Eid

Last night around 9:30 I was having a late dinner at the sports bar downstairs with a friend and a black box appeared on the TV's and then the announcement came across- YES, it was EID! Everyone in the bar started hooting and hollaring and kissing their girlfriends and guys shaking hands and hugging- it was like it was New Years Eve- utter joy and excitement. Then all the texts started coming across saying "Eid Mubarak" and it was really cool. It was not what I had expected but it was a true happy moment for everyone. We had all done it, and now life is going back to normal!
This morning when I got up, it was really early still, but I was excited- today was Eid, nothing but the malls will be open, we can eat, we can drink at the pool again, we can wear shorts again! I opened the curtains, got back in bed, and just waited for the day to start- excited like it was Christmas morning and I was waiting to go open my presents. I know you are all probably reading this thinking- what's the big deal? But after a whole month of being told when you can eat and where and what you can wear and not, and not being able to play music in your car, or in any public places, it was really starting to wear me down.

I have already been to the mall today- went around 11am and it was already packed with Expats. The true Muslims are with their families today, but for all the expats- 85% of the population in Dubai- it's like we are reborn! :-) I met up with the Operations Manager from the franchise and we went to Shake Shack for hotdogs, fries and diet coke- and it was the BEST I can ever remember having. I'm heading down to the pool now for a cold beer, some sun, and catching up on my Time-Out Dubai magazines, and the newest Gq. It is just the best day!!