Hi. It's that time of year again: the holy month of Ramadan. I know I've explained it for you all before. Truth is, sometimes the specifics regarding infidels can change. When we first came to the Middle East in the beginning of the nineties you could have lunch at a hotel and they just hung curtains in the window so nobody would see you. But there was no booze. When we came to Abu Dhabi a few years later there was nothing for the entire month. No food in the daytime, no drinks at night. The bars and nightclubs and liquor stores just shuttered their windows and sent everyone home. But the Hijari calendar is lunar and Ramadan makes its way through the year, arriving a few days earlier each time. We hit a period where for a few years running this special time of fasting, praying, atonement and introspection coincided with Valentine's Day, then Christmas and New Year's Eve. The hotels must have lost an unbelievable amount of money. So now, in an effort to position the UAE as a genuine tourist destination, some compromises have been made. You can get food during the day around the pool at the hotels and beach clubs. The restaurants and bars can serve alcohol after 7pm. The liquor store is open for a limited time during the day. All in all, it is a much improved situation.
But I must sheepishly admit that I find it all most inconvenient. No starbucks when I'm shopping! No popcorn at the movies! No lunch at the food court when I'm bored! The absolutely most annoying thing is the shop timings. When we try to go somewhere it is either already closed (sorry, we close at 1, 1:30, 2:00, whenever we want, we're not actually ever open!) or not open yet (6, 6:30, 7:00, 8:00, who knows?). It is hit and miss and the times are rarely posted. Very frustrating I tell you!
And then there are the traffic incidents. I'm pretty sure the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) could have had no inkling of the effects that lack of food, water, sleep or cigarettes would have on the already questionable driving skills of the local population. I see several major screw ups nearly every time I venture out. Two days ago I narrowly avoided clipping a taxi who decided to brake and turn sharply at the very last possible second. I only just stopped in time but the poor fellow behind me who was following too close and going too fast was not so lucky. I drive a Ford Explorer with a trailer hitch which his little Peugot got right up its nose. Not a scratch on me, but the driver wanted me to admit that it was partly my fault because I braked suddenly. Sorry, honey, I've been on the short end of that stick too many times. Everyone has to take their turn. Anyway, if you have an accident here you have to wait for the police to come and write it up. If you have body damage you can't get it fixed without an accident report and you're not allowed to drive around with damage to your car. So we sat in traffic and waited and when the officer finally arrived he was very polite and apologized for inconveniencing me. I didn't actually see him laugh or roll his eyes at the other guy but he must have done.
So, I will be glad when life such as it is goes back to normal whatever that is. In the meantime, we've joined the Abu Dhabi Sub Aqua Club and will be diving off the east coast of the UAE this weekend. Should be nice, and I could really use the break.
This explains a great deal.I'm sorry I don't have many snaps for you this time but do know that I'm always on the lookout for more photo ops for your entertainment pleasure.
Well I'm not sure what paya is so I'll just have pound of booty please.Oh, by the way, short pants for girls are okay. Preferably with sandals or flats. No socks. Much to my dismay, clam diggers for guys seems to be a trend that's arrived from Europe. So much for the chic continental. Ha!!
Let me know you're out there, would you please?
Love,
Jaimie
