I know it's been a long long time since we've posted anything. Today marked one of those moments where I definitely learned a lot and appreciate some of the things folks do out here. Jill and I have now been witness to two Royal deaths in the last couple of months and I wanted to just share with everyone how they do things out here.
Much like back home when a President or Senator dies, the body is transported and presented in a place where the public can come pay their respects. Back home, it's usually the Capitol...Here it's the Grand Mosque right down the street from where we live. People come from all different countries to visit the family and offer their condolences.
What's interesting to me is that they also do something else that we don't do back home. They declare 3 days of mourning where no music is played on the radio except for classical, somber type music. Also no major government functions or events are held. This may not sound like it's a big deal, but lemme tell you...When you're driving around and all you hear for three days is sad, piano music or the orchestral version of "Bitter Sweet Memories", it really impacts you. I found myself today driving home, past the Mosque while the funeral was letting out, listening to that music on the radio, and really thinking to myself that everyone dies at some point and this is really nice that they basically make everyone realize thsi for three days. Sounds weird, I know.
I also asked an Emirati today what the significance of the three days is. He said that it's a cultural thing where people back in the day would visit someone's camp for three days, offer condolences, help with the grieving process, and then after three days, people move on. You don't ever offer condolences after the three days.
For those who don't know, Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who was 41 years old and the Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, dies this week after a glider crash in Morocco Story Here. He was a younger brother of Sheikh Khalifa (President of the UAE) and one of 18 living sons of Sheikh Zayed (founder of the country).
So, Jill and I will be experiencing two more days of this. Just thought we'd let you all in on something they do out here that caught my eye...
