Mainstream

This morning I received a google news highlight saying "you've shown interest in bidets..." and there was an article about the ecological friendliness of bidets... I think this google alert is only because I've watched the Kristen Wiig and Zach Galifianakis SNL sketch quite a few times-- nosy Google!

Saturday Night Live comedy sketch about bidets.

But truly, I am interested in being ecologically conscious, especially water conscious because I live in the desert. Water desalination is expensive and we tend to overuse every resource here in Dubai... In college many of my peers took a semester or a year to work on a Kibbutz commune and came back with the idea that you don't flush unnecessarily, makes sense.

Here we don't use as much toilet paper, I have adopted the habit of not throwing paper in the toilet, *most* of the time I will throw paper in the waste bin.. This is all personal and not something people speak about in general. My colleague at Zayed University who teaches science told me that that using water in the bathroom is definitely better for the disposal system than using paper... I think it is indelicate to tell people exactly when I use paper and when I don't, but perhaps this conversation should become more mainstream. Pun intended.

I have reduced the amount of times per day I flush here in the UAE. The article I read this morning was focusing on the use of bidet, claiming that using a bidet will reduce the amount of showering, I disagree. I want to conserve water as much as the next gal who lives in the desert, but I shower briefly in the morning and take a bath at night.

First, let me clarify that we have a bathroom hose in all bathrooms here in the UAE, thank god. It is so refreshing and is required for Muslim law. When I am in countries that do not have this, I feel not at home... When my mother returned to the US from her month-long visit in Dubai, she had a bathroom hose installed at the house, which the plumber calls a "Cuban bidet." At my apartment I have a European bidet, which I typically use just to wash my feet. I will always need paper, and now I am becoming accustomed to the water option. Hopefully not over-sharing, but women have a real need for this on a monthly basis. Trust me-- I cannot survive without this hose now, it is so refreshing.

More people should talk about how we can work to save water. It seems that we are not yet actively working to reduce water, but that needs to be put on the world agenda soon, because we are tapping all of our natural resources more each year.

Something to think about, and though I am not shy, I would rather not discuss in person. I know this conversation needs to become mainstream.

Bidet hose, found in all UAE bathrooms. Ecologically friendly and refreshing, especially on hot days.

50 km Mothers Day Bike Ride

On this, American Mother's Day, I honored Ma Wood by taking a 50 kilometer bike ride. Mom always encourages me to do anything I want to do, I owe it to her for most of my boldness. Sometimes it's not the best choice to be fearless and impulsive, but I have more good memories than regrets. I always think of Ma Wood's encouragement and taking on a big adventure today is a great way to be with mom in spirit, even if I can't be with her in Virginia.

The Trek bike shop in Al Qadra is 30 minutes into the desert from Dubai and has decent road bikes for rent-- 90 AED/ $30 for a half day. This includes a helmet, headlights and an uncomfortable saddle. You know what they say about a 50km bike ride, a clear mind and a sore crotch...

Beginning of the 50km loop

The paved pathways are just beautiful, on the far side of the loop the open desert is silent and pristine. There are covered pavilions to stop and eat or drink and watch the sunset. I began at 6:00p.m., the sun set around 7:15p.m. and I was finished by 9:00p.m. On the side of the loop closer to the bike rental shop there are more trees, cars, a bridle trail and things that smell very fragrant, such as bushes. On the deep desert side there are no sounds and no smells and less light pollution; a nice place to rest in the dunes. In the dark night, with bright stars above, I disturbed a couple of little oryx who were hiding in the shrubs at different points and it was really cute to see them bounce away. I feel bad that I disturbed them, but they were so cute running off into the desert.

The Al Qudra paths have various lengths, I've done part of the 50km in the daytime before, but doing it at night is much better because it's cooler and the sun isn't beating down on you. This evening it wasn't too hot and there were few others on the path until after the sunset. It was a really good atmosphere, with serious cyclists speeding by me, making me jealous. I plan to do this once a month, inshallah, hopefully. 

