Art's Back

Today Marta went to Dubai for an Arab Health Care Conference. Leaving me to lay out on the beach. Oh such a tough life here. On Saturday we went to the movies, our first here in the UAE. There is a difference here when one goes to the movie theater, you get to choose your seat when you buy your ticket and when you go into the theater, an usher takes you to your seat. The cost is about the same around 9 or 10 dollars. We did not buy popcorn so I cant report if the same price gouging takes place at the snack bar...maybe next time. Weather her is still nice, in the 70 to 80's. Nice enough for us to take walks during the day. Not much else going on right now, just work for Marta and a couple of interviews for me. On Friday evening we have reservations to go on a desert safari. They pick us up at the apt., along with 3 other couples, then we head out to the desert to do some 4 wheel drive dune bashing in the sand dunes. Then they take us to a camel ranch where we get to ride for about 20 minutes to a place to watch the sunset and have a bedoiun dinner under the stars. I will take picture and post them later.

Art going back to UAE

I (Art) am going back to the UAE on Jan 19th. I found a 500 dollar flight, 1 way..what a deal on Lufthansa. I can't wait to get back and join Marta. I have spent 4 days with my new Grandson River and am anxious to join Marta. I just have to put together taxes and other year end paper work, then I am off. Marta is still facing challenges in her new work, many are quite interesting, some are cultural related, others appear to be process issues that have been going on for a long time and will take a while to resolve.

Happy New Years Eve Baby

We are thrilled and happy to report that we are Grandparents again. At 3 pm on Dec 31st EST, River Louis Michels was born to Arts Daughter Alicia. River is a whopping 10 lbs and 21 inches. River was born via C-section for obvious reasons...he came out round and pink...He is huge, happy and hungry...Both Mom and Son are doing fine...and Grand Pa Art is very proud !!!