Day 13 - Travel Day

Today is a travel day. We fly to London. So I'll be out of pocket until we get situated there. Skype should work better there as well!!! Say a prayer for our safety, and I'll update you when we are settled.

Day 12 - Abu Dhabi

I think today could be considered the most exciting on the trip so far. We took the helicopter from the top of the hotel to Abu Dhabi, another UAE city. We landed at the Emirates Palace, where we had a wonderful buffet lunch. Here is the direct link to see the palace http://www.emiratespalace.com/en/main.htm. It was a sight to behold.

Our pilot was, incidently, from Dublin. I enjoyed a good long chat with him. He said there was actually a large population of Irish in the UAE.

On our flight we flew over two out of three of the palm islands, and on the way back flew over the world islands. I've posted pictures below, but they just don't do justice to how magnificent they are. As we were flying I saw several flamingos and camels on the ground. The zoom on my camera was not powerful to get a good shot of them, and we were pretty high up at that point. We also saw many mansions and palaces on the way there.

So I'll just leave you with the meager pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Red carpet up to the helipad.

Trunk of Jumeria Palm Island

The darker part is man made canals for shipping.

Emirates Palace

Homes along the palm leaves of the Jumeria Palm Island. The cost roughly $1.5m each.

Abu Dhabi

World Islands

The only island in the world islands that is complete. I believe it is Greenland according to a hotel staff member.

Coming in for the landing!

Day 11 - Just a relaxing day at the beach!

This was the most beautiful day we have had so far here in Dubai. The wind was calm, the fog lifted, and it was not too hot. The boys and I spent most of the day at the resort water park and at the beach.

I logged on to kcbd.com to look at the weather in the South Plains. It doesn't seem like fun. I am sad I missed the snow, but can live without freezing rain! So I tried to soak up as much sun as I could for everyone.

There are a few pictures I thought some might enjoy seeing. I took some video of the hotel water fountain, but I can't quite get it loaded on my blog. If you know how I can do that, please let me know. It is quite impressive!

Stay warm and safe!

I am trying to better my photographic skills. I took this picture today because I wanted one of the hotel and water together.

The water was so crystal clear today.

The sunset over one of the Palm islands. I took this from my bedroom window. It was AMAZING in person!

Day 9 and 10 - More sickliness and hazy weather.

I kind of got behind on my blogging and am clumping two days together. I'm not in AIM anymore, so I can clump when I feel like it! I intended to get out yesterday after my workout, and go back to the shopping center where I offended everyone, however I began feeling ill again. Stuffy head, runny nose. So I tried my own home remedy, Zycam AND Benedryl. It seemed to do the trick.

Today I was going to attempt the shopping center, but it is a bit of a walk, and we are having some cool and windy weather. Not quite like the winter storms making their way into Texas now. So I decided to go to the pool side cafe and have a lite lunch. I did sit outside, but had to move in a little closer to the cafe in out of the wind.

I took my book with me. I am rereading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. He is a Brazilian author, and while I have not read anything else of his I liked, I can highly recommend this book. It is in my top five favorites. Many of you know Todd Patten. I worked with Todd at the Children's Home of Lubbock and he recommended the book to me. Glad I followed his recommendation.

The story takes place in Southern Spain/Northern Africa. It is about a young shepard who meets some mysterious people who tell him he needs to find his treasure at the pyramids. As he goes along on his journey he meets an alchemist who is instrumental in helping him live out his dreams.

I wanted to read it while I was in the middle east to get an authentic feel for the story. The book I have was Todd's (Todd if you want it back, I'll be glad to send it to you.) and before that it was Andrew Moore's. It is really neat because both of them have made notes in the margin, which help me to read it from more perspectives than just my own.

There are several lines in the book that are profound. I'd like to share one with you because the past couple of days have seemed sort of hum drum here with the fog and the sickliness, and it could have not been more appropriate for me to read.

". . . and when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their own lives every day that the sun rises."

I needed to be reminded of that. I should be thankful for every sunrise the Lord provides to me, and realize His blessings in each day!

Day 8 - Lazy, Hazy Day

Every morning the sky is foggy, so this morning I thought it would be the same thing. However, the fog loomed throughout the day. We had class, then went to the restaurant in the hotel by the pool. The view from the pool side cafe is of the world islands. Really all you can see from this angle is land and cranes (the kind you build things with, not the rare bird).

