Wednesday was a quieter day.

Keith and I visited the College where my sister and her Husband teach. We engaged in conversational English with 15  adult male students and it is compulsory that they are attired in their national dress, more commonly known as the Dishdash.

The fabric, the finest Japanese cotton.

Jan, (a photographer like me) and I spent time in a local shop exploring the texture and design of the fabric. Jan had an idea to document the different ways the sifrah is wound on the head.

So it's a project when I get back from the tour on the road (in the plane) to photograph the folds, the embroidery and fall of the fabulous fabric. (from behind)

Kandoura: A single-piece, full-body outer garment that looks like a long shirt or gown. It is almost exclusively white in colour

kafiah: A skullcap that forms a cushion for the headgear

Sifrah: A straight-cut cloth that is placed evenly over the head and shoulders. Also known as a gotra

Agaal: Black rings made from cloth that are put on the forehead to keep the sifrah in place.
The event in the College was hilarious with the students plying us with questions…

Now the subject of children arose…

"How many do you have sir" said one young man……."13, Keith replied"

The look on their faces was hilarious…. "You have 4 wives" "No, just this one"

It took us a while to realise that they were in awe of Keith, surprised that he mentioned the children were different nationalities…. careful explanation explained…."adoption"

The Rhino quilt was draped for formal photos…. but propriety prevents me from sharing them….however it was a loud and very funny hour or so.

Yesterday I was up at 3.00 am to finish work… then we left for the 80 minute trip to Dubai.

The sun rose from behind the sand dunes and bathed the earth with it's glow… there is something amazing about the sun on sand…. The city appeared through the haze in front of us and it was just incredible….the tallest building in the world, silver, reflected with rose colored light.

I had the most amazing class yesterday. Talented ladies, capturing their lives in fabric in a Journal quilt class. We will continue working today.

I find it hard to put into words the way I feel when I have the opportunity to share something just a little different with my students.

My classes are full with waiting lists and the students come from all parts of the world…

"I gave up a visit with the Queen to come today" said one friend.

"I took a day off without pay" said another.

Arabic, Portuguese, English, Dutch, South African, Australian Hindi and Emirate…. a gathering of languages melted in one pot to share in the art of Quilting.

Isn't this the way life should be? and I promise photos tomorrow.