March and Abu Dhabi

In March, the weekend after parent conferences, Gabe, Rebecca, Amy and I decided to go to Abu Dhabi

skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi

and see the Grand Mosque there.

me in the courtyard with a minaret in the back

Justin joined us and we also took in Ferrari World to ride the fastest roller coaster! Gabe is quite a Ferrari fan, but they have height restrictions for the rides and Gabe was too tall. I’d never even considered that before. It was such a bummer. Rebecca, Amy, Justin and I went on it anyway and it was really fun.

World’s Fastest Roller Coaster!

me at entrance to Ferrari World

There were other rides, but we didn’t go on any of them.

The Grand Mosque was really beautiful. It had tiled fountains and pools as well as big gardens.

tiled pool outside Grand Mosque

The inside was rather a contrast for me. It was beautifully carved, but the huge chandeliers seemed almost Christmas kitsch to me. I didn’t feel they went with the rest of things.

one of several Christmas ornament chandeliers (my appellation) at Grand Mosque

Still it was interesting. In the garden area they had these big glass domes, and when I used the restroom I realized they were like skylights over the rooms where the ritual baths (where you wash your feet, hands, and face before entering the mosque to pray if you’re Muslim) were.

inlaid marble designs at Grand Mosque

Windows in the wall inside the mosque

At the end of March, someone sponsored a salsa dance party in the courtyard of our housing complex. It was a delightful evening, and Vito is an amazing dancer. He made me feel like I knew what I was doing. Such fun!