Ramadan, Again

Well I have waited long enough to post about it- but it is Ramadan again here in the Middle East. Luckily I was in Turkey for the first 10 days, eating and drinking like a ravenous animal knowing that I wouldn't be having any of it when I got back to Dubai. I was ok when I returned- for about 3 days, and then I was online trying to find flights to anywhere in Europe that I could go using my points. Luckily I have secured 2 long weekend trips that will help me get through the final 20 days of Ramadan. It is also the hottest months of the year here, so with the no eating, or drinking, it is 110-120 degrees out, and to top it off there are sandstorms- almost everyday!! A particularly bad one hit yesterday when I was driving from my office to Dubai Mall, so attached are the pictures from the car. It was sooo sandy that you almost need goggles because sand gets in your eyes, mouth, and it gets in your hair, and clothes... it's gross. The other piece of Ramadan is "alcohol free". I live in a free-zone as it is called, where expats can run a-muck with our normal sinful activities, and so I was shocked when I went to the pool my first night back and the bar was closed! WHAT? How am I supposed to enjoy the pool without a Peroni? So I got back to my room and ordered a bottle of wine from Room service- and the guy comes to my door with it hidden in his suit jacket! I mean really?? It was like I was doing an illegal drug deal- in a five star hotel, in the freezone, I would never imagine I would have to go to such lengths to have a drink... reading this back- I assume a person might have said "I'll just have a diet coke", but it has been a tough week at work- I'm not an alcoholic- really-- really. :-) Looking forward to my weekend in Istanbul coming up- only supposed to be in the 80's, and no sandstorms. :-)