Archive for November 26th, 2008

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Celebrations

November 26, 2008

Apparently, the grand opening ceremony for the Atlantis Hotel was well publicized in the States, because several of you have asked us about it. The fireworks were supposed to start at midnight and we did look out the window at 5 after midnight to see if we could see them. However, apparently they started about 40 minutes late (typical Arab time) and we were fast asleep by then. We probably would have been able to see them, had we gone up to the roof and waited long enough. Fireworks are common at ceremonies here (even my college started the year with a fireworks display), but I am sure this was a record setting performance.

This next week is National Day — the celebration of the creation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 — 37 years old (or young). The build up has already started and displays are already going up. We passed the house below on the way home tonight. It is literally covered in lights all the way around roof to foundation.

We will let you know what other sights we see, although we will be leaving for Germany in the middle of the festivities. Between now and then, we need to go buy some parkas.

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More miscellaneous stuff

November 26, 2008

We frequently buy stuff just because the name is odd or amusing. Hence, the Want sandwich biscuits.
Or the Groundnut Balls (peanuts and carmel coating = carmel corn without the corn) Yummy.
We’ll give you three guesses as to what cereal this is, but you should only need one.
And, yes, we can get some Bob’s Red Mill products here.
It is a challenge to find skin lotion here, because most brands claim to make you fairer — lighten your skin color. I don’t really need to lighten my skin color unless I want to be invisible altogether. I managed to find a non-whitening brand that works well and is very cheap. I think it was about $0.55 for 150 ml (no idea what that is in ounces and I’m too lazy to look it up).

As for canned goods (L’s comment/question), there is a very common bean here called “foul,” so there are all kinds of cans of Foul this and Foul that. Kinda off putting. The beans are very similar to lima beans, but easier to tolerate — less foul you might say.

Another food oddity, lamb feet packaged in the meat counters seem to come in threes. Not sure what happens to the fourth. You can also get a whole head (lamb’s head, that is) at the meat counter with the eyeballs still in it. Mmm..mmm.

They show Survivor on the tv here, but they also have their own version in Arabic with Arabic speaking contestants called “Tons of Cash.” The whole program is in Arabic except the title.

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