Hello, My Faithful
Readers
July 27, 2017
Volume 1, Number 10
As time gets closer for
me to leave for Morocco on 8/4/17; I wanted to share with you this GREAT song
that I’ve been listening to. I love the sound; have no idea if the words mean
anything; but it sure brings together my feelings of traveling to such an
ancient place and the mystery that Morocco conjures up for me.
I will eventually get
back to Georgia here in the blog; sprinkled throughout are some interesting
topics (Cameras, cars, traffic as well as a GREAT piece on must explore places
in Georgia)…but, for the moment I want to finish with my travels last month to
the UAE and some additional thoughts on the Meditation Program.
Observations that interested me in Dubai
-In Dubai when people set a meeting location they
use coordinates (longitude and latitude).
I guess that makes sense as it seems everyone has GPS; and with the city
being so new street names may not be familiar.
-Kissing on the lips is prohibited. People can kiss
on the cheeks/forehead – but not on the lips (in public). I asked what would
happen if you got caught and my source said that it would depend on who caught
you….
-It is said that when the temperature reaches 50C;
then a holiday is declared.
-The country is set-up 8/2…8 expats to 2 natives. My
source said that if the expats left the country it would fall. They are working
on getting more natives educated to take over by paying for Western Education
with the requirement that the person return to the UAE
-It is said that there are no drugs in the UAE and
that for the local residents they have no taxes. Expats pay taxes….
.
Onward to Abu Dhabi
My new friend and tour guide spent a full day in the
capital city of Abu Dhabi. It is generally thought that Dubai and Abu Dhabi
have a different feel; but, I found that both cities seemed the same. It was a
wonderful day. Abu Dhabi is only about 90 minutes away from Dubai. The roads
are impeccable and honestly I have never felt safer in the car on the road than
I did while in the UAE.
The first stop was to the Emirates Palace Hotel. I didn’t realize it was a hotel at first…I
thought it was the home of the Ruler. I know, I know…I need to educate myself.
In any event, I found that the guards are not very welcoming to people who are
not guests at the hotel; but, found that if you are American often times doors
open that may not be open to others. We did manage to gain access; and WOW, and
that is an understatement, it was overwhelming. The beauty of the place is hard
to describe. It is listed as a 5 star hotel with a 7 star rating for service.
But, it was more than that. It just reeked with elegance and sophistication.
Walking through the hotel was something I won’t soon forget.
In the lounge we had coffee (very expensive coffee)
but worth every penny. After we walked the gardens (which are off limits to
non-guests) but somehow, being an American, we were able to sidestep their
protocols. Unless my financial situation changes I won’t be a guest at this
hotel anytime soon J. Although, many of my new UAE friends
tell me I would be a catch for a local man…so, who knows!
One place we didn’t go to was Ferrari World (which
actually looks like a spaceship). I am not much of a car person; so this held
no interest – but, I’m told it is a major destination for car lovers….the link
the below if you would like to know more.
The next stop was to Abu Dhabi Heritage village. We
arrived late so the attraction was closing; but, once again being an American
saved the day. We walked through many exhibits depicting life before “oil” was
found. The village was Recreating tent dwellings; and various styles of huts
that were used to live in the desert. We found where the camels were housed and
always surprised at how tall they are. I didn’t want to get to close as I heard
this spit; but, I am in awe and scared of camels. You can see the city of Abu
Dhabi across the water from the Heritage Center. Sail boats made their way
across; but no other traffic. It was quiet and serene. Lovely way to spend time
with history.
The final stop before heading home was the Sheikh
Zayed Grand Mosque Center. Again, words fail to describe this amazing place.
Many parts of it are still being expanded to accommodate the multitudes of
people to worship and visit.
In order to enter you must wear a special garment;
it covers you from head to foot. Only the women need to be covered. We were
told that 55,000 people can worship at one time using the inside and outside of
the mosque. I was in awe as to the majesty of the place. Everywhere your eyes
fell on beauty it was hard to keep up. It is said that the biggest carpet in
the world is housed in the mosque; but it is not the biggest mosque. I think
they said in size it was number 3.
