Overheard in the office: from a Canadian, no less

"A trade war between the UAE and Canada. Two countries no one cares about."

Thanks Go! Overseas

While I was on vacation I got an email from Andrew Dunkle, senior editor of the travel and expat site Go! Overseas, telling me A Canadian in Abu Dhabi had been chosen as one of their top blogs in the UAE. Although we have never met, I already like Mr Dunkle a lot simply because he used words like "outstanding".

So that explains this little badge, which bloggy wears with honour:

One thing I did not expect to be saying tonight:

"You are an angel, Ann Marie."

I missed my plane back to Abu Dhabi tonight, through a comedy of errors that involved a terrible rain storm, which, when it lifted, paved the way for a 99km-long traffic jam heading into Toronto. All of that could have been dealt with had I not run out of gas before leaving London, Ontario in my rental car due to a combination of factors, which, I think it would only be fair to say, include my being slightly *special* and a huge fan of the in-car satellite radio. Such a fan that my enjoyment frequently involved turning it up much more than a notch, so as to miss that crucial warning ding signaling I was almost out of gas. Failing that, and I did of course, the neon sign on the Ford Fusion dashboard actually had a very effective fuel-control system in that it counted down the kilometres until the car would hit EMPTY. I believe that too would have been an excellent indicator of the pending situation had I bothered to glance at it, even when I pointed out the impressive and futuristic array to my father earlier in the day.

Long and short, as I approached the lone ticket agent at a deserted British Airways counter, I began to realise the worst had happened. Never having missed a plane before, I figured that the solution would involve perhaps a hotel stay or an expensive one-way ticket. Nope, just a little rearrangement and a couple of different airlines and I could be on my way in mere hours.

Her name was Ann Marie too, I could see it right there on her name tag and oddly it was the first thing that came out of my mouth after she told me I couldn't get on the 7.55pm to Abu Dhabi via London. Then she calmly and deftly sorted me out, refusing to let me fly Emirates because I would have a long taxi ride at the end of a long flight, getting me into Abu Dhabi with a combination of airlines not British Airways, even stopping to ask with concern if it would be "safe" for me to land in Abu Dhabi at the late hour of midnight and wondering how I would get home from the airport.

And so I said it, "you are an angel, Ann Marie", and I meant it, walking away with a big smile on my face, heart still pounding from the stress of it all.

Anyone else ever missed their flight? Have the airlines been as accommodating?

I am truly impressed and on this Canadian Thanksgiving, when I leave with a full heart from quality time with my awesome family and friends, thankful and blessed.

One thing I did not expect to see tonight:

A man walking through Pearson International Airport in Toronto, flossing his teeth. He did not appear to have any hand luggage.

So, still in Canada and wondering about a couple of things...

... Frito Lay recalled Sun-Chips biodegradable bags because they were too noisy? How noisy could they have possibly been?

...what does this "I like it on the _____" campaign promoting purse-related innuendo have to do with breast cancer awareness?

...and while I am on the topic, isn't everyone pretty much aware of breast cancer by now? I for one am terrified of it. I could basically not be any more aware of breast cancer if you trussed me up in a big pink bow. So surely we could devote a little less time and attention to awareness and a little more time and attention to curing it?

...I have spent half my time here being shown various apps by friends who are beside themselves with excitment over their new iPhones. So far the ones I remember are "bump", where you can synch your phone with someone else's and iPeriod, where women can track their monthly cycles and predict when they are most fertile. One friend is particularly excited with his "level" app, whipping his phone out at various points to check the level-ness of our table at dinner et cetera.

...have I really become so accustomed to Abu Dhabi heat that I am this cold in a Canadian autumn? Well yes, I guess I have.

...free wireless in all Starbucks? What took so long? And why did you wait 'til I left?

Overheard at Jones the Grocer at weekend brunch

Mom to her daughter: "What are we doing? We are going to have a really expensive lunch. It will be yummy."

Canadian news is juicy, different from that we see in the UAE

So I have made an impromptu trip back to Canada (2.5 years living overseas makes that statement not seem ludicrous, as the notion of flying for 15 hours both ways for an "impromptu" visit surely would have been before I left for Abu Dhabi) after my other vacation plans fell through and as usual, have been delighted by reading the newspapers.

Yesterday I was shocked to see that the Supreme Court has effectively legalised prostitution here (pending a 30-day stay on the decision issued Tuesday) on the basis that making it illegal endangers sex workers. Wow. This legal battle stretches back more than a decade. I am always amazed and inspired at how dogged some people can be in their beliefs. I can't even commit to getting up early to exercise in the morning so I won't be tempted to skip it later in the evening. A sidenote, one of the three pushing for this is activist Valerie Scott. I interviewed her several times as a reporter about a decade ago at the Ottawa Sun and I have to say, each time I thought to myself "I see your intent but I believe this dream of yours to legalise prostitution is a pipe dream Valerie". Good on you. I happen to think this a progressive decision, not that I'm an advocate of prostitution, but I am an advocate of making sure women feel safer and being realistic about the world's oldest profession. It exists: even in Abu Dhabi. Anyhoo, the Hollywood director James Cameron is also making headlines, in Alberta to advocate for the natives to oil companies and the government over the oil sands issue. He said it reminds him of the beleagured tribe in Avatar. 


And in personally beneficial news, The Globe and Mail reports today that it is best to exercise in the evening, at 6pm, meaning I no longer have to strive even to get up earlier in the morning.