First Valentine's Day in Sudan

Emileigh working at Valentine Central…

First published February 16, 2010

There are few indicators in this very tan land that the much-celebrated American holiday of Valentine's Day is even coming. However, if you look closely you may see a dash of red here or a few stuffed bears there...but you do what you can to make things feel festive and special.


Emileigh and Aria have begun working in our company's school as teachers' aides. Emileigh works with the second grade class and Aria the third. As part of their classroom activities, the second grade teacher announced that they would have a Valentine's Day party. She asked the students to write encouraging notes to one another and show their love.

I love Valentine's Day so I was anxious to help Emileigh create all kinds of paper wonders, but I was relegated to cutting out the hearts. She was having fun, too, you see. They turned out great and the kids had a blast opening their "mailboxes" and reading through their Valentines.

The finished Valentines.  Beautiful!

John and I were invited to go on a Love Boat Cruise on the Nile. We readily agreed and were ushered onto a very nice pontoon boat that had been skillfully decorated with an India theme. 

 

John looking excited…no, really.

Colorful banners lined the ceiling and Indian food was on the menu. We visited with around 20 other couples as we blissfully sailed down this ancient river.

Love Boat couples...

Some of the couples were chosen to play "The Marriage Game" and were asked questions about their spouse. 

Happy Contestants...

What a hoot to see the men squirm as they tried desperately to figure out the minds of their wives. (Impossible, I think.)

Playing "The Marriage Game"

Afterward, we ate cake and drank tea and spent some time just visiting with each other and discussing our amazement at this new adventure we call "life."

My friend, Jenn's amazing food style!

On Valentine's Evening, Emileigh and Aria invited over some of our friends for an evening for "Sense and Sensibility" (Aria thinks Hugh Grant rocks.) and pizza. John and I made an appearance in time to toast (grape juice, mind you) the day and also coincidentally Chinese New Year as one of them told us.

This Valentine's Day was different from any other. Flowers are few and far between here. I couldn't begin to find a card store and yet I smiled inside to know that I'm surrounded by so many people who know love and show love on a regular basis. 

Happy Love Day, indeed.

Toasting Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year in our home.

PS Before someone asks, John and I did have our picture taken together, however, I haven't received a copy yet. I KNOW you're dying with anticipation...