Al Ain - October 13th
So much for great sleep. Jet lag has set in and I was up before the sun today. We took advantage of it and went for an early run along the corniche. It was perfect running weather - not too hot yet and there was a nice breeze gently blowing. The trail is much like our rec trail at home as it runs parallel to the beachfront and the water. I was very self-conscious of the fact that I was the only woman out there running and the men tended to stare at me as they ran by. I am definitely not used to that at home! We ran about three miles and then headed back to our room just as the day's heat started to set in.
Because we need to change hotels today (the prices have skyrocketed with the start of Eid and the weekend) we've decided to take a little sight seeing road trip to the east to a place called Al Ain since we are basically homeless for the day. No worries, we're to stay in yet another Hilton at the other end of the Corniche and we can drop our bags off in the office to be carried up when our room is ready. Such luxurious service in this country! So, we head out in our little car for the open road and a trip through the desert. In preparation for a long hot desert trip we gas up the car and have the radiator filled with water before starting out on our adventure. Well, the desert drive was not what we anticipated. The roads are wide and smooth and modern. Sand dunes are visible in the distance but the view is blocked by green trees and flower-lined roadways. All part of the successful 'Gardenization' plan for the U.A.E. Street light stand tall and firm in the middle of the divider for the entire 150km stretch from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain.
Camel fences line the desert and are reminiscent to me of the snow fences along the lonely Wyoming highways. In the middle of the desert beautiful brand new communities have been elegantly built each with at least one picturesque sand-castle style mosque amidst the splendor of mini mansions. Gas station rest stops complete with mini-marts and fast food restaurants (KFC is quite popular here) dot the highways and make prominent landmarks in the landscape. They are like man-made oases for the weary travelers.
Because we need to change hotels today (the prices have skyrocketed with the start of Eid and the weekend) we've decided to take a little sight seeing road trip to the east to a place called Al Ain since we are basically homeless for the day. No worries, we're to stay in yet another Hilton at the other end of the Corniche and we can drop our bags off in the office to be carried up when our room is ready. Such luxurious service in this country! So, we head out in our little car for the open road and a trip through the desert. In preparation for a long hot desert trip we gas up the car and have the radiator filled with water before starting out on our adventure. Well, the desert drive was not what we anticipated. The roads are wide and smooth and modern. Sand dunes are visible in the distance but the view is blocked by green trees and flower-lined roadways. All part of the successful 'Gardenization' plan for the U.A.E. Street light stand tall and firm in the middle of the divider for the entire 150km stretch from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain.
Camel fences line the desert and are reminiscent to me of the snow fences along the lonely Wyoming highways. In the middle of the desert beautiful brand new communities have been elegantly built each with at least one picturesque sand-castle style mosque amidst the splendor of mini mansions. Gas station rest stops complete with mini-marts and fast food restaurants (KFC is quite popular here) dot the highways and make prominent landmarks in the landscape. They are like man-made oases for the weary travelers.
posted by Melanie at 12:00 AM
2 Comments:
Does that SUV have WASH ME in Arabic on the back window? ROFLOL Some things are universal...
That's funny. Actually they do write it on there - I don't know about in Arabic but I saw one written in English trying to emulate it by writing Wash Me Urgently!
Post a Comment
<< Home