Actually there are cranes everywhere. I hear that 20% of cranes in the world are being used here in Dubai. I thought that was an amazing statistic. We have all pondered how the cranes make it to the tops of the extremely tall buildings, and just concluded that it had to be by helicopter.

There is a building being built downtown that will be the tallest building in the world. The taxi driver told me it was about 97 stories now, and wasn't even half finished. Maybe something was lost in the translation, but I have a really hard time believing that. It is a really narrow, round building. I don't understand building infrastructure, and I certainly don't see what is keeping it from tipping over.

I am getting over my cold, although my nose is running away with me. Thankfully, between me and the family we have an entire pharmacy at our disposal! I appreciate all the home remedies. I don't mind trying home remedies, but when I feel icky, I just want to be unconscious! Although the pear - sugar concoction sounds really tasty!

Day 7 - Battling a Cold!

My alarm clock!

View of the hotel from the beach at sunset!

Looking up from the 18th floor.

Nothing too interesting to report today. Slept most of the day because I'm battling a cold. I took some Zycam, and man does that stuff work! I had only heard about it, but now I can give a first hand account. I don't think it is supposed to make you drowsy, but it knocked me out for the afternoon!

Day 6 - Gold Souk

Today we journeyed into the heart of Dubai. We took a cab into the city center to the Gold Souk. It is a large area, similar to a mall, where there are hundreds and hundreds of shops to buy gold jewelry. My task was to buy two bracelets for my mom's friend, Brenda.

I had been told to haggle a bit with the salesmen. So I put on my negotiator's cap and got busy haggling! After going to several shops, I finally found one that would give me what seemed to be a good deal. Mission accomplished.

It was while we were in the city center that I really got more of an "authentic" feel for Dubai. The hotel and resort is a bit of a bubble with tons of other people who look like us. Most of the time I have stayed close to the hotel, venturing out to the beach and shopping center occasionally. They really make it easy to stay close!

On the way home, I think we stumbled on the CRAZIEST taxi driver ever. I have seen the way people in Europe and Mexico drive, but this guy takes the cake. He reminded me of Andre the Giant a bit, and he had serious halitosis issues. I was just praying for us to get to the hotel safely. He narrowly missed rear-ending someone at upwards of 40mph, only to swerve into the next lane and SLAM on the breaks to avoid running the red light. At one point he was driving so fast, that his meter began beeping loudly and a blinking hand appeared. It was horrifying! All the taxi drivers here drive a little crazy and I feel as though I should get on my knees and thank the good Lord for getting me to my destination safely. It's like they'll give anyone a license.

The good news is that we got to the hotel safely and I enjoyed a relaxing evening. I think I am past the jet lag, thankfully, which seem to help the homesickness. Lisa emailed me something that said Rest=Rational. Couldn't say it better myself!

Day 5 - Just a little under dressed!

Today was a really nice day because I finally got Skype to work in spurts. It was talk to my mom and Daniel. I think mom was getting desperate because she sent me an email with the subject "Call Collect". We talked for a long time!

This afternoon I dressed to go to the beach in my swimsuit, shorts, and a t-shirt. I have seen more European people, and considering what some of them were wearing on the beach, I felt safe to venture out. Don't get me wrong, I love Europeans, just not their beach attire! I wanted to go back to a shopping center we went to last night, and go to the beach from there. It is all in our resort area, which is protected by a main gate. So I thought I was pretty safe to go about in shorts and a t-shirt. Modestly dressed according to western standards. Shortly (no pun intended) after arriving at the shopping center I realized I was sadly mistaken. There were many more traditionally dressed, Middle Eastern men, and certainly more women in burkas than there had been the night before. I have never been looked at with such disgust in my life. It was quite blatent. I honestly had just gone to pick up a few post cards, and decided to sit, have some Morrocan tea and do some writing home. Some of the stores I went in would not even acknowledge my presence, other than to let me know with the stares what they were thinking.

This is the second time on this trip I made a similar mistake. When we went skiing in the mall, they gave us our ski gear to change into. I went into the women's changing room (much like a locker room) to change into my ski gear. I could feel all eyes in the place on me, but continued on about my business. When I had finished skiing I took my regular clothes in the changing room to put them back on. I looked up to see a notice, in plain sight and in English, stating that when changing clothes to use the private changing rooms.

