Pizza Hut Arabia

Yesterday I decided to look at the Pizza Hut advertisement in my daily paper. I have never paid much attention to them, but the photo and the price of the food on the photo caught my eye. I decided to look further. I was astonished. (We haven't eaten at Pizza Hut while here)

Front page: A feast for a family of 4 --one small square pan pizza, one Lasagna, 4 pieces of garlic bread, potato wedges, 4 medium pepsis and sauce for 55 dirhams ($15).

I could not believe the incredible price nor to imagine what this package would have cost in the USA. I would safely guess at $35 to $45. Let's break it down:

USA prices based on Pizza Hut Menu Price website
1 medium pizza thin crust $15.00 (they don't have square in US)
Potato wedges 4.49 (in US sauce would cost extra)
Lasagna 12.99 (breaksticks would be included)
4 Pepsis 8.00 (conservative educated guess)
Total $40.48

Amazing!

They offered another plan for six which included 3 medium pizzas, six slices garlic bread, a salad, and six pepsis for .....drumroll..........85 dirhams ($23)

They call them value meals----and they are definitely a value! Wow!

Wish I knew why it was so much cheaper here. The government does keep strict controls on food prices and aims to make food prices affordable for everyone in the country. Not sure if Pizza Hut just maintains a lower profit margin or their production costs are lower. I imagine that Pizza Hut just makes a larger profit in the US.

Surprises never cease!

Driving in Abu Dhabi

Driving in the Abu Dhabi is, without a doubt, a dangerous endeavor.

On a daily basis drivers encounter selfish driving techniques: reckless overtaking, driving on the hard shoulder, road rage, cutting other people off, excessive speeds, driving too slow in the wrong lane, tailgating, driving while texting, driving while talking on the mobile phone, misuse of hazard lights, flashing of the high beam — the list goes on. The scene in this photograph is a common situation: a driver decides that he needs to overtake you on the hard shoulder while maintaining an illegal speed on the Abu Dhabi highway.

Speeding is the main culprit. Due to the wealth in the country, many Emirati buy expensive sports cars and take advantage of the freeways to drive the cars at excessive speeds. In September of last year, one driver speeding at 250 km/h in a Ferrari and another at 213 km/h in a Bentley were caught on the Abu Dhabi – Dubai highway. A driver speeding at 225 km/h in a Lexus and another doing 222 km/h in a Mercedes were also caught along the same highway. In a separate incident a station wagon, speeding at 204 km/h and a Mercedes speeding at 210 km/h were caught in the Western Region. In all cases, traffic patrols immediately seized the vehicles and referred the drivers to the public prosecution for legal action. Drivers speeding recklessly risk confiscation of their vehicles for 30 days, 12 black points on the driver’s license and a fine of up to Dh2,000 (USD 544).

In March 2010, Abu Dhabi Police installed 300 sophisticated radars called “Snipers” throughout the city in an effort to crack down on traffic violations, predominantly speeding, but in many cases it seems to be useless. One thing that prevents this method from being effective is the lack of care and concern from the drivers themselves. Apparently when you are very rich, traffic tickets do not mean much. Violators pay them and continue driving as before. The government has recently started impounding vehicles when drivers are caught at excessive speeds, (60 KPH over the speed limit). This move came about due to cars being stopped on some of the less congested outer ring freeways around the city traveling at speeds of 200 KPM. The problem with impounding vehicles is that many Emiratis have lots of vehicles so taking one away does not inconvenience them or affect their lifestyle in any way. The government has resorted to revoking driver’s licenses along with impounding vehicles. However, recent studies show that many drivers are not of legal age or have licenses.

The male population seems to be the problem drivers. I witness their recklessness almost daily as I live on a connecting street between two of the most traveled freeways. This street is a three lane stretch on each side with a couple of U turns in the median and is frequently used for one of the young Emiratis favorite pastimes-- street racing. I often see two cars running side by side at high speeds through this residential section of the city racing each other. The racing becomes worse at night as the Emirati tend to be out socializing, shopping, etc. after nightfall.

This month Gulf News reported problems of big time street racing in Dubai where young Emirati take their vehicles to mechanics and have super powered engines installed. One mechanic told Gulf News that sometimes these young men bring in two or three super engines and leave them at his shop knowing that one engine will not last but a weekend or two. Engine modification is prohibited in Dubai, however, 6,000 tickets were issued by Dubai Police for engine modification in 2010. Another 271 tickets were issued for illegal street racing in 2010, which is double the number issued in 2009. There have lately been an increased number of reports about fatal car accidents that involved vehicles with modified engines, some of which have been used in illegal street races in the outskirts of Dubai. Dubai Police Chief recently announced racing on roads might lead to permanent vehicle confiscation and not just impoundment. Good for him! More serious measures need to be taken.

