Al Ain Aerobatics Show

This weekend had a change of pace as I went with a friend to Al Ain's annual Aerobatic Show.  It was pretty fun and well organized most likely because it was not run by local outfits.  It was really hot out and I got a bit of a sunburned neck despite wearing my sunhat.  I should have brought sunscreen.   Darcy stayed home and baked yummy biscotti.  It's warmed up the last few days which hopefully doesn't mean that winter is ending.  However, that means we could head back to the beach - it's been a couple of month.

We're starting the long process of getting our Canadian passports.  The government doesn't use the term renewing hence the laborious endeavor.  They also need to extend the length of the passport from five to ten years like most other Western nations have! 



Abu Dhabi sets 7% renewable energy target - only 7%?!

Dubai: Chill Out, The Versace Beach Is Refrigerated

UAE leads world in Rolls-Royce sales

Tree planted for every visitor to island

When the desert was green and fertile

Victory is a family tradition

Emiratis’ festival brings the past to life

Dust storm!

This rolled in a few minutes ago. One second it was clear, the next you couldn't see across the parking lot.

Enjoying the winter weather

The winter break continues at my work but I've made some progress with getting projects done.  The weather has been beautiful (for me at least).  Day time highs are in the low to mid 20s celcius or about 75 farenheit.  Nights are a bit chilly and I had to wear a windbreaker once.  But it's so nice to be able to open the windows and not! 

I just finished reading a book and have moved onto another one.  I've read more books in the last few months than I have in many years.  I also enjoy reading New York Times articles on my iPod and listening to podcasts on Stitcher Radio.  The jackhammering continues on the empty lot one building down from us.  We're not looking forward to when construction finally gets underway there.  But maybe the global recession will suspend it. 

There’s no business for snow businesses - this is sad but not surprising.  Also indicative of the typical confusion of how things work here.  We frequent the Caribou Coffee shop that is beside the abandoned Snow Dome.  I wonder how long Caribou Coffee will stay in business.  We like it much better than Starbucks since it's quiter and has more comfortable seating plus free wi-fi!

Men Sing of Their Faded Way of Life

Abu Dhabi taxi drivers wonder what to do next - the end of an era for Abu Dhabi

100 new buses arrive in capital - this is long overdue!
 
Architect saves artistic flair for his building designs

Business tourism helps capital to avoid trade downturn

Home sellers offering major discounts - global recession continues to affect the UAE - intitial stories of it being a healthy correction are long gone!

Spectre of foreclosure hits home

Capital plans seven new parks

Visitors say UAE women are ahead of those in US - I respectfully disagree...

Bridge at sunset image wins photo competition - i cross this bridge every day to get to work. it opened in 1968.  There is one other bridge that connects to Abu Dhabi Island.  Just to the right of that photo is the new Zayed Bridge that's been under construction for at least 5 years.

UAE and US sign nuclear deal - hmmm......

Israel/Gaza conflict

The Israeli/Gaza conflict has obviously dominated headlines here and it really made its presence known here this weekend.  Shopping malls had large donation drop offs for goods, a 7 hour television telethon raised 86 million U.S. dollars and large, peaceful demonstrations took place in four emirates.  We watched the 4,000 person rally that started close to our apartment on Saturday.
The global recession continues to impact the UAE's economy and the early comments about it being a healthy market correction have proven to be completely wrong.
Meanwhile the winter break continues for many universities and it gives us a chance to work on projects. We discovered that the new ultra luxury Abu Dhabi Resort Hotel on the Sir Bani Yas nature reserve island has a special (stay 3 nights and pay for 2).  I'd like to take Darcy there for her birthday in March.   Speaking of traveling, I should also get my annual airfare money in a week or two.  Is it that time already to start thinking about planning our summer vacation?!


Marches show solidarity

Telethon raises Dh315m

Thinkers to converge on capital for future summit

Film follows sacred journey


Rubbish piling up on Islands off Abu Dhabi 

Bucking tradition, western style

Marketing culture for global export

Freej Folklore to ‘change the way people perceive Arab theatre’

Warning: e-waste can turn nasty

Film follows sacred journey - this looks like an interesting movie.  Unfortunately we learned that the premier showing was at the Emirates Palace was by invitation only. Naturally no details were given about how to get tickets and there has been no information about its release to the general public.  Typical poor marketing as it could be a good opportunity for Westerners to learn more about Middle Eastern history.  See the link below for more info about the central character Ibn Batutta. 

Who was Ibn Battuta?

Abu Dhabi fossil sites surveyed

Park and fly takes on a new meaning

Ghost town on the horizon

Reading still popular, despite internet -  I should mention the significance of these last two articles in my library information literacy classes that I teach to our students!

Thousands flocked to National Library in '08

Welcome to 2009!

Darcy and I had an enjoyable New Year's Eve by going to two parties that night.  They were withing walking distance so it was very convenient.  It was nice to visit some people that we hadn't seen in a while.  Darcy cooked a wonderful dinner on New Year's Day as we had company that night.  We've been spoiled with having many days off over the last month so it will be tough to get back into the work routine on Jan. 4.  But we shouldn't complain compared to how few holidays we had working in North America!  Below are a few interesting stories....

Umm Al Quwain ruler dies

UAE Pictures from the Past: Umm Al Qwain

Quiet New Year gestures to Gaza

2008: It was fun, but the party's over

2008: Times are changing ... and worrying

Expats in 57 occupations banned from bringing families with them

Emirati students face Arabic tests

'The best camels in the world’

Happy New Year!!!