2014 has been quite a year for us:

Get Married (May)
Buy a House (September)
Move to Dubai (October)

Here we are, two hardly entertaining, relatively conservative (one of us curmudgeonly) souls, living the dream in the Middle East. Our first meal in Dubai was enjoyed at the Cheesecake Factory.

Let’s be honest, the purpose of this “blog” is to show our
moms what we are up to. But, we promise to share with you our experiences (via pictures) and about the friends we meet
along the way. We do not promise that any of this will be interesting to you. We also understand we are not the first or only expats to live in Dubai (80% of the population here are expats), but from time to time we may get carried away
– just be happy for our “accomplishments”.


Editor’s note: All blog entries henceforth were likely experienced in the most western way possible (lodging: Marriott; transportation: car with tour guide; food: Top 10 from tripadvisor). If you would like to read about someone who lives like a native (lodging: hostels; transportation: feet; food: (beans and weenies), look no further: Ashley Weaver - The Journey. Her story is far more intriguing than ours.


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Hi, Mom!

Thanks to modern day aero-space technology, we made it. And, we made it in style - thanks to you, Emirates Airlines. Emirates just rolled out the A380 on the DFW-DXB route.

This double-decker has more bells and whistles than your average villa. Ornamental waterfall at the staircase entrance, a mini-bar at your seat, an adult sized bar in the rear, and the latest from Hollywood and Bollywood on your personal 19 inch screen. Rachel thought she might just take up residence.


So far, things are off to a pretty solid start.

Our first impressions of Dubai:

Rachel: Crowded - we went to the mall* on a Thursday night**, it was a bit overwhelming.
Luke: Clean - as a self-diagnosed germaphobe, you could eat off the floors of the metro.

*The Mall - due to high temperatures, people hang here and the stores stay open until at least midnight. Malls have grocery stores, movie theaters, many restaurants, etc.
**Thursday night - the start to the weekend as Friday and Saturday are the weekend.

Overall, folks here are friendly - a melting pot of friendliness. Only 15% of the people here are Nationals. According to our search on Wikipedia the major segments of the population are: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, with a side of Brits, Aussies, and Americans.

We are excited about what is to come, via our planned calendar or otherwise.

Below are pictures and captions of happenings around the city during our first two weeks and our weekend visit to Jordan.

We are all settled in to our "new home."

Burj Khalifa - Luke's view when he walks home each night.

Dubai Mall Aquarium

Our visit to the man-made Palm Island.

We enjoyed an authentic Egyptian meal with our new friends Dina and the Zoghby family.

Wild Wadi Waterpark - Only real tourists pay money for the the Dr. Fish experience.

Madaba, Jordan: This mosaic is the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land-located in the Church of St. George.
 (6th Century)



Mount Nebo, Jordan
 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land... then the Lord said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ' I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it." (Deuteronomy 34)

Bethany, Jordan - The Baptism Site of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. (Matthew 3:13)


Bethany, Jordan - Jordan River
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)

Dead Sea, Jordan - We were amazed with the beauty of the Dead Sea. The high salt content allows you to float the moment you immerse yourself in the water. It was an incredible experience. Named the Dead Sea because nothing can live in it...it is also not a usable sea for travel or commerce as the salt corrodes all materials.

Marriott at the Dead Sea

Dead Sea - Jordan

Petra, Jordan - One of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Petra, Jordan - Standing in front of the Treasury, with a camel.. whaat???

Petra, Jordan - Getting some serious air outside the coliseum.

Najeeb - Our wonderful driver for the weekend in Jordan. This picture was taken after we had our Turkish Baths and ate delicious Jordanian cuisine called Mansaf.