Westerners:  for example, families. I blush.  High school and college nights were an endless dissection of my parents’ bizarre behavior and my six sisters’ endless cruelty and misunderstandings.  Even to this day, confidences both direct and dreadful escape my lips about my family.  Religion … Continue reading Engaging Students with ‘First Time’ Writing Prompts

Aunt AliceLeave a comment

Cultural Reflections: Life in the Gulf vs. America

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

So there I was in college last summer, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Everything was normal.  No separation of the sexes, easily availability for any and all shopping.  No problem communicating in English. No foreign-currency conversion although I found myself doing it backwards a few times to compare American and Gulf prices. I even got used to everyone wearing shorts, although I didn’t wear them. I also realized American men wear baseball hats for the same reason Arabian men and women cover their heads:  protection from the sun. It was a relief to sit in the student desk and not at the … Continue reading Cultural Reflections: Life in the Gulf vs. America

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Chicago’s Irish Heritage – 8 March 15, 1990

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

  For St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, the Chicago River is dyed green, a leprechaun and green-hats parade down State Street and Michigan Avenue. It will be broadcasted throughout the day while a lot of drinking of green-dyed refreshment accompanies … Continue reading Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Chicago’s Irish Heritage – 8 March 15, 1990

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Navigating New Beginnings in a Foreign Land

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Aunt Alice – 1, 1990 “Are you new in town?” people have been asking me. “No, I know where Safeway is, the bank, the hotels and a few friends. I even found a great place for cheeseburgers last week and of course I know where Kentucky Fried Chicken is!  I’m not sure where to buy clothes that will last longer than one wash but my favorite tailor will be returning from Pakistan next month.” “I haven’t seen you before?” they say puzzled.  I’m polite and don’t respond in kind.  I’m delighted they speak English and only throw in a few … Continue reading Navigating New Beginnings in a Foreign Land

EFL Teacher Blog1 Comment

Christmas Cards from Arabia, Indonesia and Egypt

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Living in Arabia, constant contradictions, surprises and sometimes disasters caused culture shock. However, one delightful but highly unknown, is Christmas cards – designed as either ‘Season’s Greetings’ and ‘Happy New Year’ cards, available in December. In 1985, I was able to mail such cards to friends and family in the States. However, I heard other women complain that the clerks at Riyadh’s main post office refused to accept them. Following are many Arabic cards, designed by Oriental Art Gallery and others in Dubai. Also included are two from mostly Muslim Indonesia and one from Egypt. Continue reading Christmas Cards from Arabia, Indonesia and Egypt

Asia, EFL Teacher Blog, English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia, Living overseas, Portugal, Women's Issues, World Traveller - Retired2 Comments

Top 10 Foreign Delights by countries lived in

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

(All photos are mine except for the Bali postcard and above UAE holiday card) 1.  CANADA – 2 years     Stanley Park, Vancouver http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx Two years of happiness. Fantastic opportunity to write and receive feedback on my writing in … Continue reading Top 10 Foreign Delights by countries lived in