Abu Dhabi/UAE Daily Photo

Cold Weather Comes to the UAE and Stays

2012-01-28T20:36:00.000+04:00

Sponge Pop Suquare Bants

2011-04-21T20:40:00.000+04:00

There's no /p/ sound in the Arabic language, so the /b/ sound is often substituted. Pepsi becomes Bebsi, and Sponge Bob becomes Sponge Pop. This photo was snapped by my friend Lisa in Bawadi Mall food court in Al Ain. Lisa's blog can be found here.

"Truck of the Year 1990"

2011-04-11T20:16:00.000+04:00

I was getting ready for work when I heard this dump truck fire up his engine. I had to grab my mobile to capture what was written above his windshield: Truck of the Year 1990

Triathlon In Motion, Pajero in Motion

2011-03-22T19:14:00.000+04:00

The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon was last weekend, and I made the grave mistake of trying to get to the Ace Hardware store in the port. Lots of other people made the same mistake! On the plus side, I was able to watch some of the cyclists as I sat in gridlock. Photos were taken with my camera phone, hence the poor quality.

Just Minding His Own Business

2011-03-19T20:31:00.000+04:00

I was in the desert with friends last weekend. I left a bit ahead of the group, so I could get my tires filled at the local fuel station. These roads are mainly used by farmers, so the camels tend to wander freely over them. I snapped these photos with my mobile camera phone. He was in no hurry!

Signs of the Times

2011-03-18T09:07:00.000+04:00

Various signs from around central Abu Dhabi

One Sandy Spare

2011-03-07T07:03:00.001+04:00

This isn't my Pajero's spare tire but that of a fellow offroader. It's a sandy day when even your spare is covered.

Diversification

2011-02-24T18:35:00.000+04:00

Taken by my friend Dom

Never know if my current career choice won't pan out, so I like to keep my options open.

A Tire Full of Sand

2011-02-19T20:59:00.000+04:00

I've written before about popping the tire off the rim while driving on deflated tires. It had been almost 12 months until yesterday when I slid down a dune and knocked the front passenger tire off. It wasn't long back on the road when the steering wheel began to shake, so it was off to the local tire shop to empty the tire of any sand. A fellow duner accompanied me to the tire shop and joked that we could have formed a small dune with the sand that was emptied out.

Nepali Bartender at the Heineken Ice Bar

2011-02-18T22:54:00.000+04:00

This was taken at the Dubai Jazz Festival a couple nights ago. Heineken had a 2-level bar chilled to perfection.

Sandstorm!!

2011-02-12T22:53:00.000+04:00

Tis the season for sandstorms in the UAE. The temperature rises momentarily, the winds go from still to quite blustery and the fine dust (not beach sand) whips through the air.

View from the Driver's Seat

The trees really show just how blustery it is.

Sand on the road and in the air...

Off-Roading: Hobby of Choice for Cute Cocker Spaniels

2011-02-07T07:26:00.001+04:00

Cannelle is a regular passenger on trips to the dunes.

Bright Lights, Big City

2011-02-03T07:18:00.000+04:00

Not sure what free garments they're promising at this $1, $5 or $10 store.

Arab Udupi

2011-01-30T21:12:00.000+04:00

S and I headed out for Indian a few nights ago to good old Arab Udupi.

This dosa is stuffed with potatoes and spices. I think the dough is made using chick pea flour

Those are some fantastic sauces: a coconut chutney and some a spicy sort of curry.

A palak daal, some garlic naan bread, fried roti and some rice. The whole meal cost us about 42 dirhams/approximately $12 usd.

A Foggy Morning and No Place to Park

2011-01-14T21:23:00.000+04:00

This was taken in front of my building. Recent construction on our road has closed off some parking spots. No matter! Residents tend to get quite creative when it comes to parking spots.

Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don't

2011-01-13T07:35:00.000+04:00

I have taken this bougainvillea to the brink of death only for it to return and flourish. Everyone says, "Leave it alone. That's the best thing you can do." So I did. See my first sentence for result. Then, when it got really hot outside and it began to die, I was told to water it more. Then I was told I had watered it too much. I have absolutely NO idea why it's doing so well now. I'll have to snap some shots of much more beautiful bougainvillea in the neighbourhood, so you can compare.

Turning Up the Heat

2011-01-12T07:24:00.001+04:00

The mornings have been cooler here, and I find myself choosing sweaters over light cotton. I actually turned the heat on in the car last week. 24C (roughly 80F) is where I set the internal temperature of the car on this particular morning. Notice that I've pointed it toward my toes. I haven't quite given up the sandals. :)

Jerry the Rat(2010-2011)

2011-01-11T07:23:00.000+04:00

A friend and colleague of mine noticed an uninvited guest in her flat week. E first spotted Jerry on her stovetop slurping up some espresso that had spilled. Talk about soulmates! Alas, this great love affair quickly soured. E sought the help of her doorman Ashraf in order to remove (and ultimately put through college) the clever rat named Jerry. Ashraf's English is limited, so E felt a drawing would best direct him to the box where she had finally trapped Jerry. Jerry's life ended at the hands of Miyad the cleaner and Ashraf the doorman. RIP Jerry. *pours some whiskey*

A Not-So-Quiet Day at the Beach

2011-01-10T22:20:00.000+04:00

I snapped this last weekend. What should have been a quiet day at the club ended up being quite the opposite: a wooden speed boat race, a helicopter, a lively game of volleyball and major construction. My iPod managed to block out some of it. :)

Phantom of the Facial

2011-01-09T18:27:00.000+04:00

Last Friday seemed a perfect day for a bit of pampering. I've written about Tips and Toes before for services like manicures and pedicures, but this time I opted for the facial. Divine!

It's a long way down...

2011-01-04T07:22:00.000+04:00

from my friends' flat on the 14th floor. Abu Dhabi has been plagued by parking issues, and the blue marks in the lot below below reflect the recent implementation of paid parking in areas like Khalidiya.

Toothy Grin

2011-01-02T06:55:00.002+04:00

I saw this scary paint job a few weeks back as I waited at a traffic light. I live about 2 km from the water and near a major road, so I often see boats and jet skis being towed down to the water.

