Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lessons Learned.....so far
Closing in on my first month here, there are quite a few things I've noticed that, while the norm, still make me stop and go "hm".
Observation #1: PDA is not acceptable. This comes at the high price of my favorite TV shows and movies jumping around to edit even any PG kissing scenes. When I head to the malls, there is specific signage, right alongside "No smoking", that reads "No overt displays of affection". Two male security guards holding hands is A-OK, but Will Smith planting a smacker on Eva Medes draws the line. Thanks for not touching Sons of Anarchy's cussing like sailors (no offense to any sailors out there).
Observation #2: Wear a short skirt or sleeveless top and be prepared to be stared at like Pope driving by in his sweet ride. Granted, skintight anything on anyone is no problemo. Call me old fashioned, but I would rather see a little shoulder than some people with all the rolls and wobbly bits hanging out. Ladies of the UAE - I'm watching. And judging, of course.
Observation #3: Ever wondered what the rush would be like to play chicken across a freeway? Well, come on down. Random men running across the freeway has been commonplace on my journeys to Dubai and Al Ain, and no one bats an eye. Sure I flinch everytime I see this, but as God as my witness, I have not seen any human roadkill, which begs the question - Americans, are we being out machoed? Seriously, kids don't try this at home.
Observation #4: Fast-food delivery. Oh yeah, it exists. Because eating junk food and being lazy was just not enough these days. You need it brought to your door and NOW. Sure, there's the standard pizza and Thai fare but Im talking about Burger King, McDonald's, and KFC. Give me a fast-food chain and I'll find the number to call. I thought I had hit the jackpot in NYC when I found out BB&B and TJs delivered. Clearly, I was mistaken. Who's ready to send me $5 so I can photo document fast-food at it's finest and be able to scoff while doing my best Martha's Vineyard accent, coyly remarking "Muffy, dahling, drivethrus are so last decade"?
Observation #1: PDA is not acceptable. This comes at the high price of my favorite TV shows and movies jumping around to edit even any PG kissing scenes. When I head to the malls, there is specific signage, right alongside "No smoking", that reads "No overt displays of affection". Two male security guards holding hands is A-OK, but Will Smith planting a smacker on Eva Medes draws the line. Thanks for not touching Sons of Anarchy's cussing like sailors (no offense to any sailors out there).
Observation #2: Wear a short skirt or sleeveless top and be prepared to be stared at like Pope driving by in his sweet ride. Granted, skintight anything on anyone is no problemo. Call me old fashioned, but I would rather see a little shoulder than some people with all the rolls and wobbly bits hanging out. Ladies of the UAE - I'm watching. And judging, of course.
Observation #3: Ever wondered what the rush would be like to play chicken across a freeway? Well, come on down. Random men running across the freeway has been commonplace on my journeys to Dubai and Al Ain, and no one bats an eye. Sure I flinch everytime I see this, but as God as my witness, I have not seen any human roadkill, which begs the question - Americans, are we being out machoed? Seriously, kids don't try this at home.
Observation #4: Fast-food delivery. Oh yeah, it exists. Because eating junk food and being lazy was just not enough these days. You need it brought to your door and NOW. Sure, there's the standard pizza and Thai fare but Im talking about Burger King, McDonald's, and KFC. Give me a fast-food chain and I'll find the number to call. I thought I had hit the jackpot in NYC when I found out BB&B and TJs delivered. Clearly, I was mistaken. Who's ready to send me $5 so I can photo document fast-food at it's finest and be able to scoff while doing my best Martha's Vineyard accent, coyly remarking "Muffy, dahling, drivethrus are so last decade"?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Signed, sealed, delivered
I'm yours, Stevie.
