A little help finding the proper gift for those special in your life. I fixed the broken links on 12/21/2015
This time of year I begin to panic a little. For me, the last two months of the year are like a jar of cookies guarded by a couple of children. Gone, consumed, devoured while you weren't paying attention. Ack, where has the time gone?
My level of stress and related blood pressure, especially in the month of December, do not benefit by the difficult task of finding gifts to gift. Which gifts to gift, is not a gift to my health. Fortunately for you, I hope to be of benefit to those looking for a gift with, flavors of the Middle East.
Food...
1. My first recommendation is an easy one: Patchi Chocolate.
I became a huge fan of Patchi Chocolate last year. My favorite Patchi store was the one down the street in Khalidiya - staff was always friendly and helpful. And the chocolate, always delectable, premium quality with flavors unlike any other chocolate. When we returned to the States, I went through Patchi withdrawls - no other chocolate satisfies my cravings like Patchi. Luckily, I found Patchi on Amazon.com - hurray. I have now purchased Patchi several times from Amazon and remain a happy, tastily satisifed customer. Photos and links will take you to amazon.com so you can give the gift of Patchi. What a great gift idea.
2. My second recomendation is: Gunpowder Tea.
Gunpowder Tea is a form of green Chinese tea in which each leaf has been rolled into a small round pellet. It is believed to take its English name from the fact that the tea resembles blackpowder grains. The flavor of brewed gunpowder tea is often described as thick and strong like a soft honey, but with a smokey flavor and an aftertaste that is slightly coppery. This type of tea is often seen as having a flavor that is somewhat grassy, minty, or peppery. Yes, I became a fan of Gunpowder tea last year. I was able to find two brands of Gun Powder Tea on Amazon.com. That's a good thing, because I'm almost out of tea.
3. My third food recomendation is: Medjool Dates.
Dates are everywhere in the Middle East. They are important as a food, but also very important culturally. Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around the Persian Gulf, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt. The fruit is very important in the Arabian and North African Countries because the date palm tree grows well in the dry desert heat. In the past dates took a very important role for certain desert regions as the staple food crop. It was comparable to rice, wheat, and potatoes in other cultures. Dates are traditionally offered to guests, along with tea, and are the first food eaten when breaking fast during Ramadan.
4. My last food related recomendation: Vimto.
Not familiar with Vimto? I wasn't either until last year. You'll find this beverage everywhere in the Middle East and in the UK. I picked up a bottle on impulse at the Hypermarket last year - a big fan ever since. If you need to satisfy someones Vimto craving, here's a link to the product and a Vimto commercial (yes it's funny - Vimto is huge in the Middle East).
Video: Who will get the last Vimto?
Books...
Here are some book recomendations, I enjoyed these titles and believe they will make excellent gifts too.
1. Books by Tahir Shah.
My wife purchased me a book by Tahir Shah, "In Arabian Nights." This book is a tale about Moroccan story tellers, and the author’s quest to define his life by finding a story of his own. This book is a good read, one you enjoy slowly, savoring the colors, and flavors of Morocco and the stories nestled within stories. He's an excellent and humorous teller of tales. Recommended.
2. My last book suggestion is: Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times.
My time in Abu Dhabi was not all swimming, Shisha, cafes and business dinners. While living in Abu Dhabi, I found this book at Al Wahda Mall. The book, "Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times" written by Margaret Nydell, is what I consider essential reading.
Ms. Nydell writes very well. I found her book absorbing and difficult to put down. It became dog-eared quickly. For any expatriate living in an Arab country the subject of Arab culture and mores, is obviously relevant. That being stated, in today’s world of global tension, wars in the Middle East and a variety of voices, on both sides of the fence demanding attention – this book is more than relevant to anyone lacking an understanding of what it means to be an Arab and what it means to be a Muslim. I strongly recommend this book to anyone moving to the Middle East and to everyone in the States.
* If this list did not satisfy you in your gift giving pursuits, then my final recomendation is a Website. I have not personally shopped on this site, but it is the only site I've found which seems to fit the bill when looking for all things Arabian (including Bahkoor, Arab perfumes/oils and incense burners) www.arabianbazaar.com/
M'a sa-laama-a (go with peace).
