While you were Sleeping - Cricket, Goodbye Dubai

This Part of the World is Crazy about Cricket

     Okay, here is an actual sentence describing India's thrilling victory over Dubai in yesterday's World Cup Cricket match:

     "Ashwin picked up his career best one-day International (ODI) figures of four for 25 from his 10 overs, getting rid of UAE (United Arab Emerates) middle order in quick time.  Pacer Yadev and left arm spinner Jadeja chipped in with two scalps each to skittle out the UAE for 102 in 32.2 overs"

     Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about!  We know how to play this game!  We know how to skittle!

     Actually I have no idea how cricket is played, other than they use a flat bat (kinda looks like an oar) and hit a ball and run back and forth and shout. 

     

     It's is the world's most confusing sport.  

     Another description of the action: "The Black Caps dismissed Australia for just 151, with Trent taking a career top five for 27.  This sparked a dramatic collapse that reduced the home side to 146 for nine and he returned 6-28 not out, with two deliveries in the 23rd over.  Final tally 70 dot balls, 18 fours, and eight wickets lost."

    What language are they speaking?  But amazingly, the World Cup of Cricket is a really big deal around here.  Indian is looking real good, Sri Lanka is competitive, and Dubai (UAE) is probably going home early.  We eventually head to South Africa and they are big time cricket fans there. 

Final Thoughts on Dubai

    By the time you read this, we will be on our way to Egypt.   I wanted to recap our time in Dubai and summarize the place. 

    Dubai is a combination of Las Vegas and Disneyland.  It's a modern city built on oil money in the middle of the desert, with a ton of wealth.  There are shopping malls everywhere, and they are all full. 

    There was not really much here even forty years ago.  It was a small Arab town dating back to Biblical times.  But with the oil wealth, and some foresight, they built a gleaming financial powerhouse that is vibrant with business and tourists.  

    It doesn't really seem real sometimes.  There are magnificent buildings rising out of the sand.  The world's tallest building is here, everybody drives new fancy cars.  They have done a good job of building tourist attractions, and families come from all over. 

    There is a "creek" side waterfront that runs into the sea, that provided a peaceful boat ride.  There are some historic sites there, and spice markets and such.

    But this is a mix of the old and the new.  They still load their local boats (called a Dhow) with modern electronic goods and transport them all around the region, just like in the old days.  And Arab women are covered from head to toe in all black, with just eye slits to see out of.  This picture tells it all.  

    

    We've enjoyed our visit here and stayed in a very nice hotel.  Much of the time on this trip we are in much less luxurious accommodations!