Henna Time

We went and got henna at the henna shop. Henna is very much apart of the life here. It is tribal in different ways. It can be a black color and the designs can be different according to who might be doing it. The shop that my friend and I frequent is most definitely a local one. It is fun to go because we can talk to the local woman on a one on one basis so much better. They love to try and speak English to us and are so friendly to us. They like to know all about us and what we do here. The exciting part is we got invited to 2 weddings while we were there. This is a privilege and I will be going to the one on May 3 here. The other is in another country so I probably won't make that one. It will be fun to attend. The locals go here to get henna mostly due to some kind of celebration in their life or family. The two brides today were just beaming and very happy. Henna comes off in about a week or 10 days so its all very temporary. The girls that do this are very talented at this. It is all done free hand and the designs are very intricate and delicate designs. This experience was a great for my friends.

Palace Life

They are so good to pose and be ready for a photo. This is a huge rug with the picture of the palace on it.

Hey Lynette, this one is for you..... Coming to an Abu Dhabi Island near you,

The guy sitting on the steps wouldn't leave, so he got his picture taken to.

High Tea at the Palace

High Tea at the Palace was probably just about as much fun as you could imagine. We had more than enough things to sample and the herbal peppermint tea was great.

This was one of the many snack plates of tea sweets. The girls tasted each and everyone and the most favorite is the rasberry cheese

If you think its gold , IT IS......................................................................

The Girls had a great time at the palace and it was something new they have never done before. Just a preparation for tea at the Burg Al Arab in Dubai.

The morning at the races

And they are off.........................................into the morning sun.

They are coming in to the finish line here in front of the grassy slope that no one is on.

And we have a winner, 1, 2 and 3.

Saffron is painted all over the winning top three camels of each race. I looked in my camel racing bible and it says that it is a "good" thing to do this, that is smells good and that the camels like it. Not what we saw but i guess maybe they lick each others faces later and like it. Quote from Doug,"Right out of National Geographic"

Random pictures of my visitors

group photo at the Mosque.

Sam the guardian.............

We are at the small race track waiting to talk to Mr. Oshma about the races on sunday.

The racing is very orderly at the big track. Pretty exciting stuff. They are all walking together to the starting line here. No one gets out of line and no one runs in front of anyone else.

Friends have come to visit!!!!

What a fun group that has come to visit me from Utah, LtoR Doug, Lucy, Jewel, Brett, Kate Tim, Sam and Liz. We are at the church with the swimming pool/font in the backround.

We toured the new Stanley Office in Abu Dhabi. It is one of four 12k square foot villas that we have rented for the office and for the church.

We went to the newly opened Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The four girls had to cover up a titch. What a bunch of babes.

Tim and Kate just happy to be here.

They enjoy having their picture taken

This young man was gave us the thumbs up and its cool take my picture.

All decked out in matching blankets and looking pretty statly as they somber to the track.

This baby can't be more than a day or two old. Its is pretty smal compared to her mom in the next picture.

You American women don't you have anything else better to do!!!

Sheik's Camel Race's Today

What a fun afternoon we had today. Terri and I went to the camel races this afternoon and we found out more information. Each afternoon is the time when the Sheikh's camels race. Well did we ever score today. We are tight with the Camel Racing Association Director and we got an invitation to the Sheikhs tent to eat before the race. They brought out fresh everything for us and even caviar to eat. We had true Arab hospitality. It was just a kick. So the first winner above here has won a new 2009 Land Crusier+ 500,000 AED (140,000 USD) and I asked," did he win a trip too?" and Mr. Osama smiled and laughed. I said,"I'll bet he's going to Hawaii." Mr. Osama told us when we come on sunday he will show us how to VOTE on a SMS text on our phones on how which camel might win the race. he said we might win a prize. I love prizes ,I'm going back.

There were only about 10-15 camels in these races today. The camels were very well groomed and looked all decked out in all the finest gear.

There was a little more order with less camels at the start.

This guy doesn't want to trip.

On the Way Home

This is the big track where the BIG races will be next week end. Just a few pictures of our Sheikhs and some of the give aways all parked in a row.

We thought we would stop and do some shopping, we picked this one out. We liked her pink halter it matched my shirt. Only 20k AED. Best price for the two American women 10k. I told them I had to go to the ATM be back later.

This bad boy came to town and is just looking very manley and important.

What a better way to end the day with a soak in the tub ....................... What a fun morning. In and out in 2 hours.

And you can do this each March at your local camel track.

We've Got Us a Winner

Yellow by a long neck

So its a yellow, white , blue and red photo finish

They find their trainers at the end of the course and go then go to the rest and relaxation area.

This young man is one of the winners, he was very happy. He will get to race again

Still Running.......

They are about half way done and still going like they stole something.

This one has got a real spring in his step.

Down to the sprint.........................

Look close to the colors to see who wins, yellow, green, white or red?