Time to make other plans

Guess THIS rules out our Dubai New Year's plans.

In case you're too lazy to click, the headline says it all:

'Mohammad orders cancellation of New Year celebrations'

Elysia's top of 2008

::::drum roll please::::

Best big life moment
Moving to a foreign land BEFORE the recession hits
Runner up: Having the funds to actually have a real wedding celebration with

Best dish
White truffled mashed potatoes at Bord Eau in Abu Dhabi
Runner up: Salmon appetizer at Al Fanar in Abu Dhabi

Best event
Barack Obama getting elected
Runner up: Lizzie's going away party at the champagne bar

Favorite album
Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
Runner up: Seriously, was it just me or was there a lack of good music this year?

Best clothing find
Discovering one-of-a-kind clothing on www.newyorkcouture.net
Runner up: The discovery of Harvey Nichols in Dubai as the closest thing to Nordstrom

Best new tradition
My wedding anniversary
Runner up: Monday Cake

Best vacation
Vegas for work
Runner up: (Re)discovering Amsterdam with Wes

Most exciting new food
Learning how to properly enjoy an oyster... condiments included.
Runner up: Foir Gras and pretending I don't know where it comes from

Favorite film
'The Wackness'
Runners up: 'Pineapple Express', 'The Counterfeiters' and 'Tropic Thunder'

Best animal
Camels
Runner up: Greyhounds from afar (greyhounds in person are much, much better)

Best TV on DVD
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" season 3
Runners up: Gossip Girl and Mad Men

Next years' list will most likely include: Wedding celebration of the century, getting out of debt, St. Patrick's Day in Ireland

The BIG anniversary dinner

Some of you may have read about our BIG dinner already HERE on SouthSoundEats.com.
But it's probably safe to say that most of you haven't SEEN the seven-star dinner we ate at the Burj Al Arab's Al Mahara for our anniversary.

Feast your eyes.


Wes' main course from above: A wild selection of the sea


Our table: Shot by our waiter during our main course


Admiring the fish: Lots and lots and lots to see


Guilty pleasure: Foir gras and eggplant


A lobster "salad" that Wes ordered.


The dinning room: A small 80+ person space with one giant tank.

One

Doesn't this say it all?



Happy anniversary, Wes.
Love, Me

a challenge

find a reputable science webpage that proves that otters fart.

For all interested parties...

... mostly probably just family....

((Preface: We will NOT track down friends and beg them to hangout this time around. That was a lot of let down last time. Translation: IT'S ALL YOU if you want to see us.))

... Wes and I will be home Jan. 15-Feb. 1.

The second week of being home we'll head down to Cincinnati and Tennessee for few days.

December 15?! Really?

It's hard to look at the calendar and believe what it says.

Thinking about Christmas and "winter" when the temperature is still 70+ degrees and sunny outside is nearing impossible.

While most of you will tell me to shut up and stop bragging, it's a very strange experience for someone who has ALWAYS seen snow in December. It feels like I'm stuck in October and Halloween is just around the corner.

While there are little hints of Christmas such as co-workers receiving greeting cards by post, grocery shopping to a PA playing carols and decorative trees dotting malls and hotels, the lack of jacket weather has the excitement factor of the holidays hidden.

And, well, to make matters worse I'm doing most of my shopping via Web. There are no sales fliers or Black Friday fights. And there's certainly a lack of wrapping paper and Cassie's paws prancing all over it.

Maybe this year Christmas will have to hold until our January return.
Bah, humbug.

UAE National Day December 2nd photos!

UAE's 37th National Day was December 2nd and was quite an experience.


Loads of cars were decorated with all kinds of detail. There were lots of images of the founding father of the country, Sheikh Zayed. Flags were also in abundance with almost all of the cars having one somewhere on it. Some of the cars were even spray painted with the UAE colors or had loads of red, black, green and white stickers all over them.



