Molly, Michael, Maya, & Owen

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Everything is Bukra

Want to know what it's like to live in Qatar?

Day 1:
Me: "Excuse me, guard, when do you think the gym will be open?"
Guard: "Bukra Insha'alla." (Tomorrow, God willing)
Me: "Ok, thanks."

Day 2:
Me: "Excuse me, guard, any chance the gym is open yet?"
Guard: "Bukra Insha'alla."
Me: "Ok, thanks."

Day 3:
Me: "How's the gym going?"
Guard: "It will be ready bukra Insha'allah."
Me: "Ok, thanks."

You get the picture. It's maddening until you read this article, which gives a slightly more useful picture of the Arabic definition of "tomorrow"...

http://courses.lib.odu.edu/engl/jbing/bukra.htm

1 Comments:

At 1:40 PM, Blogger Green said...

This was really cool to run into on accident, after posting my own blog. I am curious, though, as to why you are becoming a citizen there? It was weird seeing the Doha city show up, as I pay invoices on their behalf. (I work in aviation). Are you guys Americans? You write like it! Anyway, cool stuff to read!

 

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