Day 5 Thrusday -aka friday

***note the weekend here is Friday and Saturday**** Thus Thrusday is really Friday night

So today I finally went into Dubai proper. Okay through Dubai proper. Thus far I have been in the “south end” or the new area of Dubai. But last night I joined my local colleague for a night out at the beligum café in the crown plaza hotel in media city. This is on the north side of the city, on the other side of Dubai creek. It is amazing to think that 20 years ago, Dubai, as it is today, totally was not here. As you are wizzing by all the high rises, malls, and car dealerships, it is weird to think that everything is new. The other thing, because everything is new and still being built, the roads change every 30 seconds. Constant construction!!!

It was great to have a night out … it was interesting to see the cross section of people out, from arab biker boys, to parents, to the young workers celebrating the end of the work week.

Things to note from today:
1) Smoking is allowed here indoors … that was a shock to get used to
2) They have every American fast food chain here … seriously, jonny rockets .. and there is every global coffee chain, even a 2nd cup. So I figure there is a serious need for a Timmies here !!! I can totally see tummies at every gas station.
3) My glasses fog up every time I go outside, kind of funny reminder of the temperature differences. But more so with my camera. I have to wait for it to heat up before I can take pictures
4) Everyone is commenting how cool it has been this week … to that I say WHAT!!
5) Did you know there is a Dubai marathon, and people go out running every morning …. Just weird to think b/c nobody walks out side ever / anywhere.I went into the deloitte office today.

It is in an area called the Greens. Which is a block of low rise apartments all around a small plaza. It is an area where people actually walk!!!! There are side walks and you see people out and about.

My interent has been down at the hotel for a while so i have some posts to catch up on...