Shamal Shamazal

When I have heard the word Shamal I always have thought of the opening song to Laverne and Shirly…”Shameel, shamall, something, something incorporated..” Well, now I understand the true meaning.

Shamal is defined as..” a summer northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq and the Persian Gulf states (including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), often strong during the day, but decreasing at night.[1] This weather effect occurs anywhere from once to several times a year. The resulting wind typically creates large sandstorms that impact Iraq, although most sand is picked up from Jordan and Syria.” I suppose they forgot to mention the UAE, we are often combined in with Saudi Arabia.

Yesterday was a beautiful day, hot enough to not feel cold in the pool, a sunny warmth that reminded us all that before long dramatic heat and humidity will drive us to run from one air conditioned area to another. When evening fell the winds picked up quite rapidly, I went outside to feel the warm air blow in front of our villa. When I awoke this morning a thick layer of sand was dispersed through the air. It almost looked like fog or smog but has a warmer hue of brown to it. Well, shamal or no shamal our day continued…

Today was a big day, both a Valentine’s party and Field Day for Jake. Field Day is typically done at the end of the American school year, but here, it has to be done before the heat rises to the extreme!

It is such a joy to see Jake enjoy these activities. I worried so much about taking him from a home and friends that he loved to a new and strange culture in the Middle East. He has transitioned so well and like me seems to enjoy the adventure of it all. The photos below show his happiness throughout our sandy, windy day!!


The street in front of Jake's school, ACS...

Jake's Valentine's party, deliveries in progress...

Happy with lots of treats!

The grass field at ACS, you can barely see the apartment buildings in the background that are normally seem clear as day.

Jake with Charlie Cook to the left. Charlie is my friend Terri's son, he is thrilled as he just got a leg cast off earlier this morning!!