Living the Travel Channel

Long Time No See

April 15, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Those of you reading this post in America will understand what I mean by “long time no see” with regard to this simple soda can pull tab. These were considered a litter problem and outlawed a long time ago, decades in fact. American soda cans have to have openings designed to not detach.

After marveling at this blast from the past for a while, I pulled it off.

High quality workmanship. Nice.

Here’s another thing I haven’t seen in a while – “Made in USA”

We ate last night at a new restaurant in our neighborhood, Rara Avis. I recognized the plate as being Corelleware immediately because they are distinctive. I was surprised to find it at this small, inexpensive restaurant. This type of restaurant usually serves on cheap plastic (Melmac style) plates.

Posted in culture shock, oddities | Leave a Comment »

Fun Shopping at Daiso

April 2, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Daiso is one of our favorite store chains. Not only can you find the obscure things you need, but there is always something humorous to discover.

Like men’s lipstick

I couldn’t pass up the Last Supper jigsaw puzzle.

Which came with a small package of glue and a little sponge, so that you can preserve your masterwork.

And detailed instructions: “Please 1 and confirm the number of peace in the beginning. They are 130 pieces of 13 pieces X 10 pieces in total. Attention: They are groups of parts of a small class. Please note keeping enough so as not to lose it. It becomes easy to unite if it unites it from the peace of the outside frame. As for the outside frame peace, one place or two places have flattened. Attention: Please note that there are a lot of assembly mistakes. Please do not set if forcibly when there is loosening or it is tight. It assembles it while dividing each color that looks like peace referring to the finished image chart of the package. Pasting method: Please paint without irregularity to bury the joint part under the surface of a completed jigsaw puzzle with the sponge of the attachment and crowd. The paste will dry in about an hour. (Different somewhat according to the season.) When peace is insufficient: Please search for surroundings well once now. Still, please paint out the beam and the lack peace part with the pen, etc., and sorry to trouble you, but, send back 50 yen stamp to an enclosed postcard when it is not found. Please note the report of correct peace and not coming excluding an enclosed postcard. After it sends it back, We will send the peace and the 50 yen stamp at once. (Become a response only of Japan.)

I was a little confused by the erasers labeled “Gatherable Type – Baby.” Was it some sort of exclamation — Gatherable type, Baby! – ?

Until I saw the Gatherable Type – Dad. It is a little concerning that Dad is making a fist.

Proof that you can find just about anything at Daiso – a frost scraper – in a land where it never gets anywhere near freezing. http://twitpic.com/4ezh2w [taken by DaddyBird]

Posted in oddities, Shopping | 1 Comment »

Twestival

March 29, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

First, what is Twestival? This is an annual event where Twitter users all over the world get together and raise money for charity. The 2009 Twestival in Dubai was one of the first Twitter related social events we attended. This year, DaddyBird attended “stag,” so to speak. You will see him and hear him in the video below, along with several of our friends. (The video was artfully shot and edited by our friend, Faisal.)

This year the proceeds from the Dubai Twestival went to the Dubai Autism Center. Twitter Festival raises over Dh100,000 for charity.

Recent news article about the Dubai Autism Center.

Posted in Dubai, socialization, Tweet up | Tagged charity, Twestival | Leave a Comment »

Don’t Be Afraid of Change

March 28, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

I really like this poster. Maybe because I remember the days of typewriters. I even used a manual one or two. This is one of those pictures that is worth a 1000 words.

However, I think there might be an ironic reluctance on the part of the staff to change this poster. I suspect that it has been hanging in this office since the building opened and longer than the existing staff have been staff.

Posted in Dubai | Tagged change, fear, modernization, typewriter | 1 Comment »

Is No One Else Apalled?

March 27, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

These banners are stretched across the Emirates Mall passageways over apparently oblivious shoppers.

These distorted images are wrong in so many ways. Added to ugly clothing, the images are distorted so that the head and feet are enlarged, Bratz doll style. That’s bad enough, but the faces appear to be about 6 or 7 years old, while the bodies are clearly adult. The hyper-sexualization of children is offensive, or at least, should be.

I’ve never heard of the Steve Madden store before. Clearly, I am not in their target demographic. Even if I were, I would not shop there.

