Arabian Flat Stanley

Some of you probably have heard of Flat Stanley, it is a book about a boy who gets flaten and then travels all over the world.  Abby, from Georgia sent him to us here in Saudi Arabia to decorate, photograph and collect some items from here to send back with him.  We had so much fun creating him and Abby loved him. 

I thought I would share him with you all.  The picture is of my two daughter here in their Abayas holding flat Stanley.  They looked so traditional with their Abayas on and the head scarfs.  I had to laugh because when we first moved here none of us could keep the hair things on, they kept falling off but over the past few months my daughters have watched and talked to their friends that wear them and discovered several ways to wrap them so they won't fall off. 

Ted wrote a letter to Abby and I decide to include it here because you all might be interested in some of the things we have learned about here: 

Dear Abby –Here is Stanley, back from Saudi Arabia.  While in Saudi Arabia Stanley picked up a book about Al Hasa, the largest oasis in the world. It might be a little hard to read because it is written in Arabic.  Not only does Arabic look a little funny, it is read from right to left, and from the back of the book to the front.

While in Saudi Arabia Stanley went shopping and bought the traditional dress for Saudi men.  He is wearing a white thobe, which is a loose, long-sleeved, ankle-length garment.  He also is wearing a Ghutra, the red and white scarf, which is held on by a Agal, the thick, doubled, black cord. 

Stanley brought some left over money from when he went shopping.  He has two coins, a 10 Halalah and a 50 Halalah, and a couple of bills, each 1 Riyal.  There are 100 Halalahs in 1 Riyal similar to 100 cents in 1 dollar.  The difference is that it takes 3.75 Riyals to equal 1 dollar, or 1 Riyal equals 27 cents.  While in Saudi Arabia, Stanley visited with his friends, Brynli, Chaylee and Wendy.  They live in a city on the east coast of Saudi Arabia called Dhahran.  Dhahran is very close to the Persian Gulf.  Stanley had a couple of photos taken with the girls in front of an old unused Mosque.  The girls are all wearing Abayas, the black, traditional robe worn by many women.    Before Stanley left Saudi Arabia to return to Georgia Brynli gave him a set of blue prayer beads. Stanley had a great time while in Saudi Arabia, and hopes that he can come back soon.We hope you enjoy hearing about Stanley’s trip to Saudi Arabia.   We love you,

Comments

[Amber]

Abby loved Flat Stanley and all the things he brought back. Her class and teacher loved hearing about Saudi Arabia too. We keep trying to call so she can talk to you but we haven't connected yet. One morning we will. Thanks for doing that for her.