And of course, how unsurprising to see a giant flag being towed around the sky by a helicopter. Yes, that tiny little dot in the upper left corner is a full size helicopter that flew around over the waters of the Arabian Gulf along the Corniche. That thing in the bottom right corner is a giant observation tower attached to the Marina Mall, another giant structure all in itself.


Some microlight aircraft few along the Corniche as well, all decorated in the UAE colors, and were even lit up at night. They wisely moved to a safe distance during the fireworks show.


Muhammad and I went to the Hiltonia Beach Resort early in the day and sat around listening to the constant honking of cars, the revving car engines and backfires of Ferraris.... all having their engines sacrificed in the name of National Pride and Patriotism.


After a while we moved to a spot where the view would be even better and met some people who had to sneak into the resort since they were not allowing anyone else to enter. We ordered some food and had some shisha. Roland enjoys a few puffs before the fireworks begin.


And a double apple shisha for me. I am wearing my UAE scarf that I got at the UAE vs North Korea football match.


The fireworks display was pretty good, and the lasers and spotlights from the Emirates Palace lit up the smoke.


Yea I took a lot of photos. The display lasted about 45 minutes and was pretty good. On the other side of us an equally large display went off at the same time, so we heard explosions from in front and back of us. Had we been in another location we might have been able to watch both at once, but as it was, this was good enough.


After the show we walked out to the Corniche Road, which is basically the "Main" street in Abu Dhabi. It was packed with cars and people, and all we could hear was shouting, honking, singing and revving engines.


Here is a short video to give you an idea of what this was all like.


Some of the cars had a little less decoration, or maybe were just done in a a hurry like this one:


Even more looked something like these, with plenty of decoration and UAE spirit:






We even saw 2 old Baja Beetles decorated in UAE colours. I took this one while we were slowly driving off. I would have liked to have a better shot of it, but maybe next year. They really should have a best decorated car contest here, there were so many more that were beyond amazing. The work some people put into making their car a driving symbol of patriotism and pride is beyond description.

Happy 37th Birthday UAE!

Check out some of the other photos if you would like, but I think this post about covers all the best ones.

UAE National Day Dec 2 2008

Perez on George in AD

A photo and a "brief" comment about George Michael and his appearance here in Abu Dhabi.
Click here to see it and also read the idiot comments about AD. It still amazes me how people think the UAE is equal to the wild west.

Apparently this is some kinda "big deal"

I could see the crowd gathering in our courtyard at work through my window. But I had no clue as to why.

"It's the trophy!" exclaimed a desk mate.

I could see it. It was big. It was shiny.. it was... "What is that?"

"It's THE trophy!!!" he stated again. "THE trophy."

I could see it was A trophy but had no clue as to why it was here or what it was an award for.

I left my desk for a closer look.

It was, I discovered, the Premier League trophy or as it's properly called: Barclays Premier League Trophy. Think the Stanley Cup of football (or soccer to most Americans).

While I was still generally, more or less, unimpressed. As seen here:


Wes worshiped it (or at least acted like he did to impress the Brits in the newsroom):




As to why it was there, in our courtyard in Abu Dhabi, far far away from it's current home of Manchester? You got me.

The big 3-7!

Today the UAE celebrates it's National Day — 37 years of being a nation.


While most people will celebrate it like Wes by not working, heading to the beach to smoke shisha, drinking and watch the fireworks... I will work. Very late. Unfortunately the paper considers a country's anniversary and the world's largest fireworks display "news." That's a crazy thought!

One year ago today

At exactly this time last year I was interviewing for a job, over the phone, in the UAE. After being offered the job on Thanksgiving I was unable to eat my yummy dinner because I was so distracted/freaked out by what to do.

I think it's safe to say I made the right decision.

No pushing food around my plate this year.

George Michael + us

It's official.

Wes and I are going to the George Michael and Alicia Keys concert Dec. 1.

Apparently this will be Michael's last show EVER.

