On the Run! Paul McCartney in Abu Dhabi!

What's on your "bucket list"?  One of mine got checked off tonight, to see Paul McCartney in concert.  The music concert Gods were with me when a teacher posted a ticket for sale and for only Dhm 100, or less than $30 USD and I was first to respond! Thanks to Becca and Mark Hoskins for selling their ticket and making a dream of mine to come true!

This is an amazing site, Yas Island offers the Yas Marina Circuit, where the Formula One Grad Prix just completed it's third year.  The island also has a Warner Brothers Theme Park, the fastest roller coaster in the world, Ferrari World and Ikea!

This picture shows the open forum of the Yas Arena.
Truly incredible to look at - it is a huge sculpture where people perform!

Leaving the Granstand area and heading to the concert arena!

Time to go in!

T-Shirts - Dhms120 -300,  or $30 -$75.

The stage is set!

I'm here!  Wishing D was with me!  

About eight rows back in the crowd!  Inching forward, bit by bit.  

On the sides were scrolling pictures prior to Paul coming on stage. 

He is coming out on stage!

How do you know you're at a concert in the UAE?  There's your sign!

So many cool pictures of Tucson!

Three Words:  Sold OUT SHOW!

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Eid al-Adha!

Eid al-Adha is one of two Eid festivals and the celebrations start after Haij, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca began at sunset on Sunday, November 6th and ended at sunset on Monday, November 7th.  Families met at the park, beaches, all over to spend time together. 

Yes, a camel in the park....

While the last five days off were time off for the expats, for the muslim community it was Eid al-Adha, or the "Festival of Sacrifice", a very important religious holiday.  The holiday is worldwide and remember the willingness of Abraham for sacrificing his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, but just in time, God stepped in and provided Abraham with a sheep to sacrifice instead.

My student, Noof brought me this traditional dish, a desert.
Very sweet in flavor, almost maple  syrup with spices.  

At school we had a celebration and traditional foods were
served.  The girls brought me around to show me the treats
they had prepared with their moms. 

Could not have this....had seafood, but it did look good. 

Lots of desserts!

While these look like cupcakes from home, great detail to
the presentation of desserts is very common.  

A group of students gave me this rose, orange my favorite color. 

The teachers were given this pouch as part of the Haij and
anticipating the beginning of Eid al-Adha.

Inside MONEY! Dh 5, or about $1.25.

Inside was the Dh 5, nuts, candy and chocolates. 

Have you seen UAE money?

One side in english....Thank Allah!

Interesting factoid!  The UAE has the second highest diabetes
problem in the world, with #1 being Egypt. Candy is a REAL
problem here, increasing risks of diabetes, but also with
dental problems, quite evident in the next generation of kids. 

National Day is just around the corner and this Porshe Cayenne
is decorated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the UAE on
December 2nd!

The Crowned Prince...Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayhan!
The 40 to the left, for the UAE turns 40 on December 2nd.
The falcon behind him, a very important animal in the UAE.

The detail is amazing on this vehicle.

The UAE flag!


And today when I returned to school our school secretary greeted us with a big smile
and a beautiful box....with this inside....SO Sweet and thoughtful!

Three Words:  Mark YOUR calendar!

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