Some Stories, hopefully ones of interest

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Monday, February 12, 2007

Hello all.  Had a goofy past couple of days.  The other Americans insisted I go a bar with them last night.  I said, What am I supposed to wear???

"Oh, what you usually wear to a bar; you know, normal bar stuff."

Thank you so much!!!  That makes it all perfectly clear!  I think I understand exactly what you're saying...except I'm too much of a nerd to ever go into a bar!

Actually, it wasn't really that noteworthy, except that they charged me 12 dirhams (which is eleven more than it should have cost) for a bottle of water.  That, and the fact that we got lost trying to get there, due to construction--and the driver had a full bladder and an empty tank of gas. 

The bar was in a hotel right across from the American Hospital; we asked about seven different people where the American Hospital was, and none of them seemed to know the answer (or didn't know enough English to tell us).  That's all right, guys...we've only got someone bleeding to death in the back seat.  No rush.

Luckily, no one was really bleeding to death in the back seat, but that still didn't make my evening "okay".  It was...kinda boring.  All the other girls made comments about me looking unhappy, so I just pulled the old Politician on them ("No, no, no...I'm glad to be out of the dorms...I thank you for your concern"). 

Then today, our Drawing teacher took us to the zoo to draw animals.  We thought we got left behind, so we took a ride with this Saudi guy whom my classmate knew.  Never do this.  Young, filthy rich, spoiled, and actually thought he was immortal, if his driving was any indicator (doing 100mph while weaving in and out of traffic and talking on his cell phone.  No, I'm sorry, his Blackberry.  His minature, hand-held computer.)  Yeah.  Safety first!

The Zoo is quite small compared to many of those in the States and London (although much cheaper).  It's just sort of sitting there between a mall and a mosque, and you wouldn't notice it at all, except for the big sign that says "Dubai Zoo".  Actually, I didn't notice that either, until I was right at the gates.  The only thing was, all the animals had worse "cage-syndrome" than I do.  Here are some pictures of animals in cages: 

Quadrupeds of some sort

Snake of some sort

Cheetah

Tiger

And positively click on this picture to read it:

!

 









I thought we were supposed to refrain from using such language!

Naw, it's actually a nice little place, and Cassowarys are really neat birds.  I'll definately be going back.

Well, before I go back to the zoo, I have to go to Yemen, and I've got a WHOLE lot to get done before I leave in the morning. 

Next time you hear from me, I will be in Yemen!*
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*God willing