Swimming with the Fishes- in a good way

So finally, after more than 2 months here in Dubai, living 15 minutes from the ocean, I actually made it to the beach. For only 5 dirhams I went to a beautiful beach park with Mondays reserved for ladies and children only, and got to experience the most beautiful, relaxing, day at the beach ever. The sun was shining brightly overhead, the water was clear and mild, and the sand was clean. It was gorgeous. I spent most of my time on the shore, but when I did go into the water I saw something skinny and silver darting about a little ways from me. It took a moment for me to register that it was actually a fish, and as I waded farther out I saw a few more. The water was so clear that although I waded in almost waist-high I could still see fish swimming at about the same level as my calves. To be honest, it was disconcerting. The fish are a different type than I've ever seen back home, and the best way I can describe is that they look like little swordfish, with really long noses and long skinny bodies. After a little while in the water, I kept thinking about the barracuda with the sharp teeth I saw at the grocery store, and I started wondering what other kind of fish might be swimming around me. I spent the rest of my beach time walking and reading, and enjoying the sight and sound of the water, without really going in far. I'm such a chicken, lol.

Still here

So, if you thought the last lapse in postings was long, what'd you think of this one? A lot has happened in the last 6 or so weeks. I went on Safari (twice), went to Madinat Jumeirah, the Dubai Marina, the Jumana- Queen of the Desert show, Abu Dhabi several times, and the natural hot springs in Al Ain. It's been a busy time. The safaris were probably my favorite experience, and I highly recommend for everyone to do it at least once. You ride in an SUV caravan off the road to the edge of the desert, all of the drivers get out and partially deflate the tires for what I can only assume is more traction, and off you go. You climb up and over sand dunes as tall as houses feeling like you're on a small roller coaster, like the Scooby-Doo at King's Dominion. But, it's much more exhilarating because you watch the sand crumble and slide beside and beneath you, and you watch the other SUV's in front of you climb up, up, up, and go hurtling down and you know your turn is coming next. This goes on for a while, and then all of the vehicles stop and all the passengers climb out and you realize you're in the middle of nowhere with only sand and camel pens as far as the eye can see. Those who want to sand-board do, and then everyone climbs back in and drives out to an encampment that looks like some Bedouin camp that time forgot. There a buffet dinner, sheesha, and dancer waits for you. You come back home feeling like you were on a different planet, all rejuvenated and with a fresh perspective.

The Boonies

I made a new friend this week, a girl who lived in Virginia for a while as an adolescent. We hit it off right away, and as she described her old home, she used the term "The Boonies." I didn't realize just how much I missed America until I heard that phrase. It's the little familiar things that make me long for home. An American colloquial phrase heard on the street, my favorite cereal brand from home in the Indian corner market, or a song from the CD I bought before I left playing in the little Filipino salon across the street. Although American pop culture has invaded seemingly every corner of the world, and Dubai in particular, it's still not the same as home. It shouldn't be.

Sorry MIA for so long

Hello all,
As I get settled into more of a routine and try to find my rhythm in a city that is so unpredictable entire roads move overnight, I have let the blog fall to the wayside. My apologies, and I will try to do better from now on. I have rented a car, and with it comes freedom and fear. I am free from having to wait half an hour for a taxi in 100 degree heat, hot, sweaty, and stinky and frustrated in the realization that the shower I had taken only an hour before was a waste. Every time I drive I am afraid, for the style of driving here and the traffic congestion and road construction make even the shortest trip an adventure. The roundabouts are a whole other challenge entirely. Imagine riding a carousel at breakneck speeds and then being on the inside, closest to the center realizing that you have to get out of the circle and not hit the other horses riding the outside circle. And planning which turn you will use to get out of the roundabout and choosing the corresponding lane before you even enter it. It is tense to say the least. I am getting more comfortable, but I have to keep my prayers strong and do my best to pay attention at all times.
Enough about the car. The weather is slowly starting to change, and I eagerly await the coming weeks when it is supposed to cool off, God willing. There are so many interesting things to do and places to go in Dubai, a lot of which are outdoors. Ramadan is coming, and with it shorter work hours, so hopefully I will get to go out and see and do more. All is well in general, and I am having a great time.

The Middle of the Desert

Yesterday I had to go get some more passport photos made for the processing of my residency visa, and as I walked across the crosswalk through a major thoroughfare with shops of every kind around me, I had to remind myself where I was. Surrounded by neon signs, hi-rise buildings, and billboards for famous designers, it is only when I step on sand (as I did beside the photo studio) that I remember I am in the middle of the desert. The development is beautiful, and the sand is beautiful. The sunrises and the twilights are great, and in fall things are supposed to be even nicer because of the number of outdoor things that one can see and do that cannot be done in the summer.
Also yesterday, I visited a resort area called Madinat Jumeirah for work, which I had been to before. If you have a chance to go to their websites, just google Madinat Jumeirah and see what comes up. It is even more breathtaking in person. As I stood at the ATM in the lobby of one (ONE) of the hotels on the compound, I turned around to look down through the giant plate glass window behind me. I saw the blue waters of the Gulf, an uncrowded strip of beach with giant white umbrellas placed along the sand, and then, a giant pool surrounded by the same reddish brown stones as the exterior walls of the hotels, which are designed to look like an old Arabian citadel. In the giant pool were two large sea turtles, with some babies swimming in a square enclosure in the middle. One of the larger turtles looked like he was half as big as me, and he swam right to the edge of the pool. All that separated walkers from the turtle was a single rope barrier and about 3 or 4 feet of distance. Amazing!! I wished someone was with me so I could share the crazy moment, but no one I knew was around. A real Finding Nemo sea turtle. It was incredible.

In the Swing of Things

Holy moly it's hot! I went down to Al Ain, a city in another emirate, for the weekend, wondering if there would be a temperature difference. If there was, I couldn't feel it. I had a lovely trip visiting family, and was pleasantly surprised to find the distance and time between Dubai and Al Ain to be less than I remembered. Today the heat index is 117 degrees, and wearing my sunglasses as I stepped outside yesterday they immediately fogged up. They say the weather starts to cool around the end of October (OCTOBER!), and with all of the air conditioning I really can't complain.


I went to the Mall of the Emirates today (yes, the one with the indoor ski slope) and I found lots of stores I want to go back to. Surprise, surprise, lol. Walking through the mall is such a fascinating experience, not only because of the variety and quality of the hundreds of shops on the three floors of the mall, but also because of the languages spoken and the ethnicities of the shoppers. I heard languages being spoken today that I could not identify, and I like to think I have a pretty good ear for that sort of thing. I saw people from what seemed like every corner of the world, just hanging out with their friends and family and getting some shopping done.
I am still adjusting to the time difference, partly I think because of my early starts. Today I left the hotel at around 7:45 a.m., which you all know is obscenely early for me. Tomorrow, God willing, I am going to Dubai Festival City and taking a city tour of Dubai, which I'm sure is gonna be awesome.

Here safe and sound

Hello All! I am in Dubai, after a safe and easy trip. My long flight was overbooked, and the plane was completely full. I was one of the lucky group that got bumped to Business Class, and words can't do the experience justice. I've been bumped to business class twice before, but I don't think ever for this long of a flight. Suffice to say that yesterday upon arrival to my accommodations with all of my bags in place I felt like I had just left the states, not been in transit for almost 24 hours. The weather here is super hot, resting in the cool 90s when I arrived yesterday evening. Traffic in Dubai is intense, and today being Friday, I don't know what to expect being out and about. Some places of business close, some don't, so we'll see. Everything is fine, and so far so good! More soon, God willing.