So I am sad to say I haven't done much for the female Western culture on this trip other than to perpetuate the already popular notion that we are. . .well . . . less than modest, obnoxious westerners. I guess they didn't catch a glimpse of the speedos I saw the other day!

On a more positive note, we went to a cocktail reception hosted by the manager of the hotel. It was nice, and then we went to the top floor for dinner. I had ravioli with leeks and saffron rice pudding for dessert. Different, but tasty! I have to say, the view of this city is breathtaking. I am amazed at just how beautiful it is here. A true oasis!

So my question is this. . . what cultural faux pas have you committed? Can't wait to read this!

P.S. I just got into my laundry that I had sent earlier today to be cleaned. DUDE! They ironed my pajamas!!!!!!!

Day 4 - Relaxing Day

Today was very relaxed, since I slept passed breakfast and lunch. I took two Benedryl last night to try and get some sleep, and sleep I did. . .14 hours! That is more sleep than I had gotten in the previous four nights! I had intended to make it to the beach or pool, but only made it down the hall to ask the concierge to photocopy something for me. Most of the afternoon was spent getting ready for next week's lessons.

We ate at this place called The Meat Co. tonight. I'm not normally a big meat eater, but I have to say tonight was the best I have ever eaten. I wish Ina Rea Robertson (Charles and Lisa's mom) were here to help me to put together some colorful words to describe it. I order Marinated Skewered Chicken. It came out on this giant, dangling, metal skewer with a plate of chips (British fries) underneath it. It was the hit of the table. Everyone tried it and we all went on and on about it. I opted out of desert because I was determined to eat the entire thing. They ordered me a stretcher to take me home and had to widen the doorframe of the hotel room to get me in. I have never eaten so good! I think we are going back before we leave.

I go to bed with a happy, happy belly!

BTW, if I sent you a video that says "Hey girl!" at the beginning and you are not Lisa, then I sent you the wrong video. SORRY! I was playing around with my camera this morning (well, afternoon) and thought I was attaching a general "Hello" video instead! And SORRY Lisa, for sharing the video I made especially for you to the entire world! Tim Rush just made me aware of that!

Day 3 - Some New Pics

This is one of the floral arrangements provided by the hotel. They make the most extravagant arrangements. I spoke with the florist who was delivering flowers to all the rooms and he was telling me all about each orchid and the agave they use to design. He told me the floral shop is in the hotel.

This photo I took from the beach. A helicopter is taking off from the landing pad of our hotel. The weather here is absolutely perfect!
This is an orchid growing near the resort pool. I couldn't resist!
Here is the view from our living room. It is breathtaking. I find myself staring out the window constantly. In the background you can see one of the 3 Palm Islands.
The twin bedroom.
Ah! The shower! It is my favorite place in Dubai! A truly amazing experience!

The espresso machine. My best friend in Dubai. He never fails me! I think he may have something to do with why I couldn't sleep!

I have really been struggling with the jet lag. I could not sleep, nor was I tired. I think I got maybe 12 hours of sleep since Monday night. I took Benedryl on the flights over, thinking if I could get some sleep the jet lag would not be as bad, however I was wrong. I may have slept a combined total of 2-3 hours out of the 18 hour flights.

I am amazed at how beautiful and international Dubai is. Everyone speaks English, which is fortunate for me. The people are very friendly. There are loads of Europeans here, and I rode the ski lift the other day with a guy from Australia. This seems to be the place to do business.

When we went down to the beach, I immediately felt as if I were in Europe. I can never get used to seeing men in Speedos and women in bikinis that should have reconsidered. It just seems wrong, but then no one asked me.

We ate in a fabulous restaurant tonight called Teatro. It was mostly Asian food, but also had pasta and pizza. I had a type of fried rice, and I couldn't stop eating it. We were seated at the table next to the window of the kitchen. I enjoyed watching them cook Nan bread in the tandoori basket ovens.

The night before we ate at a place called Spetra. It was a spectrum of cuisines including Arabic, European, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese. I had some type of Shish on flatbread because I wanted to try the local fare. It was really amazing! I like to experience the food of the culture, but I wouldn't say that I'm adventurous when it comes to eating exotic things. Don't expect me to hear about me trying cricket when we're in China!

