A weekend in Dubai

I’ve just returned from a weekend in Dubai resembling what can only be described as a baby whale.

It’s the holy month of Ramadan, fasting for us minions, and it is a time for extreme reflection and prayer.

For me, a non faster these days and a sceptical believer (though an avid Belieber) it resulted in excessive gluttony and feasting.  Not quite the point.  But I couldn’t quite resist the charm of a group iftar (breaking of fast), a really special thing to do with family.

A weekend seems a bit mental to travel to Dubai and back – I hear you say.

Well in some ways yes and in some ways no.  

To me, it was perfect.  

An overnight flight, a chance to get away, a cultural shift, intense extreme heat, blasting air conditioned cars, giant expansive American style roads, crazy mental Asian style driving, home cooked Indian food, chat chat and more chat, shopping, a gateway or stepping stone to India, a chance to spend some time with various extended family members (my grandmother’s nephews, their wives and children. Asian families, what can I say?  We be close man).

This August two of my friends are getting married in Kerala.  I have been debating whether it will be for better or worse for me to go.

On the one hand, sharing this experience and being there for them spurs on my decision to go.  On the other hand, I have some reservations least of all because I have avoided the place rather successfully for the last 3 years.

In the end greed prevailed – I was instructed I’d need 4 wedding outfits.  Having not been near an Indian store in 3 years, the chances were I’d need to buy some more.

Ok so Dubai may not be as cheap as India but I had great fun parading around in various multicoloured combinations of silk, chiffon, cotton and even velvet.  Not to mention glitz, glamour and bling.

I guess you could say, I’m definitely getting into the spirit of this whole wedding malarkey.

In one week my pesky exam will be done (again) and after that I’ll put the wheels in motion for my return to Nepal.

I have a few other trips lined up.  Norway – for the love of the word ‘fjord’ and Pisa – for the love of all things Italian (and the sun).

Watch this space guys.  Can’t wait to tell you all about it.