Dubai...yet again

Dubai never ceases to amaze me. I love Dubai.
The sand dunes, the BEEYOOTIFUL beaches, the flamingos, the food, the people, the malls - yes those too,...it has sooooooo much to offer. Our cousin and his wife and their cutesy pie 2.5 year old were terrific company [as always!]! The fact that we stayed at the Kempinski didn't hurt!

Dubai isn't for those who cannot have fun. Let me rephrase: Those who cannot have fun in Dubai can't have fun anywhere else. No, really. There are some folks who will run it down because they can't look beyond the plastic wrapper. Girls, if the clothes wont fit and your husband wont smile and your child wont even try the rides, don't go!!! And ofcourse if there is no interest in actually exploring everything else the place has to offer unless there is a paid guide and a fancy car that one can talk about back home..why go, right? This is a place for those who love labels...and it is also a place for those who possess them but aren't possessed by them.
This trip, we went to Abu Dhabi and the Ferrari World. My daughter who is all of 9 went twice on the world's fastest ride and wanted more! The JBR Stretch was unbelievable at night. Who can say this isn't some place in Europe? I've always loved the beaches in Dubai and this time was no different!
We saw flocks and flocks of Flamingos while driving back from the dunes. Awesome! And this was with the Dubai skyline as the backdrop!
The cherries on this cake were a visit to my friend Rati's house from where I got a breathtaking view of the Burj..and a wonderful conversation with her friends Julia and her daughter Tara...and the fabulous Burmese meal cooked by her man Friday Keshav...and our grand finale - Dinner at Jaipur [the restaurant] - cool breezes, fountains swaying in the background and a beautiful moon shining over - RATI'S BUILDING !
Did I mention that I shopped? haha...yes I did, but that was the bonus. Great trip...can't wait to go back.
You want pics? There are plenty on the www. :) ENJOY!

Party Hooters

There are many instances when I’ve browsed through pictures of friends and family on virtual albums…celebrations, get-togethers. I look at pictures of grown ups laughing out loud with their heads thrown back, arms around each other and wonder if I am socially dysfunctional because I am incapable of hugging and kissing folks I don’t like very much or know…or using endearments casually or throwing my affections around cheaply. I am not apologetic about my selection of words either.

When I meet these folks individually…and our conversations pick up, I find that these pictures I see…the groups in the pictures are not necessarily of people who get along...or respect each other. They size each other up when they walk into the group, are invited and attend because they have a rapport to advertise in certain circles, indulge in inane banter and drink themselves silly. Perhaps they have to, perhaps alcohol numbs their natural instincts to turn and run and ups their tolerance levels. The best part where I would love to be a fly on the wall is the drive back home. This is when all the bitching happens about the party that was.

This kind of social interaction is also called ‘unwinding’ by the way - a stress busting exercise for people who work hard through the week. They work hard so they can afford these parties and be seen in the right clothes with the right people in the right places carrying the right visiting cards, arriving in the right cars. And some people do this every single week[end]!! Amazing!!

My idea of getting together with friends is when I can be my stupid best in my everyday clothes, sitting on the floor with some good music and home-cooked food...and a few drinks for my friends and many genuine laughs. I am so glad I know some people I can still do that with. And for that I am grateful.

Anita Iyer