Leave it to the UAE...

Sex on the beach couple free to.. be deported.

The famous couple who were caught having sex on a Dubai beach while intoxicated (and who also assaulted a police officer) are free from their jail sentence and the UAE. Click HERE to read all about it.

Screw you Duabi! We'll show you!

Dubai just recently had the grand open of the Atlantis Hotel on the Palm. Needless to say, it was huge. They invited many Hollywood stars such as Oprah, Mary Kate Olson, Lindsay Lohan, Robert De Niro, Michael Jordan... the list goes on and on.

They also caused champagne shortages in the world. No, I am not joking. They tried to buy up EVERY bottle of Crystal in the WORLD.

Then there were the fireworks.


AMAZING. Really. The hotel cost $1,441,00,00 to build. The celebrate TO OPEN THE HOTEL was $80 million US dollars! And for a cool $36,000 you could spend the night there.

Back to the fireworks.
The display, as seen in the above video, is now labeled by Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest. EVER.

But Abu Dhabi will NOT be outdone. And on Dec. 2 Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is said to be ready to break the record... becoming the new record holder. We'll let you know how it goes.

Either...

Facebook's Web site has been down for 24 hours or the UAE has finally blocked the site.

UAE National Day 2008!

The UAE is preparing to celebrate its 37th National Day December 2nd, and of course that means doing things on a grand scale. The fireworks display along the Corniche is to be the largest fireworks display ever done. One full hour of fireworks launched from a whole bunch of different locations over the Emirates Palace and the surrounding Arabian Gulf waters.

I am very excited! I love fireworks!

Watch a video at this website that shows what we have to look forward to! And be jealous.
UAEfireworks.com

Now I just have to figure out where the best place to watch will be and get there early!

A Google Video Chat first

Last night Wes and I had our first Google Video Chat encounter!

It's still blows my mind that it "works" and that from the Middle East to Washington state we can see and hear somebody for free.

Krissy, my derby sister and teammate, was brave enough to heed my call to get a Gmail account, download the application and chat us. Again, all for free.

So this brings me to trying to guilt trip the rest of you into doing the same. If you don't know what I'm talking about go HERE and follow the instructions.

Google Video Chatting will keep us sane.

First rain of the season!

I was a bit confused when I came out of my apartment this morning and noticed water all over the car. My first thought was, "Someone threw a bucket of water on my car." That was seriously my first thought.

Then I looked around and noticed puddles on the ground and water spots on everything.

IT RAINED!

Thankfully my deskmate Mathew woke up at seven this morning to catch the rain with his camera. I, on the other hand, was still in bed. Pictures above by Mathew Kurian

We have launch, part 2

Today is the official launch and first day of The National's Saturday paper & new glossy magazine. We're now the full 7-days! And then some!

*Oh, and for those wondering... Saturday here is like America's Sunday. While Friday is the holy day (and the first of two days off for most people), Saturday is people's lazy day. Except for mine. I work.

Michigan (amongst other places) in January

Pretty sure Wes and I will be back in January. It'll be time for us to tie up the loose ends that are the wedding since we won't be back until May. Beside that we have to remember to:

1. Get new Michigan driver's licenses: If we don't we have to take a ROAD TEST upon our US return!
2. File taxes
3. Do all that wedding stuff (especially thrift for the centerpieces!)
4. Celebrate on Jan 20th both Bush leaving office and my friend Kelly's birthday.
5. Pat and cuddle Cassie (like I even have to list that).
6. Fly to Tennessee for a few days to see the nephew and fam.

The I would like to do include:
1. Frankenmuth! I kinda miss that place.
2. Go to Cincinnati for the night to see my aunt/uncle.
3. Pig out on food.
4. Visit the MGM in Detroit.
5. Stay a night at the Book Cadillac.

Have a Web cam? DO THIS NOW!

Wes and I discovered the AMAZING plugin that is Google's Video Chat!