New Years Eve at Bar Zar

2011-01-01T21:59:00.000+04:00

These were taken with my mobile phone, so the quality is really poor. However, I thought it was worth catching the mood despite the poor quality. The video is of a piper who visited a number of the bars in this part of the Madinat Jumeirah.

friends new and old

Tantra Exotic/Erotic Drinks

2010-12-31T21:15:00.009+04:00

Though this is the Islamic world, there are some contradictions in society. Availabilty of alcohol, pork.products, and a lot of prostitution are among those contradictions that foreigners experience, keeping in mind that the availabilty of some/all of those things cater to many in society including the various expat groups. That said, the contradictions are generally not obvious or in-your-face. This energy(??) drink and marketing ploy clearly clearly slipped under the radar with it's font play on the word exotic/erotic. This was snapped near where I work. I was on my way to lunch with my colleague B when this truck stopped us in our tracks.

Light the fire that burns within...

Poor photo quality the result of crappy camera phone!

Not Quite Ready to Stop the Christmas-Related Posts

2010-12-30T07:47:00.000+04:00

Local hotels and shopping malls generally have a Christmas tree (or multiple ones) on display somewhere. Many of the malls have Santa's grotto setup, as well. This shot was taken in the Airport Rotana in Dubai. I had stopped to get my hair done at the salon a few weeks ago, and I had to snap a shot. The nicest tree I've seen was actually at the Marks and Spencers mall in Abu Dhabi. It was as big as the Emirates Palace tree (by my estimation), and it was visible from the 2nd level of the mall. Alas, I had no camera!

Nothing But Air

2010-12-29T21:23:00.000+04:00

This photo was taken of a fellow duner out in Khatim, outside of the city of Abu Dhabi by about 70 km.

For those of you waiting on the gold dispensing machine...

2010-12-27T07:04:00.000+04:00

Located in the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, this machine distributes as a little as 900 dirhams (nearly $280 usd) in gold. Notice the taped note advising that you'll need to use cash in the machine.

$11 million Christmas Tree

2010-12-22T20:27:00.001+04:00

There's been a lot of crticism of the Emirates Palace for their pricey tree. My friend E says that the tree cost about $10,000 usd, and it's not even real! It's actually the same tree they have up every year. What's made it so valuable this year are the beautiful baubles that dangle on the lower branches. They're clearly on loan. :) Check out the video which includes my own brief description. I should add that the gemstones in my favourite piece seem to include much more than they rubies and emeralds that I thought I saw. It looks like there are a variety of precious and semi-precious stones in there...citrine, blue topaz, perhaps some different shades of sapphire?

Safety in High Places

2010-12-04T15:04:00.000+04:00

This is the view from my bedroom window. I've noticed this cat often spends the night here. The villa is currently empty, so there's not much there to spook him.

Formula One and Events on the Abu Dhabi Corniche

2010-11-28T17:25:00.001+04:00

Formula One brings lots of concerts and events to the corniche in Abu Dhabi. The flag you see is being carried by a heliocopter. I snapped this from a friend's flat on the corniche.

Driving Down a Dune

2010-11-27T09:31:00.000+04:00

Christmas Is Here

2010-11-20T15:35:00.000+04:00

I went to Ace Hardware earlier last week to prepare for a camping trip (blog to come on that). As it was nearly the beginning of the Eid al Adha holiday, lots of like-minded people were there stocking up on camping supplies. Consequently, the one cash register that was functional was lined up with no less than six customers, and I had plenty of time to take in the displays. There were loads of artificial trees on display, ranging from the table-toppers to the 8 foot models. What I didn't capture on 'film' was the miniature Christmas town set up near the front entrance. Lights ran through it, and the first eight bars of the Nutcracker Suite played non-stop in a loop. I asked the cashier if she hadn't gone insane yet listening to that. She smiled maniacally and scanned the rest of my items.

Scary Installation

2010-10-31T19:01:00.000+04:00

I have been without television (aside from DVDs and internet viewing) for well over a year now. I decided recently to get Showtime/Orbit. The men seen in the photo came out to take care of the installation. It involved running a cable from the dish on the roof down the side of the building and through a freshly-drilled hole in my window frame.

Apparently, crouching down on my ledge (triangular in shape and no more than foot wide at the widest point) was a necessary step in the installation process.

Reducing the Carbon Footprint One Sheet at a Time

2010-10-16T15:17:00.000+04:00

Taken while on a girls' night out in Dubai at the Sheikh Zayed Crowne Plaza.

No Arab, No Tower

2010-10-12T17:57:00.000+04:00

The Arab Tower (Burj Al Arab) is not very Arab, and there is no evidence of a tower. Despite the inconsistencies, we manage to patronize this fine establishment about once/week. For just over $2 usd we order the following:

Vegetable Thali ('plate')-When we order it was say "meeksd meelz", and they seem to know what we're looking for. Going...

Going...

Gone!

Fi Maya Khatir

2010-10-11T15:28:00.000+04:00

Arabic is not really a necessary language to learn living in this country. Strange, I know. One would do better to speak Tagalog, Hindi, or Urdu before Arabic simple because the majority of Arab expats speak a reasonably good level of English and the service industry is dominated by Filipinos, Indians, and Pakistanis. So, the Arabic I speak is a form of caveman Arabic learned in Egypt, where I REALLY needed to have some language skills in order to get around. I know a few verbs, my numbers, and the rest of my vocabulary is based on what I needed to know in order to take a taxi around Cairo's busy streets. If you heard me speak Arabic, the translation would sound something like this:

I have a problem. Big problem. There's water. A LOT of water. Not here. Not here. Here! BIG problem.

Today, a waterlogged ceiling tile fell to the floor in my kitchen. I really should have known better. This is not the first time this has happened as the result of a leaky water heater. By the time one of those plaster tiles start to drip, one can assume that it has absorbed about 2 litres of water. Alas, my memory failed me. The stand-in watchman insisted that no maintenance aside from A/C work would be provided. A bit of irritated chatter from me and a phone call to the landlord, and they have agreed to send someone out to fix this.

Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club Season Opener

2010-10-09T20:05:00.001+04:00

The Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club never actually has a close to the season, as many continue to drive in the wee hours of the morning/evening while the daytime summer temperatures soar. However, there is time in the October when thermostats here begin to drop, and duning enthusiasts flock back to the desert with renewed enthusiam. Newbies to the sport join the club's ANITs (trips for absolute desert newbies), and veterans of the sand lend their expertise.

This weekend several trips of varied degrees of ability ran in the desert areas around Abu Dhabi, including Al Khazna, Al Khatim, and Sweihan. The evening ended in a common BBQ spot in Al Khatim with 60+ 4x4s and their passengers. A good time was had by all!

