Hot. Hot. Soccer!

The heat is becoming intolerable. It’s 6pm and 49 degrees celsius. And the worst is yet to come... when night falls it brings with it levels of humidity that have to be experienced to be comprehended. Stepping out of the safety of fully-air-conditioned buildings means literally walking into a wall of heat. Ever had a hairdryer blow into your face at full speed on the this-is-definitely-going-to-damage-your-hair setting? Well, that’s the feeling. Only you can’t switch it off, and it’s a full-body affair.

But onto other matters that are equally as hot... the World Cup. SO wish I was back home to be in the midst of what seems to be an amazing, vuvuzela-infused, spirit-overloaded event! Soccer fever has hit the UAE in a big way too. Most nights are spent on our regular spot on the couch at the “Y-Bar” in one of the hotels here. It gets packed with all sorts of nationalities depending on the game. I am absolutely loving meeting people from all over the world. At one of the games the following nationalities were sitting on the afore-mentioned couch: Lebanon, America (my wonderful boyfriend, who is affectionately nicknamed “Baltimore” by everyone), little ol’ South African me, my Canadian friend Ivanna, our Icelandic friend Joey (who knew that people and not only volcanoes came from that country?), our German friend Mattheus, the mad Brit Marky Marc, a Bulgarian and a Polish girl. Certainly makes for interesting conversation, let me tell you. Soccer, truly is a universal unifyer. I never paid much attention to it - but have become quite engrossed despite South Africa’s... umm... performance. (Don’t worry Bafana Bafana - all will be forgiven if you just beat the French tomorrow!).

On another note, new recruits in the company are all having weight issues. And it's not from bad eating. It's either the heat that slows down your metabolism, or we're all retaining water in weird places.

Minus three degrees celsius has never felt so good.

That’s the temperature of the indoor ski slope in Dubai. Went there on Friday with my American. Loads and loads of fun! I spent the day in “Introduction to Skiing” and “Skiing Level 1” classes. Decided I could actually do this. I can maybe.. perhaps... actually ski! (Ok, so I didn’t really master the stopping part, but they have conveniently placed mattresses against all the walls for just that purpose!) I am a convert and can finally put “The Snowboarding Nightmare of 1997” to rest.

This is truly a place of extreme contrasts. Minus 3 degrees inside. 47 degrees out. I loved being in the cold of the Snow Resort... felt invigorated and alive (as opposed to the wilted, sweaty, sticky, hope-my-deodorant-is-working and how-does-anyone-survive-in-this-place feeling you get when you stick an appendage outside.) It’s crazy, crazy hot. I don’t think I will ever get used to it.

On another note, life has become pretty routine, even if you are constantly aware that this is another planet. I’ve made some friends on this strange little island that I live on. The picture attached is of the gang: From left to right are Joe the American, Me, Ivanna from Toronto, Canada (sorry, Tarronnno, Keyenada), and Marc the mad Brit. We generally hang out at one of the hotel pools after work, or go for dinner or whatever. It’s nice to have your phone ring with a mate on the other end of the line.

Work is getting busier. Have my first official function tomorrow - an event hosted by the Abu Dhabi Marine Corporation and the Swiss Embassy - a presentation on “The Perils of Plastic Bags”. Should be fun.

In a nutcase, I’m learning more than I ever thought possible, am having an absolute blast on the social front. On the downside, I’m still going nuts without my dogs and get very very teary whenever I see another dog, or talk about them. Got busted by an Arab whilst talking (out loud) to a sick and dying pigeon on the balcony yesterday. Forgot it was one-way glass. And yes, it was very uncomfortable.

Him: “You talking to the bird?”

Me: “ummmmm yes” [Hasty exit and note to self: “Do not talk to animals in public. Do not talk to animals in public. In fact, just do not talk to animals anymore”]

Don’t even want to think about what he must have said to people.

Am also getting really upset that I am not in SA for the World Cup. I audio-stream Highveld Stereo all day long, and the excitement seems to be reaching fever-pitch back home. Have booked a spot for the gang at work to watch the game on Friday, so will be sharing the gees from over here. Am armed and ready with my Bafana T-Shirt and my flag. And I know I am going to howl my eyes out when they play the National Anthem.