Flashback: Dubai: Leaving, Losing, Loose Ends, and Getting Home

In a quest for warmth, I traveled to Dubai in January 2012.

This was my final post from that trip.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Dubai: Leaving, Losing, Loose Ends, and Getting Home

Dubai, UAE. January 2012.

Time to leave Dubai. Loved the weather. It was exactly what I sought before getting back into the cold Georgian winter for the next few months.

I also liked my first foray into the middle east. Liked it in the sense that I made the foray. My experience pushed some cultural buttons of mine that I know will be interesting to explore more deeply in the future, such as how what a person wears, i.e. an abaya with full head covering, can provoke such complex feelings in me.

(By the way, one sunny morning I walked behind a man who was wearing the traditional white Arabic dress. It was transparent; I wasn't close enough to discern if he wore underwear.)

I saw nary a dog in the five days I was in Dubai. A number of cats, though.

Some photographic loose ends

A metro entrance. Each metro entrance has a distinctive design. This is the Dubai Mall metro station. 

Flats for rent in Deira neighborhood. In USD, the prices translate, left to right, at $490, $544, $599, and $680 per month

Metro station interior. Dubai, UAE. January 2012.

No fish allowed on metro. Also, no gum chewing. Dubai, UAE. January 2012.

Approach to Palm Deira metro station. Dubai, UAE. January 2012.

Typical toilet in Dubai. Note the spray nozzle on left. Ubiquitous for cleaning oneself, and then toilet paper.

Dubai airport misadventure

Dubai, UAE. January 2012.

Went through two or three security checks upon arrival at the Dubai airport. Was walking down a corridor toward my gate when I did my periodic body check for all of the necessary artificial appendages: purse, backpack, camera ... camera.... camera? Damn. Looked in my backpack and my purse. Not there. I backtracked to the security station I'd just left. (This required me to walk up a ton of steps that had going-down escalators and no going-up escalators.)

Arrived back at the security station, explained I'd left behind my camera either at this station or the one before, and the staff there gave me a negatory and pointed me to a supervisor. Snippy supervisors exist in all countries, all cultures, and she was one of those creatures. She was immediately on the defensive, stating that no one had taken it. (Who said anything about taking it? Sheesh.) Did I have it in my purse, perhaps?

In a deadly polite voice, I responded, "Madame, I don't believe it was taken. I have looked in my purse. Would you care to look there yourself?" and I opened it up for her.

"Where do you believe you left it?"

I said I wasn't sure at which station I might have left it behind.

To which she responded, "So you are unsure where your camera is."

"Madame," I said. (If I were a cobra, this would have come out as a hisssssss.)  "It is either at this station or a previous one."

By this time, a call had been made to the previous station, and it had been reported back that there was no camera there. Which she reported to me. And she'd called out to the station nearby - did they see such a camera? Nope, they said, no camera here.

I said, "May we just walk over and look?"

Which we did, she reluctantly so. As we approached the station, I cast my eyes about, and by God, just as she was confirming that there was no camera to be found, there I saw it, on the floor next to the x-ray machine. It had fallen out somewhere in the process of being pushed through - NOT by me.

So I retrieved my camera from her hands and as I was about to utter the words, "thank you," she trumped me with "you're welcome."

There's a little coda to this story. During my layover in Azerbaijan, I realized my wristwatch, which I keep looped around my purse's handle, was missing. I'm willing to bet it got pulled off (accidentally) at that same security station in Dubai. I'm hoping so. Every morning at 6:45, it beeps for 20 seconds. In my imagination, it startled the bejesus out of that pompous little group before they tracked it down.

Azerbaijan

Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan

In-flight movie on Azerbaijan Airlines

The airport cat was still hanging about.

Same in-flight movie on the leg to Tbilisi.

Back to Rustavi

Took a taxi from the airport to Rustavi.

In short order, I climbed into a comfortable bed. My hostess, Nely, gave me two hot water bottles to keep me warm.


Related posts on my trip to Dubai here.


And a slide show here:

Life Hacks From the Road: It's the Sunglasses

Sunglasses and sandals outside monastery in Gonder, Ethiopia. 2011.