Interested in learning how to drive your 4x4? All vehicle makes welcome! Visit http://www.ad4x4.com/ for details! It's a friendly community of those who share a love of the sport.

Samoan Fog Cutter

2010-10-06T21:38:00.003+04:00

Not normally a fan of Trader Vic's, I gave it a shot the other night. I was pleasantly surprised! Walking along Jumeirah Beach Marina's (JBR) The Walk, the Mai Tai Lounge made for a pleasant stopping point en route to dinner. This drink was called the Samoan Fog Cutter. Made with rum, gin, brandy, sherry wine, orange juice, and orgeat, I think it's more of fog inducer.

Dean and Deluca

2010-10-03T21:41:00.000+04:00

The weather has started to cool (it's all relative, folks), so Jacqueline and I headed to the Souk al Bahar in Dubai to dine al fresco at Dean and Deluca.

What's left of a club sandwich

The fan that kept us cool

Fountains from Dubai Mall

!Butano!

2010-07-29T07:37:00.000+04:00

That's what they used to shout in Spain when the gas man came round your neighbourhood. Here they clank a piece of metal against as gas cylinder. Since my stove is electric, I don't have to mess with this. However, many people are still using these cylinders; particularly if their building is a bit older and not piped for natural gas. I did try to catch a video of this, so that you could hear the sound. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough.

Please Sign This Waiver

2010-07-28T21:58:00.002+04:00

My colleague and I went out for lunch today at a Holiday Inn restaurant. The Lemon Tree has a 2 course menu for 45 dirhams (decent value). We got a chuckle out of his leftover box. He actually had to sign some sort of disclaimer before they gave him his 2 pieces of pizza.

The View of a Taxi Driver in the UAE

2010-07-26T20:28:00.003+04:00

I don't often take taxis since I have a car, but today was one of those days. The car went in or service, and my most-trusted taxi driver, Syed, was on call to meet me in the middle of the Mussaffah industrial area. Almost all the dealer workshops are located out in Mussaffah, and in the case of Mitsubishi/Al Habtoor, taxis are not always easy to find. So, Syed met me out there and went back with me to collect the car. On our way out, Syed checked out my new camera. The above shot is a view from his window.

All a' Glitter

2010-07-07T12:58:00.003+04:00

You'll have to turn your head sideways to see this one!

A friend of mine snapped this video of a house in her neighbourhood. The lights indicate that an adult child is marrying (I'm assuming the bride, but perhaps some readers can fill me in on the details of that). The 'raindrop' lights are quite popular when it comes to festive decorations. Want to know more about Emirati wedding costs and customs? Check out this article.

Jumeirah Beach

2010-07-03T22:46:00.002+04:00

Taken several months back by a follower of the blog, Jassim. Thank you for submitting your photos to be used, Jassim!

Self-Made Shade and Some Morning Tea

2010-06-28T19:46:00.002+04:00

Temperatures are quite high by 8:00 am, and this truck driver made his own shade, so that he might enjoy a cup of tea.

Just a good ole boys...

2010-06-27T22:07:00.003+04:00

...never meaning no harm, been in trouble with the law since the day they were born.

Latte and Some Sparkling Water at the Shangri La

2010-06-15T21:28:00.002+04:00

Taken on an escape from work at the Shangri La Abu Dhabi.

"Don't move. I'm coming."

2010-06-13T15:29:00.007+04:00

When you hear those magic words over the radio, it suggests you've landed yourself in a predicament. :) This car slipped off the crest, and tried to fight gravity.

The shot below shows the guys anchoring him to the blue Jeep as a marshal drove the car to safety.

Memories of Cooler and Wetter Days

2010-06-12T19:58:00.002+04:00

As the temperatures soar above 47C in the desert (that's almost 117F), I thought I'd post a few videos taken in the 'winter' months.

Name that Popular Film Soundtrack from the 80s

2010-06-11T12:37:00.002+04:00

I'd like to point out that the man on the camel is wearing some sort of pink sash,holding a guitar (and playing it). The on/off switch is also located under the camel's tail. This one has us laughing for a good 10 minutes...

Reflections

2010-06-10T23:42:00.003+04:00

Reflections

2010-06-10T23:42:00.000+04:00

Dom's Bendy Rod

2010-05-02T16:51:00.004+04:00

We all rig a pole and flag of some sort to our cars when we head out to the dunes. It makes it easier to spot if the car in front has cleared the dune, so that the next car knows to proceed (or wait). Many of us buy a suction cup (my friend Dom calls it a sucker, much to my dismay) used for moving glass, and then we fix a fishing rod to the sucker's handle using jubilee clips. This is gerry rigging at its finest, and I'm sure my father can appreciate the next level that Dom has taken it to. Check out the clamp and specially cut piece of wood.

Finished producted seen here.

Hot Air

2010-04-09T23:42:00.006+04:00

One of my pop outs taken by another member of the Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club.

My poor tires have taken a beating in recent weeks. They're road tires-not designed for the abuses of the desert which include bushes that just RUN out in front of my car without warning. In the past few weeks in the desert, I have managed to 'pop out' 3 tires. This involves the tire coming off the rim. It's not a particularly difficult fix, and unlike a tear, it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg in tire placement costs. However, I am wondering if one of those pop outs contributed to my leaky tire. At any rate, I was off to the tire repair shop with a friend visiting from Oman. For less than $5 USD, he was able to ascertain that the plastic bit around the valve was leaking. Within 10 minutes, it was replaced, and we were out the door.

My Own Mureeb Challenge

2010-03-30T17:21:00.003+04:00

I posted about the Mureeb Challenge here, but in reimaging my laptop, I came across a video of my own personal Mureeb Challenge. We arrived near Mureeb Dune/Hill just before sunset on the evening of the challenge. We decided to do our own mini-climb, but upon descending we realised that there was a fence a little-too-close-for-comfort at the bottom of the hill. I don't normally get rattled on these drives, but this did it for me. The hill was divided into 2 parts (I think we're only seeing the bottom lip in this video). Before hitting the 2nd lip of the hill, I had no visibility of what came below. Around me I could hear the constant buzz of dune buggies and quads (you'll hear them in the audio, too). To say that the driving habits of others on the dune was reckless would be a gross understatement. Looking at the video, the descent looked harmless, but the encouragement of my friends/driving buddies illuminates how unsure I was. My friend J was working the radio and providing moral support. :)

Another Service Industry Post

2010-03-25T12:49:00.004+04:00

One would think that with little rain and no snow that car washing would be less necessary. Unfortunately for the environment and my pocketbook, regular car washing/dusting is an absolute necessity. Most fuel stations here have a no-touch car wash that costs just under $10 usd, and there are rarelyany dirty cars on the road (as suggested in my previous post). There are, however, 'eco-friendly' washes available in the parking lot of the shopping mall-while you park and shop! This particular car wash is located very close to my place of work. For 40 dirhams (roughly 11 usd) the car is put up on the lift, washed under the hood, hand washed, and vacuumed out/wiped down.

