Staycation Days 2,3 and 4

Pat at the Corniche

Day 2(Sunday)  was a none too exciting day - but relaxing all the same.  We went to see The Hunger Games but the website misrepresented the times (big surprise!!!) so we ended up seeing John Carter - Jacob and his friend Annas loved it, but I thought it was a bit long and drawn out.  


Day 3(Monday) we ventured around Al Ain - mostly the downtown area to check out some of the small shops.  We were also invited to be "guests" at the trial opening for Fudrucker's Restaurant.  We were invited to try out the menu during the lunch hours and  it was free provided we give them feedback.  Everything was terrific and we had a great time!  

Grand Mosque

Jacob putting his shoes on after the tour

Day 4(Tuesday) we ventured into Abu Dhabi for a day trip.  We walked along the Cornish - the beach walkway- and the water was SO blue!  We then went to visit the Grand Mosque for what we thought was a 4:30 tour.  The website was not correct (again???) so we had to wait until after the 3rd call to prayer and then we had a tour at 5pm.  We learned so much from Ahmed, our tour guide!  Here is the site if you want to check it out:     http://www.szgmc.ae/
We also visited an authentic arabic restaurant and had a great meal.  

What????  Hummus AGAIN????

"Staycation" day 1- Saturday, March 24, 2012

So we decided on our two week spring break to stay in the UAE and venture out to explore what is in our own back yard.  So each day or two I hope to post what we did.  

This does not even look real, but it is!

These photos are in the Al Ain Oasis.  It is full of paths that wind and twist through the date palm trees in the oasis.  Everything was beautiful, and the shade provided by the trees was welcomed!  Loved hearing many different birds flying around.

Next we decided to head over to the Sheikh Zayed old Palace.  The palace depicted what life was like in Al Ain for Sheikh Zayed and his family.  While it is nice, it is not the luxury enjoyed by Emiratis today.  Plus there was no air conditioning then, and I'm sure it got very hot!


We spent about an hour wandering through the different rooms and looking at the grounds. 



Here are Jacob, PJ and Pat relaxing on the cushions in the guest room.  







Here are Jacob and I at the outdoor tent.  Most big functions have an outdoor tent with cushions.

Pat, Jacob and PJ posed with an Emirati guard.  He looked fierce at first, but once we talked with him he was very friendly and his English was quite good!  He even let Jacob hold his GUN!

My Visit to an Emirate's Home

Last week in school the librarian, Miss Mouza, asked me about my family in casual conversation in the lunch room.  I told her I had a son, Jacob who was nine, almost 10.  She got quite excited and asked me if I could bring him to her house to play with her son, Mohammed on Friday.  So, on Friday, March 2nd at 3 pm Al Ain time we ventured to a new experience.  We drove up to the home and right away I realized how nice it was.   Upon arrival we were ushered into a parlor area where we were served tea, cakes and macaroni.  Then Jacob and Mohammed went out to play on the dirt bikes, which left me alone with Mouza, who at school does not seem to speak English too well.  We started chatting about things, drinking more tea, talking about school and home life, etc.  We communicated very well.   She asked me questions about America and I asked her questions about her life.  She has 8 sisters and 6 brothers.  She has only 4 children herself.  Soon she asked me if I wanted a tour of her home.  YES!  So, we went into one of the 4 parlor areas, all fully furnished.  Each room had it's own unique style, and she informed me that the furniture was bought in Saudi Arabia - it is less expensive there. I hear some homes border (or even push past) tacky, but this home was exquisite.  Every detail was in place and it was so clean you could eat off the floor.  We went upstairs and she showed me the bedrooms and the two additional sitting rooms.  BEAUTIFUL!  She had ordered a wonderful 12 foot chandelier from China and had a full stained glass window going up the stairs.  AMAZING!  Mouza was the most gracious host and we had a spectacular time.  As we left she packed up tea and macaroni for us to take home.  She gave us a huge bag of tomatoes and even had Jacob dressed in a Kandora and head scarf.  Then she gave us some beautiful Arabic perfumes and asked us to please come back "every day we wish" because her home is our home.  She told me next time to bring PJ to go driving with her oldest son in the desert.  She also told me I was welcome to bring my camera - so look forward to some pictures!