Monthly Archives: January 2014

Day 14 – Berj Khalifa

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Another building that I have become fascinated, borderline obsessed, with during our visit is the Berj Khalifa.  It is the tallest building in the world, standing tall at 160 stories and more than 2700 feet.  When standing at the base, it is nearly impossible to get the entire tower in the frame…although we have tried and thanks to technology succeeded a few times.  Today I took some photos from the window outside of our room and you can see that it dwarfs the others standing around it.  In fact it looks as if it is doubling it in size.

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Tonight, after risking our lives for in the market (a story for later), for some purse shopping we headed back down to the Dubai Mall that is next to the beauty where the fountain show occurs to see the show and naturally we started taking more photos.  I do believe it is even more beautiful at night.

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And finally, I have a video from the dancing fountain show.  I posted one from the show during the day a couple of posts ago.  I think this one blows it away.  Very cool seeing it at night.  I’m glad we survived our near death experiencing shopping for purses.

http://youtu.be/-J_-yM-ZCgI

Tomorrow begins Melanie’s portion of the vacation as her work conference is over.  We will be heading to the dunes for some “dune bashing”.  Here’s to hoping for no car sickness.

My Dinner Companion

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While Melanie is off to a work party I have found another woman to keep me company while I dine.

Hoping to get inside the building before we leave as they are said to have the world’s largest indoor waterfall. If not the tallest at the very least a very tall and impressive one.

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Day 13: getting Going

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After a full night of sleep Melanie is off to work forcing me to relax and have fun. Today I relaxed with a lovely breakfast served by Anus, er sorry that is Anis. I then went for a walk and arranged my rental car and a tee time. Good thing I can get rental clubs, I don’t think my clubs would fit.

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Day 12: Damn You Jet Lag

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And here I was worried that Melanie would be the one battling.  I sat down to type this up 60 minutes ago and am only to get four words typed before falling asleep only to wake ten minutes later and start the process over again.  Wow, I am tired.  Jet Lag 1 – Aaron 0

Given my fatigue, I am just going to mail this one in and post some pictures from our short day wandering through the Dubai mall and of the Burj Khalifa…the world’s tallest building.

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Oh and here is a video of a fountain show.  Can’t wait to see it at night.

http://youtu.be/rjiVju0yTpw

 

 

Day 11: Let The Games Begin

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We have arrived in Dubai and quite frankly I don’t even know what day it is after losing an entire day to travel. Melanie got in late last night and I got here just a couple hours ago. Now begins the battle versus jet lag. Surprisingly I slept really well on the plane, thank you first class, and with me arriving in the morning I think I will be alright. Unfortunately for Melanie, the one that is here for work, she didn’t sleep well and I fear she will have a bit of a battle. Off for now to fake the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

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Day 10: Standing Ovation?

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On my way to Dubai with a layover in Boston and I get to spend the evening watching the pats game with my good buddy John Lombardi. A couple things I discovered tonight is that the beauty of real friends is that you can go for years without talking and then pick up where you left off…something John bragged about for some reason when he left Dallas years ago. I also discovered that the fans here give a standing ovation at the end of the game. Rather than just walk out of the bar, the entire crowd stood and applauded the victory.

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Day 9: New Found Respect

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A little over a month ago I joined an instructional hockey league. It is a game I love to watch and have always wanted to play. Once the boys started playing I figured it was finally time for me to give it a try. Tonight was my first game and I now have so much more respect for Mason. I also now understand why he sometimes loses track of the puck. Such a fast game.

Day 8: The Sugar Fairies Arrive

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As Melanie and I are about to head out of the country for a week, in comes Grandma, Aunt Pat, and Grandma Pam to stay with the boys. I thought at first the spoiling would wait until we left, then I looked at the counter in the kitchen and found a pecan pie, cinnamon rolls, chocolate cinnamon cake, fudge of all sorts, m&ms, and Swedish fish. Not sure if this is all for the boys or to help the elderly keep up their energy level. Either way, I sat down with Mason tonight and asked him to please try and watch over the asylum while we are away. Hope the house is still standing upon our return.

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Day 7: He Had A Dream

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In school, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of MLK’s speech, the kids read and were taught about it and then asked to write a letter to Dr. King.  A few weeks ago we were approached by his teacher letting us know that she had submitted Mason’s letter to be the one representing the school at the district level for a competition with the winners reading at a special celebration on the 23rd.  While we were on the cruise I got an email from his teacher, Mrs. James, letting us know that he was one of four kids selected from the school district as a “winner”.  I was very proud to read this email while on the boat, but I just read through what he wrote, as a copy was sent home, and I must say that win or lose I could never be more proud of him.

“Dear Dr. King,

I know how to keep your dream alive and the fiftieth anniversary, too.  We can help more people be nice.  We can help people if they are hurt.  We can help people be safer and have equal rights.  I will make a speech to the world like you.  I will go everywhere and make this speech.  I will help people in my school be a better person by telling them what is right and what is wrong.  I learn about you in school and that makes me feel powerful to help others.  Someday I might be like you.

Sincerely,

Mason Fricke”