Fantasia, Open House, and Mother's Day

Yesterday we went to see a Fantasia show. They do these during traditional cultural festivals. The actual traditional name is "game of gunpowder." So basically, all the riders line up and charge down the field for about 200 yards trying to stop and fire their old guns at the same time. The closer they get to the tent without hitting it the more cheering there is! It's also important to fire at the same time. The performance is inspired by wartime attacks of Berber and desert knights. (Check out the two videos below)

We were the only foreigners. Check out the big frizzy beard of the guy in the black djellaba. (Click to enlarge :)

You animal lovers or PETA fans would not have appreciated this show. I won't go into detail...

Here they are charging down the field.

At first we were in the back where all the riders were hanging out. Everybody was passing around cigarettes and stuff.

Here is the view from inside the tent where the riders must stop right at the edge. We saw many riders fall off and even some hit the ropes!

Some men enjoying the show.

This weekend I also got invited by a friend to go to her school where they were having a party. Basically, it was like an "open house" where kids show off their school projects and perform for the parents.

I was telling one of the teachers that we have such events at our schools in America. Well upon closer inspection you can notice the subtle difference. Check out these projects:
Top Left: We saw lots of mosque recreations
Top Right: Diorama of a North African Salon or living room. Bench like couches that surround the room with a large table in the middle (every house has these including ours)
Bottom Left: The Islamic testament made from popsicle sticks.
Bottom Right: A taste of home with a classic volcano!


BG Update:
-Well we will know if we have a little girl or a little guy this week! My ultrasound is on Thursday and I really hope BG is cooperative. I have been dying to know!
-This week he/she has developed the fine hair called lanugo (or linguini, like the pasta as I always call it in my mind) which protects the skin
-Even thought BG 's eyes are still closed he/she can sense light and this week will be able to hear what's going on in there, including my heartbeat, stomach and voice.
-I am feeling great, just sleeping a lot with an occasional headache. This week I am suppose to stop laying on my back and this is a super hard habit to break!

Here is BG and I on our first Mother's Day! :) Our Mom's are totally awesome and supportive and I am excited to see both of them become first time Grandma's! I am proud to be joining the ranks of motherhood and this time next year BG will be six months old (and have a name hopefully). Happy Mother's Day to All!



This is the view from the field as they are charging down.


And here is the view from the tent. Every time the guns went off I jumped. This one they got close to the tent and fired pretty close together, hence all the cheering.