Sunday, September 16, 2007
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.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
