UAE National Day, 50 Ferarris and Treasure Hunting

Hello all!

I know its been awhile since my last post but it has been very busy on The Walk! So much to share so lets get right to it!

About a mont ago The Walk hosted the International Footvolley Championship. They removed that entire staging and erected another one for the International Beach Soccer event. I wish I could remember the 6 nations that participated and especially who won but I do have a few pics to share-

The main beach soccer field is surrounded by the red seats and a practice field is on the right. They brought in tons of very fine sand for this event.

Zoomed in on the playing field.

Opening ceremonies the first night. It is early so the stands aren't too full yet but it gets busier as the night goes on. By the last night of the finals the seats were PACKED with fans.

Close up of the teams during opening ceremonies.

UAE National Day is the commemeration of the 7 Emirates into one nation- the United Arab Emirates. Like the USA 4th of July. This year marked the 40th anniversary and it was a very big deal! People decorated thier cars, dressed for the occasion and celebrated the event in fine style! There was a major fireworks display in Al Safa Park but we didn't attend- we knew it would be chaotic and there was so much happening right down stairs we stayed and played on The Walk. The Walk was busier then I have ever seen it- traffic  crawled at a snails pace- everyone was showing off thier cars and enjoying the experience. And it was an experience complete with music, dancing and many special booths. So here are lots of pics!

I'm ready for the party! The wings are made of feathers and I loved the hat. I wore this all night on The Walk as I took pics and enjoyed the event and also the next day for another event I'll tell you about later. I took the wings to work and have them attached to the back of my office chair.

I mean it when I say elaborately decorated cars! And not just the high end sports cars either- even the regular cars were decked out. It was so cool!

Amazing!

Smoking HOT!

WOW!

This is one Jeep I wouldn't take off roading.

What a fun car! The whole family was inside waving and smiling.

Yes, this car is driveable even with the front window decorated. It is a see through screen type material.

WOW!!

He was happy to pause for a moment so I could get this shot. I'd be mighty proud, too!

Ready for the party!

Another one.

Simple but still cool.

Little girl wearing her UAE National Day dress and hair in red, green and white riboons. She turned around right when I took the pic but she was precious.

This little boy is too cute! Love that hat!!

This booth had ladies cooking traditional food and creating crafts- the old fashioned way!!

Next to the ladies booth was a small stage that had the men performing a traditional dance. I have to admit I got a little misty when I was told this dance is 1000's of years old and here are these young men keeping the tradition and culture alive. They were smiling and doing the steps perfectly in time together and truly enjoying proudly sharing their heritage.

Nearby there was a large wall set up for people to express good wishes and congratulations to the UAE. Many wrote in their native language; it was great.

This promotional display was built in the middle of the round about that I look down on from my living room window. It is to promote a new waterproof blackberry. That is real water; quite elaborate!

There were booths set up like tents along The Walk that displayed and demonstrated some of the cultural aspects of UAE. These men were playing instruments and dancing. Another one next to it had ladies applying very ornate henna tatoos on womens hands. I was going to do it but the wait was too long and there was so much to see I didn't want to miss anything!

This booth was giving away pamplets and information about UAE. They were also giving away UAE flags.

It was a very exciting night and we had lots of fun. Earlier I mentioned another event held the next day- as part of the National Day celebration The Walk coordinated with the Dubai police department and the Ferrari club to have 50 Ferrari's drive down The Walk. The club members met close by and the police department blocked traffic so no other cars could get in the line up and they all stayed together. We were curb side when the parade began! I spoke with a lady whose husband is in the Ferrari club and she said Dubai had the largest Ferrari club in the world until just a year or two ago when China claimed more members. She also said 50 were scheduled to participate but 60 actually showed up. I took so many pics I couldn't possibly share them all but here is a sampling-

First car of the parade. The sidewalk is empty now but in just a few minutes people realised what was happening and the streets were lined with spectators. One issue I have is the lack of advertising and promoting events on The Walk. If I hadn't seen about this and several other events on Facebook (The Walk is on Facebook) I wouldn't have known about it and would have missed it. I wish they would find a way to promote the cool events they host here!

One Ferrari after another reving and weaving their way down The Walk.

 

 

Sleek!

This yellow is anything but mellow!

White hot!

All the Ferrari's went in the public parking lot so the spectators could ogle and drool over them close up. This guy was demonstrating how with the push of a buton the trunk opens and the roof fits inside. They stayed for awhile while the crowd milled around  before reving off. It was quite a sight!

Last week The Walk hosted the 8th Dubai Film Festival. I took this pic from my bedroom window of the set up.

Zoomed in shot of the film festival area. The dark area on the right is VIP seating and where the projector was located. The dark rectangle on the left is the neatly folded screen. The screen is HUGE when inflated. I could see the movie clearly from my window. I tried to get a shot at night with the screen up but the reflection from the flash off the glass made a terrible glare and it was too dark without the flash. All those spots in between are hundreds of bean bag chairs that were brought in for spectator seating!

Last weekend there was speed boat racing in the gulf. A course was set up and the boats races all afternoon. Very cool surprise! 

Another speed boat racing pic.

Also last weekend, and as a part of National Day celebrations, there was an air show. All week there were parachutists falling out of the sky doing stunts. I just knew some were not going be able to get out of the downward spirals but they were obviously well trained professionals- thank goodness! We were also treated to a daily airplane stunt show. These pics were taken from my balcony of the last day. 



