Timberland Away

Today it's the second time that I'm wearing my new Timberland shoes. They hurt my heels....I've developed blisters on both heels. It turned out that they are 1 size too big for me....I wear size 10/10.5, but these are size 11. My feet must be expanding to the max when I bought them (bcoz of the heat I think).

So, I decided to send it back home to my brother. Maybe he could find a buyer. Hey!!! they're original Timberlands...they're price at about RM300 to RM500 a pair in Malaysia......and I've only been wearing it twice....maybe he could get a good price for them.....

Deira City Center

Din and Shaharon picked us up at the Apartment at about 11am.....destination? Deira City Center....one of the "big-ass" shopping malls they have here in Dubai.....I wasn't planning on buying anything but came home with a new pair of Timberland shoes (Dhs279 - original price Dhs395- hey...I really need another pair...I've been using my current Camel Active pair for more than a month) and a GENX MP3 player (Dhs99 - 2GB- I was eyeing for the Ipod but realized I couldn't afford a branded one...luckily I saw this one on our way out).

Next time, I'll bring my family....it will be Summer Sales in a few weeks' time......

My personal effects (that's what they call them in the emails) arrived at 4pm.....all 16 boxes of it plus Apit's bike.....I spent the whole afternoon putting them in order....except for the kitchen stuffs (7-8 boxes)...I'll wait for Mrs Haza to come....

Then, finally I got my hair cut.....at the Falcon Gents Saloon.....near the point where we take our shuttle to work.....Dhs15 for a haircut in Dubai...hehe...quite reasonable considering Al-Amin's Dhs40 haircut. The barber (an Indian guy) probably recognized me from my Friday visit....he said "sorry to keep you waiting for so long..." but at least now...I have a barber....yes!!!...

Next weekend plan....go to Shindagha Carrefour.....with the family....

Sharjah Tour

My plans for today are to go to the barber shop near Al-Rolla, have my hair cut, come back and get ready for the Jumaat prayer. But the barber was so busy with customers that I had to postpone the hair cut and head back as it was almost 12noon. Jumaat Sermons and Prayer start at about 1215.

We had our Beriyani (as usual...every Friday) at Hamid's cafe. Din, our new-found friend had promised to take us to somewhere. We took a taxi to the Bur Dubai city center where Din was waiting near the Citybank building. We met Bro Shaharum, Din's housemate who will be our tour guide for the day.

Our first destination was the Dubai Outlet Mall, about 20km from Bur Dubai. The place houses many brand names but at a bargin price. Most of the stuff there are either surplus stocks or factory reject. The Mall is located in the middle of the desert. Searing heat welcome us there....I was planning of buying a pair of shoes to go to work...I have been wearing the same Camel Active shoes ever since I arrived in Dubai....my other shoes are in the cargo due to arrive tomorrow. But I ended up with nothing.....maybe next time....

We left the Mall and headed for Deira. Shaharum had some business to do at a tailor (Phulwani Trading) there. The shop is located near Naif St. There owner, an Indian, is fluent in Bahasa.....and I met a lot of Malaysians there too. Maybe I'll have my baju raya made there when the time comes....

We left Deira and headed to Sharjah, one of the Emirates, located east of Dubai. Sharjah to Dubai is like Seremban to KL....It's here where we can see more Arabs....and the cost of living here is still much cheaper than Dubai. Many people who work in Dubai prefer to live in Sharjah because of that....but the only bad thing is that the journey it takes from Sharjah to Dubai (20km) is about 2 hours.....because of the traffic congestion.

We went to the Central Souq aka the Blue Souq.....which houses many carpet stores and jewelery stores among other things. We watched the beautiful sunset from the Souq yard.....performed Asar and Maghrib prayers at a make-shift "surau" under a staircase....It's very convenient actually, except that we had to take ablution at a men's room about 20 meters away.....we had to dodge all the ladies while making our way to the surau. And one more thing.....the water was so hot, you could make a half-boiled egg with it.....why? the tanks are located on the roof....hehehehe.....

Shaharum stopped by a carpet shop to buy some tapestry for his sister who's moving to a new house....the owner, Abdullah, is his old friend....I think he's from India or Pakistan, but speaks very good English....

Maybe next time I'd bring my family to this place.....the wife would love it....I'm sure.....

We stopped at Al-Tawassol restaurant for dinner. It's in Deira city. The restaurant serves Yemeni food which was very good. We ate rice, Chicken Salona and some kind of mutton dish (don't recall its name).....the cost was about Dhs60....Dhs15+ per person....fair enough....

They dropped us at the apartment....we were a bit tired but pretty satisfied....

