Who says Henna is for ladies only? ! Went on a dinner "Creek Cruise" in Dubai as the guests of one of my vendors as the Arab Health Conference was going on that week - it's a HUGE International event with nations- especially China and Germany taking up much of the floor space. The USA was represented as well - but China - by far- was there in force. Found their products were of much higher quality than what Americans stereotype them to be - their only drawback - styling - still had the block-ish communist utilitarian look.
Got the henna on the boat - she was doing scorpions or cobras. Was fun and I still have the "henna tat" 3 weeks later.

The top deck of the dhow dinner cruise. Quite relaxing - could of only have been better if they served alcohol.

This is Ihor ( born /raised in US to old world parents who gave him old world name - he's the Cinci guy - we both agree Cleveland still sucks ! ( goes back to football rivalry Pittsburgh /Cleveland /Cincinnati)

We are in a Bedouin tent at the Welcome area at the Al Ain Air Show having Arab-ie coffee and getting out of the sun for a few minutes.

Falcon - what Falcon?

Larry , Ihor and Bassam - at the air show - sitting in what had to be the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in - sheer agony

Hi All,

Friday 5 Feb. 2010

It's the weekend and I'm meeting up with Larry and Ihor (Indy and Cinci guys who work with my sister Ann). They are in town working a Risk Management job for the Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority. We're going to see a movie, then to Emirates Palace, Fish Market then my house to cook the shrimp and eat/relax watch TV.

I was at a workshop yesterday in downtown AD and met a new Materials Manager for Tawam Hospital - located in Al Ain. He's from Florida. We got to talking and of course Alex came up( when asked when are you going home next) and he said he had a next door neighbor in FL. whose daughter is a Plebe at the Naval Academy and the neighbor is also working in Abu Dhabi and he was golfing with him today . So we passed cards so hopefully he will contact me. He will be back in the US for Herndon ( the Plebe's class climb of the grease coated obelisk) and I said I'd be there too as that is the same week as graduation so here you have 2 guys with kids at USNA living in Abu Dhabi who will both be traveling back for one of those don't miss events. WOW.

Then the workshop started and after the prelims we got down to some work on validating job descriptions. Our group leader from the consulting company - was less than articulate - but then here comes this guy from USA over to assist the group. As he's talking I notice a signature ring on his finger - and although I couldn't see the detail, I recognized the leadership qualities in the man. Well I called Keith over after his short instructions ( which clarified what the group leader was trying to tell us - no blame on the guy - just difficult trying to respond to 3 type A Americans ( Jon Reuter from Cleveland also in the group- he's materials manager for Sheik Khalifa Hospital) who are firing rapid questions and he's at a loss for translation on some of our Americanisms)

So Keith comes over and I ask where he got the ring and he proudly and rightfully so says The United States Military Academy at West Point !

Well we bonded immediately and spent the rest of the day between and during work sessions discussion Alex , his experiences and our "place" in the Middle East region. He was flying back to Atlanta - where he is based, that evening and will be back in 3 weeks. He's the Corporate Director for International Operations, is about 40 and just you'd expect from a service academy graduate - a true proessional. It was my lucky day -2 service academy experiences in the same day.

Hoped you enjoyed the story.

Love to all'

Scott