It is Always Hard to Say Goodbye!

Last night we had to take my mom back to the airport. Luckily, she made it back to St. Louis before the winter storms hit. Even though we have probably spent more days with my parents, Chris' mom and grandma than we did living in Detroit it is always hard to say good-bye. It seems much harder since we moved to Dubai. It also reminds me how far away we actually are. We had a wonderful visit with my mom and are again so grateful that our family is willing to spend the time and money to see Savannah and support us in our decision to move. We are anxiously getting ready to plan our first trip back to the US sometime this spring and can't wait to introduce Savannah to the rest of our friends and family! We tried to take one last picture in the lobby of our apartment building but as you can see Savannah's new trick is to look away as soon as the camera comes out!

We spent my mom's last day at the mosque, lunch and shopping. We ate lunch outside with the Burj Khalfia in the background and check out Savannah's new toy from Nana and Granddad! She has so much fun just pushing the buttons, trying to grab the toys and having us push her around. I can't wait for her to figure out that she can make it move!

Jumeriah Mosque

This morning mom, Savannah and I went to the Jumeriah Mosque. Typically, mosques are not open to Non-Muslims but through the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding the Jumeirah Mosque is open for tours several times each week. The Centre was established with the aim of removing the barriers between people of different nationalities and to raise awareness of the local cultural, its traditions, its customs and Islam among foreign residents and visitors.

Mom and I expected the Mosque to be much more glitzy and ornately decorated but essentially it is a large carpeted room with tall pillars. The large room is for the men only. Women and children must use a smaller room with a separate entrance. Our tour guides explained that the separation is so that there are no distractions during prayer time. The tour guides also explained the five pillars of Islam (the foundation of Muslim life) and that Muslims are supposed to pray five times each day. The prayer times vary by sunset and sunrise each day. Inside the mosque there is a large clock that indicates the prayer times for that day. Prayer can take place inside and outside a mosque. In a mosque you would stay shoulder to shoulder with the people next to you, as to not let evil through. Often prayer rugs are used to designate personal space but they also can use wooden statues (or as our guide told us, handbags) set in front of them to mark their place. This is supposed to help create less distraction during prayer. The men get the larger room because traditionally more men actually come to a mosque for prayer during the week as most women are at home raising the children.

Prayers always take place facing Mecca. In the Mosque there was a large area indicating which way Mecca is. In hotels and other public locations you may see an arrow indicating the direction of Mecca. Many prayer rugs also have compasses built in so that you are always facing the correct direction. One of the pillars of Islam is that all Muslims will travel to Mecca once during their lifetime. Mecca is considered to be the holiest meeting site in Islam and is located in Saudi Arabia.

Fridays are considered the Holy Day. In a mosque on Friday you would find a leader, similar to our priests or ministers. In the United Arab Emirates the leaders are given a topic to discuss. This way regardless of the mosque you attend within the country, you are hearing a talk on the same topic. The five pillars of Islam are embedded in weekly topics. The five pillars are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving to those in need, fasting during the month of Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Our tour guides also went on to explain the dress of women and men and answered questions regarding Islam and Muslims. Out of respect, to enter the Mosque you must be very conservativally dressed (long pants and sleeves). You also had to have your hair covered and your shoes removed.

As someone who is residing in a country where we are the minority it is always interesting to learn a little more about the religion, culture and traditions that surround us.

Heritage Village

Tonight Chris, mom, Savannah and I went to Heritage Village. This is a traditional village located at the mouth of the Dubai Creek. The village gives a sneak peak into what life was like in the past with demonstrations on traditional crafts and cooking. While we were there we sampled a traditional Arabic dessert called Louqaimatt. This dumpling type dessert is made from flour, yeast, Zafaran, Cardamom, Rose Water, water and sugar. Traditionally, it was only enjoyed on special occasions like Ramadan or weddings but today is a very common dessert. It was pretty good...reminded us of doughnut holes. I personally thought they were better with the date syrup on them which made them a sweeter and added a little more flavor. After walking around the village we enjoyed dinner creekside, with fireworks in the background.

We also visited Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai (1912-1958) and grandfather to the present Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The house dates back to 1896. Inside they had an exhibit, which we thought was going to be about the Sheikh, Dubai or the home but instead was our first Islamic presentation. They were handing out booklets and giving a presentation on Islam. Everyone was very kind and working very hard to dispel myths about Islam. While this is all very interesting it sort of reminded us of when the Jehovahs Witnesses go door to door back home.

Cultural Notes: English is very widely spoken in Dubai. Everyone seems to know some form of English and some is better than others but as you can see by the picture of the children's menu it doesn't always translate the same. I don't know many kids who would order "Big Bird" as their dinner selection!