"I don't think there is sufficient awareness in regard of the problem. The youth are reckless and such behavior should be addressed in schools or other educational institutions. There must be a better method of awareness to inform the youth of the danger of their actions," said Maj. Gen. Al Zafein. I agree that more effective measures need to be taken. It seems like revoking a driver’s license for many years might be a deterrent, but again, many of these youngsters have chauffeurs in the family and their mobility would not be hampered by such drastic measures.

Rain or fog does not deter speeders either. Certain times of the year a heavy fog rolls in and visibility is only a few feet ahead. Drivers just turn on their flashers and keep going full speed ahead, changing lanes, hitting their brakes as they run up behind slower drivers. It is a nightmare. Also, many accidents happen every year during this time. Recently during a particularly foggy time, there was a 18 car pileup on the freeway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. There was a bad wreck involving a bus with many fatalities last year during the fog. During rain, I witness people deliberately driving reckless in order to make their car fish tail or slide around curves and turns.

A recent study, conducted by the faculty at UAE University and funded by the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy, had some alarming results concerning male drivers in the UAE. 576 drivers, between the ages of 18 and 33, were interviewed across the UAE by professors in Psychology and Social Work for a period over one year. The results of the study were as follows:

• 576 Emirati and Arab drivers surveyed of which

• 60% drove below legal age of 18 (including 7.3% between 8-12 years)

• 66% were involved in at least one road accident

• 25% sustained injuries from road accidents

Among the 466 Emirati males surveyed in the study

• 25% regularly exceed speed limits, overtake using wrong lanes, tailgate

• 2.6% almost always jump the red traffic light

• 50% do not regularly use seatbelts and talk on the phone while driving

• 50% stop on inner lanes to chat to other drivers, and drive in the wrong direction on one-way streets

• Most said non-binding safety measures, like using indicators while driving, were considered unpopular

I have seen all of the above actions in this study on the roads in Abu Dhabi. Having been in an accident in Abu Dhabi involving my taxi and a truck, I can testify to the reckless way in which drivers change lanes and exit the freeway. My taxi was in the fourth lane on the right of the freeway when a truck from the sixth outside land attempted to cross all lanes to exit on my right. As you can guess, my taxi hit the truck as it crossed in front of the automobile. My taxi hit the truck at full speed because there was no warning or time to brake. It is a miracle that both of us were not hurt, and I certainly would have received injuries had I not been wearing a seatbelt. I was thrown forward in the backseat of the car. I was restrained by the seatbelt and saved from injury.

One thing that I find most distressing in light of the speeding and reckless driving is the lack of seatbelts and car seats for children. It is not uncommon to see small children standing up in vehicles or hanging out the windows with the car moving at rapid speeds. I often see people holding infants in their lap. I have also observed parents being strapped in their seatbelt but the children moving around the vehicle freely. More emphasis is being placed on this fact and I have seen some campaign advertising promoting the use of car seats for children. I heard recently that the hospitals were now giving them away when people have a baby.

I recently read in Gulf News the government is tighten up the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in an effort to alleviate the accident rate. I have found that most expatriates from Europe, the United States, and more industrialized nations observe the same traffic rules they are accustomed to in their country. Taxi drivers are also now being trained to use traffic signals, even though they don’t always do so.

Across the UAE over 47,270 vehicles were impounded for a month for excessive speeding in 2009 while 25,862 vehicles were impounded in 2008, according to statistics from the interior ministry. I do not have the answers to eliminate this problem, and it seems, neither do the police even with all their efforts. They are desperately trying.

I believe that the answer lies within the Emirati community---self policing---abiding by laws----conforming to the government system designed for safer roads in Abu Dhabi. Emirati kids could not drive fast cars if parents did not buy them for the kids. Unfortunately, incredible wealth actually enables people to engage in activities that are self-destructive. Monetary fines and impounding cars are obviously not enough. Education and self control are the only two things that will make this problem go away. Emiratis must take responsibility and make take this important step.

Below is a link provided to view video of traffic violations captured by the new cameras around the city. Police have been airing these on television each month in an effort to campaign for better driving and more understanding of traffic laws and consequences for not obeying them.

http://gulfnews.com/gntv/news/traffic-violations-in-abu-dhabi-caught-on-camera-1.687952

Photos courtesy of Gulf News.com/Research information obtained from issues of Gulf News.com/ video obtained from Gulf News.com

Franci, the taxi driver

We have sadly learned that our favorite taxi driver Franci will not be returning to the UAE after a holiday back to Sri Lanka. If you have been reading my blog, you will know that Franci has been my regular taxi driver over the last year and a half. Over this time, our whole family has become devoted to him and he really became our friend.

Franci went home to visit his family on November 30th after being in the UAE for almost two years without seeing them. He was soooo excited about seeing his wife and little girls again. He came by our house the night before he left and we gave him a Christmas present and I sent some things to his little girls and wife. When I hugged him goodbye, I felt that he would not be returning. He seemed so sad and had tears in his eyes when he said goodbye. I told Shirley that I thought he would not be able to leave his family again once he returned. And it seems I was right.

