....aaaand we're back!

The last 2 weeks have been pretty interesting. Of course, most of my time has been spent working, but I've managed to do a couple of interesting things. But, I'm sure you'll be able to see it through the pictures and videos. What I do want to talk about, and I think I've been here long enough to be able to talk about, are the things I don't like. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm on cloud nine here and having a blast, but there are things that just make you want to say, "What the hell?!?!?" So let's start:

1. Directions: I don't know if it's the fact that the roads change so much, or people around here are new also, but no one...I mean NO ONE can give good directions! I always get the, "Make a left at the third light, and then go straight," and that's it!! No "It's on the left," or "it's next to the gas station." NOTHING! Most of the time they have no idea where it is, even taxi drivers. One time I asked a taxi driver ifhe knew where a neighborhood was. He gave me some directions and ended it with, "then just ask someone and they'll tell you." Really? Ask someone? is that what he does when he has to go somewhere?
2. Road signs: I'm sorry, but how the great minds of the Dubai City Planning Committee got this wrong, I'll never know. There isn't one highway sign or road sign that tells you what street is coming up. Not One! (except for the small street signs that are barely visable and only on local roads) All signs have only areas on them. Now, you may think, "Well, that's not that bad, you know exactly where you are." No. Consider the fact that there are windy roads and construction all over the place, having a general idea of where you are doesn't work! I was driving down this one road, and I saw this sign that said Jumeirah 1 on the left. Two streets later, I saw the same sign! and then again a couple of streets later! How the hell do you get anywhere when there are the exact same signs in three different places?
3. TV: For those of you who know me, you know that a good helping of TV shows was a big thing for me. My DVR always ran hot, recording everything from Formula1 to Big Brother. Here...not so much. I have about 4 channels that I can understand, and about 50 that I can't! (and a few more that I don't even think the locals even watch). It would be ok if I had good shows on those channels, but all I get are crappy shows from 3 years ago, like the exciting THE DEAD ZONE and TYRA. I can't go to the web to see the shows, because it's blocked for people outside the US. Hopefully when I move to my place I can get the Slingshot I have set up to work, cuz right now it doesn't.
4. Movie Theatres: Batman was my first experience in a theatre here, and I must say, I was dissapointed. First of all, there are assigned seatings, which on one hand you don't have to look for a seat, but then even if you get there early, some jokers have already bought up all the good seats, and you're forced to endure a crappy angle, even if you're in the front of the line. But the worst part is the talking and cell phones. The group behind me must have either been illiterate or blind or both! They chatted the whole movie..even after I gave them the required extended tare-back....they weren't phased.

I've decided to start dumping all my photos in a Picassa Album, partly because it's easier to share many pictures, but mostly because I don't want to filter them out everytime I go out and shoot. Plus, you all can choose which ones are good and download and use them as you wish.

The album will be here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lilfoofoof

Here are a few videos of when I went on a 4x4 safari of the desert. These guys were going full speed over the dunes, fish-tailing, going down steep hills. It was pretty exciting. Afterwards there was a dinner and a belly dance! But my stupid camera ran out of juice, so I didn't get any photos of that.








I'll be going to a mountainous area east of Dubai called Hatta. It's supposed to be nice...pics to come soon.