This time when I met with Ali, it was a bit impromptu… I went a few friends to meet some TEFL classmates at Chez Pierre so we could all see Ramin’s band, then as I was waiting at the bar, Ali text me and I found him and several of his friends at the tables outside, already jamming to the Trio! I was so happy to see him since we’d had some issues trying to get together since Café Sheesha. We enjoyed the music and some delicious food, which for Ali was a new experience. While the girls and I shared a cheese plate, Ali was having smoked salmon with a seasoned cheesy spread over some toast, and he seemed at first not sure about the combination. I explained to Ali that for Christmas mornings my family makes bagels with cream cheese, tomatoes onions and capers with lox, and that even though it’s a traditionally Jewish dish, it is one of my all-time favorites- needless to say, Ali loved it!
One interesting thing I’ve observed repeatedly now is that while many Arab students, including Ali, adhere to their cultural/religious rule of not drinking, others though have decided to try it- when in Rome, right? The interesting note is how they don’t judge each other for branching away from what they know, but when the alcohol did take effect and they got loud and crazy in the corner, the sober students just laughed and apologized to my friends and I and said, “oh, they’re crazy!”
This meeting was also when I found out Ali was leaving just 5 days later, and since I’d hoped to have him in my final filmed class, I said I would plan a lesson sooner so he could make it. He was so gracious and even thanked me for including him (I thought I’d have to bribe kids to come to an extra hour of class!), but when I said his friends were welcome too, I suddenly had 5 volunteers! I truly am touched and continue to be amazed at how generous and supportive these guys are!
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