Shopping at Geant

Colin hasn't felt well this weekend, so I headed to Geant on the metro by myself today. It was nice to have some time to sift through what they have available. Usually, I have the most adorable ticking time bomb in the front seat of my buggy so I have to grab the most obvious choice and move on. Unfortunately, the most obvious is usually also the most expensive. Every time I go, I see this can of strained foul. It really of grosses me out. Anyone know what it is? Geant is full of things I've never seen before and never intend to try. Ew.

Lucky for us, they do have a small organic section and various organic items on the regular shelves. They have free range eggs, but I've yet to see any organic meats at Geant.

This is my favorite sign in Geant: Assorted Indian Food Stuff. An entire aisle devoted only to Indian food. And I haven't a clue what most of it is.

They sell a lot of fish here. Don't be fooled by the "Special Price" signs, though. Fish is definitely more expensive here than it is at home. Oh, and most of the fish are in their original form...beady eyes and everything.

There is a decent selection of produce, though the quality is often lacking in the softer fruits. In the stores here, you bag your produce and then take it to a weighing station to be priced. When I'm in a hurry at the market downstairs, I forget about this sometimes, which causes the patrons behind me in line to become annoyed. (And rightly so. It's rather embarassing...but I digress) This guy caught me taking his picture...and I thought I was being discrete!

They make and sell freshly squeezed orange juice which smells fantastic, but I haven't tried it yet. A bottle of 100% apple juice for Colin costs between 7-10 dirhams here, so 14 dirhams isn't really outrageous for this juice. I'm glad I took this picture, because I never would have noticed the pom juice! Yum!

Milk packaging is a little different here, and of course they don't sell gallons since most local things are sold by metric weight.

I've never seen so much rice in one place in my entire life. I can't ever figure out which rice to buy...basmati? jasmine? kerala? I just want brown, fragrance-free rice, please.

One more thing about Geant: beware of the buggies. They lack a steering feature, so I'm constantly struggling to turn down aisles and keep from running into other shoppers. Today, I sustained an injury that hurt so badly I yelped out loud. Still hurts, actually. (Looks like I should ask for a pedicure for my birthday this week!!)

It's always nice to have a few hours to myself, but I was glad to get back home to Joe & Colin (mostly) unscathed.

An Evening Stroll

For the last 2 nights, we've strapped on our tennis shoes and taken a walk around the marina. It's nice here at night, and great to get out of the apartment. Plus, the marina is really pretty at night. Here was our route tonight: This is a (blurry) view of the marina from the bridge.

Once we got over the bridge and across Jumeirah Beach Road, we took a right and went down the JBR Walk. This is a little smoothie hut by the beach. Need to visit this place soon!!

There is a fair going on at the Walk right now so there are lots of little kiosks with local merchandise. Pricey, however.

Love this fountain on The Walk.

The Hilton is right across the street from The Walk. You can stay there when you come and see us in Dubai!! (Or you can stay with us on the air mattress, of course)

We turned down the next bridge to get back across the marina, then took a right and walked down by the water. The Marina Yacht Club is quite popular here. Here's the best picture I could get at night:

And here are some of the super huge yachts. Joe and I fantasize about owning a boat here!

An Emirate in Mourning

Photo Courtesy of The National

Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed al Qasimi died on October 27th, 2010, and was laid to rest today. He was the ruler of the emirate Ras Al Khaimah, or RAK since 1948. He was believed to be the world's oldest reigning monarch, but there was an absence of a record-keeping administration at the time of his birth in the Trucial States, so his birthdate of April 9, 1918 isn't official. He's also the last survivor of the seven rulers that founded the United Arab Emirates. He is pictured above on the left with Sheikh Zayed, who Joe calls the "George Washington" of this country.

Above is a map of the UAE to give you can idea of where he ruled. Abu Dhabi is the southernmost city in the map, then Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate. Literally, it means "The Top of the Tent." I put a bright green circle on the map to show you approximately where we live.

According to dubaifaqs.com, when a UAE ruler or their family pass away, most radio stations suspend their normal programming and play subdued music as a sign of respect. In RAK, the mourning period will last 40 days and government institutions will be closed for 1 week. In the rest of the country, the mourning period lasts seven days. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, everything will remain open. In the other emirates, government institutions will close for 3 days. The country also flies flags at half mast.

To give you an idea why this place frustrates me...

I called United Car Rental, the place where we rented our car. I call this number frequently, it's saved in my phone.

UCR - Hello (No inflection, just like a mumble)
K - Hi, is this United Car Rental?
UCR - Yes
K - Um, ok. I'd like to make a payment, please.
UCR - Please call back the number.
K - Call back what number?
UCR - Please call back the number, mam. (They say it just like that - mam, not mayum like at home)
K - Am I talking to someone who works for United Car Rental?
UCR - Yes
K - So do you need me to call a different phone number to make the payment?
UCR - Call back the number.
K - What number? Do you want me to hang up and dial this number again so I can talk to someone else, or do you want me to call a different number?
UCR - .........
K - Hello?!
UCR - Yes.
K - Can I please make a payment? Or can you tell me the number to call so that I can make a payment?
UCR - Mam please call back the number.