Franci had a very difficult time being away from his family and grieved for them often. He frequently shared his sadness with us (with Shirley more than me). It was hard to watch his struggle---the need to earn a living for his lovely family and the desire to be home with them. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka does not have much to offer young families and eeking out a living is very difficult. He came to the UAE in hopes of providing a better life. In some ways he did,----his little girl was able to go to a good school and he sent home money every month to provide for their care. It proved to be a big sacrifice and one that Franci could not continue to do.

The other day, he called one of his Taxi friends (the one Franci recommended to take care of us while he was gone) and told him he just could not leave his family again. His sister told him she would try to help him get a job at the Colombo airport near their home. And so, he gave up his contract and did not come back.

We will miss our Franci. Franci was a good man. You could just feel it. He was kind to everyone and took great care to be kind to me. He told Shirley once that he would never forget "the madam and the boss" and the many kindnesses. It's really quite the reverse. We will never forget Franci. He was humble and good---a rare quality today.

Graziella Goes to the Park

When the weather cools off and it is not so hot, we take Graziella to a park near our house for a morning walk. We try to go on Fridays and Saturdays when John is home as I cannot take her in a taxi. Dogs are forbidden to travel in a taxi. I cannot tell you how much this dog loves this outing. We have to spell the word W-A-L-K so she does not get too excited in advance of our departure. However, she knows all the signs of readiness and has usually figured it out well before we call her to the door and tell her we are going out for a walk (we actually say the word). This causes her to go into a delightful spin---literally turning round and round so much you would think she would get sick from dizziness. She waits patiently for the leash to be hooked to her collar and then she's off! She trots happily to the car, jumps in, and climbs onto my lap so she can see out the window as we travel. She typically accompanies us to the car wash on Fridays, sits patiently on my lap through the automated wash, and then sits again patiently on the bench while we wait for the workers to clean the car. She knows the routine. When we pull up to the park, she jumps up to the window and looks around and begins to whine to get out. I cannot get out of the car fast enough to please her. She's down on the pavement and off for her big adventure. Even though it is the same adventure each week, she doesn't seem to mind. She trots along ahead of us checking out all the sights and sounds of the park as we walk along at a brisk pace. She often hangs back for us to catch up with her and then walks between us. She makes sure she stays between us---it is like her little comfort zone. She knows all the places where the park strays hang out and checks out each one as we pass. She's encountered a few of them in the past and never forgets where they hang out.






The park is one of the many parks throughout the city. There are a couple of parks near our house on the canal. However, you cannot see the canal except for a few lookout points built out over the water along the way. Such a shame the water cannot be seen all the way through the park. There are actually two parks that are connected by a long, paved walkway through a grove of trees. This walkway is perfect for walking as it is shaded by the trees and makes it easier to go to the park even after the heat begins.

I have always found this photo of the bicycle in front of the reduced speed signs to be amusing. These signs and the bicycle have been here in the park along the trail for as long as we have been going.

The one thing about the parks is that sometimes they are very littered with trash. This is still a young nation and things like littering is still a problem. Even though, garbage cans are all over the park, people still drop trash on the ground, often within just a few feet of the trash can. Sometimes you will even see whole picnic parties just left where they were the night before. So sometimes in the mornings, the parks are littered and not very pretty. Lately we have noticed the sanitation people are working earlier and the parks are cleaner by the time we arrive, which is around 8:00 a.m.

In the UAE, people go to the parks at night, not during the day. The parks are relatively empty in the daytime except for sanitation workers and gardeners. However, the parks come alive at night with people picnicing, grilling, and celebrating birthdays and such. The Arabs are nocturnal because of the heat. Even when the weather is better, habits are hard to break. You do see more people in the parks in the day during the winter months---October to April--the weather is so much cooler and the parks are very pleasant.

We end every visit to the park with John and Graziella looking over the cobblestone wall that traverses through the park. John just happened to decide to look over the wall one day to see what was behind it. Graziella immediately climbed the wall to look with him and it has been a tradition since that day. She loves it. She has NO IDEA what she is suppose to be looking at or for but she clambers up that wall every time to see what she can see. John thinks she may think they are hunting something. She gets very excited about it and it seems to be the highlight of her trip to the park. We save it for the last thing we do. You can tell she knows that it is about time because she will trot in the direction of the wall as we get to the end of the walk. It is very funny
.

Forecasters predict rain in UAE on Monday

I know this does not sound like a big deal---but in the UAE rain is a big deal. It makes headlines! And it is cloudy out today and looks rainy. Sometimes when it rains here, it POURS. Almost like flash flooding type rain. And some flooding does occur as the drainage systems and streets are not designed to handle excessive water.

The headlines today encouraged people to stay away from the sea as the waters are suppose to be rough. The above satellite photo was in the paper and on the website of Gulf News showing the rain clouds over the whole Gulf region. Nearby cities are definitely suppose to get rain but Abu Dhabi might miss it. Not sure if that is good or bad! I wouldn't mind seeing some rain.

