Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Memories of Eid

Late as usual, the girls dashed out of the house in their spanking new attire, barely escaping their father’s cigarette fumes that might tinge their incensed hair. They would cram themselves into the unusually warm car and visit the elders first; the aunt with swelled legs propped up on stool who surprisingly remembers minute details about them, the ageing relative they visit twice a year who bouncily scurries with sweets and treats in one hand and a handful of cash in the other, and the tiny grandmother who daintily props herself on her beautiful couch and pillows as she observes the smiling, fresh faces before her whilst quietly ordering the service to distribute the coffee, tea, and sundry, sweet finger foods.
Humorous tales between cousins are exchanged; the youngest girl points accusingly at one of her relatives, remembering the time she was coaxed into giving up her five dinars when she was a child for her cousin’s stack of four ¼ dinars.
Before the table was completely set, the women gathered into an already crowded room and change into the traditional Kuwaiti attire. The festive and rather chaotic lunch takes place with a row of family members hunched over their plates, unaware of the few mischievous individuals around who have strategically placed the best dishes besides them for their personal enjoyment. The dramatic aunt stopped calling the service and settled down in her place; the lanky, introverted cousin plopped down next to his squirming little sister to have a quick bite before joining his friends in the chalet; and my father finally sat back after spending quite a while hunched over the spread, flinging pieces of lamb he detached by hand to people seated by him.

PS Red Red Wine...dedicated to everything and everyone reminds me of the times above. Yeah, it's old...but it resonates with me!
PPS Breathe

at 5:34 AM

17 Comments

  1. Blogger 3baid posted at 6:54 AM  
    I really like your descriptions, Erzulie. :)

    My version of Eid is rather chaotic but still fun nevertheless. I can clearly remember last year's Eid as though they were yesterday. Things tend to get loud and out of hand when you live in a large family. :/
  2. Blogger Erzulie posted at 7:00 AM  
    3baid: Thanks :) Chaos is an essential ingredient in 3eed; the ironing of clothes, the endless burning of incense, straddling the "B7albeya" so it doesn't spill over in the car...the louder, the better...being loud and out of hand seems more honest than silently nibbling at your food while observing others...
  3. Blogger Jelly Belly posted at 8:59 AM  
    Erzulie your post really took me back in time...I actually had a memory flash back of my childhood...nice post dear and I LOVE Red Red Wine, both the orginal by Bob Marley and UB40 version...that song has a lot of memories too!
    Happy Eid girly :)
  4. Blogger Erzulie posted at 9:42 AM  
    Jelly Belly: Hehe, glad I conjured up your hopefully fuzzy, warm memories of your childhood...UB40 reminds me a lot of those days! I don't know why!
  5. Blogger Sedna posted at 2:10 PM  
    loved the post :) and 3eedich mbarak Erzulie
  6. Blogger Erzulie posted at 8:16 PM  
    Sedna: Ayamich Sa3eeda :)
  7. Blogger Equalizer posted at 8:46 PM  
    I liked eid when it was simple. Or maybe because i was a kid back then and got my 3eediya hehe. Now its flavorless for some reason, id rather travel. :p

    wv: abwrm ( abdominal worm?)
  8. Blogger Sabri Hakim posted at 10:21 PM  
    Happy eid to you
  9. Blogger Erzulie posted at 11:18 PM  
    Equalizer: I still get m 3eediya :P I think everyone lets out their childlike self every now and then...And ab worm? *ble3*

    Sabri Hakim: Happy Eid to you too! Hey I went to Jordan once! Camped in Wadi Rum and swam in the Dead Sea :)
  10. Blogger Temetwir posted at 11:36 PM  
    salam
    nice description, very spontaneous and real

    btw the Breathe thingy, what do u call that kind of "song"? we were looking for something similar for a car compilation (ma baghaina sout el teshefi6 bro7a lol)

    something like u posted, bas 3ala more 'technoish' at times for the flybys
  11. Blogger Erzulie posted at 11:57 PM  
    Temetwir: Thanks & welcome :) Hmm...well the artist is 'Telepopmusik' but I really cannot pinpoint what sort of genre it fits into...it's chill music! Umm...but I think you'd be looking more into House music...

    Jambino: Cheers :) *clink*
  12. Blogger Erzulie posted at 4:34 AM  
    Laialy: Ayamich sa3eeda dahlin'

    Jambino: You know I was this close to deferring Temetwir to you but I didn't know how receptive you are! Thanks for butting in :) mmm, Massive Attack...Jambino, I'm taking ya' home!
  13. Blogger Diver posted at 5:27 PM  
    عيدكم مبارك و عساكم من عوادة
  14. Blogger Erzulie posted at 5:39 PM  
    7tenths: Thanks :) 3eedik Embarak

    Diver: Ayamik Sa3eeda :>
  15. Blogger Erzulie posted at 11:28 PM  
    McArabian: Thank you :) Ayamich Sa3eeeeeeeda (!!) :D
  16. Blogger Jewaira posted at 10:15 AM  
    Yes, you have captured the chaos and the wonderful details of the family Eid lunch. I love the visions your words conjured for me - even though they are your memories! ;) Wishing you happiness.
  17. Blogger Erzulie posted at 2:13 PM  
    Jewaira: Thank you :)

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