Abu Dhabi and Videos

Check out some vidoes from the Sunset Safari...

Sunset Safari 1
Sunset Safari 2
Sunset Safari 3
Sunset Safari 4
Sunset Safari 5
Sunset Safari 6
Sunset Safari 7
Sunset Safari 8
Sunset Safari 9
Sunset Safari 10
Sunset Safari 11
Sunset Safari 12
Sunset Safari 13
Camel Farm
Byron Belly Dancing

Now that my adrenaline has returned to normal levels, I guess I can get back to real life and do some work... I had to make some payments to some vendors so I made the schlep into Abu Dhabi to meet them at their offices. Typically vendors bring a portable credit card machine to the base, but some vendors do not have that capability. The first stop was a rundown building in the outskirts of town and I got in and out as soon as possible. The next vendor was in downtown and when I walked in I was met by a doorman and escorted into a waiting room. Not only was this the most comfortable chair I have ever sat it, but they brought my mini water bottles (think 3rd grade orange juice containers where you peel back the top) with the best tasting water I have ever had. I felt like the waterboy getting some glacier water. The worst part of that payment was leaving the chair and not getting anymore water. 

Last weekend I went on a trip with some of the other contracting guys into Abu Dhabi. Much of the architecture is amazing.

      Mercedes Benz Building

                                                           Grand Mosque

                                                    Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi

Since there is not much to do here but shop, we decided to go to several malls. It is fun to haggle with these guys on anything and everything, but then again it is hard to tell if things are real or not. They have anything you could possibly think of at these malls. They range from flea market to super luxurious style stores. The Marina Mall is the nicest mall I have ever been in and everything (including a bottle of water) was out of my price range. We did get a chance to go up in a space needle-type building in the middle of the mall and you can see the entire city. It was fairly hazy, but seeing the palace was extremely humbling. Even more humbling, was that this palace was deemed "too small" and a new one is being built to the new specifications of the President.

"Too Small" Palace

The original President, who unified the Emirates into today's configuration, "Our Father Zayed", is everywhere. I would hate to be the new President and have to live in his shadow. Imagine George Washington's face on 50% of the buildings in the country and his name on streets/departments/stores/money/anything else you can name, and you would be at about half the recognition as OFZ gets.

After all of the malls, we went to the marina to eat dinner and smoke hookah. Even though I have not had hookah since being out here, all the other guys love it and just having dinner and being in this setting, on the water with the perfect temperature in the 70's, you cant complain.

                                                    Abu Dhabi Marina

At the marina I decided to use the bathroom, talk about a big mistake. The Arab culture doesnt exactly believe in toilet paper, but instead use this hose to clean themselves. After seeing the flood that was on the ground (from sprayers who should use this often) I decided to not trust it and wait till I was back on base.

Last week we had an exercise to put our gear on, run downstairs and meet in a central location. We then had to inspect our gas masks, but I had no idea how and with the rabbi beard I am growing, it probably wouldn't even fit anymore. On Friday that exercise was put to the test as they had a fake bombing, and we had to go to the bunkers and brace ourselves. Wearing full body armor and business casual clothes doesnt always match. Especially when I have to sit on the ground and get my (newly dry cleaned) pants all dirty again.

Many of the guys in the office have nerf guns and everyonce in a while we get into a gun battle to let off a little steam. As I did not have one, I secretly ordered one off line to be able to defend myself in battle. It doesn't matter that the one I bought can hold 40 discs and can shoot rapid fire and has the most power and is the most accurate, I fight fair I promise.

Once my gun came in I secretly filled the chamber and proceeded to walk in to the services office and unload all 40 discs before anyone of the 3 could reach for their guns- satisfied with my victory I walked back to my desk, knowing I had superior firepower. After this exchange, people don't mess with the Bearded One anymore.

As a way to build squadron morale I came up with the Nerflympics.Everyone got to shoot 10 targets from specific spots and the fastest won a prize. Unfortunately, I came in 2nd to last (had a disadvantage going first), but still was lots of fun. Lieutenant "Left Eye" Lopez narrowly edged out Scott "Firewall 4" Thomas for the victory and received the first ECONS Olympic award of the year.

Lt Lopez with the Burj Al Arab Trophy

Scott's Nerflympics
Tony's Nerflympics
Acceptance Speech


The next olympic event will be in 4 weeks and even if I have to rig it I will not come in 2nd to last again. I am not above stacking the deck in order to get the trophy for 4 weeks before it moves on to the next event.

Next week I am going on a day cruise to Dubai...

-SITS