Car Wash

Every Friday morning, which is the Holy Day and the first day of our weekend, we drive down to the nearby ADNOC gas station and get John's car washed before we take Graziella to a park nearby for a walk. We go through the automated one, although there is lane where the car is totally washed by hand. After going through the car wash, we drive over to the vaccum and cleaning area where a hord of Filipino men descend on your car to finish the job. They wipe the car down completely inside and outside and use an air brush to get water out of all the cracks and crevices. They wash all the tires by hand and vaccum the interior of the car---thoroughly. No half-way job here like in the US. They take great pride in getting the car very clean and to your satisfaction. Also, they know the Americans will give them good tips. I have never seen an Arab give them a tip. John usually gives each worker about 5 dirham, the equivalent of 1.36 USD. The service is unbelievable and something you would not find in the US. These guys do not even make a US salary of minimum wage. The car wash plus the vacuming costs 30 dirham, which is 8.00 USD. Amazing!

Mail Delivery in Abu Dhabi

Since Abu Dhabi does not have street addresses, then obviously they do not deliver mail at your residence. If you want to receive mail here, you must register for a post office box at the main post office or apply for one in the district where you live. Most districts have small P. O. kiosks with about 100 to 200 boxes located somewhere near a center of activity, such as the local market.

Now to confuse things even more, your house has a number and name, but it is not used for mail delivery---only helping to determine location---which might be a bit difficult since only the main streets in the city have a number/name (many of them have a number and two names :) ) Therefore, I can tell someone I live at #3 Otaiba---this means I am the third villa in the Otaiba villas. Now, the street in front of my house does not have a name. I am lucky that 23 street, which is a main thoroughfare, runs right next to the other side of my house. What's even funnier is that the street in front of my house is actually 24th street or also known as Karamah Street, although a sign does not indicate it. Karamah Street runs all the way through the city but is broken up at various points due to those "medians" again so the street directly in front of my house does not have signage to indicate it is Karamah Street.

I have attached an ad that recently ran in the newspaper advertising mail boxes as "bundled services"---kind of like the bundles of cable, internet, and telephone that you find in the US. For one annual price, you can be a bronze ezimail member, or a silver, or a gold depending on how much you want to pay and your needs. As a bronze ezimail customer, for instance, you have an annual rental of a mail box, plus 1 free mail bag, plus 1 x a week mail pickup and delivery, 4 free domestic courier coupons, and 50% discount on domestic unaddressed mail up to 20K units. Now, I don't know about you but I am wondering how "unaddressed" mail will ever go anywhere. Beats me. Oh, and if you want mail picked up and delivered 6 x a week you must be a gold member and pay 12,000 dirhams a year which is 3,264 USD which amounts of $62.76 a week----FOR MAIL DELIVERY AND PICKUP!

Okay, 44 cents per stamp does not sound too bad. And we thought USPS was highway robbery. My goodness. Now, Emirates Post advertises their new bundling concept as innovative! A new service that offers a host of value-added services. They claim to "deliver absolute peace of mind." I don't know about you but this would DRIVE ME CRAZY! I am sure they are trying to appeal to businesses who have larger delivery needs but still----this is crazy. Oh and by the way, they are going techy----they will send you a free SMS to notify you of your mail service.

Sounds like the UAE skipped the Pony Express and the Stagecoach.

Street Addresses

One of the things I found most unusual upon arrival in Abu Dhabi was the lack of street addresses. No----they do not have street addresses. I cannot give a taxi driver an address....say of 223 15th Street. The conversation goes something like this:

"I need to go to Light Bright Fashions, a tailor near Hamdan Street," I say as I plunk down in the back seat of Emirates Taxi #8421. The number is posted on the window next to my face as well as on the large digital screen meter sitting square in the middle of the dashboard. This little box also sports a very bad photo of the driver and his name in big, bold letters MUHAMMAD AHMAD or VESTRIK DULIK or something along those lines.

"You need tailor on Hamdan?", questions the taxi driver. "I don't know. You know? You go?

"Yes, I know, " I respond. "I will tell you how to get there. It's near Sun and Surf on Hamdan Street---you know, 5th Street. Opposite Sun and Surf. One block from Salam Street, near K.M. Trading on 8th Street." I say opposite not across from because the drivers do not understand the word across.

On the return trip, it goes something like this:

"I need to go to 23 street, off Airport Road."

"23 street? Airport Road?, asks the taxi driver. "Okay, Muroor Road. 23 Street. I take you."