Photo was taken with my mobile camera

Lunchtime at the Shangri La Starbucks

2010-03-25T11:48:00.009+04:00

If I ever complain too much, please remind me that I valet parked my car today at the Shangri La before strolling into Starbucks to enjoy my lunch outside...all this a typical lunch break during my work day. :) Today some employees of the hotel were doing a routine maintenance of the canals.

You Know It's Time to Wash Your Car When...

2010-03-25T11:20:00.003+04:00

Taken with my camera phone
Unwashed cars are an uncommon sight in these parts (supposedly there's a law about dirty cars somewhere on the books), so a car like this tends to stand-out. A passing artist has shared his/her skills in what looks to be an image of the late Sheikh Zayed.

She in her kerchief and I in my cap...

2010-02-23T07:11:00.003+04:00

...had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

This was taken at a fuel station on our way back from Liwa. Camels are typically transported in the back of pickup trucks. We saw quite a few of these trucks on this particular day.

Dunes of Liwa

2010-02-22T18:11:00.003+04:00

Polly Patrol slides down the dunes...I need to make a video. It's the coolest sound, and the sand parts for you like water.

Larry, Curly, and Mo Plant Some Palm Trees

2010-02-21T20:28:00.003+04:00

Here comes the tree...

I live behind one of the sheikh's palaces, and there are these patches of what Americans would call tree lawn all around the back of the palace. Much to my dismay, these rare patches of grass are a big draw for local football matches (nice weather=lots of kids screaming until way past their bedtime). A few weeks ago I heard a commotion off my kitchen balcony, and looked out to see about 5 men, one crane, and several palm trees attempting to plant these full-grown palms. Palm trees are eye-wateringly expensive (even here). I'm rather surprised they didn't send more skilled tree guys.

Oh! Let's rest it here for a bit...

Hole is not nearly deep enough to accommodate this tree.

Mureeb Challenge: Think 'Monster Truck Rally' of the Arab World

2010-02-20T07:43:00.009+04:00

As my previous posts have indicated, I've caught the desert driving bug. Last weekend I traveled to Liwa near the border of Saudi Arabia (a Liwa post to come soon). Our purpose in Liwa was a gathering of fellow petrolheads to witness the annual Mureeb Challenge. Competing cars assume the shape of a Nissan Patrol, but everything else is modified, as seen below.

The dune itself is the tallest in the UAE at over 300 meters, and the grade of the hill is roughly 50 degrees. Sharp, huh?

The turbocharged engines themselves costs $90,000 USD and up, and some drivers watch that $90,000 go up in flames.

Going...

Going...

Gone!

The driver in the shot above slowly reversed down the dune, and got out unscathed.

This driver was not so lucky.

He rolled forward a couple of times up the hill, and then, after watching the video on youtube, he rolled what looked to be about 18+ complete turns down to the bottom of the hill.

Through the grapevine we are told that the driver did not survive. If any readers can provide additional information, that would be helpful.

You can read more about the Liwa Festival and the Mureeb Challenge in this article by The National.

Rain, Rain Go Away...

2010-02-07T20:27:00.004+04:00

As mentioned in a previous post, it does rain in the desert. November-February tend to be the wetter months, but random storms are known to occur outside of the 'winter' months. I snapped these shots several weeks ago (using my mobile camera) when the UAE was hit with a series of rainstorms that our storm sewers simply couldn't accommodate. I was on my way home from work, and couldn't believe the amount of standing water.

Later that same evening, there was so much water in the Khalidiya part of town that parked sedans were victims of the 'wake' caused by moving traffic. Many of them had water splashing midway up the door.

My students reacted to the rain much the way kids in the U.S. respond to snow. They were happy to dance around and enjoy it while it lasted.

This man made-do with whatever was handy. The poor guy was splashed repeatedly by passing traffic.

A Thursday Night at the Captain's Arse

2010-01-25T11:01:00.003+04:00

Well, that's how a friend of mine refers to The Captain's Arms, a local pub that's jumping once the weather turns cooler in Abu Dhabi. Like almost all liquor-serving establishments, it's located in a hotel (private clubs can serve, as well). These photos, taken with my camera phone after a few tasty pints, are of a 3 man band that starts in the Italian restaurant directly beside the Captain's Arms (Papagallo's) and eventually wanders over to pub's customers playing pretty much any song you request. Give them a 20 or 30 dirhams, and they'll hang around your table for a few extra songs.

The Dune Buggy

2010-01-12T07:24:00.004+04:00

Oh, how the 'kids' love these! They zip, they zoom, and they generally annoy...especially if you're in the desert and trying to keep your activity of duning a safe one. I posted a cooler dune buggy shot here.

Though it's not Abu Dhabi...

2010-01-06T07:43:00.003+04:00

I felt it worthy of a post. These photos were taken by my mother in Ohio. If you haven't seen the stories, the east coast of the US (all the way down to Florida) has been hit with record-breaking lows, while up north they've been dumped on with snow. My parents live in what Great Lakes folks like to call the snow belt. These photos are evidence of the snow belt.

Those are deck chairs and table covered in snow.

Springtime in Seattle

2010-01-04T20:51:00.005+04:00

...it's not, but the weather last Saturday certainly felt like it. It rained on and off, and air was damp. I shivered in my fleece!

Entering Wadi Madbah in Oman

The day started when we left Abu Dhabi city for Al Ain (a town over 100 km from Abu Dhabi city but still located in the emirate) and crossed the UAE border at an Omani town called Buraimi. The goal of Saturday's trip? Wadi bashing. These dried up riverbeds (mostly dried up and sometimes prone to flash flooding) make for a bumpy ride, but the scenery is a pleasant break from the desert and sea. While the photo of my car shown above is on a passable stretch of land for most sedans, the rest of this wadi, named Wadi Madbah, would likely cause serious damage to the chassis if not to the tires.

