Camping

We went camping this weekend. Dubai is pretty full of outdoorsey types. People really enjoy getting out into the desert. The camping season is quickly coming to an end and we hadn't yet been out this season. So, we took a one day trip up into the mountain areas of the east coast.



First we drove through some wadis (dry river beds) up into the mountains. At one point, we had some fancy maneouvering to get across some large boulders. All along the way, we had an eye out for a spot where we could get two tents set up without having to sleep on large rocks.



Basil always enjoys camping. He quickly settled into the only shade in our campsite and made himself at home sniffing the campsite for dried donkey dung that seemed to be everywhere.



After setting up camp, it was time for a quick rest in the shade before heading out for our "hike". The hike was really a short climb up to the nearest peak to see what we could see. Just like the bear.



I was remembering the first time that Lyra went camping. It was the summer after we came home with her. She was about 18 months old. I remember her little diapered bum toddling up and down the roads within the campsite. There was a swing set down at the end of the camp area and she spent many hours that trip being pushed on the swings by Grammy or Grumpy or Auntie Amy.



The view from the top was spectacular. It was a little hazy or else we'd be able to see 20km away to the Indian Ocean.




Valder-rah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.

You're NOT Welcome to Dubai

The UAE works very hard to be one of the most open Muslim countries in the world. They try to demonstrate that they're ready to participate in the broader cultures outside of Arabia. But sometimes, the traditions and religious laws here are still stronger than the modernization. In the news this week, we've had two cases highlighting this conflict.

First, the Dubai Tennis Championship is this week. The Ladies' tournament started yesterday. One of the qualifying players, Shahar Pe'er, is an Israeli woman who qualified to play. But she has been denied an entry visa by the UAE. For a little while, it looked like the Women's Tennis Association would cancel the tournament. But instead, they've elected to go on - but are examing whether to have the tournament next year. This violates the WTA rules for hosting a tournament that state all players should be allowed entry if they have qualified to play.

Second, the Emirates Literary Festival is coming in two weeks. I'm quite excited to go actually. It will be the first Literary Festival in the Middle East. One of the invited authors has now just been Un-invited. She has written a book set here in the Middle East. One of the characters in her book (a minor character) is gay. Actually, he's a gay sheikh. And so it was felt that debuting her book here would be too controversal. And so, she's been uninvited and her book has been banned. I wonder - actually - if there's more concern that the character is gay - because of course there are TONS of books in the bookstores here that have gay characters. Or is it because it is a gay sheikh. Unofficially, one of the brothers or cousins of Sheikh Kalifa (ruler of AbuDhabi) is gay. He is actually facing criminal prosecution in Switzerland for beating up a gay prostitute. So, maybe that's the sensitivity. One of the Festival organizers commented, "Banning books is not usually the way you'd launch a Literary Festival." Hmmm - now that's an understatement.

Usually, I think that Dubai would go ahead and have these people come. But with the recent economic situation Dubai is now having to look for support from Abu Dhabi - the neighboring emirate who has almost 80% of the UAE's oil revenue. Abu Dhabi is vastly more traditional than Dubai - and now they are using the financial dependence to try and exert more influence onto what was seen as their brash newfangled cousin to the north. And I think Dubai is forced to rein in their "progress" as they continue to look for financial support from Abu Dhabi.

Updated to add: Since I wrote this, the WTA has fined the Dubai tournament US $300,000. I believe they have also instructed the tournament to pay Ms. Peer US $48,000 which is her average earnings at tournaments over the last year. No word about whether next year's tournament is cancelled.

The Djinn in our Building

The djinn have invaded our buildings. Djinn are spirits that inhabit the world - according to Muslim belief. Djinn - pronounced jinn - are the origin of the English word for genie.

And how do I know they have invaded our building? I can hear them screaming. I walked into the building and at first I thought it was the alarm system. But the shifting of tone and the wail and howl made me realize that actually - it was the wind. The wind screamed through the elevators shafts at just the right velocity to create a constant wail and howling that traveled through all 30 floors of our building. It sounds just like the screaming of a spirit in the building.

