Hey friends. It's me, Grover. I think the last time you heard from me was when Tylene and I were travelling around Europe. Well, actually, I don't think you actually heard from me...she doesn't usually pry herself away from the computer long enough to let anyone else get a word in edgewise!
Soooo, this past weekend was a super long weekend. I like super long weekends. Super reminds me of this friend that I have who wears a cape and then flies to the rescue of all in danger. You might be thinking about Superman...not me, I'm thinking of Super-Grover. Some people have said that we're one in the same, but it's not true! I mean, have you seen me lately? I have a hard time keeping it together. But I digress.
Soooo, this past weekend was super long weekend. Oh oh! That's how we got off track last time. Anywho, in Kuwait last week National Day and Liberation Day were celebrated. Now, when Kuwaitis celebrate, they go all out. I mean, as we drove through the city in recent weeks, preparations for these two holidays were underway. There were buildings with huge light displays, all in the colours of the Kuwaiti Flag.
At school on Tuesday (not yesterday, but the Tuesday before. Yesterday's Tuesday was "near" The other Tuesday is "far". Near...faaaaar. Near...faaar.
Back on track...last Tuesday, students at Tylene's school dressed up in Kuwait colours. When I lived on Sesame Street, when we'd have spirit days, people would just wear pants or shirts with the colours on them. Not in Kuwait. There were children in BALL GOWNS all dressed up for the occasion. Some of the boys were wearing traditional Kuwaiti clothing...the dishdasha. They were dashing in their dishdashas. Ha ha ha. Grover sooooo funny. Ha ha ha.
National Day and Liberation Day are two holidays that getting out of Kuwait is a good idea...unless you don't mind being sprayed with foam, silly string and water guns full of who knows what! It's a little chaotic. The extra two days of the weekend meant Tylene fled to Dubai. I am grateful each time I get to travel. I mean, really, there is only so much sand one can look at. And camels, they kind of creep me out. The only downfall of travelling with Tylene is that I lose my section of prime real estate on top of the Ikea bookshelf and get stuffed in a purse. It's a hard life, but some one's got to do it.
Wednesday morning was an early start. We were on our way to the airport by 6 a.m. I don't know about Ty, but I was not ready for such an early start to my "holiday". At any rate, we made it to the airport in relatively good time and all went smoothly. We met up with the Langland's once we got to the airport...Rob and Angela have two kids - Anouk and Xavier. They are great. I was sooo lucky, the kids were willing to hang out with me while I was on the plane. I'm an anxious flier (another fact proving that I'm NOT Super Grover). Tylene said they were "babysitting" me, but really, I'm Grover, I don't need a babysitter. That's like saying her silly cats babysit me while she's at school. I think it's the other way around. You should see the stuff they get into when Ty's at work.
Goodness, I digress a lot. Anywho, the flight to Dubai took about as long as the process of getting out of the Dubai airport. But once we arrived, it was evident that we were somewhere special...somewhere that was definitely NOT Kuwait. It was lush, and green, and hot. I was thankful, for once, to be stuffed in the purse. I have very delicate skin, I would have surely had a sun burn! And my nose...it's already so pink...that's all I need.
Wednesday in Dubai was an adventure. We checked into our hotel/apartment and then set out for lunch. A 10 minute walk had us at the Burjuman Mall. Lunch was delicious...fish and chips. We then set out in search of the Creek, the Dubai Creek, that is, not Dawson's Creek (tee hee hee). Our hotel was just a hop, skip and a jump from the creek. Along the way we stopped on the boulevard in the middle of the street to enjoy the GRASS and palm trees. The grass was incredible...it smelled like grass. It felt so good. Tylene had to pry my body from the grass.
Tylene's friends Mel and Jason travelled with us to Dubai. They are great people and were fun to hang out with. As we were on our walk, it was really getting hot. We ended up back at the Mall where we started (about 2 hours later...walked in circles...Tylene was "reading" the map again!) I give her a hard time, but really, it was a good thing. We were looking for somewhere to buy water and sunscreen. There wasn't anything along the creek, so we had to head back to where we were.