"No, No.", I exclaim. "Not 23 on Muroor Road. Go Airport Road. Take a right onto 23 street on Airport road. Near Kuwaiti Embassy. You know Kuwaiti Embassy?" Airport Road, a six lane highway, happens to have a median in the middle of the road. 23 street runs all the way across the city but is chopped up by the median on Airport Road. If you are traveling on Airport Road from the city, then 23 street is a right hand turn and heads in the direction of 30th Street, another six lane freeway. If you are traveling to the city on Airport Road, then 23 street is a right turn heading toward Muroor Road, an outer ring highway that runs parallel with Airport Road. Then, the direction I need to travel is a left hand turn to get to 23 street, which cannot be down because of the median if you are traveling toward the city. Very confusing I know.

"Yes, yes, I know Kuwaiti Embassy." he responds. "I take you."

And so it goes. Heaven forbid if you do not know your way around Abu Dhabi. The first month or two I was here, getting around was a challenge. I would most often call ahead and get these landmark directions before I embarked on my journey. Life was just easier that way. And then heaven forbid again should I get a NEW taxi driver who speaks very little English AND does not know ANYTHING about the city.

Life is an adventure every single day---especially when I get into a taxi.

Back on line

I have been really bad and neglected blogging for the last few months. I have vowed to get back into my writing, one of my many resolutions for 2011. I have done a lot of traveling since the beginning of October and neglected spending time recording these travels.

The main objective of my blog is to give my readers a different view of the Middle East----one they probably have not experienced or heard about as the view in America tends to be a little lopsided. I want to share my experience of living in the Middle East with friends and family---an experience that has been both eye-opening, enlightening, frustrating, and exciting all at once.

So after today, I promise to be better at posting blogs and get down to the business of sharing Abu Dhabi and my other travels with my readers. I have made a few other promises to myself for this new year and earnestly hope that I am capable of fulfilling those promises!

Our year ended with a bang at the announcement that my son Dan and his lovely wife Heidi are expecting their first child in August 2011. Excitement does not fully express what we feel. I cannot wait to be a grandparent and experience what all grandparents describe as the best experience of their lives. We already have an ultrasound showing the little bugger in all its tiny glory---I think it was the size of a raspberry or blueberry on that day---and cannot wait to see more as he/she grows. Life cannot get any better than this!

So back to the grind---the drawing board----the keyboard----the notebook----or whatever you want to call it. More blogging to come.

End of Ramadan, Beginning of Eid

Eid ul-Fitr, often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "conclusion of the fast"; and so the holiday celebrates the conclusion of the thirty days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramdan. Muslims are commanded by God in the Qu'ran to complete their fast on the last day of Ramadan and then recite God's praises all throughout the period of Eid.

Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic ‘Eid Mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Eid Sa‘eed ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings based on local language and traditions - in Turkey, for example, a typical saying might be Bayramınız kutlu olsun or "May your Bayram - Eid - be happy." Muslims are also encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences or past animosities that may have occured with others during the year.

Typically, Muslims wake up relatively early in the morning—always before sunrise— offer Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the Sunnah (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), clean one's teeth with a Miswaak or toothbrush, take a shower (Ghusul) after Fajr prayers, put on new clothes (or the best available), and apply perfume.

It is forbidden, to fast on the Day of Eid. That is why it is recommended to have a small breakfast (as a sign of not being on a fast on that day) of sweet dish, preferably the date fruit, before attending the special Eid prayer. It is a Prophetic tradition that the Sadaqat-ul-fitr, an obligatory charity, is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the ‘Eid prayer by all those adult Muslims who are required to pay Zakat. Muslims recite the following Takbir (incantation) in the low voice while going to the Eid prayer: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha ilal-lahu wal-Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa-lilla hil hamd. Another tradition of Muhammad Muslims are recommended to use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.

Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, etc or at mosques. After the prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centers or rented halls. Eid gifts are frequently given to children and immediate relatives; it is also common in some cultures for children to be given small sums of money (Eidis) by adult relatives or friends.

Here is a link to a video showing Eid prayers.

http://gulfnews.com/gntv/news/eid-prayers-in-dubai-1.680134

Zakāt or " alms giving", one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the giving of a small percentage of one's possessions (surplus wealth) to charity generally to the poor and needy. It is often compared to the system of tithing, but it serves principally as the welfare contribution to poor and deprived Muslims, although others may have a rightful share. It is the duty of Islamic community not just to collect zakat but to distribute it fairly as well.

As a mandatory requirement of Islamic faith, every year 2.5% of one's wealth is given away to the poor. Generally the sharing of wealth is called zakat, whereas the sadqat could mean the sharing of wealth as well sharing of happiness among God's creation, such as saying kind words, smiling at someone, taking care of animals or environments, etc.

Zakat or sadqah is worship as means of spiritual purification. It is the only tax sanctioned to the state according to Islamic law. Muslim jurists agree that zakat is obligatory on the Muslim who has reached puberty, who is sane, who is free, and who owns the minimum assigned, nisab thoughout Islamic history; denying Zakat equals denying the Islamic faith. However, Muslim jurists differ on the details of zakat, which may include rate, the exemptions, the kinds of wealth that are zakatable. Zakatable refers to assets subject to zakat according to Islamic examples and directives. Some scholars consider the wealth of children and insane individuals zakatable. Some scholars consider all agricultural products zakatable, others restrict zakat to specific kinds only. Some consider debts zakatable. Similar differences exist for business assets and women's jewellery. Some require certain minimum nisab for zakatability. The same kind of differences also exist about the disbursement of zakat.