If you have a Web cam built into your computer (that's you MacBook users) or if you have one to accompany your computer then you must download this HERE*

*You must create a Gmail account if you don't have one already to use this feature. It's free though, so do it!

Anyway, after downloading and installing this (super easy and quick) you can video chat us! FOR FREE. It's amazing (and better than Skype.. since Skype is often blocked here). No need to spend tons of money to call us when you can see us and chat us for free! Really really exciting.

To add us to your chat list:
revolutiontoast@gmail.com (Wes)
elysia.a.smith@gmail.com (Elysia)

Say what???

Today, while Wes is at work, I'm going to Dubai to check out the newest UAE "largest" structure addition: Dubai Mall. The mall, which opened on Nov. 4, is that heavenly place which is home to the Taco Bell (Wes and I have already discussed how I will bring back about 10 bean burritos which we will then freeze). While I will be gorging on some TB, I also plan on spending the day checking out the sights of the mall. There's a ice skating rink, a HUGE and amazing aquarium and a lot of gourmet food stores.

But since the mall is so new not everything is open yet says their Web site. Stuff like the movie theatre won't be ready until mid 2009. Bummer. Another place that isn't ready yet is the Sega Republic. While I am just as puzzled as you, I was curious to see what the hell that is.

Checking out the Web page for Sega Republic gives a picture of an almost-constructed American Gladiator-looking structure.

The given description for Sega Republic is even more baffling:

Enter a nation addicted to adrenalin. The region’s first SEGA indoor theme park is a mind-altering, visually-stimulating, adrenalin-pumping attraction. SEGA Republic is where you create your own rules. Rebel against the senses and go into overdrive. Get addicted.

Two things come to mind after reading this. My experience with living here thus far says:

1. They don't even have a CLUE on what it is that they are building. One night, over shisha, this concept emerged and some sheik said, "BUILD IT!"

2. They love American Gladiators so much (yes, it's shown here in the UAE) that they want to start their own UAE Gladiators. I can see it now, little Pakistani boys being whacked off the tall podium in the Joust by some grinning locals. And the crowd goes wild.

Whatever it is I'm sure I'll check it out when it opens.

"Snow?! We're still hoping for some rain!"

Today my mother updated me that Michigan, at least where she's at, got it's first snowfall today.

Bummer.

So I thought I'd rub in one of the good parts about being here. Feast your eyes on our forecast for the week:

Let me emphasize, for those who may have not read a lot of our summer posts, how COOL this is. I mean, cool as in PEOPLE ARE SHOPPING FOR COATS. No, I am not joking. The stores are FULL of winter coats and people are buying them! No one is actually wearing them (in public) yet but I think that will change when the temperature hit somewhere in the 70s.

Yes, I am still being serious.

I will be at the mall this Friday. Shopping... but not for a coat.

Actually, I'll be shopping for a bean burrito minus onion plus sour cream. OH YEAAAAAA... Taco Bell! (Sorry. Still excited about the TB!)

And we're still lacking quality music

Concert season is upon us. With cool weather comes outdoor venues opening their doors. And yes, here come the announcements. So far we've had: Christina Aguilera, Fergie, George Michael w/Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue and now...



Shoot me now.

I am still holding out for hope that this year's Desert Rock Festival will be decent.

Best news since the election!

THE

FIRST

TACO BELL

IN THE UAE IS

OPEN!!!

This blog is on holiday until Nov. 1

In case you didn't know...
We're currently in Amsterdam. Elysia until Oct. 25 and Wes until Nov. 1 (lucky him).

