Magic, Mayhem and Madness

The title of this posting could read something like a good Shakespearean drama.  This however, will read more like a 'Sheikspearean' drama!  And what a drama this place can be.

I'll start firstly with the magic though - and what a magical place this is during this time of year.  This year we celebrate the 40th National Day. This day is a celebration of the union of the emirates into the United Arab Emirates.  The locals are fiercely patriotic - and it would seem that the energy and enthusiasm and vibrance of the occasion has rubbed off on many of those who are also newly-blooded residents.  Changes have been afoot; each day something new is added to a building, to a car, to a roundabout, to the trees along the centre of the roadways.  The length that the Al Ain Municipality has gone to in order to reflect their patriotism is beyond comparison.  We travel at night along roads lit up with awesome lights; they flash, they change colour and they drip as if they are water from a waterfall.  Jahili Park comes alive at night, with water features changing colour, with a big screen displaying patriotic images and with Jahili Fort lit up and illuminated for the occasion.  The park abounds with adults and children - all having an awesome time.  We were entertained last night by a crew of dancers with their music demonstrating their skills.  The kids thoroughly enjoyed the late night play on the playground.

Lily, of course thinks that the whole National Day is awesome on two fronts.  Firstly, she believes that all the lights and glamour have been put together specifically to celebrate Ben's birthday!  Secondly it is an awesome opportunity for her to bling herself out in fake jewellery consisting of the national colours; black, white, green and red.  These colours are of course, those of the national flag.  The green is the colour of Islam, the white represents peace, red is the colour of the blood spilled of martyrs and black is the colour of the dark days.  Lily has today, in preparation for the huge National Day celebrations decked herself out in a hair bow, a necklace, a t-shirt, trousers, hair tie, bracelet, Sheik Zayed ribbon and medal and flag - all featuring the emirati colours.  She is so proud.  She told me today that she is 'so excited about national day mama'.  At the shops her efforts were appreciated this morning as she scored 4 balloons; in each of the important colours by a shop assistant.

Ben has let it all go over his head.  He has taken to sucking on his two fingers at all moments of the day, and in addition to this, pulls his shirt up and sucks on that too - hence wet, dirty shirts changed twice a day.  Even his national day t-shirt has not stood up to this abuse.  He liked his presents yesterday though - especially the digger provided by Lily, the scooter by us and the remote control car his Pops gave him.  It would seem anything with wheels is a hit.

Part of the magic of this weekend has been a drive up Jebel Hafeet - a landmark and pretty special place.  It is the only 'hill' come mountain in the place.  The view from the top was amazing - just flat desert everywhere to be seen with some buildings dotted on the landscape.  Hard to make anything out from up there as there's just nothing in the way of landmarks to get your bearings; no rivers, no sea, no hills, or mountains to speak of.  And on the top of this very rocky mountain is a resort - lovely grass with fountains, a swimming pool and hotel rooms.  Must stay there one day...

Lily and Sasha love the pink car

So to continue absorbing the magic of the weekend, on Friday afternoon we headed off to a made-for-the-occasion heritage village which resembled a carnival atmosphere, later at night to be turned into a sky filled with fireworks.  We met with our Kiwi friends Jenny, Alex and their girls Brooke and Sasha.  We arrived at the right time - before streams of locals arrived with their 4 wheel drives ripping up the sand and sending it upwards.  The kids enjoyed a ride on bumpy cars that travelled in a circle (all except Ben who cried the whole time)!  Lily and the girls enjoyed the blow-up slide until some of the local boys began to get a little too rough.  The local cuisine satisfied appetites and the para-gliders overhead carrying UAE flags were a hit, especially with Ben.

Poor Brooke!

We left at the right time.  You wouldn't believe the traffic jam of people trying to get into the place.  We headed to Jahili Park for the second night in a row and awaited the promised fireworks...which never came. Disappointed we headed home.  After all the hype and excitement we were left somewhat deflated.  Here you just never know if things are actually going to happen and when they're going to happen if they do.  We thought National Day would go off with a bang...well we had half a bang.  But, overall a pretty magical day with family and friends.