Needless to say, we're having a huge wind storm. Winds are blowing in from Iran across the sea and into Dubai. The winds carry with them sand and grit from the deserts of Iran which has blown for 100's of km across the sea. The marine forecast is for 10ft. waves. The sea has cooled the gales and we're experience much colder temps today. Just yesterday we were showing signs that daytime temps were ready to get into the 30s C.

As I walked down to get my lunch, I felt a spray of water hitting my face. I glanced around to see what may be the cause. Window washers? Rain, even? No, it was the sprinklers from 30 yards away that were blowing across the lawn and courtyard onto the pavement where I was walking. I squinted as bits of grit and sand pelted my face and was glad for my sunglasses protecting my eyes. I made sure to keep my mouth closed because grains of sand were lodging onto the surface of my teeth.

Some say the winds will bring a shift in the weather. But will that be a shift to cooler weather for a few weeks or a shift to the warmer weather of summer? No one seems to know. I'd be happy for a few more weeks of cool.

Summer v. Winter

What's worse, a Dubai Summer or a Wisconsin Winter?

Normally, I'd prefer a blazing hot summer day over a brutal cold winter day any time. But when your talking about a whole season, I'd have to say that Wisconsin Winter is preferable to Dubai Summer. Especially when you start hearing about the wonderful warm up that Milwaukee has been having the last days. There's nothing to make the heart feel happy like a warm sunny winter day.

Here in Dubai, we never have cool summer days. We never have cool summer nights either. I think that's what makes it so unbearable. Once the heat arrives, it's here to stay. Occassionally, the temps will drop near 100 - that's our version of a cool off. This is when the cabin fever starts to set in. The dog can't walk on the broiling hot pavement, the kids all move to indoor play areas (ugh malls), and even the pool isn't inviting if you can't get into the shade.

But, having said that - our winters are pretty nice! There are about 6 weeks in the winter when it's downright cool (I won't say cold). When wearing socks and shoes sound nice. When having long sleeves is comfortable - even a light sweater or jacket wouldn't go amiss. It's too cool for shorts or bare legs. I've even worn tights with my dresses and skirts. Those days are pretty much at an end now. Daytime temps are getting into the upper 20s (low 80s) and it's nice to be in the shade. But we're still enjoying lovely cool evenings.

On average, each month warms up by 5C. So, now we're having 25's (upper 70s), by the beginning of March it will be 30's (mid-80s), by April 35s (mid-90s), by May 40s (low 100s) - and then it just starts to get silly until September when we're back down into the 40s. Having a break back home is essential to the sanity. Never mind a break from the heat, it's nice to see greenery and blue sky. And a nice good soaking rain is heaven!

But, when we're back in Milwaukee, I WILL miss being able to wear my flip flops all year round. I'll complain about the slosh and snow when we're back. And I'm sure a bitter cold wind on a -20 day will make me dream of the sun and heat. And who knows, maybe that artic blast will have me changing my tune. But a nice warm winter day will soon have me singing the praises of a Wisconsin Winter over a Dubai Summer.

What do you think? Long unrelenting blazing heat of summer or long bitter cold mixed with pleasant days of winter?

Do you remember when . . .

1. It used to be socially acceptable to decline giving someone a piece of gum "because it's Bubble Yum".

2. You were allowed to leave your school grounds during the lunch hour.

3. Girls and boys were separated for PE. I even had deportment classes, but I won't ask how many of you had that. I think my school was a little old-school in that regard.

4. You used to spend hours with your curling iron to get the feathering to meet perfectly in the back of your head.

5. Love's Baby Soft perfume was the only scent you'd wear.


6. Having your ears pierced was considered racy. And having 2 piercings was downright slutty.


7. You got your first clock radio and stayed up late on Sunday listening to American Top 40.

8. You had to do the Presidential Physical Fitness test each year. Do kids still do this?

9. Macramed pot hangers contributed to a stylish decor.

10. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups was a new candy.