Well, this blog hasn't gone much of anywhere....

And that could well be because I haven't been in the UAE short enough for everything to be fresh and exciting, nor long enough to achieve detatched interest. Within a few days I'll hit the one-month mark, and that would be a good point from which to look at what I've done and what I'd still like to do.

A thought about culture shock came to me today, bringing a smile- the typical time from arrival to culture shock is somewhere between 3 and 6 months... and I'll be going home after three months here! Then again, this culture isn't really new to me, so whatever stages there are tend to be jumbled together.

I did get a bit homesick today. I miss the freedom of Dutch life in general, but talking with a Dutch girl friend this morning and hearing those funny turns of phrase again as we discussed 'gezelligheid' (the high-held value of cosiness and companionship) and 'vreselijk weer' (horrid weather), and then to come home and hear Marco Borsato music playing... it all made me miss my Dutch friends.

What is it with music, anyway, that evokes such feelings of a particular place? I found one or two internet country-radio stations, and listening to those brings back so many warm-weather and warm-friendship memories of Alabama and the time I spent there.

I've enjoyed listening to some of the softer, more real sounding prayer calls here, and Arabic music has been on the radio as well. I don't think this first month has done much to change my mind about my future... I don't think the Middle East is for me, or at least not long term. Italy, or possibly France, would be more to my liking (and not only because I can wear sleeveless tops and go swimming in public....) More on that later perhaps, but I am doing well here for now, and am content.