I learned more about Dubai....and met two new friends.....not counting the Malaysians that we met at Phulwani's.

Tomorrow...haircut, Rostamani and cargo un-packing await....

(Pictures are in the photo page)

My Tehran Ordeal...A Blessing in Disguise....

On the 02nd of June, I took a taxi to Imam Khomeini International Airport and arrived there at about 3:40pm. My flight was supposed to be at 5:30pm....hhhmmm, just nice. After waiting in the line for about 20mins at the entry point....I managed to get into the check in counter area...(03rd until 07th is public holidays for the Iranians.....a lot holiday makers were there).....I went ahead Iran Air counter and to my disbelief, the clerk told me my ticket has been cancelled. WHAT? She told me, I was supposed to call 72 hours before boarding to confirm the ticket.....Hey....nobody told me that.....she told me to wait and go to the waiting list counter....Yeah right, at least 20-30 people in front of me.....The problem is, I had to get out of Iran because my 15 days visiting visa expired on that day....

I called Al-Amin......telling him about what had happened.....Then I called Asim (our travel desk guy).....he was on-leave....but I was so glad that he was willing to help me.....through his colleague who's at work......

But then, Asim called back....he's had arranged me to board the Gulf Air....635pm flight..... Business Class......Asim's friend called....she introduced herself as BeeGee (?)...at least that's what I heard she said her name was....

I went to the Gulf Air counter and gave the clerk the PNR and ticket numbers....he said my name wasn't in the system.....good Lord!!!... What's happening to me....I called up BeeGee.....she managed to talk to a supervisor....a lovely Iranian lady....who speak English....I guess, that BeeGee asked the Super to contact Bahrain (Gulf Air is based in the Kingdom)....after a few minutes....I was called and told that my name was there.....phewwww...Alhamdulillah....

The Immigration counters......It took me at least 20 mins at the counter to have my passport stamped.....once stamped...heh...I'm out Iran...hehehe...

I rushed to the boarding gate 26....where my business class seat awaited me.....hehehe seat number 4D aboard the Boeing 737.....my first stopped would be Bahrain International Airport....but I tell you....business class is cool....big seats....special treatments....good food....hehehe

I landed at about 700pm local time.....so many people there....didn't know where to seat....but suddenly I remembered...I was in Business class.....they have a lounge for Business class travellers like me.....I went up there....found a Surau and perform my Maghrib and Isyak prayers (Jamak Taqdim)...and qada' (replaced) my Asar prayer....lost during the ordeals in Tehran....

Just then I received a text from Amin....HR were asking about our family passport copies....we were going to the Foreign Ministry the day after.....I only had the soft-copy in my Thumb Drive.....so I asked the lounge clerk....thank God....they had a printing service.....so, what else do they have in the lounge? I didn't have the time to explore as my Dubai flight had started the boarding process.

I boarded the Boeing 737....this time I sat at 2D....and enjoy the rest of the flight....me....a Kampung boy...in the Middle East....Business class.....well thanks to the Iran Air people who cancelled my ticket.....A blessing in disguise huh?

Well....deep inside, I realized that how Allah had taught me something.....firstly, to be patience.....He will help you. Secondly, if you have friends....true friends....they will help you, no matter what.....Thirdly, if you are patient enough....He will reward you.....Business class ticket...no other bigger rewards in a situation like that..... like Usman said today...."InnAllaha ma'as sobireen"...."Allah will be with those who have patience"

Praise be to Allah.....and thanks a lot My Friends.....

The Last Day

Tonite is the last night for me in Tehran for my 2nd Tour of Duty......it's gonna be a lot more of a tour like this.....

Ali Reza took us for a satay (Iranian kabab, that is) treat near his house in Ekbatan....a community equivalant to our Damansara Heights.....I take Iranian food really well....less fat, more fibre and protein....in fact I'm begining to like yogurt.....Kamahli (Ali Reza's assistant) was there also.....

We took a ride home on a "vintage" Iranian car....don't remember the make, though. It's comfy....and could run also.....hehehe.....reminds me of those old taxis that we used to have in Malaysia.....

Tonite I pay the hotel fees.....costs me about USD2400+.....luckily, I saved some money here because we only pay for our dinner here....breakfast is free at the Meraj Restaurant on the 16th floor of the hotel.....and lunch is courtesy of ShahabCo......

I'll take a 530pm Iranian Air flight home tomorrow.....can't wait to get home.....my hair is in dire need of a cut.....and I have left my apartment for more than 2 weeks now....wonder if Shanawaz has fixed my stove.....my wife and the kids are coming in about 10days......it's been like ages since I last ate her home cooked meals......