We're basically roaming the streets and gorging on frites (as seen above with tasty sauces). We'll let you know all about our travels upon our return.

how to get lost on Dubai streets

Going to Dubai should be easy enough. It is straight along the really large road from one gleaming city to the other. It is called the Sheikh Zayed Road E-11. It is a wide, well constructed, and still being constructed along the way. Bridges are being built over many parts of it as you see either new villas, new neighborhoods, or large plantations sprouting along the way. There is enough desert in between these areas of building activity. Greenery is planted along the whole way, the margins of the road are entirely covered with date palms and other large trees hanging over it to keep the dust from blowing across and blocking the drivers vision.
All of the roads are named after important people, like roads in most countries. Only Dubai, however, has so many of those roads torn up as they build monorail and train stations in each area across the city. the cranes, torn up roads, and massive building works, and random detours and diversions seem to be at least every couple of blocks, so driving isnt the best way to get anywhere. After driving and getting there without taking too many detours we finally made it to hotel where we gave up the car for the weekend into the capable hands of the valet. After that we found ourselves a taxi and took off to have a fun time in Dubai!

the Buddha bar doesnt allow photography tho... sorry no photos of this amazing place.


So, instead the next day we went on a bus tour of the city so we could walk to the places nearby and see around the tourist sites that we have not checked out yet without having to drive and without needing a GPS (which would be worthless anyway with all the road changes)

This place that was all ancient Egyptian themes. A big mall to buy all the stuff you could ever want, and lots of stuff you could care less about.



with Ancient Rome next door.


Across from the Glass Pyramid hotel


The top of the bus is open to outside and it is a very sunny day. it was hot and Elysia always thinks it is a good idea to take photos of how sweaty I am from the heat and humidity.


I am this sweaty, exactly.



elysia is NEVER sweaty, or smelly or dirty or stinky... all those things that I am


buildings, yep you see a lot of those here. A lot fewer cranes than is usual.


This is a fake guy diving for fake pearls at the museum. Apparently people used to do this here. Now the only ones who do it are plastic mannequins.


This used to be a strong fort to keep people from taking over the fresh water supply, now it is an underground air conditioned museum.


Look at me, this is how you get water out of the well!


you can see buildings and stuff!


The banks of the Dhow Wharfage are covered with old fashioned Dhows and lots of water taxis carrying people back and forth from one side of the Dubai Creek to the other


There's more but we dont want to bore you, take a look at some of the other very similar photos via this link to the Dubai Album

in dubai for a day and the bus tour

Race cars, anyone?

Next November — just one year away — Abu Dhabi's first Grand Prix race will happen. It's a really big deal and I'm already registered to get tickets (looking into both the VIP type and the regular grandstand variety).



Oh-so-futuristic: A super track

Those **thinking** about coming to visit should think about next November. It's total history in the making here!

First there was Elton John...

... now George Michael comes out of retirement to play Abu Dhabi!?!

Oh, it's so true.
Perez broke the news HERE.

I'm a bit surprsied they will let him into the country since he JUST got arrested for drugs. But Scott Weiland came and played... so really, musicians must not count re: drug laws here.

Reason 5,792 why Abu Dhabi is Vegas-like

The glowing neon guitar strikes again!

Hard Rock Hotels has planned to launch its second hotel in the UAE, Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi. Click HERE to read all about it.

I say, "Hooray for another place to drink at!"

Abu Dhabi: The capital of randomness?

Last night I had planned to catch two films. I've been watching two movies per day at MEIFF and had everything planned out for my big evening out. While Wes was schedule to work (he saw a documentary during the day) I grabbed Lee, the business designer, to tag along to The Wackness (which I did see and can testify how hilarious it was).

Anyway, just after making plans I'm handed an invite to a media launch party (apparently we'll be (eventually) moving to a Media City located on an island within Abu Dhabi. While I'm not one to pass on fancy parties with free food and booze I do what Elysia usually does in a situation with two sets of plans: Go to both.


Seriously what it looked like

The event has what I mostly expect: large bubbled dome tents, spinning DJs, waiters with white gloves pouring glass after glass of champagne, sparkling trays of appetizers and beautiful people. And one thing I didn't expect: Duran Duran.