Pools of clear, cool water only here for a short time
Now, Wadi Madbah hosts the UAE's largest waterfall. Why no photos, you ask? Well, in short, stupid shoes. I should have had on proper hiking boots or at least an athletic shoe. Guess I'll have to make a trip back. :)

Taken from the plateau, some 600 meters above sea level

Never too late for that Christmas post, right??

2010-01-03T07:29:00.004+04:00

I would have blogged sooner, but I had family visiting from home. Naturally, my blogging was delayed (even more than usual). So, here are a few photos taken from Christmas morning. Two friends came up from Fujeirah for the weekend to celebrate with my visitors and me. I'm just coming off the sugar high now...

Busting out the Christmas carols. Note to self: Limit mulled wine consumption before attempting even the most basic of carols.

Ah, the tree. Can you smell the pine? Didn't think so. It's been up since just after Thanksgiving, and I think I'll keep it up until January 8.

My loot. I got some fantastic gifts, including the UAE Offroad book and a picnic basket that will make me the poshest duner the UAE has ever seen. Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?

If you've never seen The Christmas Story ("You'll shoot your eye out, kid!") then add this one to next year's list.

I made Snickers Surprise (Surprise! There's a mini Snickers bar inside) and the usual sugar cookies for the Christmas Eve get-together at my place. Making them reminded me of my good friend Terrie, all the way back in North Bend, Washington.

Down Time

2009-12-30T15:20:00.003+04:00

Desert driving is an exhilirating sport packed with high levels of adrenaline and nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Camel Tracks

2009-12-21T06:44:00.001+04:00

Kids These Days

2009-12-19T08:41:00.005+04:00

I've seen this around town a lot, but I always assumed it was a base coat for a paint job. I wondered why anyone would drive around town with a half-finished paint job, but didn't give it much thought. Turns out that one of two things are happening. As seen in these photos, this young man from Bahrain sprayed a liquid soap on his car and then covered it with sand. The reason? Long drives, such as the one from Bahrain to the UAE, coupled with blowing sand take their toll on the paint job of cars. The liquid soap and sand combo, as seen on this 4x4, protects the paint and washes off without causing damage. According to the Bahraini man who owns this car, lots of young guys drive around town with a can of 'spray sand'. Their reason, according to this visitor to the UAE: Vanity.

Raining Buckets

2009-12-14T15:56:00.004+04:00

The UAE was hit with more than 24 hours of on-again off-again rain ending last night (or so it seems...they same more is on the way). The building in which I work has seen better days, so the rain, which was torrential at times, won the battle over the structure. My colleague snapped this photo with his point and shoot, and he's quite proud of the composition. It really summed up that day. Fear of more rain today (rain that never came) lead to my superiors calling a 'rain day'.

Battle Cry

2009-12-08T21:40:00.007+04:00

For those of you who follow rugby, you'll be familiar with the New Zealand All Blacks Maori Haka, typically performed before a game(or so I thought, until they did it post-victory in the Dubai Rugby Sevens last weekend). If you haven't seen the Haka performed, check out this link on YouTube. It's pretty damn cool, and I would have liked to capture it on camera last weekend when New Zealand beat Samoa 24-12 in the Dubai Rugby Sevens final. Alas, I was on the wrong side of the pitch to see the Kiwi team strip off their shirts and perform (and no one laments this fact more than I). However, I was standing in front of the stands which seemed to be home to the Samoan fans, and the Samoan team came over to honour their fans with their own kind of Haka. I couldn't find details about whether or not the Samoans call this dance by the same name. Perhaps one of my readers can fill us in.

Oh, Flower of Scotland....

2009-12-07T21:45:00.005+04:00

The local booze distributor in Dubai(MMI), gave away these light up headbands with flag(s) of choice.

The annual Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament was on this past weekend, and I went with my friend Jacqueline for the second year in a row. This is the 40th year for the Rugby 7s in Dubai. Here are some facts about the 7s courtesy of Dubai Time Out:

1. Sevens is a shortened version of rugby union. The rules are the same in each version. Traditionally, players who excel in the sevens league will also spend time in a country’s 15s team, normally in the fast, winger positions.

2. There are seven players to a team, instead of 15, but matches are still played on a full-size pitch, so there is more space to play with and more tries to be had.

3. Each match is seven minutes per half, with a two-minute break in between. Finalists play 10 minutes each way with the same half-time break. If knockout matches are still undecided, five minutes of extra time are played until one side wins.

4. Dubai is the opening tournament of the IRB Sevens World Series, with competitions in South Africa, New Zealand, the US, Australia, Hong Kong, England and Scotland to follow through to May 2010.

5. South Africa are the reigning champions of Dubai and the World Series (much to England’s dismay after losing to them in 2008). New Zealand took the cup this year.

6. The Dubai Sevens tournament is split into three days. Day one is when local and invitational teams compete; day two (the first day of the full competition) focuses on the pool stages, involving the 16 international sides; and day three sees the successful sides from day two compete for four trophies.

'Tis the Season!

2009-12-07T06:57:00.003+04:00

I provided the venue for a Thanksgiving get together (last Thursday of November for you non-Americans). Friends and colleagues from all over the world (Sudan, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, Phillipines, South Africa, Kenya, Syria, and a few more that I have forgotten came to celebrate this secular holiday. We had over 25 adults and about 15 children! There were two turkeys, so we were not short of meat. As seen in the photo, there was a lot of picking to do.

Another Sunset Over the Dunes

2009-12-03T08:09:00.001+04:00

Christmas Time is Here...

2009-12-02T14:47:00.002+04:00

My good friend Sue arrived from Oman on Thanksgiving Day (last Thursday). Not only did she help with the post-Thanksgiving Day clean-up, but she also got roped into assembling and trimming my Christmas tree. As the photo indicates, she got a little off task.

Another Friday in the Sand

2009-11-23T18:36:00.003+04:00

I went out with the Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club last weekend. We drove in the same area, but I found myself more challenged this time around. The mashalls spent a lot of time helping me work my own way out of a sticky situations. I imagine many people don't think there's a lot of thought or skill to driving in the dunes, but I found myself really concentrating!

