Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be moving to a foreign country to live, let alone a country in the Middle East. Over the 2009 Christmas and New Year’s holidays, my husband Roger and I discussed what we wanted the next part of our life to be like. He thought that before retiring, he would like to do one more airport project but only if he could find something very interesting. I half-jokingly agreed that would be fine but could he try for an exotic location? As usual, Roger came through and soon we were headed to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This blog is a recap of our "leap-of- faith" wanderings around the Middle East and beyond. We joyfully share these expat experiences.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Boomer Blog Carnival #275: Articles for us over forty gals

Boomers are on the move. 

This week we offer travel suggestions for Labor Day, a tale of "Bollywood" and great sweets from surprising places. 

For those concerned about turning old we ask the questions: What are the unique concerns of Americans 50-64?"; When are we old?; and lastly but very interesting . . . Has life hit you over the head with a frying pan? Be sure to read the answers . . .  and say "Hi!" to the Baby Boomer Bloggers.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Bollywood Dinner Theatre … Only in Dubai!


The lights go down.

Center stage a beautiful Indian woman exquisitely dressed in a seductive sparkling ghagra (skirt) and choli (top) strikes a melodramatic pose.

The heavy bass beat of loud rhythmic music pounds out of the speakers just above our heads.

In the background a gushing waterfall with two suspended TV screens shows flashy dance scenes from Bollywood movies that the on stage performers pantomime.

The exotic dancer gyrates to the rhythm and lip syncs the song. The show is ON!

This is The Moghul Room – The Bollywood Dinner Theatre in Dubai!

Friday, August 17, 2012

11,000 Volunteers Being Human for Every Human Being – Adopt A Camp Ramadan Care Package Project in Dubai


What do you do when 11,000 volunteers show up?

Saher with her "adopted" boys
from the labor camps
I believe that one person can make a difference in the world. What starts with a small act of compassion can become so powerful that thousands of people join in the crusade.

That is exactly what happened with Saher Sheikh’s random act of kindness one day as she stood in the checkout line at her Dubai grocers  watching a laborer carefully count out his coins for a meager meal of bread and laban (a yogurt drink). Seeing the distress in the man’s face, she steps in, pays for the sparse meal and tells him to go get anything else he wants – he simply gets a strawberry drink.

From this small act AdoptA Camp was born. Adopt A Camp is a grass roots organization that today brings assistance to 43 camps helping more than 32,000 laborers in the Dubai area.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The August Blogging Boomers Carnival


      This edition of the Blogging Boomers Carnival touches on a variety of 
subjects from the gustatory to the spiritual, from the world of business 
to the world of good works. So page down and take a look. 

Monday, August 13, 2012

TripAdvisor EveryTrail Walking Tour . . . Dubai’s Art Galleries and Architecture


Sheikh Zayed Road
photo courtesy of flashydubai.com 
My assignment from TripAdvisor to develop five walking tours of Dubai is complete. Here are the final two tours.

Enjoy a special collection of Dubai finest art galleries in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)  - DIFC Gate Village Art Galleries, an exciting mix of fine art, photography, masters and emerging artists.

Too hot to walk about? Try this fun Dubai Metro tour that follows the infamous Sheikh Zayed Road and shows off Dubai's iconic buildings - Skyscraper City - New Dubai.  




Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Amazing Race in Dubai

The Amazing Race in Dubai has aired!

In November of 2011, Roger and I joined our American Women’s Association friends for a day of horse racing at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. To our surprise and delight we caught the filming of a segment of The Amazing Race. I hope you read my blog - "Never A Dull Moment in Dubai . . . The Amazing Race at the Meydan Race Track". 

Well, the series has aired and I thought you might be interested in seeing the finished product. If you want to bypass the beginning, go to 7:18 on the timer where the contestants are trying to board a flight from Delhi to Dubai.

Readers who have experienced driving in Dubai will truly appreciate the anguish and tearful frustrations of the contestants as they try to navigate the roads of Dubai. Then add to this surviving dune bashing, camel bashing, Wild Wadi and the dilemma of picking a winner at the horse races and you have one hilarious episode. 

Roger and I laughed through the whole show.  Enjoy!



Friday, August 3, 2012

Boomer Blog Carnival #271

This week's boomer blogs offer an eclectic mix of blogs to inform and entertain you. Does the social mood and market performance affect the US Presidential Elections? Ever grilled a salad? It is yummy! What do our distractions mean for our future and how do male-female friendships change you we age? Did you know that negative energy is like paying in a box full of cat poop!  Who has the best California olive oil? Which Baby Boomer Icon had a  psychedelically painted Porsche? And finally, sit back, relax and watch an hysterical  segment of the Amazing Race that was filmed in Dubai! Don't miss any of the fun!