We’ve discovered a new favorite restaurant, like we needed one. And, as you can see, it has the added benefit of creative food presentation. Aji is one of the more delicious fish on the face of the earth and now we know he is handsome, as well.
Archive for March, 2010
Aji
March 28, 2010Examples: Good or Bad?
March 26, 2010In addition to the 20 something year olds we hang out with saying that they wish their parents were like us, our friend Nas just tweeted:
So, dear parents, you may have wondered if we would ever amount to anything, but apparently we are setting some kind of standard.
(For the non-computer geeks among you – FTW means “for the win” an exclamation that means its a good thing.)
Mass Casualty Incident
March 24, 2010I don’t seem to be able to embed this video, so you will need to click on the link below to see the video of what I was doing on Monday the 15th.
http://video.gulfnews.com/services/player/bcpid4267205001?bctid=72563437001
Kanga’s Birthday
March 23, 2010Posted by Kanga
Happy birthday to me! We went to one of my favorite places, Bu Qtair Cafeteria.
With some of my favorite people.
And ate some of my favorite food.
Quoted
March 15, 2010Posted by Kanga
http://jazeeramagazine.com/2010/02/01/twitter-arabia/
I’ve been quoted in the article at the link above talking about Twitter. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. We are having an atypical experience because we are able to socially connect with wonderful people that we would not have crossed paths with otherwise. We know more Emiratis than Americans (in Dubai). We know WAY more Indians, Pakistanis and Syrians, than Americans. And, we mustn’t overlook our dear Maltese. (If I’ve left out your nationality, please don’t take it personally. We love you all.)
EAFL
March 12, 2010Posted by Kanga
Wednesday, I took the afternoon away from work to go to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. We attended a panel discussion session on The Book Club Phenomenon. 
Authors present were (left to right) David J. Taylor, Chris Cleave, (moderator Rosie Goldsmith), Rachel Hore, and RJ Ellory. Admittedly, I had not heard of any of these authors prior to today. We enjoyed the session and it was interesting to hear the perspectives of the authors and to see the vast differences in their personalities.
Afterward, we bought a few of books and got them autographed. A Quiet Belief in Angels by R.J. Ellory, which he himself says is a dreadful book. We had a lovely, short chat with him about Dubai and what brought us here. (Our favorite topic, but he initiated it.) Unfortunately, it did not occur to me to take pictures until later. Next was The Other Hand by Chris Cleave. 
We had a nice chat with him, too. He’s on Twitter, so he took down DaddyBird’s “handle” and had already “tweeted” to him before we got home.
Next was Qais Sedki, author of the first Arabic Manga series, Gold Ring. It isn’t available in English, yet, but we bought the Arabic first issue anyway. We chatted with him also. He is very interested in promoting both reading and Emirati culture. I look forward to the English version.
The following day the authors participating in the festival went out to schools, so I got to hear Imran Ahmad speak and got a signed copy of Unimagined: a Muslim boy meets the West. I haven’t read it, yet, but I suspect that I may be seeing to it that friends and family get a copy of this one.
Bull Butting
March 7, 2010Posted by Kanga.
Friday we drove to Fujairah to see the bull butting competition that is held every Friday afternoon. It was pretty entertaining and I hope you enjoy these videos.
We don’t know all the details on how this is scored and how the winner is determined, but it seems fairly simple. Two bulls are placed in an arena and they butt heads. Fairly bloodless and quite entertaining since each bout is different. It has been going on for hundreds of years. It was first introduced to the region by the Portuguese.
The bulls are tied up outside the arena until it is their turn to compete. As you can see, they dig holes, stomping and snorting while they wait. These were directly behind where I was standing, so you will hear them in the background of the videos.
The arena is simply a large sandy area. The fences have only recently been added. There is a chain link fence around the outside and a metal railing inside that and most of the spectators stand behind the metal railing. You will notice, however, that there are several people (including children) sitting or standing in the arena. We happened to be at one of the corners where the bulls enter/leave, so you will see a few closeups as they pass by.
The men who handle (and try to control) the bulls are barefoot. One is armed only with a long riding crop. There is a rope around each bull’s neck which they use to pull the bulls apart and lead them. The bulls all have rings in their noses and before and after the bouts they are lead using a rope that is threaded through that ring. There are no rodeo clowns and no riders on cutting horses.
This first video is a fairly straightforward bout. Not too many surprises.
This second video shows a bit of a stalemate with the bulls standing still head to head. It turns into a bit of a tug of war toward the end.
This last video is the most exciting. Keep your eyes on the spotted bull.
How did we find out about this spectacle? Another expats blog – Focus on Fujairah and it was written up in TimeOut Dubai, a local entertainment guide magazine.
We attempted to see this event last year – see previous post – but it was canceled that day.
Cat Stretch
March 4, 2010Posted by Kanga.
I posted this to YouTube a while back, but hadn’t posted it here, until now. This is a daily ritual. Oliver doesn’t like it much when DaddyBird tries to do this, so it is my specialty, apparently. He usually likes to stretch toward and touch door hinges, light switches and other things at his new eye level, but, of course, not when the camera is rolling.
Monte Carlo at Night, and more…
March 3, 2010Posted by DaddyBird
A few more pictures from Monaco:
Here’s the Monte Carlo Casino again…
…and the Café de Paris, etc…
…The Hotel de Paris, next to the Monte Carlo Casino, across the square from the Café de Paris…
…and at the other end of the Hotel de Paris, looking back up the street towards my hotel, the Hotel Hermitage.
Here’s one of the lovely fountains in the park on the other side of the square from the casino.
Here are a few more random pictures from Monaco, mostly chosen for the glimpses of the high rocky terrain in the background. The area is rugged and mountainous, and yet surprisingly green. Quite naturally beautiful.
Looking towards the East end of Monaco, from the Fairmont Hotel…
…and much of the same view from the street below. (But with more of the terrain in the background.)
Near the square in Monte Carlo, looking the other way down the street from my hotel. (Hey, look! A construction crane!)
As you can see, there are quite a lot of high-rise apartment buildings in Monaco. Still, they are dwarfed by the towering surroundings.
Living the Travel Channel 