I want to give a Mother's Day shout-out to my friend from junior high school Christie Bynum-Fogel. I was thinking of her, because she and I really went places on our bikes! You know that amazing summer feeling of going anywhere you want on your bike? Freeeeeee. Gurrrl. Christie has two daughters now! I'm sure those gals will have strong adventurous spirits like their mom. 

Lost highway, about one-third along.

One more shout to my hubby Erik, I realize he has mended both of my favorite adventure backpacks, this means so much to me! The one I used today, which holds my camel bac water pouch, he sewed the strap back together. I have a new travel backpack now and it hasn't been broken yet, but when it does and it needs mending, I bet he will mend it for me with great skill and care. If you feel attached to your backpack, then you know what this means.

OK one final shout-out, to Melvin the dog. Hoooooooowwwwwooooo!!!!!

She may be in heaven, but she's in my heart for all my outdoor adventures.

Gotta go call mom now! She was at IHOP eating pancakes, like mom should be on Mothers Day.

Eating and shopping weekend in Istanbul

I'm told that Turkey has a rich history, but I'm saving that for another visit... Just kidding. This is my third visit to Istanbul and I have never gone outside the city-- I know! Erik and I went to the Basilica Cistern and those places on another visit. I plan to go to Cappadocia one day to take one of the famous hot air balloon rides... There are many other sites in Turkey I would like to visit when I have the time... Green mountains and blue beaches...

Istanbul, currently a city of about 20 million people.

During this recent two day visit with my friend Aicha we toured the 15th century opulent Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans, and really enjoyed the rich history of the Sultanahmet area.. But we also enjoyed the epic restaurant and shopping experiences that are one of a kind. Turkish food is fresh, delicious and at reasonable prices.

Friday breaktime on a terrace overlooking historic Sultanahmet.

We had a visit to the Cemberlitas Hamam for a traditional Turkish steam, bath and scrub, from a naked lady we cannot communicate with. This is a required awkward experience in Turkey.
One other awkward experience was at the Troya Hotel, where I have stayed several times before. This hotel has become a location where a lot of people are staying during medical tourism. Nearby our hotel must be a hair transplant place, and all the other people at our lovely rooftop breakfast had bloody bandages on their heads. A little funny in retrospect, but a little horrifying at the time.. I saw a look on Aicha's face, then I met the place she was looking.. We thought the first couple of guys might have been in a car accident or something, but then we noticed the headbands they were wearing said something about the clinic they were at. It kind of turned our stomaches and we ate breakfast elsewhere. Aicha even had a weird nightmare about sharing a pillow with one of the bloody bandage guys... Though I'm happy that these guys will feel better about their hair, and I'm happy for Turkey to be able to get this income, I don't think I can recommend this hotel anymore, unless you are getting your hair transplanted... Both Aicha and I have sexy husbands with no hair on their heads, so it's a little hard to understand the time, pain and expense these dudes are going to... We ate breakfast nearby at the historic Pera Palace Hotel, which was not a bad compensation. Others to enjoy this hotel are Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern day Turkey; Agatha Christie, British mystery novelist and author of "Murder on the Orient Express"; last but not least American writer Ernest Hemingway, who I am sure had a wonderful bender in the Pera neighborhood, because that area is a lot of fun.

Lobby lounge at the historic Pera Palace Hotel, a stop on the Orient Express.

Among rugs, tiles and other art dealers, there was a leather craftsman, from whom Aicha purchased some original handbags and a cute passport holder. Next door to that place I got several gorgeous tulip design tapestries from a very charming guy named Juma, and it was on a Friday! Juma means Friday, serendipity...

You will not find original designs for such good prices anywhere else! The Turkish fashion boutiques we found were near the Galata Tower area. Thankfully the line was too long to go to the top of the tower, so we were forced to try on all the cute dresses at Nes nearby. We both left carrying several bags...

Everyone was so friendly and despite rain in the forecast, the weather was awesome. It was a bit cool, but only rained for about 10 minutes once during our trip. We got the chance to buy these cool clear umbrellas for $5 each. Even that was fun! Go hang out in Istanbul sometime, and plan on buying extra luggage during your visit so you can haul away some treasures.

Dress from Nes

We were literally singing in the rain!