What a show. What a venue. Outdoor stage and energized crowd, Mr. Wonder is a man worth seeing perform. He was amazing. He brought out most of the classics (I'm still waiting for my part-time lover) and even let someone propose to their girlfriend on stage. While rocking out to the tunes we all know was great, it was the interludes of jazz sets with his fantastic band and his unbelievable drum solo that set this show apart from the rest. This has been a year of class acts - the NKOTBSB show better bring their A-game! (Yes, I have no shame in admitted I'm going to that show in June with my homegirls, Nikolina.)
Crowd pleasing evening events aside, this week also brought my 2nd visit to Al Ain and thus the wildlife park. We went a little too late in the evening, but the big cats were still kings of the jungle, the monkeys so adorable with their antics, and the flamingos majestic in bright pink feathers. I'm going back, both to Al Ain and to the park....so much more to see.
With all the turmoil in the world over these last weeks, I leave you with wise words from a wiser man...pick up the phone and sing...I just called to say "I love you", I just called to say how much I care, I just called to say "i love you" and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
What a show. What a venue. Outdoor stage and energized crowd, Mr. Wonder is a man worth seeing perform. He was amazing. He brought out most of the classics (I'm still waiting for my part-time lover) and even let someone propose to their girlfriend on stage. While rocking out to the tunes we all know was great, it was the interludes of jazz sets with his fantastic band and his unbelievable drum solo that set this show apart from the rest. This has been a year of class acts - the NKOTBSB show better bring their A-game! (Yes, I have no shame in admitted I'm going to that show in June with my homegirls, Nikolina.)
Crowd pleasing evening events aside, this week also brought my 2nd visit to Al Ain and thus the wildlife park. We went a little too late in the evening, but the big cats were still kings of the jungle, the monkeys so adorable with their antics, and the flamingos majestic in bright pink feathers. I'm going back, both to Al Ain and to the park....so much more to see.
With all the turmoil in the world over these last weeks, I leave you with wise words from a wiser man...pick up the phone and sing...I just called to say "I love you", I just called to say how much I care, I just called to say "i love you" and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The road to Dubai
Abu Dhabi to Al Ain to Abu Dhabi to Dubai to AD to Dubai to AD to AA to AD.....phew. Who knew one could do so much travel all within 3 hours of driving? So goes the fabulous life of sustainability.
The road to Al Ain is paved with trees. Sure, I don't know where the water comes from, considering it's the desert and all, but it sure does look pretty. (I promise I've got a photo or two of it, and will be posting them.) Unlike the speeding cars that pave the way to Dubai, the gentle ride is quiet relaxing - and I can't wait to get to the Wildlife Preserve this week. Lions and tigers and, well, I don't actually think they have bears. Oh my.
Dubai, on the other hand, is insane. I liken it to Vegas on drugs. No, really, it's more emense, more over-the-top, more everything than one can imagine. All-day beach parties. Man-made islands. Skyscrapers that in any other town would dwarf the surrounding buildings, yet are themselves dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa. Standing over 2,500 ft tall, it boasts the titles of: tallest building, tallest free-standing structure, tallest elevator service, and highest outdoor observation deck - IN THE WORLD. I cannot wait to visit the next time I'm in town. If I don't, I'm pretty sure my architecture friends will disown me. This past weekend, the sand and sun called my name more loudly, and I traded the Burj to see one-hit wonder, Fragma, plus witness my friends lose 2 pair of sunglasses, 2 cell phones, and one flip-flop? Welcome to Dubai!
The road to Al Ain is paved with trees. Sure, I don't know where the water comes from, considering it's the desert and all, but it sure does look pretty. (I promise I've got a photo or two of it, and will be posting them.) Unlike the speeding cars that pave the way to Dubai, the gentle ride is quiet relaxing - and I can't wait to get to the Wildlife Preserve this week. Lions and tigers and, well, I don't actually think they have bears. Oh my.