The Qur'an does not provide the definition of zakatable wealth nor does it provide the required percentages in zakat. It is left to Sunnah togive, by example or by directives. It must be realized, however, that the Qur'an mentions a few kinds of zakatable possessions, such as gold and silver, crops and fruits, earnings of trade and other business enterprises and what is drawn from beneath the earth (natural resources).

Muslims fulfil this religious obligation by giving a fixed percentage of their surplus wealth. Zakat has been paired with such a high sense of righteousness that it is often placed on the same level of importance as offering Salat. Muslims see this process also as a way of purifying themselves from their greed and selfishness and also safeguarding future business. In addition, Zakat purifies the person who receives it because it saves him from the humiliation of begging and prevents him from envying the rich. Its importance and centrality to Islam results in the "punishment" for not paying when able being very severe. In the 2nd edition of the Encyclopaedia of Islam it states, "...the prayers of those who do not pay zakat will not be accepted".

Information provided by Wikipedia, on line.

Eid is a time of great celebration here in the UAE. It equates to our Christmas in the US. The malls are full right before as people shop for Eid gifts and the stores are having sales and advertisements are everywhere promoting their products. Unfortunately, it is commercialized just like Christmas in America. It is reported that the Sheikhs and more wealthy Emirati gives items such as cars to their friends and relatives. Yesterday Sheikh Khalifa received the military and dignitaries and other royal family members at his palace. This was aired on television. Afterwards they went to Eid prayers. Security was very, very tight in the city yesterday with police cars located at the corner of every block anywhere near the palace. I happened to ride by the palace on my way home from the gym (and I just thought about it that I ride by the palace every single day!) just as they were breaking up to head to Eid prayers. Three very nice helicopters were sitting on the helipad next to the palace. Unbelievable, these people fly to events in helicopters.

The Emirati attend Eid prayers and visit their relatives and have lavish dinners to celebrate the end of Ramadan. I am providing a link that you can cut and paste into your browser with a video on the types of foods prepared for Eid festivities. The quality is not that great but it is adequate to give you an idea.

http://gulfnews.com/gntv/lifestyle/some-of-the-best-selling-sweets-during-eid-1.679974

The next few days are official holidays in the country and everything pretty much shuts down. The Emirati often travel during this period of time and take grand holidays to Europe and other places. School doesn't start back until after Eid is over.

Ramadan begins and ends with certain phases of the moon. I know the crescent moon marks the end and the crescent is considered a symbol of Eid and you often see it on the Mosques. So Ramadan and Eid are not a fixed date on the calendar and it changes around from year to year. They have special people who are "moon sighters" that announce the beginning and end of Ramadan. It is a very respected and complicated approach.

So Eid is in full swing today and will be going strong over the next few days. It is a sacred time to the Muslims and looked forward to all year through.

Capture the essence of Ramadan in the UAE by checking out this video
http://gulfnews.com/gntv/lifestyle/some-of-the-best-selling-sweets-during-eid-1.679974

I find these videos interesting. As non-Muslims we are not allowed inside a Mosque. So it is an experience to see them worship.

****All photos and video courtesy of Gulf News******

All Women Taxi Drivers

Taxis designed for women only are gaining popularity in the UAE. Just wanted to share these articles with you as it is so different than what we are used to in the US and other countries. I've had women taxi drivers but not ones that exclusively drive women.

Pink taxis top choice in Abu Dhabi

Women drivers are safer than male colleagues

"Abu Dhabi women have extended a warm welcome to pink taxis, the female-only taxis introduced last week, a senior official told Gulf News. Pink taxis are meant for women and children younger than 10 years of age. In pink taxis, men are not be allowed to travel even with their families." excerpt from Gulf News dated February 18, 2010

Behind the wheel: Pink twice

More female cab drivers wanted as Dubai's popular taxi fleet is set to double in the coming months

"Dubai: Dubai is looking for more female taxi drivers as the highly successful Pink Taxi fleet is set to double to 50 in the next few months, a senior official said.

We have 65 Pink Taxi drivers and plan to hire 52 more," said Yousuf Al Ali, Director of Fleet Processes and Operation Department at the Dubai Taxi Corporation.

The company has a fleet of 3,504 cabs, of which 24 are Pink Taxis, which they plan to double.

Al Ali said female cabbies are popular among lady passengers and families as they are at ease with them. "Due to cultural factors, women are comfortable with female drivers," said Al Ali. "Many Westerners visiting Dubai for the first time are surprised to see they can opt for female taxi drivers."

