Christine and Randy's Excellent Adventures: Talula's First (Beach) Birthday

14 October 2011

COUNTRIES WE'VE VISITED

United Arab Emirates' Superlatives

World's Fastest Roller Coaster: Ferrari Theme Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
World's "Leaningest" building: Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi
World's Best Airline: Etihad (Abu Dhabi)
World's Largest Viewing Panel: Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Mall
*World's Longest Ribbon Cutting: Abu Dhabi, at the opening of the redesigned Corniche
*World's Longest Fully Automated Rail System: Dubai Metro
*World's Richest Horse Race: the Dubai World Cup
*World's Tallest Building: Burj Khalifa in Dubai
*World's Tallest Hotel: Burj al-Arab (also one of two seven-star hotels; the other one is also in the UAE, here in Abu Dhabi)
*World's Coolest Parents: Randy and Christine
*World's Largest Mall: Dubai Mall
*Fastest Growing Airline in the World: Emirates Air
*Largest Artificial Islands in the World: Palm Islands
*Most Expensive Airport Ever Built: Dubai's New Airport (under construction)
*Gross Domestic Product: Fastest Growing in the World
*World's Largest Chandelier: Sheikh Zayed Mosque
*World's Largest Dome: Sheikh Zayed Mosque
*World's Largest Carpet: Sheikh Zayed Mosque

UAE vs USA

For some terrible reason, the KFC here does NOT have mashed potatoes. Christine and I are going to picket.
Valet parking at the grocery store
Washing machine and dryer--all in one machine! (Dries clothes somewhat well)
Low-digit license plates mean very high-up people (most likely Royals)- avoid a wreck at all costs!
the have/have-not divide is even wider
Most everyday needs are just downstairs at the nearest tiny grocery (10 ft x 20 ft max), although there are gigantic Wal-Mart-like "hypermarkets" as well
Water is bluish-green instead of brown (sorry Beaufort!)
Shisha (hookah) isn't just for college dorm rooms
15:1 male:female ratio (on the streets at least)
Eid is the equivalent to Christmas
3.67 dirhams to 1 US dollar
Loudspeakers for call to prayer instead of church bells
Sodas have pull tabs and are under extreme pressure

QUOTES WE HAVE TO SHARE

Potential group name by some Emirati girls: "chocolate-covered diamonds"
From a student: "Mr. Ball, behind that tough exterior, you have the heart of a bumblebee."
At a faculty meeting about accreditation: "We want to be sure that continual improvement is continued" AND "Part one has three parts."
Student destinations for Eid: Egypt, Greece, Oman, Italy, France, Lebanon, Jordan, Pakistan, etc
"Write the homework down for me so my tutor can call you."
Instead of TGIF, "TAIT"= Thank Allah It's Thursday
"Students may use mobile phones outside only, such as when they're calling for their driver after school."
"guest palace" instead of guest house
so hot the dump spontaneously ignited