iSmell

I'm sitting in an auditorium full of expat women. On the stage is a panel of 5 Emirati women in local dress (black robe and head scarf). It is the 2nd annual Emirati/North American* Women's Cultural Exchange Event.
(*we have to say North American because we invited the Canadians)
The panel speaks to us about women's issues in Abu Dhabi. The basic theme seems to be "We've come a long way, baby." We all agree that they certainly have come a long way.
They tell us, in perfect English, how they juggle careers and motherhood (the secret seems to be a live-in maid). They tell us that their mothers couldn't read or write but only one generation later, they are working on their graduate degrees. This is very impressive to me and I'm enjoying the opportunity to hear what these women have to say.
Trays of coffee, tea, dates and sweets are passed around while the women speak. I am taking full advantage of the Arab hospitality and enjoying the treats. Then I smell the incense. I spot the incense burners and start to panic. I just wasn't expecting incense during a panel discussion. I don't hear another word...I'm just focused on the smoke. Someday I will write an entire blog about the incense obsession in this part of the world. For now all you need to know is that I do not share the obsession.
In the past when I have encountered the dreaded incense burner, I've been able to hold my breath and avoid it altogether. Now I am trapped in an auditorium...nowhere to run. When it is my turn, I am supposed to bend over and wave the smoke towards my face and let it permeate my clothing. I see it coming my way and I take a deep breath and hold it. Then I put a big smile on my face and do a back handed wave that looked like I was enjoying the smoke, but was actually waving it away. This is something that will take more practice, but it worked for now. I'm really wishing I had a smell application for this blog so I could share my experience. Steve Jobbs are you listening??? iSmell could be the next big thing.