Posted in malls, oddities | 2 Comments »

Dubai Infrastructure

March 25, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

This is a standard sight for me each morning. The streets are kept very clean, but not by big vehicles with large spinning brooms and a vacuum. No, it’s men with brooms, shovels and wheelbarrows. Although, sometimes I see them equipped with only a broom and a box to sweep the dirt and litter into. And, yes, this goes on all year ’round, even when it is 122F/50C.

Cardboard is recycled by being first collected by men with carts or bicycles.

It amazing the amount of work that is done here by manual labor. I’ve seen men trimming palm trees using a hammer and chisel rather than a chainsaw. Holes are usually dug by several men with shovels rather than a single backhoe. Cars are washed by men (or maids) with a bucket and a cloth. Even if there is a “car wash” structure, chances are it is just a shelter under which a man with a bucket and cloth washes your car. There are swarms of busboys in mall food courts to clean up after you. There are even men stationed at the entrance and exit of the mall parking to help you obtain or insert your parking ticket.

We still have our American “do it yourself” mindset, but we are in danger of becoming desensitized to the “let someone else do it” atmosphere.

Posted in Dubai | Leave a Comment »

Another Year Older, but Wiser?

March 19, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

We celebrated both our birthdays by eating copious amounts of food and enjoying the company of good friends.

There are no photos of my birthday celebration this week due to the “no photo” policy of the restaurant, but here is shot of DaddyBird’s birthday last month.

It was held at Aroos Damascus restaurant. We didn’t take a head count, so no idea how many were there. Let’s face it, there comes a point where you shouldn’t bother counting. Many, but not all, of our dear friends were there. Fun was had by all and the deserving waiters were well tipped. A success.

My birthday was this week and a smaller more intimate affair was held at the North Korean restaurant, Okryu Gwan. (Previous post about this restaurant here.) Seven of us ordered amazing dishes and shared them all round. The stuffed squid was a big hit with everyone. The spicy kimchee soup was a delight to the Indian tastebuds (and DaddyBird’s), but I know enough to stay clear of that.

The musical floor show did not disappoint. This restaurant is fun, tasty, and I highly recommend it to anyone in/visiting Dubai.

So, we are another year older and I believe a little bit wiser and definitely happier.

Posted in birthday, celebration | Leave a Comment »

Desert Heat

March 18, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Last Saturday at the last day of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, we attended a session in which a local hip hop duo, Salim and Abdallah Dahman spoke about why they have chosen hip hop music and then performed a little for us.

You might remember their music from this little classic – DaddyBird’s Samsung Tab promotional video.

More music here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Desertheatinc

I’ll be blunt. I’ve never liked hip hop or rap music, but I like this. I am glad to support Desert Heat. (DaddyBird is too.) Besides, they are good boys who love and appreciate their momma. Can’t go wrong with that.

Posted in Dubai, Music | 1 Comment »

Taken in by the Fez

March 11, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Turkish food is my new “comfort food,” so when I saw this restaurant sign, I was hopeful that it would lead me to good food.

I suspect that someone in the 70’s or maybe 80’s made a killing installing these kitchy fiberglass waterfalls in restaurants all over the country. It’s actually rather charming.

I’ve never had my silverware wrapped quite like this before.

We ordered the vague “platter” off the breakfast menu. All but two of the items on this platter involve white bread – regular ol’ sandwich bread. The dark brown ones on the left were the tastiest, but turned out to be chicken breast meat wrapped in a slice of white bread and then deep fat fried. Just when you thought white bread couldn’t get any more unhealthy.

Posted in food, Fujairah, restaurant | 1 Comment »

Abu Dhabi Heritage Village

March 7, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

We recently spent a day in Abu Dhabi and went to the Heritage Village. We were there close to closing time, so made a quick visit. The highlights include examples of different traditional housing, like the goat hair tent above and the rock mountain house below.

Palm fronds are also used to construct barasti housing. Due to the desert environment these can last 20 years despite being 100% biodegradable.

There is also a small museum. We had to speed through it in about 5 minutes as it was closing time. It is worth going back for, so next time we’ll get there earlier and start with the museum first.