- William
This time of year I begin to panic a little. For me, the last two months of the year are like a jar of cookies guarded by a couple of children. Gone, consumed, devoured while you weren't paying attention. Ack, where has the time gone?
My level of stress and related blood pressure, especially in the month of December, do not benefit by the difficult task of finding gifts to gift. Which gifts to gift, is not a gift to my health. Fortunately for you, I hope to be of benefit to those looking for a gift with, flavors of the Middle East.
Food...
1. My first recommendation is an easy one: Patchi Chocolate.
I became a huge fan of Patchi Chocolate last year. My favorite Patchi store was the one down the street in Khalidiya - staff was always friendly and helpful. And the chocolate, always delectable, premium quality with flavors unlike any other chocolate. When we returned to the States, I went through Patchi withdrawls - no other chocolate satisfies my cravings like Patchi. Luckily, I found Patchi on Amazon.com - hurray. I have now purchased Patchi several times from Amazon and remain a happy, tastily satisifed customer. Photos and links will take you to amazon.com so you can give the gift of Patchi. What a great gift idea.
2. My second recomendation is: Gunpowder Tea.
Gunpowder Tea is a form of green Chinese tea in which each leaf has been rolled into a small round pellet. It is believed to take its English name from the fact that the tea resembles blackpowder grains. The flavor of brewed gunpowder tea is often described as thick and strong like a soft honey, but with a smokey flavor and an aftertaste that is slightly coppery. This type of tea is often seen as having a flavor that is somewhat grassy, minty, or peppery. Yes, I became a fan of Gunpowder tea last year. I was able to find two brands of Gun Powder Tea on Amazon.com. That's a good thing, because I'm almost out of tea.
3. My third food recomendation is: Medjool Dates.
Dates are everywhere in the Middle East. They are important as a food, but also very important culturally. Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around the Persian Gulf, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt. The fruit is very important in the Arabian and North African Countries because the date palm tree grows well in the dry desert heat. In the past dates took a very important role for certain desert regions as the staple food crop. It was comparable to rice, wheat, and potatoes in other cultures. Dates are traditionally offered to guests, along with tea, and are the first food eaten when breaking fast during Ramadan.
4. My last food related recomendation: Vimto.
Not familiar with Vimto? I wasn't either until last year. You'll find this beverage everywhere in the Middle East and in the UK. I picked up a bottle on impulse at the Hypermarket last year - a big fan ever since. If you need to satisfy someones Vimto craving, here's a link to the product and a Vimto commercial (yes it's funny - Vimto is huge in the Middle East).
Video: Who will get the last Vimto?
Books...
Here are some book recomendations, I enjoyed these titles and believe they will make excellent gifts too.
1. Books by Tahir Shah.
My wife purchased me a book by Tahir Shah, "In Arabian Nights." This book is a tale about Moroccan story tellers, and the author’s quest to define his life by finding a story of his own. This book is a good read, one you enjoy slowly, savoring the colors, and flavors of Morocco and the stories nestled within stories. He's an excellent and humorous teller of tales. Recommended.
2. My last book suggestion is: Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times.
My time in Abu Dhabi was not all swimming, Shisha, cafes and business dinners. While living in Abu Dhabi, I found this book at Al Wahda Mall. The book, "Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times" written by Margaret Nydell, is what I consider essential reading.
Ms. Nydell writes very well. I found her book absorbing and difficult to put down. It became dog-eared quickly. For any expatriate living in an Arab country the subject of Arab culture and mores, is obviously relevant. That being stated, in today’s world of global tension, wars in the Middle East and a variety of voices, on both sides of the fence demanding attention – this book is more than relevant to anyone lacking an understanding of what it means to be an Arab and what it means to be a Muslim. I strongly recommend this book to anyone moving to the Middle East and to everyone in the States.
* If this list did not satisfy you in your gift giving pursuits, then my final recomendation is a Website. I have not personally shopped on this site, but it is the only site I've found which seems to fit the bill when looking for all things Arabian (including Bahkoor, Arab perfumes/oils and incense burners) www.arabianbazaar.com/
M'a sa-laama-a (go with peace).
- William
Comments
Post a Comment