The Brothers Fouad
I got to virtually meet Fouad's younger brother Mohammad on Monday. By "virtually meet," I mean that Fouad had a webcam chat with him, and I popped into view just long enough to wave and smile.
It had to be one of the most awkward introductions I've ever had, and, given how awkward my interactions with others always are, that's really saying something.
The main reason that it was so awkward was because he doesn't speak a word of English, and the only thing I can say in Arabic is, "Hello, my love." (Well, what would I need to say?) Given that, we could do nothing but look at each other, which? Awkward.
He said something to Fouad's friend who was also present for the webcam chat, and Fouad's friend translated it for me. "Mohammad says you are very nice, Kate."
I wasn't sure how to take that. It didn't sound like a compliment, and I should know because many of Fouad's friends have told me that I am "beautiful," which is just their way of flattering Fouad and being polite.
But when Mohammad said that I am "very nice," I could only think that it was his way of politely saying, "Ha ha! My brother is dating a fatty!"
But I tend to be a bit oversensitive.
Anyway, Mohammad is just a wee babe of twenty, and he's Fouad's only brother. Fouad also has four sisters, two of whom I've spoken with on the phone. One of those conversations lasted less than a minute, and my half of the conversation was in English while hers was in French. But the second conversation, with his youngest sister Mariem, was a success.
I think Mariem has the best education in Fouad's family and therefore speaks the best English. She's 22 and still attending university.
But, really, this entire post was just a reason for me to show you a picture of Mohammad, who I think is cute as a button! Also present in this photo: Fouad's sister Nassima (in the hijab), two of Nassima's daughters (far left and far right), and Fouad's sister Ouahiba's (spelling approximated) daughter in the middle:
Aren't they a beautiful family?
It had to be one of the most awkward introductions I've ever had, and, given how awkward my interactions with others always are, that's really saying something.
The main reason that it was so awkward was because he doesn't speak a word of English, and the only thing I can say in Arabic is, "Hello, my love." (Well, what would I need to say?) Given that, we could do nothing but look at each other, which? Awkward.
He said something to Fouad's friend who was also present for the webcam chat, and Fouad's friend translated it for me. "Mohammad says you are very nice, Kate."
I wasn't sure how to take that. It didn't sound like a compliment, and I should know because many of Fouad's friends have told me that I am "beautiful," which is just their way of flattering Fouad and being polite.
But when Mohammad said that I am "very nice," I could only think that it was his way of politely saying, "Ha ha! My brother is dating a fatty!"
But I tend to be a bit oversensitive.
Anyway, Mohammad is just a wee babe of twenty, and he's Fouad's only brother. Fouad also has four sisters, two of whom I've spoken with on the phone. One of those conversations lasted less than a minute, and my half of the conversation was in English while hers was in French. But the second conversation, with his youngest sister Mariem, was a success.
I think Mariem has the best education in Fouad's family and therefore speaks the best English. She's 22 and still attending university.
But, really, this entire post was just a reason for me to show you a picture of Mohammad, who I think is cute as a button! Also present in this photo: Fouad's sister Nassima (in the hijab), two of Nassima's daughters (far left and far right), and Fouad's sister Ouahiba's (spelling approximated) daughter in the middle:
Aren't they a beautiful family?