No shoes allowed, of course, but we could take as
many photographs as we wanted. I could have spent the day as since the first
time I visited a mosque in Egypt I have been in love with the mosque. I think
the simplicity speaks to me. In the Catholic tradition, to which I am still
trying to re-cover, the churches are just stocked with statues and wall
hangings. The mosque is beautiful and in comparison stripped bare.
I love the call to prayer and the Minerat. I am told
that back in the day men would climb the tower and announce the call as most
people lived within distance of the mosque. Today however the Minerat is setup
with loud speakers and recorded announcements and that usually no one climbs to
the top. I know progress is inevitable; but, I find this sad when tradition
goes. I also found out the call to prayer times depends on the condition of the
sun in the sky and geography.
For me, the call to prayer makes me STOP in my
tracks and just pause a moment to gain balance and to be present to whatever is
around me. I just love that it is a reminder to stop and smell the roses (so to
speak).
It was a long and fabulous day; but, we needed to
head back to Dubai. We were so busy touring that we didn’t have lunch (just the
coffee) and we were hungry. When we arrived back in Dubai we went to a small
mall (one of many) and had Shawarma. I
was so disappointed as I’ve had better here in Tbilisi. At the mall we stopped
at the “honey” counter…I’ve never had as much “honey” as I had in the UAE. It
is very popular and they feature so many different types (I had no idea). All
were delicious and some were very expensive…
The final day I spent alone as my new friend needed
to take care of some things for herself– so I caught a ride with the hotel
shuttle over to the Dubai Mall….which is noted as the largest mall in the world
by total area. I wish I would have had roller skates; as once again it was
overwhelming. Now, I am not much for shopping so I was struck that the mall
house 1,200 stores (and is still growing).
I cannot say for sure but I think every American store has a store front
in this mall. They have a taxi service within the mall (no idea of the cost).
They only have (1) bookstore in the entire place
(sad); they have waterfalls, aquarium, medical center, movie theaters, supermarkets
and a HUGH indoor ice skating ring, water fountain shows etc., etc.. I spent many hours at the Mall as it is so
deliciously air conditioned and waiting for the shuttle to come back to get me.
I only saw such a small amount of the mall; but I
did have SEAFOOD….at the Red Lobster. It was OK – Shrimp, lobster and Scallops.
Maybe it has been to long since I’ve had good seafood; but, I would not go back
to the Red Lobster is I find myself in Dubai again. I bought a Cinnabon mini
cakes and was again left with, ok – so, so. The locals Love Cinnabon and there
are many, many stores throughout. This is something that I can now take off my
bucket list J.
The next day (Friday) was back to the airport to
travel home to Tbilisi. Because it was Friday, and there was hardly any
traffic, my cab ride was half of what I would have paid on any other day. I
wanted to take the metro; but, didn’t want to deal with the luggage and the
weight of the treasures I had bought and packed (for example; starbucks coffee;
American salad dressing; peanut butter and CREST toothpaste (cannot get those
items here in Tbilisi.
FYI – The metro was a missing part of my trip and
also a visit to a local hospital (not as a patient – but to explore the new
trends in hospitals that the UAE has implemented). The metro spends very little
time underground. Most of the travel is above ground and elevated. The trains
are sleek and quiet as they make their way through the city; however, the
amount of traffic and the sounds that the tires make on the road is all
present. Driving is a challenge and it seems making a left turn is not
available often; so, you are forced to go right and in circles until you can
get to the left. I didn’t hear many car horns; people seem so much more
civilized in the UAE – courteous drivers which is something you don’t see here
in Tbilisi. Maybe it is all the money in the UAE and the comfort that the city
exudes. Whatever it is; it just feels very civilized – but I was only there for
a short time. First impressions are usually lasting.
Of course it is HOT but I had a general sense that
people who live here are very happy to live here. The really hot months (June –
September) people go elsewhere; but the remaining months are very nice – so,
the locals put up with the heat. Unless my financial situation changes; it
won’t be me; although I am drawn to this part of the world.
