Greener Pastures

Walking off into the cool breeze with the occasional burst of sunshine through the grey clouds - a refreshing sight - I step onto a solid pavement that leads me to the park, past pubs laden with backpacking tourists from down under. I hear an Ozzie announce into her mobile, "Well, all I see now is blue skies."

So I whip my sunglasses back on, and wander into the park, where I expect to see the usual clan that meanders through the MOE. In getting there, I observe the driving, and notice the playful gestures of a van full of builders. I cross the road, not jaywalking. Am I the only one waiting for the green man to show up? Further in my footsteps, it doesn't seem like MOE and its upper deck has branched out this far yet.

Rejoicing in this discovery, I walk towards the magnificent lake. A bunch of guys playing footie at sunset hit the ball too far, conveniently to where I was walking. I kicked it right back..."Hey mates, I think this is a great way to pick up chicks!" I just walked on past the next group of footie-lads...

Until some guy who was on the same path as me, yapping on his phone, suddenly ended his conversation and said "Hello, my name is Ali, can I talk to you?" Thank goodness for the footie lads: red-shirt-wearing Ali was outnumbered. I stood still and asked him to move.

As I approached the lake, he followed me and asked me again. Unfortunately there's no security patrolling the area, as you can easily find in Dubai. I told him to go away.

I planted myself at a nice spot by an oak tree, overlooking the lake. As I fiddled with my phone, a young-thing by a nearby deckchair approached me, asking if I had a lighter for their sheesha.
Sheesha!, I thought to myself.

As I made my way out of the park I witnessed scenes reminiscent of ME malls , only that there was no air conditioning and no visible security. Onto the high street: Al fresco joints are packed with people-watchers; sheesha shops litter the streets aplenty, and coke costs Dhs. 7.

Right now I' d rather be stuck in a Salik jam and have a portable sheesha in my car that can be ignited by matches gifted to me by lads at the petrol pump who expect me to DIY.