So I just hung up. Where do you go from there? I would have hung up earlier in the conversation if I had an inkling that I'd dialed the wrong number.

This isn't a rare occurence here. I sometimes think they play dumb just so they don't have to help you...or maybe it's a language barrier?

Welcome to Dubai, the logic-free zone. (I got that one from our friend Pete. It's so true.)

The Metro is Open!

Colin and I have taken the metro three times since it opened on Friday! We've been to the Dubai Mall once (which is another story entirely) and to Ibn Battuta twice. I was finally able to capture the trip with my iPhone camera today. So, here's the JLT station which is across Sheikh Zayed Rd from our apartment building. To ride the metro, you need a nol card, which means "fare" in Arabic. We have a Gold card. The other options are Silver, Blue, or Red. Basically, the Gold card means that we have a special car in the train, and we ride "first class," if you will. It's really nothing special except there is less body odor and more room for Colin's stroller.

Before you ride, you should know that they will fine you 100 dhs ($27) for eating or drinking on the train. I saw them fine a lady for chewing gum the other day. There was lots of drama.

So, from our side of the street, you enter the metro station, go up the elevator, and across the bridge. There are 2 moving sidewalks which is pretty nice.

Here's the view out the (dirty) bridge window of Sheikh Zayed Road. And there's our apartment. It's about 2 buildings and one vacant lot away from the station. This sign makes me smile. It's an advertisement to advertise at the metro station. Whoosh!

When you ride the Red Line train, you will either go towards Jebel Ali (SW or away from Dubai) or Rashidiya (NE or into Dubai). If you're interested in the metro map, check it out here: http://dubaimetro.eu/dubai-metro-map. Colin and I ride the elevators instead of the escalators because of the stoller.

Colin loves the glass elevators!

There hasn't been anyone at the Ticket Office yet. You can get your card at an automated station, at the Information Desk, or even at places like Geant. These are the gates to the train.

You just tap your card and go. It even tells you the balance on your card. When you arrive, you go through the same gates and tap your card again since fares are based on how far you ride.

Here's the platform where you wait for the train.

And this is the Gold Card train. Nothing special except for leather seats, a fancy mirror separating you from the rest of the passengers, and they advertise a "360 degree view" since it's the last car.

I'd call that 180 degrees, but who's counting?

Colin's stroller fits in the handicapped section so we don't have to worry about people shuffling around us. He loves to ride on the train.

I snapped a quick picture of another car on our way out. Pretty similar, but usually way more crowded. We were at the end of the line, so everyone had exited the train.

When you get off the train at the Ibn Battuta Station, you walk through 2 bus lanes, 1 taxi lane, then you walk to the mall. I guess it's like parking in the back of the parking lot at the Mall of Georgia.

Here's the Ibn Battuta sign. I love that store, Max. It's actually really similar to TJ Maxx at home.

When you get closer to the mall, you get some shade from the palm trees and the breeze is cooler, thanks to the fountains.

This is looking back at the metro station from the front door of the mall. Doesn't seem so far away from this angle!Ibn Battuta features a hot air balloon ride called SkyDubai, not to be confused with Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates.Here's the balloon outside. We haven't ridden it yet.

Howard, your storage world was a huge disappointment for me. I was hoping for a Container Store-like atmosphere. Oh, well.

Colin and I shared a scoop of vanilla ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

Then we went to Geant for a few odds and ends. See, Bink, they do have Halloween in the UAE!

Not real sure about the trick or treating thing, but they're all about scary costumes here.

Google Reader

I'm relatively new to the concept of a reader, and don't really know much about them because Google's is totally user-friendly.

Here's what I know: You type in your favorite blogs, and updates pop up in your reader in real time.

Here's why I love my Google Reader: It saves me so much time since I love to read blogs. I just log on when I have time and there's a list of every new update. I can scroll right through entries that don't interest me, and star entries that I want to use for reference or just love in general.

Here are the blogs in my reader:
(Try not to make fun of me)

Alot like Leah: lealabee.blogspot.com
My friend from nursing school

And Baby Makes Five: havilandjackson.blogspot.com
My cousin Sara in New Jersey and her three adorable kiddos

Anna Brown: annabrown.wordpress.com
My sweet friend and her son Dylan

Breezy Acres Farm: breezyacresfarm.blogspot.com
A woman with two babies that has lots of great ideas for baby and toddler activities

Coconut Water: www.web.me.com/brynnbarineau
My friend Brynn from middle & high school that documents her expat adventures in Brazil

Dooce: http://www.dooce.com/
She's just funny and takes great pictures of her dog. (Beware: she's also crude)

Good (Cheap) Eats: http://www.goodcheapeats.com/
Excellent recipes from a lady with six kids!

