Crazy driving

We see crazy people backing up on the freeway every day. Well yesterday Larry did it! He admits it was nuts, but.... he was on a ramp from one freeway to another and noticed that traffic was very backed up. He stopped, contemplated and decided to turn around on the freakin' ramp. Ya see making a turn and getting on a freeway where there has been an accident can set you back an hour or more here. Even when there isn't traffic or an accident making a wrong turn here can set you back over 30 minutes because of the U-turn business here. One day I am going to draw a map of how I get back and forth to the girls school. The school is less than 2 miles away yet it usually takes 45 minutes round trip to get there and back home. So I guess now we are one of the crazy drivers here!

Restaurant follies

This story pretty plays itself out every time that you go to a restaurant here. “Good evening maaam” (pronounced much like mom). We’re taken to a table. Someone comes over, tells us their American chosen name. Last night our waiter was Mikey Mouse. At least the waiter says it and laughs at himself. “Drink maan, drink baby (to the girls)?” Larry always orders an iced tea – no lemon no sugar, he repeats it and asks them to repeat it. It’s almost comical. The drinks come. They say the names of each drink to be sure it is what we ordered. “Iced tea no lemon, no sugar.” This is said as if they can’t see the tray of drinks because the iced tea has lemons on the side of the glass and there is a small tea cup of simple sryup to put into the tea. It’s hard not to laugh at this. I swear it happens almost every time. Fast forward to the middle of eating our dinner. The waiter stops by and says “Coffee/tea (always said as if it is one word)?” No thank you. We’re done eating now. Wwe wait about 10 minutes hoping that the waiter will come by. We wait another 10 mins. We’re getting antsy to go. Finally Larry has to get up and find the waiter and ask for your check. This is very customary here. You will NEVER get your check unless you ask for it. They won’t ever ask you if you are ready for our check.

Variations on dinner follies:

• Larry came straight from the office and met us for dinner. It ended up taking him over 20 mins to find a parking space. I told the waiter when we got there that we would order drinks now and wait to order our food once my husband arrived. During that 20 mins, the waiter came by 3 times and another waitress came by twice... “Are you SURE that you don’t want to order now.” “No, not now, when my husband gets here.” The place is empty mind you so it’s not like they need to get people in and out in a hurry. Then the exact opposite happens when you want your check. You almost have to go find them and tell them that you want your check because they aren’t going to come by your table.
• I ask what comes with the chicken. I was told brocoli and mashed potatos. When I get my meal the veggies are completely different but there IS one piece of brocoli. I ask the guy... I thought this came with brocoli. He says well there is the brocoli. I’m not too happy and say I would like some brocoli. When we get the check I am charged for the extra brocoli. After all I did ask for it. Sigh.
• You ask for a take way box (“to go” is called take away here). You tell the waitress exactly what you want as take away. When you get home you look in the box – just for kicks and giggles of course - it’s never what you asked for.

Rameses plays fetch

Our crazy little kitty likes to play fetch. Below is a short video of him playing. We haven't been able to catch the act of fetch just yet. He will bring the ball back over and over and over again just like a dog.

United Nations Day at DAA Elementary

Wow, wow, wow! Today is one of those days that you know you make the right choice. Today is United Nations Day at Elle's school. The kids all wore native dress or country colors for the day (rather than their stuffy uniforms). There was a one hour assembly outside. Several teachers performed an Indian stick dance, the choir sang, there was a parade of flags and more. The theme was "peace without borders." The principal spoke about peace begining with each one of us. It was a truly amazing day!

There are over 70 nationalities represented in the elementary school. There are kids who come to this school who can't speak a word of English. It's great to see their classmates rally around them to help them understand what the teacher is saying or how to do homework or where to find the nurses office. I know that Dani and Elle will take away great things from being here.

The economy

Today on the way home from dropping off the girls at school the radio host was talking about conspiracy theories that the US caused the economic crisis to hurt China and India. Possible, sure, I suppose, but who knows. I guess I don't care much who caused it or why, just fix it already. But that also got me thinking about the situation here. The population is growing every day. More and more people are moving to Dubai to build new buildings and start new projects. But what happens when all that is done? Some day all the building will be done. Of course since things here are not built to last it probably means they will tear down the 10 year old stuff and build new.

Housing here is extremely expensive. Many people would not be able to afford housing if their companies were not supporting them as expats. Once all the building is complete and businesses working well many of the expats (like us) will go home. If all of the support expats go home who will be left to live in the expensive housing? Who will go to the expensive water parks and buy all of the expensive clothing in the 101 largest malls in the world?

Who knows. But I for one will be looking to see what Dubai is like in 10 or 20 years down the road. It would be nice to see all these wondering things here last a long time.

Pottery class #2

I made 2 pots today. I need to remember to take my camera so I can show you what I am making. We put a few finishing touches on our pots from last week. Now they sit until completely dry for the first firing. At some point we will glaze them. Today we also learned about slab pottery. I made a bowl and a plate. Next week is coil pottery.

Oh yesterday, I attend an American Woman's Association meeting. I volunteered to donate a painting to their charity ball. I also volunteered to help go to all of the galleries in town asking for donations for the ball. I am excited to meet gallery folks... maybe I will make a connection so that I can exhibit!

Kitty capers

Well we decided to name him Ramesses. We tried a few other names on but they didn't stick. We wanted to stay with the Egyptian theme. He is a crazy little bugger. I don't think that I mentioned he was a wild cat, which we didn't necessarily know ahead of time. He's a bit crazed when it comes to food. I am sure that will change in time. He's such a cutie. He follows me around during the day. He carries around a fuzzy ball all of the time - it is very cute.

He and Osirus don't get along just yet. Hopefully in time they will.

Last night Ramesses was sleeping with Larry and me - it was our turn - Dani got the first night and Elle the 2nd. He hopped out of our bed and went to Elle's. Kinda funny. Not sure if he likes her best or knew that O was in the room with us too.