The drivers come from a dozen nationalities who work from 6am to 2am in two shifts. They are covered by a health insurance and an honouring programme. They also get 30-day annual leave, a one-day weekly off and a basic pay of Dh1,500, a month, but may earn up to Dh4,000 on commissions." excerpt from Gulf News dated 9-11-2010

Home at Last!

Walking out of the airport last evening, the heat hit me square in the face. It literally takes one's breath away. I had sweat on my brow before I reached the car which was parked on the first row!

Of course, the big moment of the night was seeing my baby dog again....or rather her seeing me. It took a few moments for her to realize I was in the house. John walked ahead of me and called for her (she is usually at the door by the time we open it but she was snoozing in Shirley's room). She came out, tail wagging, tongue hanging out, officially greeting John. He had to keep pointing in my direction for her to realize I was in the room. OH BOY when she saw me......she came running and jumping. She started crying, which always rips my heart out. She literally cries out with tears of joy. Then, she started having one of her running fits. This is when she runs from room to room as hard as she can cutting doughnuts in the room. She is hilarious when she does this. She kept running up to Shirley saying "My mommy is home....my mommy is home." She was so excited she couldn't sleep last night. She woke me up three times during the night to go potty. Just like a little child excited the night before Christmas. Today she has been more relaxed and laying around. This morning she would close her eyes. She kept opening them every few minutes to make sure I was there. So this afternoon she fell into an exhausted sleep on the sofa in the office while I worked on the computer. I just had to stay in one spot long enough for her to feel settled so she could take a nap.

It has been a quiet day. I've unpacked completely. Shirley has washed and ironed all day and stopped to chat frequently catching me up on all the local gossip with her maid and taxi friends. She had to tell me more about Graziella's summer at home with her.

I've been hearing the call to prayer today and it is a reminder that I am home. I am home surrounded by my hubby and doggie so all is right in Connie's world today. What a special life I lead!

Travels Over the Summer

Well.......I took quite a sabbatical from my blog over the summer. I stayed on the road all summer long departing from Abu Dhabi on May 23 for the US and then returned for only a few days before starting a long summer of jetsetting. Josh and I went to Luxor, Egypt for a few days to sweat, soak up the sun, tour all the temples, and generally get harassed by the locals. Then, we took off for Germany, Paris, made a quick stop in Switzerland, and Italy. I stayed in Italy for one month house sitting for my sweet friends Jill Butterfield and Terry Meadors. I really was more babysitting for their "baby dog" Biko. It was a treat to spend time in their little "row house" in Beorchia while roaming the countryside with Glenda Green looking at houses and apartments. My what a grand time we had looking at old rustico houses and day dreaming about how wonderful they will look when we are finished restoring them. Sad thing about that is one must have "MONEY" to restore one of these places, and LOTS of it I think. Just that fact alone can burst your bubble big time. It did not deter Glenda and me. We just kept right on looking at houses. We bought decorating and restoration magazines and sat in little cafes drinking Prosecco while pouring over all the designs and ideas presented so beautifully on the pages. Meeting with Italian realtors can be challenging at best. They have a very different idea about how to sell real estate than we do in the US. Piano, Piano.....slowly, slowly is their motto I think. They do not get in a hurry and believe me there is NO pressure. I still do not have the price on a house I looked at three weeks ago. The owner's nephew, on vacanza to parts unknown and no return date in sight, will tell us the price when he returns. So I have my Italian friend Carla waiting to find out the price to relay to me. I am also waiting on a "good deal" from another realtor on an apartment. Wonder what that will be!

Exhausted from all the house hunting, I flew to Belgium to meet up with John. We drove around the countryside and stayed in a couple of Bed & Breakfasts just relaxing and....relaxing....and relaxing. Did some running in cow country, drove over into France, walked about some old Abbey ruins at the edge of France, petted some local horses, shopped in the local groceries, drank Belgium beer, ate Belgium waffles and chocolate, watched the final of the Tour de Roermond in the Netherlands, took a lot of photos, drank lots of cappuccino, and generally had a good time.

Packing my bags today to head back to Italy to catch my flight back to Abu Dhabi in the morning. Wow, it has been a whirlwind...but soooooooo much fun. What a charmed life I lead!

I'll spend some time over the next few weeks catching up my blog. Talking about some things I did right before I left....the Souk.....rug shopping.....then lots of stuff about Europe.....and will post photos!

Looking forward to being back to my blog!

My Taxi Driver

I spent this morning with my favorite taxi driver, Franci, driving around my extended neighborhood on a photography quest. I was looking for Mosques to photograph. Many are unusual and colorful and provide great architectural fodder for my camera. Franci would pull up near the Mosque; and I would hop out. Then, he would find somewhere to park. He got out and walked around while I was shooting. At several of the Mosques, he walked around to stake out a good vantage point for me and directed me to spots to get a good shot. He doesn’t have a bad eye! That is exactly why I LOVE Franci and call on him almost daily to run me around Abu Dhabi.