We have also noticed how quiet restaurants seem to be. Beer, wine and liqueur can only be served in bars and restaurants that are attached to a hotel or that have obtained a license so while it is not hard to get a drink (with a 30% tax on it) there are many more restaurants that serve "mocktails", juices and coffees instead. It does seem to create a much quieter, laid back environment.

Sandstorm

While Chris and Savannah enjoyed some Daddy-Daughter time this morning, my mom and I headed out for mani/pedi's and lunch. We ate lunch outside on the Jumeriah Beach Walk. Our table looked out to the sea. When we sat down the weather was perfect...mid 70's and sunny. As our lunch progressed we noticed dark clouds rolling in and the wind getting quite strong.. My mom even said it looked like it was going to rain. Much to our surprise we witnessed our first sandstorm instead. It happened so fast we really didn't know what it was until it was over. The restaurant quickly ushered everyone inside as sand forcefully blew across the beach and into the city. Although, I think this was considered a rather small storm, it was amazing how fast it started and then stopped and how much the visibility changed. The pictures are ones we captured after the fact, but you can still see some of the sand in the air and of the sand in our pool at the apartment. I continue to be amazed by the things we are experiencing.

Life's a Beach Part Two

After the park, we came home had lunch and headed to the beach. Savannah had a great time and seem intrigued by the sand...venturing into by herself. She was fully amused "raking" the sand with her fingers and trying to pick it up.

On a cultural note we have noticed that the National dress is also considered beachwear. It is not uncommon to Emirati men and women wearing abayahs (women) and dishdasha's (men) even at the beach. Recently, I was swim suit shopping and noticed that women can buy an abayah that is made out of swim suit material. You are not supposed to photograph Muslim women, out of respect, but we did sneak a picture of some men at the beach.

People often ask me if we ever feel uncomfortable in our dress or if we have to follow a certain dress code. The answer is typically no, even at the beach westerners are able to wear normal attire. If you are going to the older part of Dubai it is usually better to be on the conservative side. Whether it is more of a European tradition or an Arabic tradition I have noticed that here people tend to be a little more "dressed up", no one runs to the grocery store in their workout attire or "grubby clothes" and the women love high heels! There are signs in all of the malls that says you must be wearing respectful clothing but I have never run into an issue where I felt inappropriately dressed.

Life's a Beach Part One

Today we Savannah, mom and I hit the park and the beach! (I am definitely getting used to this not working idea!) The weather is finally back to its normal mid-70's and sunny so we took advantage. The park has a great jogging path so from my perspective it was fantastic...mom pushed Savannah and walked a few laps while I went ahead and ran. Then we hit the playground where Savannah again seemed to be having a good time until we got out the camera! The inside of the park is beautiful, clean and colorful. It seems amazing that it is located in the middle of such an urban city with skyscrapers in the background.

Hanging out Poolside

Today Savannah showed off her swimming skills for Nana. Although her new game is to stop smiling and look away when you get the camera out, she really does seem to enjoy the water. It is great that the pool is heated, so it is probably as warm as her bath water. She is starting to splash her hands in the water and seems unaffected when she splashes herself in the face. She is also starting to kick/move her legs under the water.

It Does Rain in the Desert

Since arriving in Dubai six months ago the weather has been consistently sunny and warm everyday. We have been told that January and February can bring cooler temperatures and rain. This seems hard to believe as it is considered a desert region, but what we have been told is correct. For the last week, the weather has been gloomy and cloudy with a few sprinkles of rain here and there. Today brought the biggest rain we have seen since arriving. The annual rainfall in Dubai averages about 5 inches. Chris thought the rain and clouds was a welcome change, I on the other hand have already become accustomed to the climate here and am longing for the sun and blue skies to reappear. The temperature continues to hover in the mid 70's during the day and the 60's at night...chilly in comparison to our arrival in July! My mom and I are hoping for a sunny week so we can visit the pool and beach before she has to head home.

Tea Party at Burj Al Arab

Today Savannah, mom and I went to Afternoon Tea at Sahn Eddar inside the Burj Al Arab. The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel, often being called the world's only 7-star hotel. It is the 4th largest hotel in the world and stands on its own artificial island. To access the hotel you have to pass through several security gates (and have overnight reservations or reservations in one of their restaurants). There is also a private bridge that takes you out to the hotel from Jumeriah Beach. The hotel is considered an iconic structure in Dubai and resembles the shape of a sail.

Tea started with a glass of champagne and continued with your choice of tea and seven courses of finger foods. The first course was berries and cream followed by finger sandwiches, salmon, scones, sorbet, French pasteries and followed up with chocolates and petit fours. The food and tea were well worth it. The restaurant staff even gave Savannah a rose. (Another bonus: Savannah was awesome!) Afternoon tea was a delightful way to see the inside of the hotel and spend the afternoon with Savannah and my mom.