Did I mention that money really seems to grow on trees here?

While some people were questioning the choice of the 80s super hit machine, it seemed oh-so-fitting for Abu Dhabi. Any time I turn on the radio it's like flipping the switch on a time machine. This is the city who plays the 69 Boyz' "Tootsie Roll" and TLC's "Waterfalls" like they just came out.

Google Newsing the event today will give you hits by The New York Times, The Guardian and Reuters. Pictures to come...

It's been awhile since a professional update

Check out what I've been up to re:work stuff.

Tada!
An updated online portfolio (a task I've been dreading).

Film & popcorn until we leave

A good distraction is coming to town starting. Perhaps it'll make me forget the countdown I've got going for Amsterdam.

The Middle East International Film Festival or MEIFF as it's called starts Friday and Wes and I are getting our passes tonight.

For 100aed or about $27 we have unlimited access to the films... meaning, we can see as many as our little hearts desire. Pretty darn cheap.

Not only will the festival have some interesting films (Man on a Wire: a documentary about a man who tightrope walks between the World Trade Centers in 1974, Miracle at St. Anna: the latest film from Spike Lee, Written: a film by director Kim ByungWoo about a man who awakes in a bathtub of blood) and also some celebrities appearances.

10 days till Amsterdam

Wes and I are jetting to the Netherlands soon and even though I practically just got back from a vacation I am starting to really believe I need this one! Wes is being sent to a conference there and well, I'm taking vacation (and some lieu days) to tag along.

It's probably fitting since we're NOT going to Thailand now (wedding=lots of money). Oh, and there's also an idea floating around of going to Ireland for St. Patty's Day... but well, it's probably a long shot this year.

Here's our Amsterdam wish list:
1. Cheese. Lots and lots of the amazingly creamy stuff. A visit to Henri Willig Farm is a MUST. While we are there we can also stop at the wooden shoe factory.

2. Go VIP at the Tuschinski. Perhaps the coolest art deco building ever designed, and even maybe the greatest movie theater in the world is the Pathé Tuschinski. The Tuschinski not only offers cinema in style — it offers it VIP. Champagne while you snack on some gourmet popcorn? Yes please.

3. Find food in walls. Glass walls. The surrealness (new word!) of FEBO at 4am can amuse anyone. Especially me.


4. Get free beer. The Henikin Brewery tour is what you'd come to expect from Amsterdam: trippy and psychedelic. A "roller coaster" of a ride ends with many free beers in the factory. Oh, and lends it self to lots of opportunities to make really weird videos. Here's one of many I found online:



5. Become a book.print.worm. Lucky us, the 29th Amsterdam Antiquarian Book, Map & Print Fair is on right before I leave. Vintage typography here I come.

6. Find other people's trash. The U.A.E has nothing in regards to vintage shopping or thrift stores. Needless to say, Wes and I are starving for some good ol' thrifting and Waterlooplein Flea Market should fill that void.

7. Visit the countryside on two wheels. Mike's Bike Tour of Amsterdam came highly recommended via Wes' sister and many reviews on the Web. Sweater weather and a bike ride sounds like pure bliss.

8. All things tasty. I'm starting to formulate a list of "must-taste" places. We're going from Barney's hole-in-the-wall styled Irish Breakfast, cutting-edge Envy and picnic items from Gewoon Eten en Meer (this place is enough to make me move to Amsterdam).

Gewoon Eten en Meer: Tasty picnic treats

9. Flashback as much as possible. Amsterdam has a love for the old and wacky just as much as Wes and I do. Kitch is king at 70s style Bar Bep, the obvious household store Kitsch Kitchen and Laura Dols for the rest of our vintage wedding wares.

Laura Dols: Will you have the matching slippers to my dress?

10. All that typical tourist mumbo jumbo. We will still get in the museums, Red Light District, coffee shops, flowers and windmills. Although I'll probably go without the windmills if time is tight.