Hatta Fort Hotel

2009-11-14T08:40:00.004+04:00

I spent last weekend at the Hatta Fort Hotel-about an hour and a half from Abu Dhabi. I met friends there for an "all inclusive" package (room and board) that was offered to UAE residents. The shot above was taken from the balcony of my room. Those are the Hajar Mountains visible in the background. I really needed about three days in the hotel, but was grateful for one night.

Cars, Free Music, Good Company

2009-11-10T08:49:00.005+04:00

I'm not much of a Formula One fan. I don't really understand it. So, when tickets went on sale a couple months back priced at over 2000 dirhams ($560 USD), I opted out. The ticket price did include 'invitations' to the concerts on Yas Island-Abu Dhabi's recently built Forumla One car circuit thingy. Beyonce, Aerosmith, Kings of Leon (I think that's the name), and Jamiraquai all performed over the course of 4 days. Tickets weren't sold for just the concerts (you had to buy the Formula One pass), but a few friends managed to win some tickets for Jamirquai on Friday evening, so off we went!

We arrived around 4:30, and an hour or more of the racecar noise were more than enough to satisfy what little curiosity we had for the cars. The photo above is as close as we could get to the action. To be fair, hosting the Formula One in Abu Dhabi was huge for the emirate. There were loads of free concerts on the Abu Dhabi corniche (Timberland seemed to be a big draw). The city was buzzing with activity, and it was my experience that the logistics were incredibly well-organised. We barely waited for beverages(beer was sold), food, and toilets. The buses that took visitors from the parking lot to the arena were plentiful. I expected a long wait after the concert, but the organisers had bus after bus lined up taking concert goers back to their cars. It was really well done! Those who attended Beyonce the night before (triple the attendance) were not so lucky.

Baen al Jasraen

2009-10-31T11:27:00.008+04:00

This property is likely occupied by an Emirati family.

Between Two Bridges...a few years ago, expats wouldn't have dreamed of living "off the island". Many western expats flocked to neighbourhoods like Khalidiya-located just off the corniche. However, as parking woes have continually increased and residents look for more spacious bits of property, areas like Baen al Jasraen are becoming more desirable. Once a neighbourhood populated by UAE military officers, this part of town is now home to three high-end hotels that bring with them wonderful bars and restaurants (see my previous post on the new Fairmont Hotel that's just opened).

This shot was taken along the waterway that runs through Between Two Bridges. I don't know that this is a natural waterway. I've always supposed that it was man-made. It is salt water, though.

The New Fairmont Hotel Opens in Abu Dhabi

2009-10-25T21:33:00.002+04:00

S and I are planning to walk a leg of the Camino de Santiago next summer. We're hoping to average about 20 km/day (12 miles), so we've started walking. Last night's walk around the Baen al Jasraen('Between Two Bridges') neighbourhood took us past the new Fairmont Hotel. We were sweaty, grubby, and gross, but that didn't prevent the staff from welcoming us warmly. We got a nice tour of the restaurants, bars, and pool area. The shot above was taken from inside Frankies-brainchild of jockey Frank Dettori and chef Marco Pierre White. We actually saw Marco Pierre White while we were there. The shot below is looking up the stairs into the main lobby. That ceiling changed to every colour of the rainbow. :) It's anyone's guess which hotel we'll wander into on our next walk?

Gettin' the Wheels Dusty

2009-10-23T22:14:00.006+04:00

When I arrived in Abu Dhabi over a year ago, I bought a little Mitsubishi Pajero(a 4 wheel drive that isn't sold in the US). Part of my reason for buying it was to provide a bit of safety on the road. Cars here are BIG. Big cars are often driven by people with big egos. People with big egos and no real model for safe driving practices tend to drive much more aggressively. So, the Pajero has given me a bit of protection from the highway bullies. It's also a heavy vehicle-much sturdier than the cute and fuel-efficient Nissan Tiida or the Toyota Yaris. Touch wood-I haven't had to test that out yet.

While my main reason for buying the car was safety-based, I always wanted to take it off-road. Sure, I jump a good curbs in it. Occasionally I park in unpaved sand lots. Unfortunately, I hadn't had the right opportunity to truly test the car out in the dunes. After all, you need an expert driver to show you the ropes. Summer driving is out of the question, since the temperatures are just way too high for desert driving (and pretty much anything else). So, the recent change of weather and the Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club presented the first opportunity of the season for getting the wheels dusty with the help of some expert desert drivers.

My friend S road shotgun today on the Pajero's maiden voyage (we really need to give her a name-suggestions?). We started by meeting the members of the Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club in town. The club was very well organised. Safety came first and foremost. The marshalls leading the drive were seasoned vets of the sand. They divided us into 3 groups (a marshall with each group), and the cars were arranged with a more experienced driver in front of the more novice driver. We were fortunate to follow Tobias and Sylvia (great leader, Tobias-we learned a lot from just watching you today). Marshalls also positioned themselves near more complicated maneuvers in order to coach through.

Alas, all the coaching can't prevent getting stuck. In the pre-drive meeting we were told that if we didn't want to get stuck, we should stick to driving on the roads!The marshalls also advised that should we get stuck, we were to be laughed at, photographed, and helped. All of those things happened on the two occasions that I buried the car. :) In the shot above, S opened up her car door into the dune. Yes, that's my front left wheel mid-air. Everyone got a good laugh out of it (myself included), and many photos were snapped. All in all, a great day out! Thanks a milllion to the Abu Dhabi 4x4 Club. You created a really newbie-friendly environment. I'll definitely be out on the next trip!

Pork Room: The Other White Meat Room

2009-10-17T10:03:00.009+04:00

I scream, you scream, we all scream for pork loin.

Most of the questions I'm asked about living in the UAE pertain to alcohol, dress code, and pork. Yes, alcohol and pork are considered haram (forbidden) by Muslims. However, the UAE relies heavily upon a workforce of pork-eating nationalities. Filipinos, a large chunk of the expatriate population in the UAE, are likely to be the biggest consumers of pork products in this country (at least by my estimations). So, there's clearly a demand for it.

Lunch-meat: It's what's for dinner.

Pork products are sold in select stores around the UAE (and not at all in the Emirate of Sharjah, last I checked). They are typically kept in a room aside from the rest of the supermarket, and there is always a sign that reads something like this: Pork- For Non-Muslims Only. You can purchase pretty much every part of the pig for non-cured pork, and that's sold in the freezer section for obvious reasons(no pigs farmed locally). There are cured pork products from Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland (kielbasa!), and the US (Oscar Meyer), and there are also some products that you might not suspect of containing pork: Pop Tarts, Frosted Shredded Mini-Wheats, and marshamallows. Yes, marshmallows. It's funny, because I just purchased Campfire Marshmallows in Dubai in a non-Muslim part of the supermarket, but they are placed in the pork section of Abu Dhabi's Spinneys supermarket.