Dubai, on the other hand, is insane. I liken it to Vegas on drugs. No, really, it's more emense, more over-the-top, more everything than one can imagine. All-day beach parties. Man-made islands. Skyscrapers that in any other town would dwarf the surrounding buildings, yet are themselves dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa. Standing over 2,500 ft tall, it boasts the titles of: tallest building, tallest free-standing structure, tallest elevator service, and highest outdoor observation deck - IN THE WORLD. I cannot wait to visit the next time I'm in town. If I don't, I'm pretty sure my architecture friends will disown me. This past weekend, the sand and sun called my name more loudly, and I traded the Burj to see one-hit wonder, Fragma, plus witness my friends lose 2 pair of sunglasses, 2 cell phones, and one flip-flop? Welcome to Dubai!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
let's go to the mall
For non-HIMYM fans, search Robin Sparkles with the title of today's blog...it will all be clear in a few, musically-epic moments. (Sandcastles in the Sun is also worth a watch.) Mall = life in Abu Dhabi, and the Marina Mall has everything - food court, grocery store, IKEA....ice rink full of kids skating in stormtrooper style skates with cig smoking chaperones watching nearby. Joe Camel would be proud.
Not to worry, the weekend wasn't entirely spent indoors. We walked along Heritage Village and the neighboring beach, with plans of dipping our toes in the water. These hopes were quickly dashed by some very active jet skiers, spraying the shoreline with their testosterone-filled trick riding (sorry, gents but it's true). Entertaining, sure, but I left with some very unhappy feet.
And then there was Gaston Quieto, the "illusionist", performing Thursday night at Aloft hotel. The real magic came in the form of the surprisingly chilly Abu Dhabi evening that forced most of the crowd to wrap themselves in pool towels. I opted for my dear friend, Corona, to keep me warm.
After Gaston's disappointing bag of tricks, it was time for Pearls and Caviar at Shangri La. The place was filled with glamorous people, spectacular decor, breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque, and DJs spinning the tunes. It took a scenic golf cart ride from the entrance of the hotel to get to this secluded venue, past all the private villa parties.
Abu Dhabi, I'm sufficiently impressed. You will be too, now that I've got a camera and can start the real documentation of this trip.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Flying solo across the Atlantic
None of my friends and family seem interested in much else than photos from my travels and, yes, I'll get to those, but bear with me and read the ramble first.
24+ hours, 8 time zones, 5 movies, 3 meal services, and several other numbered items that seem inconsequential now, I've made it to Abu Dhabi. Palm trees line the road to the airport, warm breezes well into the wee hours of the night, and construction everywhere I look - this city is living up to all the stories.
My new coworkers, Firas and Lindsey, made sure my first night wasn't a waste and promptly took me from the airport out to a club, for drinks and dancing until 4am. Would you have turned down an opportunity to party it up with two "devastingly good-looking blokes"? They didn't think so either. Note my newfound appreciation for British-isms and expect them only get worse over my time here, as I'm the only American on my team.
After the timezone shock wore on and the work week started, I began to notice some of the little things that my great aunts would love....the food things. Free lunch in the office - yes, thank you. Waiters who bring you 
your coffee, fresh squeezed juice, or pretty much any other beverage you want, right to your desk - sure, why not? Desserts at every turn - ok, I'll have seconds if you twist my arm. However lazy I thought I was at work, it just got taken to a new level. Good thing I remembered my pants with the elastic waistband. To end the food portion of the programming, I'll leave you with this final thought/image. Commonly misprounced "Miranda" in Middle Eastern markets, due to its Arabic spelling, the name means "wonderful". That sums it up so far.
your coffee, fresh squeezed juice, or pretty much any other beverage you want, right to your desk - sure, why not? Desserts at every turn - ok, I'll have seconds if you twist my arm. However lazy I thought I was at work, it just got taken to a new level. Good thing I remembered my pants with the elastic waistband. To end the food portion of the programming, I'll leave you with this final thought/image. Commonly misprounced "Miranda" in Middle Eastern markets, due to its Arabic spelling, the name means "wonderful". That sums it up so far.
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