Ramadan Ramblings..day 22!

Okay, so the blogging everyday in Ramadan didn't really work! Our family enjoyed a much needed break for a few days in Dubai and now I am back into getting everything ready for homeschool starting up.

Ramadan in Dubai was much the same as here except that it was surprising to see so many foreigners disrespecting the culture by wearing totally inappropriate clothing. I think many people think since Dubai is a tourist destination that they can dress how they like. It's fine of course in hotels and resorts to wear beach clothing, but at the mall was a bit of a shock! Especially during Ramadan.

(sorry this is blurry!) Basically it says to cover your shoulders and knees.

I know not everyone will agree but ladies showing their arms and legs (and more!) during Ramadan I think would the equivalent in disrespect of showing up at a Christmas or Easter service in a Binkini. Sometimes it irritates me how thoughtless people are.

For the benefit of foreigners, the water park, which we took the kiddos to, was open and served food. It was the best fun we have had in long time. I can't tell you how good it was to swim in cold water (especially cooled for the 110 + temps) and to scream on over 20 water slides which are accessed by giant inner tubes!

Over 20 water slides are connected to a lazy river which then takes you to the slides-so no climbing steps to the rides. Huge water jets propel the inner tubes along the rides. If you can keep your eyes open you get a great view of Dubai while riding the water roller coasters!

The water park is located next to the famous Burj Al Arab hotel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Al_Arab

It's a blessing to live just a 5 hour car ride away from this place! Although the prices mean it will most likely be a once in a lifetime trip. It was worth it.

We also got to see the outside of the world's largest aquarium. Situated in the Dubai Mall, it was pretty impressive from the outside. Maybe another year we will get to explore the inside, but we stood forever, just being amused by what we could see from the mall.

the height covers two floors of the mall!

love the Stingrays!

This is less than half of the length of one side the aquarium!

The only disappointment of our trip was finding out that the only Taco Bell in the whole country had closed! We had been looking forward to this treat from home! Still, we did manage to find another place..

Fab holiday..but it was good to cross the United Arab Emirate border into Oman. So, one week or so of Ramadan to go and then the Eid holiday and then school will start. Summer has gone way to fast..but the heat still remains. The temps. are slowly falling and we are only in the 100's now!