Family fun in Dubai!

Greetings my friends!! It's been quite a while since I blogged. Friends were encouraging me to start up again so here I am...blogging from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

So why am I here? I have an auntie, uncle and two cousins that live here. Actually one cousin is studying in London, but was here for his mom and dad's 25th wedding anniversary...and that's what brought all of us together!

Celebrations included a desert safari ride and party filled with my auntie and uncle renewing their vows, my uncle riding in on a camel (FYI: not traditional, an elephant was not available for the desert ;)), lots of singing and dancing, a belly dancer performance and live professional singers! We ate and only I, partook in a little hookah time. My auntie and uncle looked stunning! The safari ride was in a land cruiser and up and down the sand dunes we went, yelping and hollering for more!! I forgot how fun a cultural gathering can be. It was great to see my mom and my aunties (her sisters) so happy to share this time together!
The next day's function was high class luncheon...just kidding! Those who got that, give yourselves a pat on the back! The next of the 25th wedding anniversary festivities was a Bollywood-style gala! My auntie and uncle dressed as their favorite movie actors! Others came dressed up as well. They had dozens of photographers and cameramen to capture the "star-studded" event. It actually looked as if they were being swarmed by the paparazzi!!! The rolled up in a rolls royce! Had a red carpet entry too! Very Hollywood/Bollywood! It was fun! Their elder son put on a dance performance with his friends and their younger son made a very endearing speech. We ate and danced. I unfortunately think I had an allergic reaction to dragon fruit! My tongue felt like it was swelling up. Fortunately it did not close off my airway and I was fine. But I ended up having a headache and left the party early. Overall though I had a great time!

The last day of festivities included a Pooja. And a South Indian style lunch party afterward. There was a Kathakali performance and a live band! (Another day of eating and dancing!) This was to bless their new home.

During the in between events times, my auntie and uncle gave all of us (100-150) even more great times. They scheduled a bus to take us around Dubai. We went to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world...~2700ft!!! Holy moly!! The views were spectacular!! We also had photo opportunities on the beach with the Burj Al Arab (one of the 15 most expensive hotels in the world) in the background. We saw the sheikh's home from a distance and there were peacocks walking around the courtyard. (Yes I'm thinking what world did I enter here???) Lastly a night cruise was arranged for us. Taking us right through the heart of Dubai on the Dubai Creek. The boat was beautiful and again another night of dancing and eating! The views of the night skyline were lit by towering buildings and the marina smelled of good eats and apple scented sheesha! The twisted
building or properly known as the Cayan Tower was my favorite building!

I've been to Dubai twice before, although the second time was a brief stopover. This time I did not spend much time in the gold souq (market), but if you want gold, this is the place to get it! It's displayed to adults like multicolored candies are to children in sweet shoppes! It sparkles in the day and night and many people come out with their neck, ear lobes, fingers and wrists glittering in that same way! I'm however perfectly content with my $3.00 earrings from H&M ;)

My parents and I were able to separate from the festivities a bit and take our own tour. Well, we took my auntie & uncle visiting from India with us too. We drove to Abu Dhabi to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Driving here is just the same as driving in the US except the is an aggression factor. People here will ride your tail to within inches until you move over. I was stressed out by the end of the journey secondary to the aggressive drivers, the six lanes, a GPS that took me in circles and traffic! Yikes! I refused to drive the car the next day and so it was returned! Hahaha! The next day I took in some Manali time and ran, yoga'd and saw Robocop! Excellent movie!!

Besides gold, silver and diamonds...you can also get some great knockoffs...Marty if you're reading this I no speak English! ;) most of you know brands aren't my thing unless it's mountain hardwear or REI. Everywhere I go people ask if I want knock-offs..." Madame, we have bags watches, prada, Gucci, etc." Aye-yai-yai!! Give me a break people!! So I hideout in the movie theater or at home reading about all the snow the east coast is getting, the drought in California :( and the Sochi Olympics.

Dubai has been fun because of my family! Next adventure...India! Come along with me!

Sorry I can't upload photos right now but will do as soon as I can.