Made it to Dubai  

[Let's make some NOISE!!]

We made it to Dubai, but were/are pretty wiped out!

We stayed in a Stay, Park, & Fly at Sea-Tac in the Econo (micro) Lodge.  We couldn't open both suitcases at the same time, but good prep for the stateroom on the ship!

Busy front desk!

We had a pretty quick drive up and decided that the traffic looked good so we kept going to Drew & Emily's arriving minutes before Em pulled in with the boys.  They were excited to see us and the volume was up all night.

The first project was finding a valuable picture from Disneyland that got behind the bunkbed.  Rather than move the bed we tore it apart and they found some interesting stuff, but no picture.  Pam stayed in the kitchen to discuss her new home fantasy.

After the Thai restaurant refused to answer their phone, Drew & I hiked down the block to find it closed for fixing up.  So Drew & I tried to burn off some energy by walking with the boys to another restaurant while the ladies went ahead to order and sample wine and we could ride back.

It was great to see everyone again and get another Birthday dinner!

Got to the airport and through security quickly.  Everything stays in the bags and leave on shoes and belts.

Squeezed into our seats next to a young man from India with a MBA from Michigan and working for Microsoft.  

FOURTEEN AND 1/2 HOURS in the plane with SCREAMING kid two rows ahead and a worse one about three rows back.

We landed about 11:30 Friday morning.

We did survive and must have walked at least a mile after taxiing  for a good 15 minutes.

Zigged and zagged our way through an empty que at immigration and shot right through.  Then a long wait for the bag, stop at the duty free (the only place selling liquor foreigners in the country).  

We actually took a cab for less than a mile to our hotel, but check in wasn't until 2 p.m. so we decided to check out the big shopping mall right next to the hotel. 

Well Friday is their Holy Day and they were all at the mall.  Screaming kids everywhere!  Some having tantrums on the floor as their  parents smiled (which I guess is what you are supposed to do, BUT).  We couldn't find a quiet place.  The food court was packed and loud.  

Came back to the hotel thinking we could wait in the quiet lobby for our room.  Most  of the seats were taken by young families, but our room was ready and it is real nice.  A suite with a full kitchen, good sized living room and separate bedroom.  No ice machine and the ice tray would make enough ice for a medium soda if 2/3 of its cells weren't cracked!  Coffee mugs make excellent ice disk makers.

Went to a sports bar in the hotel for happy hour and had a good meal with tv's blaring all around.  We tried to figure out Cricket without much luck.

I crashed into bed, but only lasted a few hours as it is now midnight / noon at home.

We will hit the Metro tomorrow and do touristy stuff.  It looks really smoggy and we have a view of the tallest building from our balcony.  I'll try for some pictures tomorrow.

Hope all is well with everyone back home!!