Karma Kafe is on Fire, ladies night at Souk al Bahar

Tuesday night is ladies night at Karma Kafe, meaning if you are a lady you receive three free drinks just for coming by. I met Diane and Mayada last night, along with an army of Mayada's stunning daughters and college friends.

Diane and Mayada, letting their hair down. Buddha illuminated in the background.

We had some refreshing beverages and pleasant chatting. The highlight of the evening was seeing some indoor fireworks. The Souk al Bahar is adjacent to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, which has the building illumination, coordinated with the Las Vegas style fountain show every 30 minutes. So perhaps to have a celebration at the Souk, where everyone dolls up and decks out, they really need to DO something... like set the place on fire. So this celebration had what looked to me like Roman candles lit indoors. My first thought was "I gotta get out of here." There were sparks flying everywhere, pouring all over everyone.

I'm surprised the fire alarms didn't go off. It was pretty spectacular-- no one was running away with their hair on fire, and we weren't evacuated. It was a good time, I will probably go back to Karma Kafe or its sister lounge The Buddha Bar. 

Great shot of the Souk al Bahar at night, taken by Elsa. https://www.flickr.com/photos/elsa11/

Frozen coffee season in Dubai

I had a lovely morning, starting with an excellent iced mocha, an invigorating walk, I acquired some much needed new work clothes at the Dubai Mall, then strolled the few blocks from the metro back to my place... Why am I so cranky? Oh yeah, I'm cranky because it's very hot.

I usually like the heat but I've found myself not only having a sandstorm in my sinuses, there seems to be some pollen or other allergen material in the air, plus, I am constantly dehydrated.. I don't know if frozen coffee drinks are all that rehydrating, but they are very refreshing and definitely improve my mood- and for the past several days, I've had at least three a day. Since I have started spending a lot of time exploring cafe options, I thought I would share with you all some of the highlights from recent weeks.

Iced mocha at Emirates Towers Lobby Lounge has had the most impressive presentation yet, with a little syrup jar served on the side.

  
Tim Hortons frozen espresso is the most refreshing,
because it is blended with ice and isn't as overpoweringly
sweet as a frappucino and is only 22 dirhams, which is like $5.
Located on the ground floor of my apartment building,
I can tell Tim Hortons frozen espresso and I
are destined to have a summer fling.

Neither cold, nor coffee, Moroccan tea has really
hit the spot as a refreshing beverage. It is a sweet and minty way
to forget your troubles. It usually has a classy presentation,
even at this touristy little bayside restaurant in the Marina district.
This place makes fresh crepes too, for a really decent price.

You cannot overlook convenience beverages,
when actually working I have a lot of grab and go options,
such as canned coffee and the juices below,
at the Circle K on campus. 

There is usually an interesting selection of cocktails on offer,
each time I see something new-- I wasn't brave enough to try the rose milk. 

Photo of the beach near the Burj al Arab, or the "sailboat hotel." 

There are cool breezes when you are near the water, and when you are in the water, it is like a warm bath. It's easy to get dehydrated at the beach, because you aren't especially hot. If you start getting a wicked headache, you are too late, you need to go inside and start drinking water to turn back to a normal human being. In Dubai you need to drink a lot of water and other drinks to keep your electrolytes in balance. Like the ancient peoples of Arabia, I will be sipping sugary and caffeinated drinks for the foreseeable future because it is now frozen coffee season in Dubai.

Pac-Man on Google Maps

It was fun to visit my neighborhood and get chased by ghosts today.. It was exciting-- but unfortunately the 24 hour French bakery-Amelie's and also the nearby microbrewery- NoDa Brewing were not part of the fun! If this game were to be enhanced, I would ask that instead of fruit or whatever a macaroon or a microbrew were what I was after, because that's usually what I am after when walking in my neighborhood.

Pac man on Google Maps.

Nice to visit home via Google Maps now and then, I miss Villa Heights, Charlotte NC!

Spring break in Muscat! -postponed

Note: we changed our plans again and went to Istanbul instead. Though a visit to Oman is in our future.
Oman is very close to the United Arab Emirates-- sometimes when driving just outside Dubai I come across the border by accident and need to turn around to get where I am going (I am frequently lost.) Even though Zayed University is on spring break currently, my hubby Erik will be visiting during the first week of May and we will have our adventure then. It's nearly a 5 hour drive, but it will be beautiful through the Hajar Mountains and the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Our Yaris will get us there, in sha Allah.

Created with Google Maps and Microsoft Paint.

We are staying at the Shangri La Resort in Muscat. I'm reading about the ancient cities of Oman and learning so much about the history and culture, although I think our big plan is to chill at the resort and go snorkeling some.

Picture from Oman Tourism.

Considering that Erik is working 12 hour days for many weeks leading up to his visit, which will include a 14 hour plane ride for him, I'm alright with having a relaxing vacation at the beach. Isn't that what you are supposed to do on Spring Break?!

From Shangri La Muscat resort website.