23 March 2012

Cultural Exchange

MELA 3 DAY NINE, 23 MARCH 2012: PART TWO


Following an afternoon of dune-bashing and sand-boarding, we assembled at a desert camp for dinner and the Cultural Exchange: a chance for MELA friends to share an aspect of their history, culture or traditions that also reflected their identity as leaders from their respective countries.


United Arab Emirates.

Host country members astonish and delight with color and tradition, as they brilliantly re-enact an Emirati wedding.








Nader and Basma are the center of attention.









Egypt.



Radwa soon has the whole company singing along.









Egyptian tradition and modernity embodied by Cinderella and Ali.







Jordan.


Jordanians graphically exhibit their country simultaneously as an ancient land...









... and a thriving modern nation.








Lebanon.


The Lebanese line-up. Hitham and Rateb provide some Palestinian support.










Pierre flies the cedar flag.








Kuwait.



Noura shows off Kuwaiti culture to stunning effect.







Oman.


Hamoud exemplifies Omani manhood.









The Omanis show their steel.










Saudi Arabia.



Saudi members address, and explode, many facile stereotypes about their extraordinary nation.










Thamer smuggles in a new member of the Saudi team.











Uzbekistan.





Muzaffar tests the group's knowledge about Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and the CELA countries overall with a pop quiz. Irina assists.








United States.



The facilitators testify to the diversity of USA by recalling their own ethnic and national roots...






... a timely reminder that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.







Syria.



Obay and Talal prove to be maestros at getting the company dancing to a Syrian beat.









Gentlemen on the right....












Ladies on the left...










































































MELA NATIONS TOGETHER!