Eid holiday 2009

Nelson says I have to post my blog before I go back to work and get busy....this morning he sent me photos from our holiday EXPECTING that I would, so here I am.

Our holiday went by too fast as holidays are wont to do! We did so much that I'm not sure I can cover it all here. We rode horses, we shoed horses, we washed, groomed, walked, fed and photographed horses. We watched as Ranu, Salam, Suel and Saifel made cement and laid a pad for Nelson to shoe horses on. It was after hours for them and dark, so we parked so they could see what they were doing. It is certainly a different method here and would make my brothers and my son cringe if they ever saw how they do it! I spent a lot of time trying to remember the name of every worker at the farm and I am pleased to say that I think I have. In addition to the 4 I mentioned above there is also Saga, Raja and Shakeel. There is one more whose name I can't recall right now and it's going to drive me crazy....I thought I had remembered them ALL. I'll remember after I post this, of course.

We camped at the farm in a little tent we picked up at the Carrefour...it wasn't bad, easy to put up and take down, although folding a tent properly is always exasperating for me! We had a little campfire every night except the night we forgot the matches. The moon was out full this past week so it was beautiful to sit under the stars and ponder our human existence. Donkey took good care of us although his greeting is a bit jarring to the ears. The weather was quite pleasant and even though the wind blew and howled in the wee hours of the morning on our second night, it was fun....felt like we were home in Michigan during a snowstorm, only it was WARM outside. :) Everyone else is complaining how cold it is and Nelson and I think it's perfect sleeping weather. All of the folk who come to the farm were amazed and curious by our camping endeavor. We loved it and Nelson normally hates tents. We are exhausted now but we had a wonderful time.

No news yet on any business dealings, but it takes a little time for things to start rolling after a holiday here. Remember what they say: time is elastic here.

I also spent some time riding Hamam (Kirrong Mahahn, but the workers always call him Hamam and so it sticks as such) and teaching him to drop his head, tuck his chin and round his back. He is a dear horse, learns quickly and has bonded with me already. I wish I didn't do that with horses. In any case, he is looking great since he's been on some oil and other supplements. I started him on a new feeding regimen this week, too. We've been doing stretching exercises, too and he enjoys figuring out how to reach the carrot with his head between his front legs....I think he might need a chiropractor, but I think the stretching is helping him. I need to show Shakeel how to do these things (ride him in the draw reins and stretching exercises) as I start back to work tomorrow and won't be able to be there every day. I also did a little training exercise with Esteem on the track. No matter how hard or fast I ride him, he comes in with a super low pulse...my competitive riding friends back home would love him! He's also a smart little guy who figured out where I had set up our "stash" for checks every 5 km (it's on the track so it wasn't hard!) and was a bit put out that he didn't get to stop EVERY km. :) I think he is perfectly prepared for a 60 km, but I don't know about myself. I stressed the knee a bit yesterday and it bothered me although it's better today. So.....I'll have to decide if I can do it or not. I only did 10 km yesterday so next week, I'll try 15. He really doesn't go as well on the track as he does on the trails...he bores quickly. Of course, we were alone and riding with other horses might change his attitude! Inshallah!

My dear Nelson just brought me some eggs for a late breakfast so it's time to quit and eat and get ready for the day, our evening and work tomorrow. I have laundry to do and tonight we are going to the Christmas tree lighting at the Ritz like we did last year. This year there will be many more of our friends! Stay tuned for photos!