Tonight, we dine like gods! (Sunday)

These posts are from prior days but I am not just getting the chance to publish them online. 

Today I met Fateh Toumi. Fateh is a Ph.D. Student from Ghent University in Belgium. He's studying Cereal Cyst Nematodes and the genetic traits of strains of wheat that are susceptible and resistant to the bug. Originally, Fateh is from Syria and still has family there. Amer introduced me to him as a Bashar al-Assad look-a-like--the resemblance is pretty striking. Fateh will be staying at CIMMYT with me for two weeks as he works on his research project. 

Soon after Fateh arrived we all ate dinner. The table was set with plate after plate of food piled high, all cooked by Shayaa. The main dish consisted of rice and chicken and is called "upside down" in Arabic. (I can't remember the Arabic word.) It was very good. We also had pickles that had been baked or fried (I'm not really sure) and stuffed with spices and beef. Greek yogurt, cheese, vegetables and milk made it a square meal. As I started getting full, I slowed down. Amer and Fateh noticed. Amer offered me some more "upside down" and I politely declined. Wrong answer. Fateh explained to me that in Arabic cultures guests are supposed to feel at home and have the run of the house. When the host sees that the guest is helping themselves, relaxing and enjoying their food, then they are happy. I didn't want to insult Amer or his wife who had made all the food so I sucked it up and started eating more of their delicious food. Once the food was gone and my stomach was ready to explode, Amer, Fateh and I sat down to watch France take on Honduras. About 20 minutes into the game, Shayaa brought out more food: almonds, corn, hazel nuts, pistachios and sunflower seeds. This was accompanied with çay, or tea. I ate and drank while being reminded that I didn't really have a choice. After about another 20 minutes, Shayaa brought out fruit: cherries, grapes, bananas and apples. Again I ate. The night was topped off with Arabic coffee--a small, yet powerful, cup of bitter coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker but that cup of coffee was amazing. Around 12:30 a.m. we decided to call it a night. I'm not sure I have ever been that full in my life. Make no mistake, however, I am not complaining. Turkish/Arabic food and drinks are extremely good. 

As for my luggage...I'm still living out of a carry on. :(