Anyone for pork gelatin s'mores??

Admittedly, I don't often wander into the pork room. I usually stroll in there when I've made the mistake of shopping on an empty stomach. During the initial wave of
H1N1 scare when the government released pamphlets telling people they could contract H1N1 from eating pork products (yep, you read that right), the doors to the Spinneys pork section were chained and padlocked. Fortunately, they've reopened for business. I've found the pork room has been nice for the occasional bacon or chorizo(overpriced, but oh-so-delicious). It's funny how many stores sell sauerkraut, but how hard it is to find a good kielbasa! When you're hankering for that bit of home, the pork room comes in handy. Now, if they'd only sell those spiral-cut hams like we get at home around the holidays...

Pork-a-licious potato chips

Photo credits go to K. Carpenter. K is new to Abu Dhabi, and I'm enjoying her fresh take on daily life here. Perhaps she'll oblige me, and permit me to use some other photos she's snapped from around town. Thanks, K!

H1N1 and Customs

2009-10-08T18:05:00.004+04:00

This sign might seem odd outside of the context, but nose-rubbing is one way that Emirati men greet one another. It typically accompanies kisses on both cheeks. Not all Emirati men do this(I've yet to identify if certain ethnic groups practice it more than others), but it's certainly not uncommon. 'Pig Flu' mania is still in full-force here, so our workplace is covered with signs advocating prevention of it.

Digital Cuteness

2009-10-03T20:58:00.004+04:00

Though feral and semi-feral cats help control the pest population here, their numbers are too great. Many of them are sickly and skinny. A friend mine, a reluctant cat lady, has inherited the responsibility of a mother cat and her three kittens, all of whom were much skinnier when S found them in the garden. They have been eating well, and they've warmed to humans-the mother cat chased me down on Friday in pursuit of food! They would all seem to make nice indoor/outdoor(more out than in) pets. Are you interested? The photos feature the small calico female, because she seems the most human-friendly. Adult orange tabby would appear to be Dad.

And just when you thought it couldn't get cuter, here's Oscar. He's an indoor/outdoor pampered pet. If he looks pissed-off, it's because he's got the wussiest haircut known to the feline world. Sugary sweet, though, isn't he?

So, if you're interested in ones of these kittens (not Oscar), have a garden or outdoor bit that they cat could enjoy, and you're not clinically insane, drop me an email. I'll put you in touch with their foster mom.

Ridin' in Style

2009-09-29T07:26:00.005+04:00

So I spent a few days of the Eid break with an old friend of mine. Andi and I met in Sharjah 11 years ago teaching in the same international school. When I arrived, she had already been in the UAE for 3 years living in Abu Dhabi. While I came and went, Andi and her husband stayed on, making a life here in the UAE. Three kids later, and they're still here! :) Anyway, Andi's husband runs a popular car sales magazine(I think that's the right hyperlink I've just given you), so he likes his cars. This particular toy is a Ferrari 430 Scuderia. I didn't drive it (didn't dare), but I was taken for a ride. All I can say is, "WOW". That car is like a roller coaster ride.

La Maison d'Hotes

2009-09-26T08:11:00.009+04:00

My friend Jacqueline and I decided to take a girlie mini-break within Dubai. Jacks has heard a lot about this French guest house located in Jumeirah. It consists of 3 villas which have 2 pools (cool and too warm for this time of year). The rooms are all uniquely decorated, and there are conference rooms for businesses that want to take advantage of the quaint neighbourhood.

Meals are not included in the 350 dirhams(just under $100 USD), but the food is devine! This is Jacqueline's salad, and the patties are aubergine/eggplant.

I have attempted to upload two other photos on separate occasions but the crap internet connection(THANKS, ETISALAT) upsets Blogger's upload. I'll try again later.

Hittin' the ole ball around...

2009-09-24T16:44:00.004+04:00

Four of us from work are members of the same club, so we've been out on the court a few times this past week. It's humid, but we're enjoying it!

Dubai Aquarium

2009-09-22T16:49:00.001+04:00

Taking from above the aquarium. This glass-bottomed boat lets vistors get an up-close view of the exhibit.

Egyptian Sweets During Ramadan

2009-09-19T20:06:00.003+04:00

A Sudanese colleague graciously opened up his home to E and me last week, and we took some Egyptian dessert along. This particular shop sells a slew of Ramadan favourites (most of which I do not remember by name). Above is a rather blurry photo of konafa being made. Out of shot are gas tanks which fuel these spinning burners. I believe butter or ghee is placed in the pan first, and the bits of dried string resemble Shredded Wheat. The final product has either cheese or cream placed on top of the stringy part. The dish is then flipped over for pure sugary goodness. Konafa is one of my personal favourites!

The shot below looks like two variations of basboosa. It's semolina, water, sugar, and lemon. Almonds are placed on top for decoration. Occasionally basboosa is flavoured with rose water. Basboosa is very easy to make at home. Guaranteed to make your blood sugar soar!

LuLu's Hypermarket Wishes Everyone a Happy Ramadan

2009-09-16T07:43:00.003+04:00

s
I took this in LuLu's Hypermarket in Khalidiya the other night. It looks like an Egyptian dessert called basboosa with almonds for decoration. Taken with my mobile phone camera.

Belgian Beer and Bodacious Babes

2009-09-14T07:42:00.004+04:00

Friends Kathleen and Margaret enjoy a few

I joined friends in Dubai for dinner and beverages at The Belgian Cafe. All the bevvies on the menu are straight out of Belgium. This is a treat considering that historically most bars in the UAE sold the same three of four kinds of beer (beer being the umbrella term for lager, ale, stouts, etc.) Heineken, Stella, and Kilkenny used to be the only three on tap! The food was OK, but definitely not veggie-friendly. The four of us sampled the fish and chips and the meatballs. The place was jumping, and people kept consuming even when the power went out for over 15 minutes. This is definitely worth a return visit. The Belgian Cafe is located in the Crowne Plaza at Festival City.