I pouted when, on sunny days, I couldn't see what was on my new camera's LCD monitor if I turned it for a portrait view.

In the horizontal view, I could see the LCD monitor fine. 

It made no sense at all. What the hell was wrong with my camera?

I did my research.

Well, fuckity fuck.

My sunglasses.

Remove my sunglasses and voila! I can see the monitor! Put 'em back on and the monitor is dark.


Other crazy hacks from the road:

• My mouse lost consciousness. 
• I had a headache that just wouldn't go away. 

El Paso: Municipal Rose Garden

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

Snug by the side of the lovely Manhattan Heights neighborhood is the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden. Free. A haven of fragrances, a field of bright-colored marzipans.

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

Large allium reminded me of my mother's gardens, present and past.

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

A little video below:

Can we call brides and grooms and their attendants flowers, too? I think so.

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

If we were under the sea, these graceful, waving tendrils might be coral.

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

There is always a yang to the yin, is there not? A sawtooth presence brings a bit of bite to the scene, adding balance to the sweet.

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

It reminds me of the palm at Cypremort Point State Park in South Lousiana.


A slide show below:

A tribute to Georgia O'Keefe here:

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, El Paso, Texas, May 2017.

El Paso: Desert Botanical Garden

El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

May 2017


A morning in May. A good day to visit the El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens, part of the Keystone Heritage Park.

Really, what is there to say about a botanical garden that isn't better said in photographs?

Or to pass a few moments together in this video below:

And after walking about for a bit, another sit and gentle breathe here:

El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017. Artist: Aaron Royal Mosley.

El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

A slide show below:

El Paso: UTEP: A Couple of Days in May

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

May 2017



I look at these photos from a couple of days in May, and a slow, deep exhale of appreciation escapes me. 

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Damn.

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

I am reminded of a story. Years ago, I tackled the lack of sidewalks in the community where I lived at the time. I said sheepishly to my friend, "I know it's not a super important issue, but ...."

My friend stopped me right there and told me that even the simplest things can have a major impact on others. She gave me the example of Ladybird Johnson and the bluebells. Since then, I have witnessed other testimonies to the power of small and beautiful.

So it is with UTEP's thoughtful, intentional investment in the beauty of its campus. When we walk in the midst of such beauty, it soothes, smooths, and refreshes our spirits.

El Paso: History Museum Stairwell

Stairwell, El Paso History Museum, El Paso, Texas. November 2016.

November 2016


When my daughter was a toddler, I took her to the zoo. We entered the children's petting zoo enclave. I was sure she'd be dazzled by all of the little critters up so close and touchable.

But no. Head bent toward the ground, she crouched, lifted some tiny pebbles and slid them into her pants pocket. She walked a few steps, crouched, gathered more pebbles, inserted them into her pocket. On that day, pebbles called her and not the main attractions.

Given my ambivalence about most museums, it seems quite natural that I might do as my daughter did, in a way.

The stairwell at the El Paso History Museum! 

Stairwell, El Paso History Museum, El Paso, Texas. November 2016.

The colors, the angles, the varying textures of the surfaces, the velvety view of the city through a window. The light.

Stairwell, El Paso History Museum, El Paso, Texas. November 2016.

I quite like the stairwell.

El Paso: Upson Rooms for Men

Upson Rooms for Men, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

 

May 2017


When I walk downtown from my place in Sunset Heights, I usually take the route that carries me past the Upson Rooms for Men.

Upson Rooms for Men, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

It sits on prime downtown real estate, on Prospect, just behind the Scottish Rite building and adjacent to a vacant lot.

I'm sure someone is waiting for the right moment to capitalize on the property.

In the meantime, I'm happy there is affordable housing for some folks in such a grand location.

An optimistic resident planted a garden in front of the building.

Upson Rooms for Men, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Upson Rooms for Men, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

"Is It Worth Going to ...."?

A most excellent day in Gardabani, near Rustavi, Caucasus Georgia. March 2012. Photo courtesy of Eva K, who was part of that remarkable day.

On travel forums, I cringe when people ask if a place is "worth" going to.

