The New Center of the World?

What do you get when you mix New York and Las Vegas, take out all the gambling and add oil? Dubai, which according to this map is the new center of the world.




I've never actually been to Dubai - at least not outside the airport, but I think it's safe to say that I've been to that airport more in the last 5 years than any other airport aside from Bangkok and JAX. It's my regular stopover when I go to the UK on Emirates Airlines.






The airport terminal is like a giant shopping mall, which I guess is a trend for new international airports. Seems they've designed them, so you're funneled into the shopping area while making your connection. Then, they don't tell you your gate number until 15 minutes before you're supposed to board, and you're forced mingle around shops filled with stuff you can't afford or don't really need. It also happens to be the place where I always end up buying Nuch's souvenirs/ gifts from my trip to the UK.




But the Dubai Airport has the added element of the most eccentric mix of people I've ever seen - British tourists on their way to Asia, Asian laborers on their way to construction sites throughout the middle east, Africans with the "Coming to America" full-on techno-colored peacock pajamas, and Muslim women covered head to toe except for their glaring eyes. Imagine the bar scene on Tatooine taking place at Macy's.

Here's a picture of a group of Pakistani men who, I assume, are on their way to a construction site somewhere in the region. It looked as if they had been there for days, piled up on top of each other, dressed in old sweaters, with holes in their shoes and plastic bags to carry their clothes.



Here are some pictures out the window of the plane.



Made me think of Lawrence of Arabia.



Is there a king of Dubai? I'm not sure, but I'm guessing this is his house.

I don't know if I'll ever get to Dubai, but the name keeps popping up - whether it's in the news, people going their for work or just going there for holiday. Perhaps, I'll plan a one day lay-over next time, just so I can I've stepped foot in the place.

Once again, to supplement my sub-standard photos, I found some other pics of Dubai on the web.

1990 - just before the first Gulf War. Hmmm.... coincidence?

Dubai is determined to have the most extreme architecture in the world, battling Shanghai, Taiwan, and Malaysia.





This project wins the prize for me.

The world's largest indoor ski slope is a close second.

Lucky Dog

I've been emailed these pictures 20 times already this morning. By their standard issue middle school haircuts, I'm assuming they're Thai kids.

I guess there is hope for the future.

By the way, this is my 101st blog. Do I get a medal?

Songkran - Pictures from Thailand's Water Festival

Sunday afternoon, I took my 62 year-old mother to Kao San Rd. to celebrate the Songkran Water Festival.

This is actually her third time here, and even though she is well-experienced in the fun and games of the world's largest water fight, nothing can prepare you for the shock of ice-cold water being dumped down your back - even if it's the 20th time it's happened in the last hour.

Quite possibly the oldest person on Kao San Rd that day, my mom was a popular target.

Here I am getting basted with a doughy mix of prickly heat and water.

Words certainly can't describe the atmosphere on Kao San Rd during the Songkran Festival, and unfortunately, pictures still don't do it justice.

I'm guessing this guy has a few "I woke up in Tijuana..." stories.

Entrepreneurs selling frigid water.

Some more random pics.

Some videos...

Here we are in the back of a Tuk-Tuk (3-wheeled motorcycle) on the way home.

My mom getting splashed on the way home. We were sitting ducks at the stop lights.

We got back to the hotel around 4pm just in time for Happy Hour around the pool.

Over the years, I've damaged one cell phone and two cameras during the water festival. I thought I escaped without harm this year, but it looks like the splash attacks during the tuk-tuk ride home may have gotten some moisture in my camera. Hopefully, it'll dry out.

My photo skills are about as weak as my writing skills, so I stole some pics off the web that better represent the frenzy that is Songkran.

Foodfest 2008

My mom has seen just about every temple in Thailand, as well as most of the beaches, tourists attractions, and shopping malls. So, to keep ourselves busy during her recent visit, we did one of two things: sit by the pool or eat. Any time in between was usually spent deciding when or where we would do the other activitiy. In typical Moody fashion we took pictures of most meals. So, here they are.

My mom's first full day in Thailand started at Trader Vic's Sunday brunch.

My mom and Nuch's mom in the Marriott garden after brunch.

Carl and Emily joined us, as well.

On Songkran day we had dinner at Pier 61 next to the river. Here is my mom and Nuch paying respect to restaurant's Buddha image on the way in.

These three girls were the Songkran welcoming committee. They were kind enough not to douse us with water before our meal.

One of my mom's last nights in Bangkok we ate at Good View Restaurant with Nuch and her parents.

Her cousin, Note, joined us, later in the evening. He was the MC at our wedding along with my friend, Carl. In case you're curious, I was too afraid to ask him what a "Kahlua Hummer" is.

Here I am demonstrating my special technique for pouring egg into our vegetable Suki.

One night my mom and I joined Nuch and her dad at a local restaurant along a Bangkok canal.

Relaxed/ local atmosphere and great seafood. Nuch and I end up there a couple times each month.

For dinner one night I had a monster burger that had to be eaten like a steak...

and my mom had Pad Thai cooked in thin omelet wraps.

The view from the 3rd floor of the Marriott atrium looks down on the Market restaurant.



Flat Josie joined us at Trader Vic's on my mom's last evening in Thailand.

To finish the trip and last meal off, we had a little dessert - chocolate covered ice cream balls shrouded in a cool mist.