Job!!!

Hey All,

Just a quick post on the new job. Well, its incredible. Just what I wanted, a Management job overseeing many hospitals in Dubai/Abu Dhabi. This includes the overall operation of the food service departments, menu analysis, many site visits (very hands on), and making changes. Its unreal, and a lot of responsibility. I cannot wait to see what this has to bring me in the future. My colleagues are from all over the world. Seems to be a lot of Aussie's though, which are always fun. Overall, I love the company, its overall goals, and the confidence they have in me to make change. The one benefit about working for a food company is yup... FREE LUNCH! haha ;)

Now, I just need one more thing.... VISITORS? COMEON folks!! I miss you and love you all!!!!

Regards,

Your Desert Gal,

Allie

3 year Anniversary Continued

Outside the hotel. Notice the nice cars. Thats VIP parking. hha I forgot to mention that you cannot go into see the hotel if you do not have a reservation.
Our celebratory Cigar!!
Chad's turn with the cigar... By the way, he is growing the mustache for "Movember" A fundraiser for prostate cancer, and overall mens health. Lets just say, we both cant wait for December. haha
Looking up at the fountain.

The Burj Al Arab up close and personal. Driving away in the Cab from a wonderful evening! Thank you Chad!

Burj Al Arab (the most luxurious hotel in the world)

It was Chad and my 3 year Anniversary and yes, he takes me to the Burj Al Arab. What a surprise. This hotel is so breath taking, and it is "A sight for sore eyes" asChad would say. I hope my pictures let you see and feel what we did on that night. To many more Chad! =)The front of the hotel lobby. WOW! eh? (My coworkers also ensure to point out when the one Canadian in the office says "eh" . Who knew I'd be working with mostly Aussies, Brits, and Americians!)
Front lobby Ctd.
Front lobby, and creative ceiling. Tres cool.
So, the story is, when we arrive there was a card on the table saying "Happy Anniversary". Chad and I thought that was a really nice touch, and we would remember that for our future business. haha BUT theres more. After we pay, the waitor comes out and says "This is a gift to you from our Management staff." And presents us with a full CHOCOLATE CAKE that says "Happy Anniversary". Unreal. Un-freakin-real. ahaha
While we are having dinner, and looking out on the water, all of a sudden we hear a loud bang! Well, it was fireworks. The hotel has fireworks nightly. Can you believe this?

Sassan's (Chad's Boss) Wedding!

The bride and groom cutting the cake!! Not just with any knife, with an arabic sword. Cuts threw anything.
Guests taking pictures with the happy couple. Can I just say, I love the dress, and it suits her well. What a beauty!
During the wedding, everytable was given a confetti "popper" . Needless to say, confetti was everywhere, on everyone, and no one cared. Loads of fun!
The gang!! We had the coolest table at the wedding. ahah Except for that of the bride and groom of course.
Chad standing in the reception area before the party.


To sum up my first Arabic wedding (and hopefully not the last)... AMAZING!! So much fun, so much culture, and such wonderful people. The food was great. A huge buffet, with my favourite dessert...Om Ali... Its like a warmed up cinnamon pudding. And the creme brulee? Lets just say I went back for seconds. hahah Anyways, it was a great time had by all!

Egypt

Our Egypt trip was incredible. We got to see so many things, and it felt like we could better understand the parts of history we learn about in school.
We went to Luxor, which had so many temples, and we really enjoyed the tombs in the valley of the kings.
We spent 3 days in Cairo, went to Giza, Cairo tower, Parks, the Egyptian Museum, the Market, went to a tasty iftar, and tried sheesha!
Spent the last two days in Alex, went to the four seasons, the stunning alex library, Qaitbay, tried Ayiza (THE BEST ICE CREAM IN THE WORLD!), and went to Omar's beach house.

The best part of the trip: the PEOPLE. Thank you to everyone who made our trip. You are all very kind, and special!

Allie and Chad

Omars Beach house In Alex

Omar's wonderful family! We went back to their house to have the best shwarma we have ever ha in our lives. Such a kind family. We cannot thank them enough! This is our "gangsta pose"haha
We stayed on the beach until the sun went down.
Omar, chad and I
Trying to play..... I think I'll stick to Basketball.

Egypt: Castels, and threatres!

Qaitbay! In Alex. It had a great view in of the Sea!
Our wondeful tour guide in Alex. She was one of Ahmeds friends (We met Ahmed in Cairo). They were always looking out for us.
The Roman outdoor theatre in Alexandria, Egypt.
A shot of "Kena Kalee lee.." (wrong spelling) Its a market that runs all the times, its super busy, and has great cheap souvenirs for sale, not to mention the best turkish coffee EVER!
More amazing Egyptians. Honestly. we were overwhelmed with their kindness. Thanks for everything!

Egypt: Inside the pyramids.

Here is a shot of the small pathway leading to the inside of the pyramid.
This was in Dashur. It was actually one of the hardest climbs I have ever done. First off, you have to climb up the pyramid. Then you can go inside, but to get down you go about 50 metres straight down inside the pryamid. Once you get inside it smells of ammonia. It was not that big inside, which is suprising because it looks huge from the outside.
The Step pyramid.
Me and the Sphinx in Giza.
Chad and I roaming around Giza in Cairo. It was a 2 hour camel ride, and man were we sore. Walking like Egyptians!

Egypt: Temples upon temples.

Just to get an idea of the size of the statues. These are just legs!!! Remeber now, chad is 6'4 . It felt amazing walking through history.
One of these things just doesnt belong here.....
The entrance to Karnak Temple.
Chad and the Sphynx. Head of a man for wisdom, body of a lion for strength.
I had too.....the hyroglifics were incredible.

Egypt: A sneak peak!

Mom, this one is for you..... Read the sign!
Chad and I, and some of our Egyptian friends in the background. I believe this is Karnak Temple.
One of the Queens temples. Her name is slow long, I will get back to you after I look up proper spelling. hahha
Chad and I in Luxor, Egypt.
Omar and Karim. Some of our travel buddies. We are on the nile, getting the "low-down" about what to do in Egypt.

The Fountain Show!

Enjoy the show!

Chad and Allie's Fountain Show coverage

Dubai Mall...the inside.

The Souk Al Bahar, right in front of the largest fountain in the world. Shoots up to 25 metres! The fountain show is packed with people. This is during the day. The show starts at 7 PM.
Burj Dubai and me!
Inside the mall, they have the aquarium, and oh... a game park. You can play tonnes of games, and go on roller coasters. It is two floors. Chads inner child released.

Waterfall inside the Mall. I loved the metal divers. hahah Classy indeed!

Dubai Mall : The largest mall in the world!

The largest indoor aquarium in a mall!! SHARKK!!! Which doesn't explain why I have bear hands. hahah I tried.
Chad's favourite under water creature! Sharks!!!
I loved the Dubai Aquarium logo. Pretty sweet.
I love this picture. Its culture! We got camels, pipes to smoke sheeska, we got head scarves in the background, Arabic daggers, and cultural dresses... perfect!
The Gold Souk in the mall! Its stunning.

Wild Wadi and the View of Burj Dubai

Me looking at the Burj Al Arab... As the sun is setting
On the way home, I just wanted to show HOW tall the Burj Dubai really is! The tallest building in the world.
The gang after Wild Wadi! Christine, Iris, Chad, Adam, and Myself
My best pic of the Burj Dubai

A view from the Jumeriah Sceria! haha It launches from 80 feet up in the air... ! We all went on it. It was crazy!