|
  | |  |
No excuse, I know...
Entry 19 of 33 | show all | print this entry |
I haven't posted in the last week because I was swamped with midterms. To say swamped is quite an exaggeration as the classes here are - to put it nicely as to not to undermine the teachers' degrees or knowledge - simple. In fact, I have so little work that I am becoming extremely lazy and unmotivated. Just today, I woke up at noon! Heavens to Betsy! I have been embracing the ease of these classes as it has allowed me ample time to explore the city and most importantly talk to people. I think part of the reason I love learning languages so much is that it breaks down natural barriers that divide communities and allows for me to understand the views and standpoints of people whom I would otherwise not be able to communicate...not to mention translations do not do justice. Last weekend, I met with a professor who teaches in Dubai at an all-girls nationals-only university. He originally taught at Oberlin college and I was introduced to him by a friend who teaches at Oberlin as well. As he is a professor of anthropology, and being a sociology student, our conversation might have sounded quite strange (and fairly academic) to a passer-by. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his take on Dubai and further his time spent in Japan. Later that day, I met up with another American student at AUD and made reservations to go to Oman, one of the neighboring countries to the UAE. Oman borders both the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. We leave next Wednesday in the morning and will attend 2 hours of scuba diving courses upon our arrival. The following day will be spent scuba diving (and perhaps dodging sharks at the same time) off the coast of Salalah, Oman in the Indian Ocean. We return to Dubai Friday evening and before doing so, I plan to purchase some frankincense and see Job's tomb, both of which are popular activities for the area we are traveling. I have a few other trips in the making but might refrain from posting the details until I have returned back to Dubai safe and sound. I don't want to worry my mother after all! And don't worry, I'm not going to Iraq or Iran...but oddly enough, I looked heavily into going to Tehran with some friends but the only way I can do that easily, as an America, is to marry an Iranian. I think I'll take a rain check...I'm sure Ryan is happy to hear that!
|
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries by burgaska, from United Arab Emirates or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
13 votes 
