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... Expat William

Reflecting on the experience of moving and living abroad.

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Holiday Gift Guide - Flavors of the Middle East

on December 02, 2010

Arabian Bazaar Gifts Gunpowder Tea Holiday Margaret Nydell Medjool dates patchi chocolate Understanding Arabs Vimto

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For a Friend Visiting Abu Dhabi

on October 11, 2010

patchi chocolate perfume restaurants rules

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What's That Smell?

on August 22, 2010

bahkoor bakhoor bukhoor charcoal incense perfume

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Unposted September 2009 - Here it is

on April 17, 2010

abu dhabi august calendar Culture Dubai heat humidity Iftar Islam Muslim Ramadan uae

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Etran Finatawa at WOMAD Abu Dhabi 2009

on March 16, 2010

2009 abu dhabi Africa etran finatawa Niger WOMAD

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WOMAD Music Stream

on March 16, 2010

abu dhabi music stream streaming WOMAD

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WOMAD Abu Dhabi 2010

on March 08, 2010

abu dhabi adach Al Corniche free music peter gabriel WOMAD

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Coming to My Senses

on December 08, 2009

abu dhabi Ajmal Eternal Dubai eau de parfum edp nabeel perfume Rasasi smell

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Culture Shift

on October 30, 2009

book change crush it cultur shift gary vaynerchuk

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Missing Abu Dhabi

on October 01, 2009

abu dhabi fava beans foul United Arab Emirates

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A Perfect Cup of Coffee

on August 01, 2009

abu dhabi abu dhabi mall coffee perfect seatles best coffee

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Popular Posts

What's That Smell?

My Collection of Bahkoor/Bakhoor/Bukhoor In the above photo, you can see various boxes of bahkoor I purchased in Abu Dhabi, some charcoal and a couple of traditional incense burners, all resting on the rug we bought from the local rug merchant (Corniche Towers across from La Brioche cafe - recommended). Also Called Incense Bahkoor/bakhoor/bukhoor, also called incense, is widely used in the Arab world – with scorching desert temperatures and sweating bodies covered by layers of clothing, bahkoor/bakhoor/bukhoor is as much luxury as social necessity. Incense plays an important role in Arab life, one I've grown to appreciate. While living in Abu Dhabi, I found my sense of smell constantly stimulated by aromas of bahkoor, Arab perfumes and shisha. My head was often turned by a group of Emirati women, walking past wrapped in the exotic aroma of Bahkoor (always careful not to stare at them). Composition Typically composed of woodchips (Oudh the Arabic name for Agarwood/

Coming to My Senses

Outside the temperature has dropped below freezing. The frigid wind from the north is an unnecessary, unwanted, redundant reminder that we no longer live in the Middle East. While I don’t miss the sweltering oven called summer in United Arab Emirates, there are things I continue to miss. It has taken me months to post again to this blog. Of course I don’t have any new Abu Dhabi adventures to share with you. But, I do have some personal feelings and comments I feel I must address. My senses were stretched living in the United Arab Emirates; my common sense, my sense of smell, my sense of taste, my sense of style, my sense of standards, my religious sense, my sense of class and my sense of propriety. Of these senses, my inclination today is to reflect on my sense of smell. The sense of smell is a basic, primal sense, it’s key to survival, attraction and socialization. My broad generalization of today is, “every culture has its own distinct smell”. Aside from the call to prayer, natio

Awakened Ajmal Appreciation

“Classic fragrance with contemporary ingredients captures the heart of the wearer craving for the perfect balance in life. Natural materials like fragrant sandalwood, amber and cedar wood are creatively merged with spicy hints of ginger, cardamom and clove, creating a sophisticated perfume reflecting effortless elegance and modern versatility.” Richly Scented The above quote is the description of my new eau de parfum (EDP) I recently purchased. Ever since arriving in Abu Dhabi, I’ve noticed that men and women wear a lot of perfume – to my Western sensibilities, the smell is exotic. I find these 'new to me', aromas of perfume, oil and incense intoxicating and exhilarating. Once I finally ‘tuned’ into the heady aromas worn by the locals, I wanted to learn what they were wearing and where to buy some. Unfortunately, I’ve heard some unkind expressions implying Emirati use a lot of richly scented perfumes. Whether unkind or ignorant words come my way, you can add me to that richly s

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