Good Morning Girls: http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/
Inspiration for daily devotions

Happiness Is Something We Create: somethingwecreate.blogspot.com
My Aunt Lisa :)

Homegrown Mom: http://www.homegrownmom.com/
Musings on motherhood, Jesus, and taking a break for yourself

Homemade By Jill: homemadebyjill.blogspot.com
This girl is super-talented

I Can Teach My Child!: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/
She's homeschooling a two-year old with lots of easy, inexpensive activities

I'm an Organizing Junkie: http://www.orgjunkie.com/
I heart her. And I really heart her menu plans!

Kelly's Korner: http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/
The loving mom of Harper, who is about Colin's age, so I love to read her stories!

Life As Mom: http://www.lifeasmom.com/
The author of Good (Cheap) Eats blogs about mommyhood

Life in the AD...via Dubai: lifeinthead.blogspot.com
My super awesome husband who never updates this

Live Renewed: http://www.liverenewed.com/
Excellent tips on living frugally green (this is one of my new favorites)

Married...with Children: laurenmarriedwithchildren.blogspot.com
My friend from work who has three sweet kiddos...one is brand new. (PS Lauren, now's a good time to post some pics of Cayley!)

Melissa's Happiness Project: happyhoneybeelife.blogspot.com
My friend Rori's former roomie Melissa. She's adorable and knits some adorable stuff!

Money Saving Mom: http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
The queen of coupons. I have to scroll through most of her posts now, but still like her guest posts and blogs about life.

One Thing I Know: pcknowsbest.blogspot.com
My cousin Phillip in Tennessee

Room Moms Rock: room-moms-rock.blogspot.com
I'm sure that teachers pray they get Kimberly as their room mom! She's a seasoned pro with tons of great ideas.

Sandier Pastures: http://www.sandierpastures.com/
An expat in Dubai

Serendipity: bradford0131.blogspot.com
My sister-in-law who also never updates...but I'll forgive her because she works full time!

Simple Bites: http://www.simplebites.net/
One in a series...this one focuses on food and is usually written by a former chef and culinary school graduate, Aimee.

Simple Mom: http://www.simplemom.net/
Also part of the series...focuses on tips for better productivity. She also blogs about motherhood, and I love her quote "The days are long but the years are short."

Simple Organic: http://www.simpleorganic.net/
The last of the "simple" series that I read, but there are two more - Kids and Homeschool

Social Graces: mysocialgraces.blogspot.com
An old friend from my CofC days...she's adorably classy!

Southern Hospitality: http://www.southernhospitality.com/
Tons of southern-inspired decor

Tales From the Crib: brooksknowsbest.blogspot.com
My 1-year old 2nd cousin's view on life (via his Dad, Phillip, from One Thing I Know)

The Austin Leaches: theleaches.wordpress.com
My friend Stephanie and her life in Austin, Texas

The Campbell Chronicles: pcandtbone.blogspot.com
My cousin Phillip's wife, Tara, writes this one. It's great to keep up with their family!

The Tolberts: michaelandjennie.blogspot.com
My high school friend and Wesleyan roomie Jennie, with lots of cute pics of her baby girl Ellie!

Thoughts of a Servant Mother: thoughtsofaservantmother.blogspot.com
My friend Leah, Children's Director extraordinaire, and her two cuties Judah and Bryce

Turn it Up to 11: phase11.wordpress.com
Bink's couponing blog (I think it's in hibernation with the entrance of Eli, her sweet baby boy!)

Women Living Well: womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com
A woman passionate about Jesus and being the Proverbs 31 woman


So, there you have it...go ahead, I know you want to make fun of me. You probably think I must spend hours trying to read all of these blogs everyday. But think again!! I just scroll and stop on the most interesting ones. That's the beauty of Google Reader. It brings the posts to me, and I can weed through the boring stuff without having to visit all of these websites daily to check for updates!

P.S. I don't think any of my friends blogs are boring, and I always read them when there is an update.

The downsides to the reader are that you can't see the blog design and header, and you have to actually the visit the site to leave comments. I don't find either to be disappointing. I know the ones I want to check for new headers, and most of the time people will announce in a post that they have a new blog design so I can check it out.

See? If you had a reader, you could have just scrolled through this post! Ha!

What's Outside

I thought I'd show you some of the sights we see outside our apartment. This is the exit you'll take to get there (the Dubai Marina exit). You can see our building just behind the left side of the exit structure. It's the building with the 2 horns on the top. Here's a closer look at the building. There is a small section of green glass to the upper right side. We are less than halfway up. Here's a view from behind the building. The smaller building on the right is also part of the Dream Tower.

We're fortunate enough to have a 24/7 market and a pharmacy on the bottom floor of our building. They also deliver!

This is a view of the buildings on the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road.

A close up of the detail on the building. This is the ramp we take to the parking garage.

The front entrance. The Almaya market is just to the right of this picture. You can see the pergola over the pool, also.

The front lobby. Marble is everywhere!

Looking out of our apartment door, down the hallway. The elevators are on the left. Thankfully, there are 6 elevators so it's easy to get one in a timely manner.

This is the best view from our balcony. You can see the marina.

The same view at night.