We hung out at the Mall for a while, went back to the hotel and lounged by the pool. Holidays are very strenuous. Now, I opted out of the hotel pool and took a little time to unwind in the hotel. I am a little bit of an introvert. Snuffalupogus might disagree, but it's true.
Wednesday evening we ventured out to the Irish Village. It's like Ireland in the desert. It was so wonderful to get out and enjoy some music, lively crowds, and a warm summer's night. And in good Irish fashion, perhaps there was also beer, pork and Bailey's cheesecake. Tylene makes it look like I enjoy beer a little too much. Everywhere we go, she takes a picture of me as I'm enjoying a cold one. It's really not that bad!
Time was well spent at the Irish Village in Dubai. The Irish Village is located beneath the Dubai Tennis Arena. It just so happened that the Barclay's Tennis Championships were going on when we were in Dubai. Mel and Jason were delighted to learn that tickets were indeed available. We headed back to the hotel and called it a night.
Thursday wasn't the greatest of days. As it always happens, as soon as Tylene slows down enough to have a little fun, she gets sick. As a result, she essentially spent the entire day Thursday in bed. She ventured out with Mel and Jason and I in the afternoon to go to the Gold Souk. We took a water taxi across the creek and checked out many of the markets. The Gold Souk was a little overwhelming. Everywhere you looked there was gold. Tylene was going to buy a little bling, but sadly after the journey getting to the souk (which was a lot of fun) and looking at the window displays of store after store she was ready to call it a day. Mel and Jason were heading back for the afternoon Tennis Matches, so Tylene and I headed back to the hotel via water taxi and then a nice walk.
A trip to the pharmacy was in order by dinner time, so we headed back to the mall. While out, had some supper and went back to the hotel and called it a night. Another evening in the Irish Village would have been great fun, but I couldn't leave Tylene at home alone...that would be too sad!
Friday was a new day. Tylene was feeling better. She made breakfast for everyone...French toast. Rumour has it that it was delicious. As it usually happens, I slept through breakfast. I'm more of a dinner and drinks kind of guy. Then all of us ventured out on a bus tour. We toured the sights and sounds of Dubai, learned a little about the history of the city and saw some of the famous landmarks that Dubai is known for; man made islands; 7 star hotels; the lost city of Atlantis; Jumeira beach; Wafi Mall and of course, Ski Dubai and the Mall of the Emirates.
We ended the tour at the Mall of the Emirates and did some shopping. Tylene was all excited about purchasing a "Dubai hat". It was very disappointing when it appeared that the biggest mall in the middle east did not have any hats. Instead, she found a pair of dashing, yellow shoes. You should see her in them. She just lights up and goes around saying her "yellow Dubai shoes are like sunshine" and blah blah blah. They're shoes!
Friday evening Ty and I went to visit the Langland's. Angela's aunt lives in Dubai. She hosted a party for Angela. It was an opportunity for us to meet Angela's family and dear friend from back home. Angela is from California. Her husband, Rob, is from Belgium. They have taught in Kenya as well, so have had many great experiences with international teaching. Angela's aunt works at a school in Dubai. Perhaps Tylene made a few job connections for the future!
Friday night when I got back to the hotel, Mel brought a loverly treat. A yellow Dubai hat. It was delightful! Not only did Tylene leave with her yellow Dubai shoes, she has a matching hat. Just wait until she comes home this summer...a whole new girl!
Saturday sent us back to Kuwait. We were about 3 minutes from landing and still couldn't see the ground. Dust storm. Needless to say, we weren't back home for 10 minutes before Tylene's allergies were out of control! Again, all I hear is her blowing her nose. Her nose is almost as pink as mine now. Tee hee hee.
Well friends, it's been great chatting with you. I best wrap this up before Tylene finds out that I've hacked into her blog. I will remind her to put up pictures online too...it's been a while since such things were updated.
Until next time...
Grover! Tee hee hee.
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