When we moved here we were a bit concerned about homesickness. Though we do have bouts of that, we have been lucky enough to have visitors from home to lift our spirits at least monthly. Most recently, Jane and Al Barclay and their son, Ward, flew from Ripon, Wisconsin and Chicago to spend a week. Though we had work and school, we did find plenty of time to relax with them. We spent a day at the beach and an evening in the Marina at our favorite Lebanese restaurant. We took a dhow dinner cruise on the Dubai Creek, had dinner on the beach next to the Burj Al Arab (famous hotel), lunch at a roof-top café overlooking the ocean and the Burj Al Arab, and spent a morning at a local art show.
One of the more memorable events was the evening we spent on a desert safari. Though a popular tourist attraction, the safari is well worth being a tourist to experience this. Our group piled in a 4X4 for our drive from the city to a remote Bedouin camp an hour from the hustle and bustle of the city. The thrill of driving off-road, up, down, around and over the sand dunes was exhilarating—much like a mild rollercoaster ride. (Our driver, Mohammad Ali, was kind to those of us who had back trouble and motion sickness.) We had the opportunity to stop a few times to play in the dunes, spot the indigenous animals, and see a camel farm before heading to our dinner camp site. The magic continued at the camp with opportunities to have a henna tattoo, dates and Arabic coffee, camel rides under the stars, a nice Arabic BBQ, and a Belly Dancer to boot. Kate was mesmerized by the dancer and found herself on stage with a few other adventurous souls. She did manage to drag Anna, Ward, and myself with her. I’m not sure we have the talent for it, but it sure was fun to try! --Maria
One of the more memorable events was the evening we spent on a desert safari. Though a popular tourist attraction, the safari is well worth being a tourist to experience this. Our group piled in a 4X4 for our drive from the city to a remote Bedouin camp an hour from the hustle and bustle of the city. The thrill of driving off-road, up, down, around and over the sand dunes was exhilarating—much like a mild rollercoaster ride. (Our driver, Mohammad Ali, was kind to those of us who had back trouble and motion sickness.) We had the opportunity to stop a few times to play in the dunes, spot the indigenous animals, and see a camel farm before heading to our dinner camp site. The magic continued at the camp with opportunities to have a henna tattoo, dates and Arabic coffee, camel rides under the stars, a nice Arabic BBQ, and a Belly Dancer to boot. Kate was mesmerized by the dancer and found herself on stage with a few other adventurous souls. She did manage to drag Anna, Ward, and myself with her. I’m not sure we have the talent for it, but it sure was fun to try! --Maria
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