Dubai Weekend

This weekend, John and I went to Dubai. Since we are here in Doha on Visitor Visas we have to leave the country every 2 months. Friday I got to see the Dubai Mall finished (well only 1/3 of the mall since it is huge!) We took the world's fastest elevator to the observation floor (124th floor) of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building which is next to the mall. There is a 360 degree view of Dubai from there and we could see where we lived when we were there in 2008/09. Then we went to dinner with John's friend that does high rise window washing, Alan. John is trying to get Alan to work with him in Doha.

Saturday we went to the beach in the morning then to Ikea before we left. This is the first time I have ever bought lamps at Ikea and put them in my carry on suitcase! We flew home Saturday evening. On both the 45 minute flights they served a meal and had tea service. They also give all the kids a toy and each seat has a tv monitor in which you can listen to music, play games or watch tv. This is all in economy, I can only imagine what first classs is like.

Today I went to the Qatar Womens Association presentation of wedding traditions. The room was set up much like a western wedding reception: covered chairs, floral centerpieces. Then we were served different drinks and sweets as they put on the show. The groom presents a dowery to the bride and it is hers to keep (doesn't go to her family) which includes cloth and jewelery. The night before the wedding is a henna party and all the ladies get together and sing and dance. On the wedding day the groom's father holds a dinner for everyone he knows (and anyone who happens by is invited in.). The village helps out with the grooms expenses. The next day the bride's father holds a lunch for both families. The bride receives visitors for the next seven days at her parents house, then she moves in with the groom.

After the presentation they invited us to a large buffet lunch. Then I got henna on my right hand and wrist, then my picture taken with the traditional wedding "dress" a sheer fabric with lots of embroidery which they wear over a dress and have a cape/veil on their head. All the ladies, including little girls there were dressed in brightly colored dresses and their hair was down and uncoverd. Because this was a presentation there were no men there, so I don't know what they wear.

This Week So Far

On Sunday I went with John to his apointments as his navigator and went to yet another mall with a grocery store. Spinneys (where we shopped in Dubai) also has a lot of American products including Milk Bones for Ginger. It is hard to find dog treats here. I also got Kraft Mac & Cheese, yummy! For lunch we went to Chilies and had chicken fajitas, just like at home. I also had a strawberry margarita without the tequila (not like at home.)

On Monday, I joined the American Women's Association (open to any woman.) They have a general meeting once a month with a speaker and organize "field trips" Next week I am going on two including the fish market at 8:30 in the morning.

Last night we went to pick up our SUV (no more rental) the New Image work truck and worker van. This resulted in a 4 car carivan through round abouts with lights (which we got seperated at) on streets I had never been on in complete darkness. In the end we all made it back to apartment with our marriage intact.

Today I am going to the office with John to help him prepare a proposal.

John's Birthday

Yesterday was John's Birthday, since it was a Monday, we celebrated on Friday night at the W Hotel in the Wahm Bar. It is more of a lounge with sofas and an outdoor area. Through out the night, about 20 new friends stopped by for food and drinks. We had a lot of fun. One thing we have noticed is that on the weekends you have to show an ID or passport to get into the bars, I thought this was weird. Then we realized that this is to keep the Qatar Muslims out of the bars, since they are not aloud to drink. We learned this the hard way, because John invited a new friend who was dressed in traditional clothing was not aloud in. John got to talk to him in the hotel lobby.

Yesterday, I made dinner for John. My signature dish is pork fried rice, since you can't get pork here, I made it with chiken. Turned out pretty good. Then brownies for dessert, John's favorite. Well, while I was able to convert measurements and temperature, I still haven't figured out how to work the German oven. There are nine different settings on the oven. They came out with crispy edges and top and not cooked in the middle. Then without realizing it I bought candles that sparkle and re-light, we barely avoided setting off the smoke dector! All in all John had a great birthday.