Learn in another language, a lot of squribles

This not easy!! ........ The writing the blog.
Living the trip is easy and fun. Getting the mechanics of passwords, wireless and other geekee stuff could be a challenge on a marriage but we are doing fine.  Bob is now contributing entering the pictures and both of us are learning.  He is more courageous.

Today we are going to have lunch on the 166th floor of
Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.  We will take the
"Metra" system to get there.

Burj al Arab hotel - entry restricted to paying guests - lunch for two $700, We skipped the experience.

The biggest fish tank in the world - about 20' high and 125' long.  Almost invisible joints in the tremendous window.  
               WOW!

LOOKING UP IN DUBAI

London pictures

Duke's  Martini  preparation               

Strata Tower                          

Dubai

MARCH 10    
Wendy (Sheri Frenzil’s sister) drove us on an orientation tour.
Dubai is even more     OVERWHELMING  than we could imagine.,
High, HI-RISES galore....  Many......many.....High....... many... 
                                   OVERWHELMING
Lunch watching skiers in  snow skiing down a 40 story high mountain.
Made us want to ski with them.
                         ****************************
MARCH 11
Guide and driver..... tour.......  A marina surrounded by hi-rises.
Built  in the last 5 years!!!!!!!! 
Bob guesses 33 buildings from 35 - 60 stories with balconies.
Residences, many with restaurants on the first floor.
.........A catalog of building styles.

Lunch was out doors near a fountain that “performs” only at night.
...........................SURPRISE.......
                                                We are wet
The lunch was after watching scuba divers feeding ocean fish, sharks, rays,
many schools of colorful others.  We were on eye level with them. 
Made us want to jump in.

Each lunch was in a different shopping mall.  Many people buying everything from
refrigerators to very high end stylish spike heel shoes to boxes of cheerios.
Stores from all over the world, many from America -
 Bloomingdales, Cheesefactory etc.
            
Stopped at a new Art Museum which turned out to be a place owned by one family.
Very exquisite items:
Shawls from Pashima, the wool softer than the skin on my face,
Carpets from Kashmir. We sat on sofas and were shown beautiful patterns
      while sipping fragrant tea in delicate cups, 
Jewelry  ......  hand painted tablecloths   .....  beautifully painted crafts
                      All these lovely items for sale.

Our hotel is on the beach but set back about 800 feet,,,,,, swimming pools
and gardens.  The breakfasts have an array of global dishes, served
beautifully enough to have delighted Bob’s mother .

We tired out in old Dubai, cut our tour short and came “home” to nap.     
                                  ****************************************

LONDON GOOD TIMES

Sunshine!!!!  Flowers in bloom.   I will have spring 2 times this year.

Yesterday:    Tate Modern..........Yuyio Kusama...... fire at restuarant  Caprice ........
"One Man Two Guvnors".....
That's the short version.     If you have more time, here's more.......

We really liked the work of Kusama, an interesting  Japanese woman who came to the US because Japan was too rigid and male dominated for her.  She used many media in one art work.  She also created installations which blew our minds - colored lights, black light and mirrors - very disorienting.  A Mom carried her baby into the room and the baby started screaming.

Our hotel, Dukes, is in St. James, a location we love. The hotel is small, old and charming.  An additional  highlight is the world renowned  martini bar.  Last night before dinner we had a martini there. Feeling no pain we walked down an alleyway to a fine restaurant which had lighted candles on the table.  All of a sudden my menu was on fire.  I quickly smothered it with a napkin but not before the staff was at my side.
Later at the theater Bob actually snored.  ..........Tonight we did not have a martini.......
The play was slapstick, which I usually do not enjoy. But it was so silly I really laughed.  Good music too.

Today, Thursday, we had a meeting with an architect at Strata Tower, a 42 story new building that has 3 wind turbines at the top. The energy produces about 15% of the needs of this condo building.  All new buildings are required to produce energy. It is the  first new structure in a neighborhood that is slated to be gentrified. In the rest of the neighborhood public housing is being torn down.   Most of the people living in Strata Tower  are young students who are Asian.  Their parents have purchased these expensive  units for their children. I watched very stylishly dressed young people walking thru the lobby.

Then to the Design Museum.  We have been getting around on the underground trains-  some of them must be 10 stories down. 

We had dinner with nephew Jake Roth who is doing his junior year at the London School of Economics.
We got to know and enjoy each other.

Now, March 9, I am at the airport in the British Air business class lounge waiting to go to Dubai.
It is very comfortable.   One could eat like a queen in this lounge.

The pictures from the last few days will follow.  I have to get them from Bob's camera.

HISTORY

Visiting History
Tuesday we took the tube to Wimbledon to visit with Loretta and Elisa Simon and Loretta's family.
(Loretta is married to Len Simon's son, Mark.  Len is our daugher, Denne's, husbnd. Mark is currently working on an assignment in  the U.S. We had never before met Loretta's family.) We were excited to be greeted by Loretta at the station.  She took us to her family's restaurant. They own 5 restaurants in London where Loretta's Mom, Dad, and Brothers work. 

What a lovely welcome for us - a large table, where 7 family members were waiting to meet us!!! Even though the Older Generation  speak mostly Italian, Loretta's Mom and I got along well. We were feted and well fed.

Loretta then walked us through the old "market town" - old churches and buildings where royalty had escaped the smells and bustle of the center of London.  Coronations had taken place here. 

In the open- spaced large square vendors were selling beautifully arranged  fruits and vegetables.
Even fresh fish.  All very colorful.

The highlights of Monday:  The David Hockney Art Exhibit and dinner at Rules.  Both excellent