Round the World

Wouldnt ya' know it, the prime minister/leader of Dubai had to go and die the very day the festival was to start! UAE is a kingdom so since this guy was royalty the country is in mourning for the next 40 days and the festival is postponed for 10 days. Oh well, probably for the best, then I didnt spend too much money. That and I have to carry anything I buy, with me for the next...however many months. I am just now adapting to the culture here (and I leave today!) I had never before been in a society where Muslim culture was so influential and prevalent. I thought I was open minded, but it really took me back seeing every other person in the traditional dress. But I'm ok now. This city wreaks of money. The buildings, the malls, the parks, and everything are exquisite. Even though the shopping festival was canceled (even the fireworks which were planned to be the highest ever in the world!) the malls remained open to take advantage of all the tourists that were already here. We spend the 4th shopping most of the day. I wasnt really into it, the prices were just as high as in the US and I dont have extra money to be spending anyway. So I didnt really have much fun doing that. But the malls really are amazing. They are huge and beautiful. Yesterday we went to an area called Jumeira beach on the Arabian sea. Oh my goodness that was beautiful. I of course spent most of my time picking up sea shells (If you know me, you know that I can spend hours picking up rocks/shells along the water...pretty much anywhere!) It is considered their winter here so Simones family advised against wearing shorts to the beach (swimming was out of the question!). But when we got there, I being a Minnesotan, found it wonderfully warm and would have loved to have jumped in even fully clothed! Instead I opted to roll up my pants and splash around on the edge. We also went shopping...again. I never thought I could get so sick of shopping! We also ate a lot of "shormas" (sp?) while here. They are the local specialty. They remind me of a California burrito! It is like a pita bread torn open with roasted chicken (with lots of adabain spices), french fries, mayo, veggies, garlic, etc all rolled up inside. They are really good. Simones family has been very nice and hospitable (even though her little brother drove me a little nuts!) Ok, well my time at the "Lemon cyber cafe" is almost up. Next time I write I should be back in India Take care all

Hi all Last night Simone and I went on an "Arabian Nights" tour thing. They picked us up in a jeep and drove us way out into the desert then went off the road and into the sand. The driver, this really tall handsome Arab guy, drove like a mad man. It was really fun, but I seriously thought I'd puke (and for those of you who know me, I hardly ever get that sick!) We went sliding and skidding all over the sand dunes in the desert at sunset. It was really beautiful out there with the light reflecting off the sand it almost looked fake. Then we were driven back onto the main road for a while, then back through the desert sand to the "camp" where we were treated to a camel ride, henna treatment, an Arabian buffet, belly dancing performance, and dressing up in the habyiah (full Muslim dress). We were also offered to smoke the "hubbly bubbly"...yeah thats pot...I didnt know that until I saw the huge hookas there! I passed on that one. It was very touristy there but we had fun. Today the shopping festival starts so hopefully we'll see what thats all about! TTFN

If you missed that last reference it's from Garfield...but anyway, really I went to Abu Dhabi yesterday. Simone and I took the bus there from Dubai. It was very interesting. There is a ladies only section in the front of the buses so even tough the buses were crowded we got to sit together. Most other people travelling were business men. Most of the people out walking around are men. Its a very different culture. Especially in Abu Dhabi is is mostly only men that are out in public. Anyway, we had a good time in Abu Dhabi (we went there and back in the same day). It was a two hour bus ride. The weather was really nice and the sky was clear. The sea was beautiful too - it looked tropical almost it was so bright blue. We went to the Marina Mall there. It was really modern - we ate lunch from Starbucks, Burger King and Sabarro. The only real difference was that when they said spicy chicken sandwich they meant it. We went walking on the marina after shopping for a while. It was great. Hopefully I'll figure out how to down load some pictures soon.
I am getting a bit homesick. Mostly its just wierd not to have a job and not to have an answer to the question "What do you do?" I dont do anything. I am just here, or there or wherever. A leech of the world. It is hard to be constantly openminded. Usually when I'm in my own setting it is easier to be open minded because I only have to be challenged every once in a while, but in surroundings and cultures that are constantly changing it is more challenging to me. Looking at the next new food I have to eat is exciting some of the time, but then something familiar sounds so much more comforting. (As I type I am eating a Twix bar, the first chocolate I've had in dayyyyys! It is oh so good Ok, that's all for now. Love you and miss you guys

Hi everyone, Happy New Year! I made it to Dubai yesterday. I flew via Air India, and just f.y.i. I don't highly recommend it. But in any case it got me here. A nice lady sat next to me and gave me samosas (a nice fried treat). When I reached here I was greeted by Simone, her step mom, Tess, and her half brother Keith (8). It was so good to see her again. We tried to go out to church last night but it wasnt to start until 11:30 and all of us were already really tired at 9! So we walked around by the canal. Dubai is really beautiful at night. There is a huge annual international shopping festival going on starting on the 4th here, so we are planning to stay until the 5th or 6th now instead. The whole city is decorated for the festival with strands of little yellow lights on all the trees and buildings. The weather here is really nice. It is like spring in MN but there are palm trees here. The city sort of reminds me of California, but its clean and everything its written a second time in Arabic instead of Spanish. It has a modern feel to it here. I didnt stay awake until midnight last night so I guess I am ringing in the new year today. Simone and I made it to church this morning, but only stayed through the worship because it seemed like it would be a reallly long service. There are people of all nationalities here, though it is a mostly Muslim country, so there are many people in traditional Muslim dress. I dont know what we'll do today, but hopefully I'll be a bit more awake for it and less sick to my stomache. The food I've eaten in India and here has been really good but my body is all messed up from the time change. Anyway, thats all for now. I wish everyone a blessed 2006

P.S. If you want a post card from somewhere, I still need addresses! Thanks!

Hi all I've reached India, am now at the airport...leaving again! When I reached here, we had a misunderstanding and Simone thuoght I was coming a a day earlier, so I was greeted by her mom and brothers instead. She flew to Dubai to see her dad a few days ago. Today in 2 hours I will fly to join her. I love it here. Already so much has happened. I will write more later and share some from my journal entry, because I dont have much time now to type it out. Everything is so different here and I feel so free about everything. The smells and sounds and the rhythm of life is so different and also so beautiful. Simone's family is great, I really love them. Yesterday we went to this place called Matheran Hill Station. It was in the mountians and it was so beautiful. We walked all day probably 6 miles or more up and down the mountains. Luckily I hardly have any jet lag.) I didnt sleep on the flights more than 3 hrs in 2 days! So I slept when I arrived..it seems to be working. That and I ate a whole bottle of airborn in those 2 days!) Tonight I'll spend New Years in Dubai (Arab Emerates) and will be there till the 4th. Hopefully I'll have time to write more while I am there. Have fun in the snow if you have it where you are. I don't! It is dusty and warm here ut not too hot and not humid. I can't wait to see what Dubai is like! Take care!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Love from me...wherever I am