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.

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?

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.

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? 

DUBAI- ABU DHABI VACATION . . . Russell Foster’s Excellent Adventure

Why is it whenever I suggest to family members that they should come visit us in Dubai I get dead silence and a painful looks? Where are the adventurous genes in our kids? I know it is long 12 hour trip from the east coast of USA and the ticket is a bit steep, but still, we are offering them a once in a lifetime opportunity to get out of their comfort zones and experience a different culture; a culture that is at the forefront of the history being made today.

And, the seven grandchildren have been gifted a ticket by Roger and I. Such a deal!

Ah! At last! One brave soul has picked up the gauntlet. Our oldest son Russell who lives in Denver, Colorado, announces in October that his ticket is bought and he is coming for 10 days in mid November to catch the Formula 1 races. Leave it to the oldest to be the boldest.

BLOGGING BOOMERS CARNIVAL #242

This week Lucy has the pleasure of hosting our Boomers Blog Carnival where we talk about a variety of issues that resonate with many of us at this point in our lives. From food to politics, our opinions and ideas are meant to be shared and enjoyed. Go ahead and read on to see what we are discussing this week.

Blogging Boomers Carnival -- 2012!

     The first of the year Blogging Boomers Carnival brings us wishes for many happy returns from all corners of the globe and the blogosphere.

     Lucie from Midlife Musings recognizes that New Year's Eve means many things to many people -- but it's how you celebrate that makes it special. She describes the intriguing way she, herself, celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of the next.

     The Midlife Crisis Queen wonders if anyone else feels a bit of a slump once the party is over, and offers her own take on the issue in her last post of the year, "Are You Suffering from Post Holiday Let Down?"