Sigh

Isn't that beautiful? We were dune bashing in the desert, and they stopped for a break, and so that we could take photos while the sun was setting. It looks not so, but it was terribly cold. The sand felt almost like ice cold talcum powder. Wind speeds were incredible. We had to make sure we were standing against the wind while taking photos, because if sand gets into the lens of your camera, you might as well bury the whole camera right there in the sand. Damages it completely. I took a video of the sun setting. People later said that watching it was the most boring 6 minutes of their lives. (Okay, so I'm not a prodigial film maker :-P) But gosh, when it was happening there for real... sigh... just... beautiful.

The Unicorn Thing Again

Would you believe it?
My 4 and a half year old niece in Dubai, I learn, when I get there, ALSO has her very own unicorn.
And GET THIS! Its white with a purple mane and tail.

Deja vu.
History really does repeat itself. Goodness.

This particular unicorn is named Pegasus, except, when she pronounces it, she says Pe-KAW-sus and stares at you wide eyed while saying it.

One afternoon in the sunlit hall, I managed to convince her that Pekawsus had once belonged to me, that I had sent him to her, and that he had flown accross the seven seas to reach her, with those flimsy little wings of his. (Kids today are so gulible... rolls eyes)
Pekawsus, understandably, made no comment.

Soon, however, that became a favourite bedtime story. How I had bought him, about how I grew up, and then she had been born, and how I had said that he'd better go to Dubai to meet her, and about his journey accross the seven seas.
This was accompanied by Pekawsus performing short re enactmants of his perilous flight. This was naturally, the highlight of the whole event.

A fine specimen that Pekawsus is. Very cutely adorable, with a handsome glittering horn and a healthy glowing coat. He even comes in his very own special pink furry basket.

:-D ha ha
laughs some more
Oh... the saga continues... and continues...

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ECNR

If you are going to get your ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) at the passport office, please take with you the following:

1. A pillow (or a movable bed if possible, so you can catch up on sleep while waiting in that abnormally long queue.)

2. 5 books you've been meaning to read for the past couple of years. You'll be able to finish them by the time you're out. That'll be an achievement, won't it?

3. A camera. So you can catch on film, the many embarassing things that various people will do throughout your stint on that god forsaken patch of city.

4. An umbrella. In case it rains while you're in the second half of the queue, which extends far outside the compound of the building, is unsheltered and is highly uncomfortable.

5. A fierce expression and demenour. This will help. You'll know how when you get there.

6. A bib. For when frustrated mothers thrust their two year old kids, (who, incidently, also require ECNRs for their travel) on you, whilst trying to feed them extremely messing looking food that they have brought in smelly little boxes.

7. A note pad. You'll want to write down all you see. Record the trauma and all that.

8. A cell phone. In case you are so utterly bored that you want to kill yourself, in which case you will need a friend (or a social worker) to talk you out of it.

9. A large large dose of patience. It won't be enough, but you'd still better take it along.

10. Your original 12th standard marks card. I had to go back for it.

Phew. Thank God that ordeal is over.

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