On the way back to the hotel there was a Rolls Royce with a bride and groom in the backseat. There were cameras all around, and traffic stopped. I got a good look at them, but did not recognize them.

The comments you have been posting have been the highlight of each day here. I am having some trouble with homesickness. It is not necessarily connected to the culture, but just not having access to those I love. It is a lot harder being away from everyone than I ever expected. I haven't talked to Daniel or Lisa, and that has been hard. The hotel is blocking Skype, so I may have to buy an international calling card. I find myself thinking, so and so would love this. So I would appreciate your prayers in that regard. I have been praying that the Lord will keep me strong and that I can take solice in knowing I'll be back to you all soon! After all it is only the 3rd day here, so buck up little camper (the self pep talk)! I keep singing in my head "Be strong and courageous, and do not be afraid. The Lord goes before you each and every day. . . he'll never forsake you. . ." I know the Lord brought me here and I want to take advantage of every opportunity he gives me to learn from Him.

Keep the comments coming. I have been trying to respond to all the emails I get, so if you email, I will respond as quickly as I can.

Love you guys!!!

Day 2 - Ski Dubai

I have to say that today was one of the most surreal days I have ever experienced. I didn't sleep much last night because I am still on Texas time. If you've been around me you know I usually can't stay awake after 9:30 pm, however tonight I am the last one up. I woke up this morning stumbling around looking for a good cup of coffee. I found an espresso maker down in the kitchen, but had to call in reinforcements to figure out how to run it. What can I say, I'm a small town girl.

I taught only a couple hours this morning since we are all jet lagged and slept in a bit. Afterward I unpacked and organized my clothes and teaching materials. Next, I had lunch in the coffee shop of the hotel. I was excited to find Chicken Shwarma (sp?) on the menu. Chicken Shwarma has become a weekly treat for me in Lubbock, as that is the special at Lite Bite Mediterranean Cafe every Friday. It was really good, the waiter said it was the best in Dubai, and for good reason.

On my way up to the hotel room I ran into the boys and their mom, who asked me to go to the Mall of the Emirates with them to help them find a birthday present for their dad. So I thought I'd tag along. Incidently, there is a ski slope actually in the mall with a lift and everything, in the middle of the desert mind you. The boys really wanted to go, so I volunteered to accompany them. So now I can say that I have officially "Skiied Dubai". They provide all your gear and equipment, except hat and gloves. It was actually really good skiing.

It has been awesome getting all the emails from everyone. They are so encouraging and make it a little easier to be away from everyone I love. Thanks for all the kind words, they truly make my day!!!

By the way, if you want to leave a comment, you shouldn't have to sign in or open an account. Simply click the "Other" option after you type your comment. Just be sure to leave your name.

Day 1

Well I made it to Dubai, safe and sound. It is unlike anywhere else I've been. Everything is lit up like Christmas. Our hotel is unbelievable! The pictures do not even come close to doing it justice. When I arrived I was greated by a hotel representative even before I went through customs. He walked me through customs, grabbed my luggage, and escorted me to the BMW waiting to take me to the hotel. The driver was dressed in a starched white suit and hat. He greeted me with a bouquet of flowers and showed me the sights on the way to the hotel. An interesting fact he told me was that only 20% of all people living in Dubai are natives.

When we arrived at the hotel, an entourage of people welcomed me as I got out of the car. It was Ms. Floyd this and Ms. Floyd that, and none of them were asking if they could go to the bathroom! I felt really out of place, because I dressed very casual for the plane ride, you know, straight out of Old Navy. But no one acted as if they minded. I can tell, I didn't pack enough nice clothes!

I am sure I am not the only person who watches people in the airport. It would make for a great case study. I love watching people! Anyway, the winner for the day was the guy dressed like Ali G (an alter-ego of Sasha Baron Cohen) listening to his MP3 player, which incidently was blaring "Country Road" by John Denver. Twilight Zone?!

Besides watching people, the other flying ritual I have is ordering gingerale. Don't know why, but it just seems like what I should be drinking when I fly. I can honestly say that I don't ever drink it any other time.

Well I should go to bed, even though my body thinks it is 10 am. Thanks so much for all the prayers on our behalf! They really made a difference!

More to come!