This isn't the right bus-- but it's a nice day for a drive!

Lots of news today! Yesterday was a fantastic day. First of all I have made good friends with my neighbor lady, Sabi, and her son, Danish. (Sabi's husband is nice, but a bit shy.) Danish went to a birtday party the other day, doesn't he look like a Bollywood star? Look out SRK ;-)

Also I have a new flatmate, she moved into my former landlord's apartment. Her name is Jayshree and she is such a delightful person! Sabi and I warmed up to her immediately.

Jay and I are having fun, two single girls walking around and shopping together. I introduced her to all my favorite places. Today she told me what all the guys in our neighborhood are saying about me: "She is such a nice lady and always smiling sweetly" LMAO

The other FANTASTIC NEWS is that I was privileged to tour the new clinic yesterday. We had an introductory meeting. The other doctors are so nice, and all very well established practitioners. The clinic will need some finishing touches and equipment installed, then hopefully will open to see patients by March 7th. My personal office is beautiful! I have a great view of a large garden with grass and flowers. Then gliding by will be the new Metro, very futuristic and modern! Here is my office, and a view of the waiting and reception areas.

After the meeting, I took these photos. As you can see it was a beautiful sunny day, and not too hot. I decided to explore the bus stops nearby, and hopped on number 33, which I see going up and down my street often. To my surprise, the bus did not turn left toward home, it turned right. I kept expecting the bus to turn around and make a circle toward home, but soon we were across the Dubai creek in Deira. Then we passed the airport. Then we reached the suburbs. Secretly, I realized the bus was going much MUCH further than I had anticipated. Outwardly, I sat in the front seat smiling serenely as if I knew where I was going. My bus driver became suspicious after an hour. "Maam, excuse me. Where are you going?"

I blushed and laughed, admitting to him "I took the wrong bus. But it is such a nice day, I decided to enjoy a tour." He laughed with me, but cautioned me that the bus was now going to the labor camps. He said that it would take another hour and a half to return to Dubai. What could I do but laugh some more? I reassured him that I wasn't in a hurry. He then became a real tour guide, and answered questions and chatted with me the rest of the long journey. I am glad I took this route, because the labor camps are not in the Tourist Guidebook. Crowded and much less appealing than the high rise skyscrapers these men are building, it is home to thousands of workers who put in long hard hours. During the noon break, I see construction workers taking naps in the shade. I know they must be very tired from hard work, and in the summer it would be even worse for them. Now, every time I pass a nice new building or modern new Metro station I will say a silent "thank you." I thought about my beautiful new office, and was humbled and grateful for my blessings.

After my 2 1/2 hour tour of RTA Route 33, I reached the bus stop in front of my apartment and bid the driver a fond farewell. What a memorable day.