Introduction

Hey- So I'm going to Dubai- and several other places within the Middle East region. And I'm writing about it here so anyone who wants to can read up on it at their leisure and live it with/through me. Or whatever.

I depart for Dubai on Sunday, January 1oth, and arrive in Dubai on Monday January 11th (a 7 hour layover at JFK)- never been on a plane for that long. Luckily from what I hear Emirates Airlines is very comfortable, and provides a very respectable array of in-flight entertainment... I'll return on Sunday, February 7th. Super Bowl Sunday...

I'll be spending 9 days (1/13-1/21) travelling through Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, visiting sites like the city of Petra (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world); the Dead Sea; Amman; Damascus; Beirut; and points within and between. I'll return to Dubai to participate (if not truly compete) in the Dubai Marathon's 10k race; I also intend to visit Istanbul soon afterward, likely the week of Jan. 24th, though as of this initial posting I have not secured the trip yet. Not to worry. Visits to other countries and emirates within the vicinity of Dubai (Oman; Abu Dhabi; Qatar; Bahrain;) will likely occur (some more likely than others), though as of now I don't know which ones I'll visit or when.

I have no religious, political or spiritual motivation for this trip, nor am I in search of anything of the like: I was motivated to do this primarily because my good buddy Dan Zook lives and works in Dubai; he's always encouraged me to visit him in all the different places he's lived throughout the world; I have the time; I may never have an opportunity like this again; and as a result of the culmination of all of these things, for the first time in my life I actually want to take this opportunity while it exists. Perhaps it will motivate me to take others as they exist. And if I happen to gain an even greater appreciation for this world and the humanity that exists within it I will embrace it.

I expect to see some very interesting and beautiful things; I expect to meet and interact with some very interesting people and gain valuable insight through their respective opinions and perspectives; I expect to nod my head and quietly agree to many of those opinions (never draw the ire of the locals); I expect I'll have a lot of time for reflection and introspection- since I won't be able to understand anyone; that said, I expect to have used the six or seven Arabic words and phrases I've picked up from the Lonely Planet books aforementioned good buddy Dan sent me (thanks again, Dan), and perhaps even learned a few more; and I expect to have thoroughly enjoyed myself by the end of it, and returned home safely, with a handful of stories to tell... if I haven't spilled them all out here.

So that's about the size of it so far; I love my Mom Sheila and Dad John, Sr. (Jack); brother John; sister Megan; sister-in-law Erica; brother-in-law Steve; and my two nieces, Zia (whose 4th birthday on January 17th I will regretably be missing... but my present won't be, I promise- it's in writing now) and Kalea (the sweetest 1 1/2 year old in the world-that's only my opinion, but I'll soon have basis for comparison- and confirmation); my aunts, uncle, cousins and extended family; I'm again very greatful to my good buddy Dan, whose apartment I'll be crashing and style I will be cramping for roughly two out of the four weeks, and whose help and encouragement in planning everything have been invaluable to me; and to any of you friends of mine who decide to follow along. I like you, too.

Bye for now-