A Bit of R and R

2009-09-13T17:23:00.003+04:00

Services like massages, pedicures, and such can be found in great abundance in the UAE. The costs for such luxury services range from insanely cheap to posh-expensive. While I love my pampering, I'm also a fan of value-for-money. A few months ago, my friend Siobhan purchased the Spa Entertainment book for the UAE. Most of the coupons were for spa-related services in Dubai. She was kind enough to gift me with the Abu Dhabi vouchers, so W and I were off to the Shangri La for a Chi Balance massage. With our "buy one get one free" coupon, we paid 225 dirhams each (roughly $61 usd) for the use of their FANTASTIC jacuzzi, steam and sauna rooms(we didn't get there early enough for those), and their "tropical storm" and "ice rain" showers. Naturally, cameras are not welcomed in the populated areas of the spa, and I had no room in my bathrobe for the Canon. Alas, you'll have to settle for a scene from the changing room that looks out onto one of the Shagri La's many pools. This one is obviously not for swimming-just gazing. These were both shot with my mobile camera.

Sunset at the Club

2009-09-02T19:49:00.004+04:00

As I've mentioned in other posts, there are a few gym/club options to choose from around Abu Dhabi. Clubs that come with beach access are typically hotels(Hiltonia, Sheraton, Rotana, Intercontinental), while others are simply private clubs, such as The (British) Club. The cost of membership for such clubs range are rather pricey by U.S. standards. A single female (who, incidentally, pays much less than a single male) will pay approximately 7200 dirhams/year(just shy of $2000 USD). The membership typically includes access to the hotel club gym, pool(s), jacuzzi, beach, and various discounts on hotel restaurants, bars, and services. Some clubs provide free fitness classes.

As it is Ramadan, there are only certain things we can do in public before sunset(eating and drinking not being among them). While Ramadan does have the potential to give us all reason to pause and consider sacrifice, it can, at times, serve as a frustration for those of us who are not participating. The change in business hours(particularly when you're seeking the services or goods of others), the lowered productivity, and the stricter social norms are all aspects of life that an expatriate (particularly those of other faiths)must adapt to. Hotels and clubs, in an effort to keep tourists happy, tend to operate on a different set of rules. No alcohol is served while the sun is up, but food and beverages are allowed. My friend took this photo today just as the sun went down. Pretty good for an iPhone, huh? :)
Photo credits to E. Vestri

Moving Junk Around Abu Dhabi

2009-09-01T14:51:00.004+04:00

A colleague offered up two sofas last week. Apparently he no longer needs or wants them. My neighbour and colleague, E, took one and offered to store the other for a co-worker. One can call local movers, and the price is quite cheap when compared to what we pay at home. However, if you don't need someone to wrap or unpack, the guys with the trucks are an economical and easy option. E and I drove up to the service road running parallel to Murror Street (very close to where we actually live), and we were greeted by about 15 Pakistani men. Let the bartering begin...Do we need one man or two? The truck will cost this much, but there are also labour charges. Ha! E went back and forth with two of the men, and clicked my tongue accordingly when the price was too high and the cheek too excessive. E stopped bargaining when she got the price she was prepared to pay. It happened to coincide with the sweat pouring off of us.

Talk about a health hazard...

2009-08-29T10:45:00.004+04:00

This is growing in the villa beside mine. I'm not sure what started it, but the summer humidity has this mold in full-bloom. Definitely time to look for a new place to live.

Home, Roach Home

2009-08-28T17:14:00.002+04:00

In late June I left Abu Dhabi for the US. I was to be away for four weeks, and I closed-up my flat in preparation. Hot water heaters were shut off, various water connections righty-tight-ed (lest we have another piper burst), covered up the drains on the floor, and arranged for the care of my plants and trees (and Judy, too, naturally). Years ago, UAE residents talked of turning off the water, closing the sink drains, and covering the toilets with plastic wrap. Covering the floor drains was and remains a necessary step in keeping pests out during the hot summer months. So between June 25-July 27, my ground-floor unit was relatively protected save the colony of small ants that have become a sort of entertainment for my cat. I was back in Abu Dhabi for 1 day in July. I removed the floor drain cover in my bathroom so that I could run a load of laundry. For those not familiar with the various types of washing machines sold here, I have one without a pump. That means it must rely on gravity to get the water out of the machine. Hence, drain on floor. Anyway, off to Cambodia and Thailand I went for over two weeks. Upon returning, I was greeted by a disgustingly large roach, who prompty hid under the washing machine. I bought some toxic spray that same night, but couldn't find the original roach. Out comes this one, smaller than the first. I was sure that I had exaggerated his size in retelling the story, since this one was a bit smaller than I had recalled. The andrenalin was pumping when I reached onto my storage shelves for a roll of toilet paper. What awaited me on the back of the toilet roll was yet another roach. I'm pretty sure my screams were heard across the Gulf when I flung him my hand. This was twice the size of the first roach, and therefore took much longer to die a slow and painful death at the hands of my ant/roach spray. I took a photo of the larger one, but I was just too grossed out to set up something to provide scale. Naturally, the cover went back on the floor drain, and there it will remain until the weather cools and these cucarachas stop seeking shelter inside my relatively cool bathroom.

Always Nice to Get Kudos...

2009-07-09T23:30:00.003+04:00

Construction Gone Wrong

2009-07-09T19:33:00.004+04:00

Try and ignore the fact that two out of three of these are out of focus!

When I was looking for a place to live last autumn the pickings were slim. Unoccupied villas were being subdivided (often illegally) to accommodate the growing need for 1 and 2 bedroom units. Greedy owners and landlords (not unlike my own) were scrambling to subdivide at the lowest cost with the plans of obscenely inflated rents. In the case of my building, they brought in highly unskilled yokes to do (or not do) the job. Take a look at the finished product:

In the photo above you're looking at the door from the bedroom to the main living area. The bedroom was originally meant to be a kitchen. Since that was a tiled room, they opted to cover the tile with over an inch of drywall. Now, the door can't open completely. Other features of the kitchen turned bedroom: a fan cut into the window and a drain on the floor. I should consider myself lucky. My floor was re-tiled to hide the drain. My neighbour, on the other hand, has watched coffee grounds erupt from her bedroom floor. Good times.

These two shots were taken in the bathroom. You are looking at the finished product. All that goop was left on the walls. The floors can't actually ever look clean because of the cement/grout combination they used. That plastic drainpipe seen below is evidence of just how cheap the work really is. That 'pipe' is what drains the sink.