Enjoying Dubai

After weeks of making an effort to find friends for me and the kids, getting used to school routines and driving, taking care of sick children, and finding ways to entertaining the kids inside, I have finally had a week of (almost) pure pleasure.

On Sunday I was invited to a another Swedish Anna's house for breakfast. We were 4 mums (from Team Sweden - golf, remember), enjoying latte, homemade bread and smoothie in Penthouse 1, Tiara Residence on the palm. James was playing with Anna's Julius who is one week older than James. The view from the enormous windows was incredible. After breakfast, Ulrika and Malin was going for their first workout with a personal trainer at Lakes Club (as you do...) and I went to Satwa to pick up Emma's curtains. Satwa is the complete opposite of Tiara residence. Indian/Arabic market place, dirty, crowded, but great fun. It cost £10 (140 skr) to have two long curtains made. What a bargain! The only thing was, I forgot which exit to take, which meant I ended up driving round Dubai Mall 3 times in heavy traffic. Strangely enough, I didn't get stressed about it....somehow I must be used to it by now.

On Monday, I went for coffee with one of the mums in Emma's class. She took me to Aspen, the posh restaurant in Mall of the Emirates, next to Ski Dubai. It's supposed to be like a ski resort cafe'. Very nice but expensive. It was my turn to pay unfortunatelly.... :-) We had a great conversation about life in Dubai, I realised that we live very different lives, considering she only has one 7-year old son, and has lots more time for herself and spend lots of time in nice restaurants with her family. She does charity work and read books by the pool. Sounds pretty nice. After coffee I spent a few hours shopping in the mall. Found 2 lovely skirts in Monsoon. Since they were quite expensive, I asked when the sale starts. She whispered - tomorrow! So, obviously, I didn't buy them. Decided to come back the next day. Then I picked up Isabelle and her friend Maya at 12 o'clock since they had a play date that day and Maya has no kidcare, like Isabelle. I was amazed at how much English Isabelle could talk with Maya. She even had to interrupt me at one time, when I was asking Maya about something in Swedish. She just stared at me and Isabelle said - Mum, Maya does not understand Swedish!

On Tuesday I couldn't go back to Monsoon as early as I wanted since I had an important breakfast meeting with Fiona, the wife of Jonathon's boss, at Shakespeare Cafe'. What a supurb breakfast that was, fresh fruit salad, yougurt, asparagous omelette, latte of course, etc. and James was entertained by the staff. One of the waiters even came to wipe his fingers with a wet wipe when he thought James had made a mess of his sandwich...

After breakfast and food shopping, I left James with Chaturi and went back to Mall of the Emirates. One of the skirts was still there, less than half price, yippi! So I had to buy another one, similar. And an extra dress for the beach...When Jon came home I explained to him how much money I saved him by going to the sale....I learnt that from his dear mother, thanks Diana, it kind of worked...

In the evening, it was time for Ladies night! Dressed in one of my new skirts, I went to Hotel Media one with 3 other Swedish mums, to enjoy no less than 6 free coctails. Standing at the bar with a cosmopolitan, I felt at least a little bit like carrie in Sex in the city. A film which is not available in Dubai, since it includes things that are not ok here, like women having sex when they are not married (at least I think that is why...). Oh dear! At the bar, however, I saw at least two prostitutes, oh yes, everything that happens in other cities, aslo happens here, even though Sheik whatever, probably wouldn't admit it. Anyway, a fantastic night all in all! Although I spilt Chicken Tikka all over my new skirt at the end of the night.

Anyway, today I'm taking the girls to see the new Shrek film with a bunch of other kids. Looking forward to it. After all, a mum is what I am foremost, the rest is only icing on the cake, Dubai icing...oh I like.

See ya!