Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thursday December 21st 2006 - DubaiYesterday there is many things to do before Shibu picks me up at Beverley Hills Towers where I've stayed since our move there on November 15th. Change some money at the bank, pack my bags, call all the other volunteers and a few colleagues before I leave. Shaza was planning on seeing me that day she tells me. She says she has a gift for me to remember her by. "I won't forget you Shaza" I tell her. She insists and because Shibu is picking me up in less than 30 minutes and she is working I say she can always give it to Kisane and I'll catch up with her in Australia. I doubt Kisane will have more room than me in her luggage but she can opt to leave it behind. I get Saad on the phone and we chat a moment. I have to call Adbulqader twice and leave the phone ringing for a while before he picks up. I know he's probably sleeping but it's 12pm and I want to say goodbye. "Come back to Doha Anne" he says in his sleepy voice. "Maa Salaama my friend and Shukran." I say.
Reg can't believe I'm leaving as he was thinking I'd be at the Rushmans diner that night but I won't be. We didn't manage diner after all that. "You have to promise to come and stay with me in Birmingham" he says. He's off to work for a yatching event there for a couple of years I believe. Kisane comes and gives me a hug. "See you in Oz" she says. I know we'll keep in contact. Lorraine comes down to the lobby to say goodbye. "Let's not make it another four years without seeing each other" I say. And she thanks me so much for taking the job and I thank her so much for asking me to come. And it's time to go before I start crying.
At the airport I find out the flight has been delayed an hour. This gives me time to have a tea and check emails at a coffee shop with wireless internet.
The decent into Dubai is spectacular at night. I rarely look out the plane window anymore but this time I'm glued to it. So many lights, so many colors. Traffic seems monstrous. This place looks huge compared to little Doha. All in all I arrive almost 90 minutes late. My father is waiting for me with a driver from the hotel. He told me on the phone before that he has a bit of a beard again. I think he thinks I may not recognise him. It's been about four years.
We have a lovely diner at a Lebanese restaurant in the hotel. The waiter, Hellani is lovely and picks food for us. There is plenty more than we need but it's just beautiful food. Hellani is Lebanese and he offers information about Dubai and places to see. "How long will you be here?" he asks. Until Saturday. He tells us he is off on Friday and would love to take us around the festival city area if we want. He slips his mobile number saying he's not allowed to do this so I grab it quickly and shove it in my pocket. These are the type of city tours I usually prefer.
Later today I gather we are going to some horse races...something apparently we must do and someone else has organised. In the meantime it's nice to take it easy.
# posted by AdeC @ 3:06 AM 
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Hi Anne!
C'est formidable de te suivre comme ça d'une ville à l'autre, d'un pays à l'autre. J'espère qu'il se trouvera toujours un ordino sur ta route pour que tu puisses continuer ton blog! Purement égoïste de ma part n'est-ce pas?
Je te souhaite un beau Noël au cas où je ne pourrais le faire par la suite. Au fait, je ne me rappelle plus où tu seras? De toutes manières, je te porte dans mon coeur.
Bye ma grande. Marico
C'est formidable de te suivre comme ça d'une ville à l'autre, d'un pays à l'autre. J'espère qu'il se trouvera toujours un ordino sur ta route pour que tu puisses continuer ton blog! Purement égoïste de ma part n'est-ce pas?
Je te souhaite un beau Noël au cas où je ne pourrais le faire par la suite. Au fait, je ne me rappelle plus où tu seras? De toutes manières, je te porte dans mon coeur.
Bye ma grande. Marico
Je serai en Thailande. Je te souhaite un merveilleux noel aussi. Je serai a Kamalaya resort du 24 dec au 6 janvier. www.kamalaya.com .
Bisoux
Annexx
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Bisoux
Annexx
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