Happy National Day!

As I write this post, I am continually distracted by the horn-honking, shouting, and blower-tooting that is going on outside. Normally, horn-honking is reserved for drivers, ahem, expressing their dissatisfaction with other drivers. Today, the customary soundtrack of annoyance is replaced by one of glee and celebration. Apparently, one must celebrate National Day by being really. Freaking. Loud.



This week, all schools in Abu Dhabi geared up for National Day, which is December 1st. During the week preceding the event, the girls at my school performed a series of songs, chants, dances, and speeches, all related to the history of the UAE.

On Wednesday, Al Taqadom Primary School held its"official celebration" and invited parents to watch and enjoy the festivities. All of my girls dressed up in the unspoken uniform of either a dress fashioned to look like the Emirati flag and a gold headpiece, or a prom dress and big hair, or red, green, and black clothing and a cowboy hat of the same shades. Apparently, everything goes as long as passersby are overwhelmed by your patriotism.



All kidding aside, it is nice to see that the Emiratis take so much pride in their country. At 39 years old, the UAE is still a baby, especially compared with many of the once-Ancient civilizations of the Middle East.

(I had trouble uploading photos at the time of posting-sorry. I will try to add them later.)