My Daily Meditation Practice continues….day 27.
Every time I think I would make an excuse not to spend the (1) hour to
meditate; I remember how satisfying and enlightening this hour gives me…and
then I stop what I am doing and spend the time to be with myself. I need to
discipline myself to journal right after I meditate; as so much is lost if I
wait. This also tells me that daily life just covers over what is going on
inside me as I deal with the reality of living day-to-day or hour-to-hour. My
revelations are too private to share; but rest assured (or at least I am
resting assured) that my new knowledge absolutely will alter my thinking and my
way of operating. There are so many obvious insights that I honestly did not
see or didn’t want to acknowledge or challenge. Newton’s law – a body in motion stays in motion unless
impacted by an outside force – how often does that law come up in your
daily life? All these thoughts give me pause to re-evaluate. Not the “same-old,
same-old”.
All of this is kind of unsettling, the unfamiliar,
the responsibility…it is up to me and there is no one else to point fingers at.
My question has been “what don’t I see that is right in front of me” and I’ve
gained some clarity around this. What I do with it is another thing.
At the moment I am in flux or transition. I am no
closer to moving into a new apartment then when I wrote last week. I have been
offered a few options but none that I would seriously consider. As much as I
want to relocate I need to remember that whatever my choice I will need to be
in it for a year – so, I am careful. My apartment is in various stages of
transition; packing boxes, and basically just upset (which can also be said of
my inside climate - upset).
Ok, as promised – below are a couple of links for
happenings here in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The link below will give descriptions on places you
must explore in Georgia. The ONLY place I’ve been to is Ushguli. It takes about
(11) hours – yes, you read that right - or so to get there from Tbilisi; although –
weather permitting – you can go by airplane. It is on the UNESCO’s Heritage
list and I am so glad I went (but, not again). It is a world that time forgot…dating
back to the 12th century and some of the happenings felt like I was
back in the 12th century. All other locations are still on the
bucket list! (maybe)
The link below will give an article on the plan to
3000 street smart cameras installed throughout Georgia. This is a mixed bag as
first of all our privacy is evaporating small amounts at a time; but, here in
Georgia maybe things will improve if Georgian drivers know they will be
observed driving like maniacs.
There are 3.7 million people in Georgia and there are
921,000 cars registered (I wonder how many are not registered). In a country
that says they have no money and people don’t have enough to feed themselves; households
have at least (1) if not (2) cars…..
If the cameras will make walking here in Tbilisi
safer I am all for it. Drivers rarely stop for a stop sign and generally run through
red lights. One woman recently, driving a brand new Mercedes, ran up on the
sidewalk I was walking on as she was mad (I guess) that traffic was not moving
fast enough for her. She missed me by inches because I forgot being on a
sidewalk is not necessarily a safe place to be here in Georgia. Drivers ride on
the sidewalks (and beep for you to get out of their way). They park on the
sidewalks and never look to make sure anyone is behind them when they pull out.
Sadly, I find that the women are as bad as (maybe
worse) then the men. I just hold women to a higher standard but not when they
get behind the wheel of a car. The woman who almost hit me…I tried to get to
her before she drove off..asking if she was crazy to do what she did. I heard
her say, as she moved like a bat out of hell… I’m sorry, I’m sorry…a lot of
good that would have done me if she had hit me. It took a little time for my
heart to return to my chest.
I’ve written about this before in other blogs. It is
no different in the villages – so, I hope the cameras will help (if people are
held responsible – who knows).
Again, I wrote a LOT….and will post before I leave
for Morocco; but wanted to complete the UAE meditation program and travel.
Memory fades and I know I didn’t really scratch the surface of what happened
during my 2-weeks in the desert. But, I’ve captured some and will continue to
expand as things come to do.
I
jokingly say – I’m kidding!!!
The
Lord needed (40) days in the desert and I only needed (14).
All
the Best, My Faithful Readers…and Thanks for sharing this with me.
Catherine Lawrence – 7/27/17
Honey kiosk,,,delicious
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