Well it’s just about that time of year again when it feels like we barely have a full week of work in the Office.
December has arrived and with it comes the darker evenings as we leave the bright lights of the office, anticipation at the prospect of cool weather, respite from the scorching heat, the possibility of a spot of rain and then the there is the usual influx of holidays like Eid, National day, Christmas and then not forgetting New Year proving that this time Sheikh Mo does not have the whole thing cancelled again.
First on the festive calendar was Eid – and a very enjoyable trip to the Oman – UAE border with Ant’s Visa run (seemed like such a good idea to go during Eid at the time). Despite the numerous times we have been to the border and sampled the delights that is usually the deserted Oman visa hall and two immigration officers looking fed up behind the counter, nothing quite prepared us for the 8 hr queue we had to endure this time around. We should have known something was amiss when we had to pass through two military check points on the way to the border post, traffic as far as the eye could see and that impending feeling that we had gone to far to turn back now.
December has arrived and with it comes the darker evenings as we leave the bright lights of the office, anticipation at the prospect of cool weather, respite from the scorching heat, the possibility of a spot of rain and then the there is the usual influx of holidays like Eid, National day, Christmas and then not forgetting New Year proving that this time Sheikh Mo does not have the whole thing cancelled again.
First on the festive calendar was Eid – and a very enjoyable trip to the Oman – UAE border with Ant’s Visa run (seemed like such a good idea to go during Eid at the time). Despite the numerous times we have been to the border and sampled the delights that is usually the deserted Oman visa hall and two immigration officers looking fed up behind the counter, nothing quite prepared us for the 8 hr queue we had to endure this time around. We should have known something was amiss when we had to pass through two military check points on the way to the border post, traffic as far as the eye could see and that impending feeling that we had gone to far to turn back now.
After a fairly uneventful departure from the UAE (courtesy of some eye lash fluttering from Miranda) we headed down through baron no mans land, penned in either side by featureless mountains to be confronted by what can only be described as a scene of Armageddon and utter devastation that would not look out of place in the closing moments of latest Hollywood action flick 2012.
Hummers abandoned carelessly across three parking bays, hoards of families wilting wearily in the desert heat and Pizza hut hastily scrambling together whatever ingredients they had left to cater for the trapped masses.
We had to queue for 8 hours to get the entry stamp, gutted in the knowledge that we would not even be crossing into Oman but merely spinning a you turn in the car park to head on our merry way back to DXB.
Completely devastated at wasting a whole day at the hands of Omani immigration, the rest of the holiday weekend was spent in bed catching up on lost sleep and another day trip (I hear you ask “did you not learn your lesson last time”) but this time to the surprisingly good, Al Ain zoo – a zoo which boasts one of the best breeding programmes in the Middle East. A fact we witnessed first hand on numerous occasions much to the immature giggles of the passing public (myself included) as we watch ancient tortoises try dry humping each other with as much intensity as an intergalactic cosmic collision.
Hummers abandoned carelessly across three parking bays, hoards of families wilting wearily in the desert heat and Pizza hut hastily scrambling together whatever ingredients they had left to cater for the trapped masses.
We had to queue for 8 hours to get the entry stamp, gutted in the knowledge that we would not even be crossing into Oman but merely spinning a you turn in the car park to head on our merry way back to DXB.
Completely devastated at wasting a whole day at the hands of Omani immigration, the rest of the holiday weekend was spent in bed catching up on lost sleep and another day trip (I hear you ask “did you not learn your lesson last time”) but this time to the surprisingly good, Al Ain zoo – a zoo which boasts one of the best breeding programmes in the Middle East. A fact we witnessed first hand on numerous occasions much to the immature giggles of the passing public (myself included) as we watch ancient tortoises try dry humping each other with as much intensity as an intergalactic cosmic collision.
After Eid we then had national day celebrations and my three days following this where spent down on the JBR walk, witnessing a carnival of dressed up Hummers and 4 x 4’s proudly celebrating the 38th national day of the UAE. Along with the constant stream of over the top cars where a throng of people to watch and enjoy the many local entertainers doing their thing.
That same weekend also marked the return of the Dubai Rugby 7’s, an expat institution that brings with it a weekend of drinking, eating pies, hot sunshine and the occasional Rugby match of course.
The weekend started with a night at the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation gala dinner, Bareface supplied a number of hostesses and myself and a few of my colleagues where dressed to impress as we hot footed it to the Dance floor. The Christina Noble Children’s foundation is an amazing organization that helps improve the lives of children around the world – particularly those in South East Asia, and this year we where especially privileged as the founding lady herself made an appearance and gave an impassioned speech which had everyone on their feet and made grown rugby boys cry. The following days where spent at the stadium stocking up on supplies of Bulmer’s and cheering on the home nations. Ireland where conspicuous in their absent, England made it to the semi’s yet Wales won their championship – with a very mixed Celtic heritage its great to be able to choose which nationality to support!
As the Sun set on the Rugby 7’s and the hangover kicked in, the impending arrival of the mother in law suddenly dawned on me….. more on this next time……
As the Sun set on the Rugby 7’s and the hangover kicked in, the impending arrival of the mother in law suddenly dawned on me….. more on this next time……
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