and the vacation continues...

We returned from my husband less/ dad-less vacation in the States just in time for the hot, and somewhat slow, month of Ramadan in Dubai.

Ramadan is the Muslim month of daylight fasting.

Here in Dubai that means that most restaurants, fast food outlets are closed until sunset (when the Iftar (break the fast) meal begins) or they are open for drive-thru or carry out only. It's against the law to eat/ drink in public, but I'm pretty sure kids and nursing mothers are exempt from the rule. I haven't worried too much about it. We're discreet with our water bottles and snacks while grocery shopping, I've completely forgotten or ignored it while at the pool, and we don't eat out much anyway.

At work, John says things are slower because most (if not all) of the Muslims work short days. Therefor, it was a good time for John to take some vacation days he had accruing.

With 2 weeks off, we had to go somewhere.

We chose Thailand based on rave reviews from a number of people and the (somewhat, but not really) close proximity.

We bought our flights, booked our hotel and packed our bags.

Planned as we went.

We had a great time.

Probably could have/should have planned a little better.

but

I'm glad the short amount of planning time didn't keep us home.

I'm glad we've had a couple weeks of family time.

As much as I'd like to be, I'm not really a spontaneous person, so this was fun for me.

We've got new goals, ideas, hopes and plans for ourselves, our kids and our future (vacations and real) life.

I'm returning refreshed and ready for a new year!

and really

I'm back at this blogging thing too- I've missed it.