Driving Around

So today is "Saturday" in the middle east. They work Sunday thru Thursday, so this was Friday to you all, Saturday to me here. Like those in the US, they sleep in here on their Saturday, so this was the perfect day to drive around and get my bearings.
I visited the Mall of Emirates first- the mall with the Ski Slope inside. The mall is so large, I had no idea, so walked around for a good two hours after visiting the store team. Next, I wanted to go to Mirdif City Centre.
It seemed simple enough- go down the main highway, through the airport, right, right, left, but somewhere over the creek the highway's 8 lanes all broke into twos, and those went every which way. I stayed in my lane, only to be thrown into this area called Port Saed- which was lucky, because I had seen it on the map. Soon I saw the signs for the Airport, and before i knew it I was back on the main highway. My first time getting lost, and I pulled through- no tears, no pulling over. Yay!

Mirdiff is as close to the desert as you get- seriously. It is so far away from the city, and there is desert on both sides the highway. I had been there once already, and luckily remember the route. The mall was super busy, and I got to do a little shopping after the store visit. Got some new sunglasses at this amazing department store called "Saleem" and then got two new t-shirts (deep v of course) and a new polo shirt from Zara. The Zara's here are so cheap compared to what they are in the US- everything is $55 or less.

When I got back downtown I needed Sunscreen and water- so went to the Deira City Centre to go to Carefourre. It is essentially a french Walmart- and they have them in the big malls here. So what else does everyone do on "Saturday"- they go grocery shopping. It was a hot dirty mess. I could not believe the carts and carts and fmailies, and families, and families. Oh my... I grabbed my water and sunscreen and could not wait to get out of there!

Once back to my hotel I went to the pool- again had to search to find sun. Then the sun moves, so I kept moving. By the fourth move I gave up- I was 30' up on a bunker on the other side from where I started. Whereas the british people (and there are hundreds here this week) were all fully clothed cuddling under the umbrellas' eating dinner. And there I was- in my armani swim trunks oiled up looking for the sun. "Ahhh, Americans"- I'm sure they were saying about me.

Here are some pics from my day. Tomorrow is Saturday for me- so I'll be at the pool and have some great pics of the place- THEY WILL NOT BE LIKE LAS VEGAS- for those of you who know what that means- and we all need a laugh right now so yes- I was a mess there- but not here :-) yet.

Pics are of the Mirdif City Centre