globalmidtown

i am comfortably settled in to my hotel room in abu dhabi city … this room will be ‘home’ for a time. as i write, soft music plays on the radio, the curtains blow in the breeze, the  winter sun shines brightly on the mosque across the street, and i feel peaceful. i watch a man in a kandora sit under a palm nibbling on some small snack, an indian couple in beautifully colored tunics walk the path of palms, and muslim women in abayas navigate the sand.

i am meeting new people and seeing amazing sites. i went to a free concert this week on the corniche. the mix of people was something to behold ~ a true cocktail of cultures. the air was warm with a soft breeze off the ocean, the energy was festive, and the lights were bright. great music from three continents, dancing, dancing, and more dancing …

the grand mosque is breathtaking … white marble, incredible details everywhere, stunning views. one of the largest chandeliers in the world hangs in the main prayer room ~ weighing over nine tons. the largest single-piece of handmade carpet ever lines the floor of this room. the carpet is beautiful, thick and lush with lovely patterns and colors. special transportation methods had to be arranged to bring in this 40 ton carpet!

the malls are magnificent, shiny, and wealthy … you can find anything imaginable – and more – in the malls and shopping centers here. of course, the food courts have ‘western’ fast food. i could not imagine eating such with the local food … delicious salads, fresh hummus, an olive lover’s paradise!

the city is full of incredible architecture … shiny buildings of all shapes and sizes. and the streets are exceptionally clean. i have yet to see even a scrap of trash.

the al mina area may be my favorite yet. this is the port area, mostly local, where wholesaling and trading takes place. here i visited the iranian souk and fell in love with several beautiful tapestries. i also stumbled upon several small souks with beautiful hand-made pottery pieces from iran, turkey, saudi arabia, and, of course, the uae. functional art.

can’t wait to see what today brings …