Superficial Joy

 I finally did it! About 2 months ago I went with my friend Lucy to Ski Dubai . It was shockingly fun! I've been wanting to go since I arrived, but it never seemed the right day and I hadn't found anyone that wanted to go. Going up to Bogus Basin by myself is one thing--I always run into people I know even when I go up by myself. Ski Dubai was something I wanted to share with someone else. After doing so many things alone overseas, I have come to really appreciate companionship when I go on an outing. I lugged the big purple suitcase from the top shelf of my closet that has housed my ski stuff for 1 §/1 years. Just the smell of my ski clothes filled me with joy! For a second I was back in the ski school locker room at Bogus. Off I went to meet Lucy at the Mall of the Emirates where Ski Dubai lives. Maybe because I had very low expectations or maybe because it really is well done and legit, I really enjoyed myself. It fill the need in me for snow and skiing. Here's a ...

Quite a while ago I went to see Evita in Dubai, but i forgot to hit "Publish". Better late than never. The woman who played Evita had an incredible voice. Other than that, I can't believe that Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator is such masterpieces as Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon , was the creator. I was totally underwhelmed by the "story" [read: lack thereof] and the chords in the opening scene sent a revolting shiver down to my spine that I could not shake until intermission. Still, the setting, the complex and the venue are incredible. Look closely, there are duck-bananas on the prowl!! I'm in Dubai for the weekend for a workshop and just got back to the hotel after seeing Evita  at the Dubai Opera . This was my first visit to this venue, although it is down by the Burj Khalifa area which I have visited several times. While the journey through the parking garage to the "Opera Section" was long and winding, I was rewarded wi...

Coming in to Dubai on the highway from Abu Dhabi The second week of school ended with a 3 day weekend! Holidays are an interesting thing here. Thursday the 21st was the Islamic New Year, but it was not "officially" named the holiday until Wednesday. Thus, the day off was expected but not officially declared by the government until Wednesday morning. Muslim holidays are determined by the position of the moon, as the Islamic calendar is a lunar one. Thus, until someone sees the moon, no holiday notice is issued. Once the holiday is proclaimed, various ministries of the government declare a public holiday. The notices are posted in the papers like this one in the  Gulf News . For my holiday weekend I rested on Thursday then spent today in Dubai. I rode up with a friend who had business there for a few hours. She dropped me at a taxi and while she did her thing, I did some sightseeing. First I went to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The best part ...