Happy 39th Birthday UAE!

December 2nd is National Day in the UAE (think the 4th of July, UAE-style). For us it is a day off work (woo!) and an excuse to BBQ in the middle of the day. For Emirati's, it is a day to display more national pride than I have ever seen shown by all other nationalities combined. And usually the method of expressing said extreme amounts of UAE pride is by decorating their vehicles in an over-the-top manner (because you know, it wouldn't be Emirati if it wasn't over-the-top) and then drag-racing down Beach Road for all the world to see... Oh, there is no where else quite like Dubai.

Nothing says "I love my country" like spray painting your car with your country's flag...


This display is a bit more tame, as it doesn't involve vandalizing your own car.

Hail, Father Zayed.

And, not unlike the 4th of July back home, there are, of course, fireworks. However, unlike fireworks displays (and safety regulations) back home, in Dubai, they show their pride by strapping fireworks to the world's tallest building. We were lucky enough to catch the show from our garden.

Pretty awesome, but not as grandiose as when the Burj opened (Jared tells me)...




Oh Dubai, you never cease to amaze.