UAE flag colored smoke. The red smoke was spiraled around the green and white smoke- very cool effect.

Flying in formation with colored smoke trailing.

Last but not least- treasure hunting bonanza! Jimmy bought me a metal detector for my birthday in late October. I  go to the beach early in the morning every weekend to search for trinkets and coins. I find alot of trash- pull tabs from soda cans and such and I put it in a pouch in my fanny pack. I think it is good karma to remove the trash I find in hopes the beach spirits will be pleased and reward me.  Silly, I know, but it must be working. I have found coins every time I go and last weekend I found this ring!  Nearest we can tell it is 18k white gold with diamonds and rubies. I will have it appraised next week and let you know for sure. You can't imagine how excited I was when this appeared as I sifted through the sand!

Bona fide TREASURE!

There is always something happening on The Walk but the past few weeks have been crazy!

Jimmy and I are finally going home tomorrow for Christmas! We can't wait to see our kids and family and friends. We will be crazy busy the first two days because of the time schedule to decorate but it will slow down a bit the days before Christmas. I wish all my readers a blessed and joyful Christmas. May peace and love be with you all. Stay tuned for the next exciting update of life in Dubai on The Walk!!!!

Merry Christmas!

M&J

Treasure Hunting, Shopping and RAIN!!

Hello all,

So you all know Jimmy got me a metal detector for my birthday last month. I go to the beach across the street in the morning on days I don't work. I haven't found any jewelry but I have found several coins. I have found at least one coin every time I have gone out so I consider that a success. I have lots of curious people watch me and some ask what I am doing. I had the police stop me yesterday morning. They patrol the beaches regularly and saw me with my metal detector. They pulled up next to me and were very nice- asked me where I bought it (downtown Dubai) and if I have found anything (showed the one coin I had found that morning). They wished me luck and went on thier way. Here are some pics of me treasure hunting-

Heading down to the beach in search of lost treasure!

Listening for the beeps- shovel at hand ready to dig up my find.

AHA! I eagerly dig and sift through the sand- another pull tab from a can! I get alot of garbage like that but I always pick it up and put it in my baggy to throw away properly at home. I think it's good karma that if I clean up the garbage I find I will be rewarded with a treasure. Seems to be working because I have found at least one coin every time. One day I am bound to find something really cool- patience. I really enjoy my new hobby and don't mind curious people watching and asking me about it.

After treasure hunting we return to the apartment and make breakfast. I usually make eggs and biscuits and bacon. This one morning Jimmy wanted 3 eggs over easy; I had two over easy. Everyone has come across an egg with two yolks once in awhile but this morning was truly strange-

Two of the three eggs had double yolks!

Then I made my eggs-

Both of mine has double yolks as well! All the eggs came from the same container. Those were some wierd yolks, folks!!

After breakfast we went to the Blue Souk in Sharjah. The Blue Souk is two two story buildings side by side connected by a walkway on the second floor. It is called the Blue Souk because of the blue tiles covering the roof. Inside are many, many souks (small shops) selling jewelry, carpets, abayas and lots of unique items. I have never seen so much gold in all my life! A very interesting experience.

Gold jewelry.

Gold bangles galore!!

Very heavy, ornate necklaces.

Looking down the main corridor of one of the buildings. Both sides are lined with shops on both floors. So much to see!

Very pretty, fancy abayas.

You all know I live on The Walk which is a major tourist destination. The beach and many shops and restaurants are all within walking distance. Parking is at a premium on the weekends and people get a little nuts. There is a sand lot next to the hard top parking lot and people park there as well. For most folks it works out ok but some get stuck in the sand. I spend hours watching from my window as people return to thier cars to find them sunken to the axle in sand or blocked in by other cars. It is happening now as I write this post!

I would be so upset! Hot, tired, covered in sand and just wanting to take a shower and find your car is trapped like a rat!

It may be hard to tell in the pic but there at least three cars blocked in by other cars. What is really bad is I will watch someone get pulled out of a soft sand spot and another car will pull in right behind him to get the spot! Crazy parking situation- sure am glad I don't have that problem. I find it interesting to note that despite the crazy parking, blocking in and sand traps I have never seen anyone lose thier temper. Ever. Folks that drive trucks or 4 wheel drive vehicles will pull a stranger out and blocked in cars just seem to bide thier time until they get unjammed. I've seen people in Florida get into fistfights in parking lots over less infractions. Usually in those situations alcohol is involved; glad The Walk is alcohol free!!

After treasre hunting this morning it RAINED! Real live honest to goodness RAIN! I told Amy in a past email to be thankful for the little things in life as those are the ones that you miss the most- this is exactly what I meant. I haven't seen rain or felt raindrops on my face for so long. What a treat! It was a short rain by US standards but enough to soak the streets and make me dance with glee. Too good not to share-

Raindrops on a leaf.

The Walk wet with rain. So very cool!

Blessed, life giving rain!

The staging area that was set up for the Footvolley tournemant has been taken down but now another staging area is under construction in the same place. You never know what will happen next on The Walk! I'll find out about it and let you know.  Shout out to Wayne- glad you are doing better! Much love and best wishes to all my friends and family. I love you all so very much! M&J