Dubai day # 9, 10, 11

ok - so since i posted last we have done interesting cultural events. we went to a cultural breakfast monday morning at some centre for cultural understanding. the food was surprisingly good. i ate breakfast ahead of time because i was concerned it was going to be fish heads on rice, but it was donuty type things, some really good bread, and some rice. there was also a question and answer period with the lady who ran the show. very very interesting. of course we talked about their traditional garb, and arranged marriages, and what not, but overall a very informative session. we then went and did some shopping at another market, and as usual i was a sucker, and bought more scarves. i also bought some silk for dresses....wink wink mom. i got 2 yards of 3 different colours. and the man promised me it was the finest indian silk he had. we also checked out the spice souk, and the gold souk. i'm starting to get sick of people selling me their crap. that night we went shopping at one of the many many malls here, and i got a new bag because my orange one has a broken zipper. and i may or may not have picked up a few other items.

then tuesday morning we went on a tour of the jumeirah mosque, which is the only mosque in all of the UAE that non-muslims can go in. the tour was actually led by 2 women, who spoke about islam, and answered questions. once again - very informative. my one complaint with the religion is the call to prayer every morning at 6 am. i hate it. they have loud speakers that blast everywhere, and wake me up everytime, as they tell people to hurry up and get to the mosque to pray (in arabic). that afternoon we went to the beach, and then we went on a desert safari that afternoon and evening. we got picked up at our house at 3pm by some crazy driver, and he drove for an hour to take us to the desert. we went dune bashing, and it was fun, until i got sick sick sick. like i was green. about to vomit. i'm not joking. they have pictures of me looking a ghastly colour. i had to ask the driver to stop and give me a bag. thank goodness he was just about to pull over for sand boarding (just like snowboarding), or i honestly would have upchucked everywhere. for the record, i didn't. but i was so close it was disgusting. and i have no idea who would have cleaned it up. i feel gross just thinking about it. after the dune bashing (which was riding in a jeep up and down the dunes), we went for a camel ride (it was short), and then there was a bbq with a belly dancer. kinda a weird experience. i can say i've done all those things, but i don't know if i'd do it again. my stomach is starting to feel queasy all over again just typing about it. i'm not even joking. we got back home at about 9, and i collapsed on the couch while everyone else watched a movie.

today we got up early and did tons of shopping at the outlet mall, and at dragonmart again. i bought red boots. i love them. and i might have bought a purple pleather jacket. don't judge me. i really like it. then tonight we took it easy again. i'm going to have to come home and take a rest from this holiday. i'm absolutely exhausted every day. and the thought of the long flight home doesn't make matters better. tomorrow we're doing a little more sight seeing, and then some beach time, and back to the global village in the evening. i didn't have a chance to buy any scarves today mom, but i'll get some tomorrow. i hope you like lime green. i should probably go to bed, and recover and get ready for tomorrow. see you all very very soon. i will be arriving saturday at 3:24, i'll know who my true friends are by who shows up at the airport. no pressure. love bonnie.