The Adventures of a once Central Asian Red Head

I had such an absolute blast on my vacation to the UAE that I just had to add more pictures!

Just hanging in the desert!

Doesn’t this look like fun! It was awesome and surprisingly I did not feel sick (maybe it was because of the 2 prescriptions I took!)

Just chill'n waiting for our fresh squeezed juice. We had the best jusice I have ever tasted.

Did I mention that going to starbucks was awsome!

My first time on a jet ski! I was so scared but it turned out to be so much fun.

Isn't it beautiful and peaceful looking?

So there is a story to go with these next three pictures. The people we stayed with told us that blue jellyfish would not hurt us but to stay away from the clear/white ones. Sally Katherine and I found a blue jellyfish that had washed up on shore and I decided that since it would not sting me, I should throw it back. It was hard to pick up and it felt so weird!

I promise there really is a jellyfish in my hand!

Safe at last! The little blue shadow on the right is the jellyfish.

The came ride was so much fun. I seem to remember somewhere in the Book that talks about Rebecca alighting from a camel. Let me tell you that is no small feat. It is soooo hard to get on and off and to add to that I caught my foot on the saddle and tripped! Good thing my name is not Grace.

We went to the capital and got to see another view of the Persian Gulf. Who would have thought I would have become a beach bum (ha, ha, ha)!

A good time was had by all!

For Spring Break, my room mate and another teacher friend decided that we needed not only a break but an escape from Central Asia. We decided to visit the United Arab Emirates. I can NOT tell you how excited I was about our trip. First of all the weather in the UAE was in the 90's and I have been wearing wool sweaters since November. Also there are actual stores and malls that carry my size! We had a blast sleeping in, eating great food (including Chilies, sub-way, and Mexican), shopping, and sigh seeing, enjoying that fact that drivers there follow traffic rules and hanging out with our new friends (they let us stay with then and then played tour guide all week)! If you ever have a chance to visit the UAE, please go. The cities are modern and clean (with great shopping) and the desert has a unique beauty.

Yes, I am wearing a down coat and sandals! The morning we left, it was sooo cold but I wanted to be prepared for the desert so this called for an unusual dress!

One of the first things I did upon landing in the UAE was to go to Starbucks for some really good coffee! Let me tell you, it was AMAZING!!!

These are the sweet kids of the Family we stayed with. We had a blast playing with the kids and hanging out with our new friends. They were awesome!

While there, we got to swim in the Persia Gulf. Those of you who know me well, know that I am really not a beach person; but I just could not resist.

The adventuresome bug bit me. My room mate talked me into getting on a jet ski and much to my surprise it was a BLAST. I even took a turn driving it!!!

It only rains five times a year in the UAE. While we were in the country it rained twice! Watching rain fall in the desert is fascinating.

We were out driving when we were surprised to find a camel in the middle of the highway! We abruptly stopped and enjoyed the view. (by the way there are road signs warning of camel crossings!)

How do you know you are shopping at a really cool mall? This is how the bathroom looks!

My room mate and I went to watch a movie in ENGLISH!!!! It was so fun to go to the theater and watch a movie. The funnest thing was that we were the only people in the theater! Can you tell I was having a good time?

Any one up for a Desert Safari? Let me tell you, it is one of the most fun things I have ever done. They drive you to the middle of no-where, let some of the air out of the Land Cruisers tires and then gun it over the sand dunes!

Hold on tight!

a Desert photo op!

Hooray I made it with out being sick!

Part of the desert adventure was a camel ride. I was really excited about getting on the camel (which is really not all the comfortable). The camel behind me decided he like me. Any one up for a kiss from a camel?

Do we look like Arabian Princesses?

Another part of the adventure was henna painting.

I promise it washes off (in about a month!).

Just a lady of leisure hanging our at the beach! This day was so hot and I was trying really hard not to get burned. You have to get creative when you have fair skin and are visiting the desert!

My favorite meal of the entire trip was the Mexican restaurant. Who would have thought that you could get amazing chips and salsa 5,000 miles from Mexico? Can you tell from the look on my face that I am enjoying the food?!

Doesn't that look tasty? Yum Yum!!!

Can you tell we are loving the food?

A local market we visit where I bargained with the seller in Russian. Who would have thought that my Russia would come in handy so far from Central Asia.