My housekeeper Shirley and I met Franci one night while we were downtown material shopping in the textile district. We had a bad experience with a taxi driver and got out of the car in order to catch another one. Well, Franci is the next cab to pick us up. What a wonderful day in the neighborhood!!!!

Franci happens to be Sri Lankan like Shirley so they immediately began to chatter in Singhelese (one of the Sri Lankan dialects). Shirley happily informed me that Franci was from the same neighborhood as she back in Sri Lanka in the city of Colombo and they actually knew some of the same people. What a small, small world.

Since that day, we have become fast friends with Franci as he happily transports Shirley, John, and me all over Abu Dhabi. He takes me to the gym almost every day. I just call him in the morning and tell him what time I need a taxi and he miraculously arrives when I need him (most of the time). Sometimes he picks me up two or three times a day as I am running errands. He often waits in the car for me as I shop or run inside the tailor, or run in Carrefour. He will lay his seat back and take a quick catnap while I shop.

Franci’s story is the same as many of the taxi drivers in the city. He was contracted by the taxi company to work in Abu Dhabi because he cannot find work in his country. He is a highly intelligent man with a good education from a respectable Sri Lankan family who just needs a job to support his wife and children. He has two little girls, 6 and 1, and a lovely wife who he describes as a “charming Singhelese girl.” “She is a good girl,” he tells me proudly. He has brought us photos of his little girls and happily shares them with us as he wipes a tear from his eye. He misses them very much and often gets a little choked up when he talks about them. His little six year old is a beautiful little doll all dressed up in her sari along with her little girlfriends. Just yesterday Franci told me that he did not work the day before at all. “Why?” I asked. “Were you sick? “No, Madam,” he responded. Wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, he said “I am remembering my wife and little girls. I am sad. I just could not work yesterday.”

Franci works about fifteen hours a day seven days a week to earn a 25% commission on all his fares. The taxi company does not pay them a base salary. If he does not meet his quota of 200 dirhams a day, then he is fined. If he gets in a wreck and the accident is his fault, he is fined. Franci recently at fault in an accident and was fined 1,800 dirhams by the taxi company and had to pay a traffic fine as well which brought his total expense to 3,200 dirhams. He is now having 500 dirhams taken out of his pay each month until it is paid off. He told me that the contractor in Sri Lanka told him accommodations were provided (many of the contracted jobs provide dormitory-style housing in Abu Dhabi) but upon arrival he discovered differently. He is living in a small two bedroom flat in the city with 10 other people. This is quite common for the workers to live communally. “It is difficult,” he told me stiffly. Yesterday he told me he was having trouble meeting his quota the last two days as “there are too many taxis right now.” He has been a little down.

So to make life a little easier on Franci, Shirley and I often pack him a sack lunch or dinner and hand it over the seat to him when we get in the car. If he takes me to the grocery, I’ll sometimes buy him some samosas and cheese bread (Indian food) and some fruit. Any time we bake a cake or something, we give him part of it. He is so appreciative and seems to enjoy the special treatment. Shirley even went shopping for him the other day. He needed a small overnight bag and did not have time off to go shopping. He really needed to work. So, off to the Emirates General Market went Shirley to find Franci a bag for 20 dirhams (she was very proud of the fact that it was only 20 dirhams). Franci needed a bag to send home to his children. Two of his friends left a couple of days ago going back to Sri Lanka. His baby’s birthday is in May and he wanted to send the baby some gifts. His friends were going to carry the bag full of gifts to his wife. I took some photos of him in his uniform and by his car and printed them on my printer. Shirley took those and was going to meet his wife and give them to him. He was so proud of the photos.

Early one morning Shirley got a call from Franci saying “Shirley, run outside. Two men are fighting in the street in front of your house. Hurry.” Of course, Shirley dashed to the door and ran out on the patio looking around. The phone rang again. “April Fool’s,” laughed Franci. So…Franci has become our friend.

I got a text message from him about a month ago letting me know he would be on time to pick me up. It said “I’ll be there at 5:00 my Madam.” He called me “his madam.” I was touched.

People come and go in our lives and we really don’t think much about it---most of the time we don’t even notice until they are not there. In his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum wrote about the importance of people in our lives----like your barber, the newspaper boy, the doorman----people who have an impact on you and cross your path almost daily. They do important things for you, however small. He wrote about how we take it for granted and really never thank them for being a part of your life and going about the mundaneness of your life with you. For instance, I used the same hairdresser for ten years. He made me beautiful for 10 years of my life. I love him for it. I will never forget him for it, even though I had to move on to someone else because I moved. I still check in on him now and again to make sure he is doing okay. He’ll never know how important a role he played in my life. He watched my kids grow up; he gave Katie her first perm; he shared his love of wood working; he shared is adoration for his lovely wife. He shared his grief when she died suddenly.

I think I will tell Franci thank you for making my life easier. It really does mean a lot to have good, safe transportation.