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.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

CAMEL RACES DUBAI STYLE

What has 96 legs, 24 humps, uses electronic robots to increase speed and is chased by a pack of wild SUVs??

Camel Racing

This intriguing sport has eluded Roger and I for two years so when good friend, fellow blogger and ace photographer Jani Deidam announced she is in possession of a schedule for the Dubai Camel Races we say,  “Let’s go!”

Friday, February 24, 2012

Blogging Boomer Carnival #248

I am happy to host the Blogging Boomer Carnival this week. Did you know that Baby Boomers represent 28% of the USA population and that a Baby Boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds?  More importantly we can expect to live until 83! This makes the Blogging Boomer Carnival so relevant because it is so full of useful information to make this final stretch of our journey meaningful and fun!


This week the Midlife Crisis Queen asks the timely question: Why do we continue to eat ourselves to death?

One of the most potent of the weapons of influence around us is the rule for reciprocation. Reciprocity flows from the law of love which is "the gift of giving" without the "hope of reward or pay," or serving others.  For an example of how the Law of Reciprocity is being put into practice today, go to: SoBabyBoomer.com  


Saturday, February 18, 2012

DUBAI . . . LOOKING UNDER THE VEIL

Photo: www.solarnavigator.net/geography/dubai.htm
Dubai, UAE is the archetypal 'City of Contrasts.' Brash and flashy, and sometimes a little tawdry, a glimpse beneath this veil reveals a proud culture determined to retain its heritage while racing at breakneck speed to embrace the 21st century.

“I have a writing assignment to describe Dubai in 500 words using descriptive words and dialogue and I want to show the contrasts and tensions most visitors never see. Can you help?” I ask my expat friend Sara as we sip our coffee in the Mall of the Emirates.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Blogging Boomer Carnival #247


This week, SoBabyBoomer.com is hosting the two-hundred-forty-seventh carnival of blogging boomers who write about what's happening in their world.   Baby Boomers are ever changing as the world turns.  Boomers continue to personally evolve; setting new trends along their wake.   

Come to the fair and observe interesting segments of trend-setting happenings that seek life's meaning through passionate living: . .the best cups of hot chocolate in NYC . . . why some survive mid-life crisis and some don't . . . The Art of Toad kissing, with advanced-life threatening cancer would  heavily-invasive course of treatment for you . . . what is'normal' for work . . . appliances that won't die  . . look under the veil of Dubai . . . what is going to be the biggest influence on the outcome of the Presidential election?

Friday, February 3, 2012

Travel to Turkey - Blue Mosque, Istanbul Turkey . . . An Architectural Treasure Worth every Painful Step

The gradual crescendo of the alarm is a rising torture. Even the beauty of the first morning’s light through the kitschy curtains doesn't help the pain. I can’t believe it is time to start again. Every muscle and bone in my body is screaming for mercy.

I roll over and Roger is already awake. He is just sitting on the side of the bed, hands bracing him up and head hanging low. He slowly turns to look at me and we both just start laughing. The entire situation is so ludicrous that laughter is the only way to relieve the tension.

Katie & Roger at Ephesus
We are on Day 8 of our 10 day tour of Turkey

We survived the first five days in Ephesus with minor complaints but Istanbul has been a different situation all together.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Hear Ye, Hear Ye -- Boomer Bloggers Carnival #245 is here!

The Carnival is in town!  A gathering of the most amazing bloggers:  "baby boomers".  C'mon in! 

Is retirement better than boomers imagined? Can your birthday cake outlive you?  . . . Do you have too much of the Mothering gene?. . . What's the secret of keeping love and romance alive? . . . Why is the Blue Mosque considered one of the wonders of the world? . . . What do people on their deathbeds say the regret most?