Vakhtangisi, how many km to Rustavi, Caucasus Georgia. March 2012.

And on the other side of such a question is the response from self-appointed experts who rush to reply that, no, a place is not worth going to.

Music venue in the Lupus Garage, Lupus, Missouri. October 2013.

Or worse, when they offer such advice, unsolicited, to an individual expressing interest in a particular destination.

Antelope Wells, New Mexico. March 2013.

For example, touring the historic Route 66 (the Mother Road) in the U.S. is a popular draw for foreign tourists. But invariably, when these folks announce their Route 66 itinerary plans on a popular travel forum, a passel of Americans jump up to gleefully proclaim it's not "worth" doing the Mother Road because "there's nothing there." Which is false, of course.


Obviously, if you seek something very specific, it makes sense to know if the size and caliber of your specific something exists in a potential destination.

Columbus, New Mexico. April 2013.

But if you are:

• Looking for generally good travel experiences;
• Open to adventure;
• Observant; and 
• Flexible ....

... then just about everywhere is worth going to.

Cemetery in east El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Like these:

• Gardabani, Part 2: Men in Black
• Lupus, Missouri: The Chili Fest, Part 3: Before You Die
• Columbus, New Mexico, Part 1: You Mean There's More Than One Part? Are You Kidding?
• Keshalo: A Tiny Adventure

El Paso: Black History Parade

El Paso Black History Parade, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

February 25, 2017


The sky was a blue that spoke of Delft candles, blue plate specials, true blue.

It was the day of El Paso's Black History Parade. The link to the left has better photos than I do. Take a look there.

El Paso Black History Parade, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Wiggly-waggly china berries distracted me on the way to the parade.


A gentleman bore a magnificent cane.

El Paso Black History Parade, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Princesses and queens presided over things, waving to appreciative subjects along the sidelines. A tender quote from a pageant contestant, Desiree Anderson, via KVIA: "This is a great opportunity to love ourselves."

I saw a number of Junior ROTC units.

El Paso Black History Parade, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

El Paso Black History Parade, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

In fact, there was such a strong presence of military youth units, it provoked questions about recruiting disproportionately low-income students of color as cannon fodder.

But is that necessarily true?

2014: The Poverty Draft? Exploring the Role of Socioeconomic Status in U.S. Military Recruitment of Hispanic Students. A small study that focuses on high school students in the Rio Grande Valley. Authors: Jessica Lavariega Monforti and Adam McGlynn.

2013: Uncle Sam Wants Who? From Foreign Policy. Author: Rosa Brooks.


Also, El Paso has several military bases around it, therefore, a large military population that includes active, inactive, and retired folks.

So maybe it's logical that there'd be such a large visual presence of Junior ROTC units at the Black History Parade.

But just to be contrarian, I did also notice that the majority of the girls in the student military units didn't carry guns; gun-carrying fell almost exclusively to the boys.

I even asked one of the Junior ROTC advisors, in effect, "Why do so few girls carry guns"?

His first response was to correct me on my use of the word "guns" and to use "rifles" instead. And then he added something about how, well, they're working on that, or something.


A slide show below:

Juárez: Fourth Date: Dancers and Photographers

Dancing in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

February 2017


All of my dates with Juárez here. 


I tapped my toes to the tunes of the dancers in the zoot suits of the 1940s, pachucos.

Dancing in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

Dancing in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

You come, too:

Then from another era, another dancer:

Dancing in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

A continuation of my visit to the Museum of the Revolution on the Border

Museum of the Revolution on the Border, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

The museum devotes a room to photographers, both professional and amateur. When I use the word "amateur," I don't mean trifling; I mean a person who is serious about their photography, but does not derive their livelihood from it.

Museum of the Revolution on the Border, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

I like that the museum curators included a photojournalist who was a woman. 

Museum of the Revolution on the Border, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

Museum of the Revolution on the Border, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

A very young photographer also received recognition:

Museum of the Revolution on the Border, Chihuahua, Mexico. February 2017.

When you look at the bent heads of the photographers, their focus intent on a screen below them, does it remind you of any behavior in our current times?