Posted by Kanga.
With the help of an Emirati friend, DaddyBird went kandora shopping.
First, a few measurements were taken and decisions were made on length and features.
Next, the fabric and colors were chosen. He ordered two black, one blue, and one white. After a bit of negotiation, a 50% deposit was paid. The total cost came to approximately $60.00 each.
When the finished product is ready, perhaps we’ll have a little fashion show.
Posted by Kanga.
Last week we were in Dubai doing some shopping and errands. We visited Mirdif City Center Mall for the second time, ever. We saw banners indicating that there was a display of student sculptures somewhere in the mall (which is massive). Luckily, we found the sculpture display around the central information desk. The theme includes recycling and UAE symbols.
The Emirates Towers
Arabian Horse
We were particularly impressed with the falcon. The artist(s) even included the hood. Very creative.
If you are in the Mirdif City Centre Mall soon, look for the display. In order to vote, you must present mall store receipts for a minimum of 200 AED to the information desk.
Posted by Kanga.
Dos and don’ts of riding the Dubai metro.
Do read the screen carefully on the ticket machine or you’ll end up getting a day pass when you really just wanted to add money to your Nol card.
Don’t bother minding the gap, because there isn’t one.
Do go to the front car (if it isn’t too crowded) to get a good view of the track ahead and the satellite covered roof tops.
Posted by Kanga.
Saturday we headed into Dubai to ride the recently opened Green Line of the Metro train.
We got off briefly at the Salah Al Din station.
Not sure why the predominant color in a Green Line station would be red.
This sculpture was interesting. It is a globe and coins of the countries are strategically placed.
The Salah Al Din station is right below our old apartment. I used to dream of the day when I would be able to just walk down and catch a train to work, but that didn’t exactly work out.
Our old alley we walked through many a time still looks like crap. I had hoped that with the arrival of the metro station they would clean up and pave this alley. A lot of foot traffic happens here.
The platform where one boards the train. The glass doors provide safety against accidental or intentional collisions.
Here’s the inside, in case you were curious. Mostly standing room. If you get on at the end of the line, you can count on a seat, but they fill up quickly.
The Khalid Bin Al Waleed station has some striking light fixtures and some interesting historical photographs.
Those were the days…
Posted by Kanga.
Aroma Blankets – Surprisingly soft and warm, but how do they smell?
Camel broad beans
The electrical beauty section of the pharmacy.
Truck on truck
Posted by Kanga.
DaddyBird noticed these bees taking up residence in a potted plant just outside the entrance of our apartment.
There isn’t that much follage in our neighborhood – a few potted plants, but not a lot of gardens or parks, so it is a little surprising to see “wildlife” in the heart of the city. These little fellows are making the best of the situation.
Posted by Kanga.
Yesterday morning the gas gauge was flashing, so this required a quick stop at an ATM near our apartment for cash followed by hope that we could make it to the first gas station on the route to work. We did make it and discovered the drive up, 24 hour ATM right there at the gas station. Good to know for the future.
Do you really want security that is a mirage? I think I might prefer Iron Fist Security or Safe and Sound Security or The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers to Mirage.
And for that perfect juvenile coiffure go to Smart Beby Saloon.
Posted by Kanga.
Seven attended the Turkish food tweetup at Shikidim Restaurant last night. Both food and hospitality abounded.
The challenge was finding room for each plate of food that arrived.
Faisal indulged in this lovely serving of lamb.
As if we weren’t completely stuffed having over eaten the delicious salads and main dishes, samples of desserts arrived. Tea flowed freely. Conversation was lively. A good time was had by all.
For excellent food and great service, head on down to Shikidim Restaurant.
Posted by Kanga.
It is about as official as it can get, so it is time to announce our future move from Dubai to Fujairah. (see map) My contract with my current employer is drawing to a close and my last day of work will be June 16th. We will then scramble to move by June 30th. I will start my new job on July 10th.
Why the move? Well, the current job isn’t the right place for me. I’ve made a point of not discussing it here, but it has been a roller coaster of ups and downs and frustrations. I don’t want to be a marketing rep, a facilities manager, an IT technician, a photocopy machine attendant, or even a teacher. I want to be a librarian. Therefore, this is not the job for me.
My new job will be at the secondary school level with about 1/5 as many students and this time they will be all male. I will be the ONLY librarian, the queen of my little domain. My first royal decree may be to move the photocopier (the bane of my existence) out of sight. I advocate for the long overdue paperless society!
We have not found a new residence, yet. We will begin our housing search this weekend.
We will be taking Bert & Oliver with us. It is approximately a 2 hour drive from Dubai to Fujairah, so they should survive fairly unscathed.
We will still come back to Dubai every once in a while to combine visiting friends, visiting favorite restaurants, and shopping for those hard to find items.
I suspect that the next two months will be packed with errands, box packing, wrapping up details, and moving related stress, but there are some things we would like to do before retreating from Dubai.
Our Dubai bucket list:
Suggestions to add to the bucket list are welcome.
Living the Travel Channel 