Last few days have been somewhat different. The winds are chilly and its been dripping/drizzling/raining/snowing depending on which part of U.A.E. you are in.  This morning, when I drove to work, the windows were rolled down and I was enjoying the drive - simply enjoying the feel of cool wind in my hair.

Other than the weather, it was all usual. The incidental honking of cars around, mobile phone stuck to the ear of driver in the car on my left, a makeup session in the driver seat of the car on my right at a stop light, etc etc - all so normal sights on Dubai streets. The drive to work takes me around the consulate area in Bur Dubai. A traffic block setup and manned by Dubai shurtaa was the first sign of abnormality that I conveniently overlooked, probably an accident! Not to be! This was just the visible beginning of what was to be the 'hot topic of the day'.

My phone rings. Its Amanda from our Media City Office complaining that none other had made it to the office & it was 10!! That set off a series of phone calls which result in the awareness that most roads in town were clogged bumper to bumper. Lucky me, I thought, living within 10 mins of driving distance from work.

Bushmania hits town!
As the day progressed, the traffic issue seem to take over minds of a lot of people and by the second half, a rumor of the road closures tomorrow for security reasons started taking over most conversations. With each passing hour, more people, more phone calls, more rumors. At a point in time, it felt like there was some sort of a competition going on in the hindsight - who has the most, the most accurate, and latest information. I couldn't help but get sucked into it to a certain extent. A phone call to a friend in Gulf News - call be back in a couple of hours and will let you know, no official word as yet - a dead end!

Emails started flying back and forth, and finally by around 5, it was clear that a public holiday has been announced - to keep public away from the roads. Our friends at RTA have done it yet again!

Insha'allah I will drive out tomorrow, hoping to get a glimpse of President Bush on his official state visit wherein he plans to visit the Palm island, Dubai museum and other tourist places, and thank him. For if it wasn't him, I would not be sitting here on my bean bag in the balcony, cooling my buns off while watching cars race past each other, and writing this.

I wonder though, is it appropriate to bring a whole town to a grinding halt for President Bush's state visit?