98 August 2018 www.bahrainthismonth.com lifestyletravel In the afternoon, I was walking in the neighborhood when I saw a little boy playing near a door. I spoke to him and gave him a sweet. When his aunt saw me, I thought she was going to reprimand me for giving him chocolate, but, in fact, with a lovely smile, she said “Rahmat” which means thank you. She insisted I enter their house, and the entire family came to greet me. They were having a barbecue and invited me to join them. Honestly, I was worried about eating and asked if it was sheep or cow meat. The mother said “Halal”; I knew they were Muslim but I also knew that some families eat horse! They brought onions and shisleek and their tea. I sat with them in their garden and enjoyed the barbecue. I was astounded as to how generous and kind the Kyrgyz people are — opening their door to a stranger and sharing their food and life with them. The daughter-in-law of the family, Gulmira, could speak English and was translating. They
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