"Oh my God! Where in the WORLD do you live?"

mood: happy
craving: traveling

I get this question from my old friends/family back home. Facebook being the new tool to keep in touch, it comes in handy to re-connect with all those grade school friends and family you haven't seen in the past 10 yrs or more (in my case).

I feel when I do mention where I live there's always someone asking me," Where is THAT?" It's rare for me to get one or two people who know where UAE is.

First of all, I don't live in the desert in a tent with no running water and a hole in the sand as my bathroom. I don't ride a camel to go places and far most! No, I don't live amongst Arabian terrorists. :| NO No NO to all those... It makes me giggle to know that people actually think this. I've never had any of my family members here in UAE ask me if I ride horses back in TEXAS. Believe me, they are very worldly people.

I find that Europeans and Arabs are pretty damn smart when it comes to the world outside their countries. They really push them to be. Europe has always just been worldly; I've met many Europeans. I think Europeans travel more than Americans. I guess with living between the continents, they know a lot more than the typical American. Sad but true.

Before I was Muslim, in my little bubble in TEXAS, I knew little or nothing about the Middle East and I loved Geography. Now, I know of places that I'm sure the typical American wouldn't ever know. We have the biggest tower, the biggest mall and the biggest indoor theme park in the world here! They're building the world's first zero carbon/zero waste city here (Masdar City). It's hard to believe some people don't even know what UAE is/ where it is.

I wish people would take a look at a map or watch the Discovery Channel (like my dad does) and see where United Arab Emirates is. It's a lovely little country and very progressive. I see more Americans and foreigners here than the locals. I want to invite y'all to learn about the UAE.

This country is so beautiful and RICH in culture and history. I'm sure y'all would enjoy sunny days here in this beautiful country.

So, when y'all are planning your next Holiday/Vacation, plan to come see me. It would be a pleasure for me to show you around UAE... and who knows, maybe we can hop on to other countries that are close.


final whisper: it's never to late to make a plane reservation... I'm waiting...