Say it with a Smile

Posted by Kanga.

This Taza Restaurant billboard is just across the street from our apartment.

This guy caught our eye.

He looks a bit like Fred Armisen in a Saturday Night Live skit. He’s really enjoying that bowl of rice.

UPDATED: How to be a Happy Boy

Posted by Kanga. (With input by DaddyBird below.)

One evening we were exploring the bookstores of Fujairah. Bookstores do have a few books, but they are mostly stationary supplies. Some of the stock looks as if it has been on the shelf for 30-40 years. It can be an amazing adventure.

In one of the stores we saw this poster. It was tacked up above the shelving where educational posters were stored. We searched through the shelves for a copy to purchase, but did not find one. We went away, disappointed. But, the next time we were in the store, DaddyBird asked the storekeeper for one. He looked and was unsuccessful, as we had been. DaddyBird then asked if we could buy this one. It took a little convincing because the storekeeper couldn’t fathom that we would want it. In the end he gave it to us for free, because it was old and dusty. Who knows how long it had been tacked up there. We would have gladly paid, but accepted his offer.

A happy boy:

• Love his father and respect him
• Love and help his mother
• Help the poor people
• Love his friends and help them
• Love his brothers and sisters and respect them
• Cut his nails
• Visit the sick in hospital
• Brush his teeth morning and evening
• Help the old people

I’m glad that fingernail hygiene rates up there with respecting people and visiting the sick.

DADDYBIRD’S INPUT: In addition to the poster being old and dusty, the storekeeper didn’t want to sell it to us because it was damaged. He said it had been cut down so it was small enough that it could be displayed within one of the panes of the front window of the store- the “Happy Boy” title had originally been at the top of the poster, but was cut out during the process and glued in its current position- and it was naturally faded and sun-damaged from having been in the window for some time. I’m glad that he relented and gave it to us when we convinced him that we really did like it and want it, but I certainly wasn’t expecting to get it for free! (We did buy a number of other items while we were there, including another similar educational poster that had not been modified. We’ll post a photo of that one soon as well.)
It’s a delightful poster to me. It reminds me very much of the the sorts of posters I used at times in the past when I was teaching Christian Sunday School in America, even though this particular poster is aimed at an Islamic and Arab audience. Despite the differing contexts, the message is much the same. So I like the poster on its own merits of wise content and endearing presentation, but also for the bit of nostalgia it invokes for me.

Shopping for Pinkos

Posted by Kanga.

If you are old enough to remember the Cold War, this store name probably has more meaning than they intended.

When you run out of vacation spots on Earth, there’s always Uranus.

Singapore: Day 10

Posted by Kanga.

We opted for an uncharacteristically touristy activity – riding the site seeing bus. Let’s face it, we’re getting old and walking everywhere in humid heat is a bit exhausting. This way, we got to sit in air conditioning, see the sights, and learn some details from the canned tour commentary that we wouldn’t have known otherwise.

We started on the Heritage route which took us through Little India, Chinatown, and other older parts of the city.

There is a lot of high density housing here. At least they try to make it attractive.

We hopped off at Suntec City Mall for lunch.

DaddyBird had the “white carrot cake” which is a big, spicy omelette with white radish and shrimp in it. I had char siew and roast duck.

In the absence of lime juice, I tried the delicious celery juice.

Our ticket also included rides on water taxis, so we took another ride on the river on one of these.

We got off at the Marina Bay Sands complex. The complex includes hotel, shopping mall, conference center, casino, and probably more.

There is even a canal with boat rides.

We were headed to the Art and Science Museum for the Harry Potter Exhibition. No photography was allowed, so you will have to imagine what we saw. I stood three feet from Snape’s costume, unfortunately Alan Rickman was not in it. It was a well designed exhibit, although it was aimed at a younger demographic than DaddyBird and I. The Sorting Hat sorted us – I am Ravenclaw and DaddyBird is Griffyndor.

By the time we finished the sun was down and we were exhausted from a long day of tourism, so it was off to Brewerkz again for dinner. Above is potato skins appetizer with cheese, bacon bits and dip.

DaddyBird opted for the Cowboy Burger – bacon, cheese, and BBQ sauce. I had the Bangers and Mash. I am certain that the sausages were good, but they were overshadowed by the cheesy mash potatoes and sauerkraut. I very nearly asked for additional sauerkraut. Yummy!

Below is the sign that is posted in the area where the brewery vats are visible. We found it amusing.

I think they mean business.

Singapore: QR Codes

Posted by Kanga.

One thing that has been noticeable all around Singapore is QR codes. (For those who don’t know, QR codes are square matrix barcodes that can communicate more information than a standard barcode. More explanation – click here.) They were invented almost 20 years ago, but are only now coming into the public sphere because smart phones can scan them (with the right app).

Real Estate Ad

Singapore Flyer

Computer Ad

Cold medicine Ad

Job Ads Website

Pepsi

Just about every advertisement in the metro stations

Restaurant Menu (sorry it’s blurry)

College advertisement (in the metro train car)

We have not, however, seen anyone stopping to scan these codes with their smart phone. Just me stopping to photograph them for this blog post. This may be the wave of the future, though.

Grocery Adventure

Posted by Kanga.

It is sometimes fun to see what irrelevant items are lumped together in the grocery store.

What constitutes “ethnic foods” in a French supermarket in an Arab country? Japanese, Thai, Mexican, and Russian. I was just glad they had fat-free refried beans. Yeah!

Because We Can

Posted by Kanga.

Why build a twisted skyscraper? Because we can.

One might think there would be little need of “dewatering” in a desert climate, but apparently not.

“Safety is No Accident.” That’s pithy.

What is “sustainable transport” in a desert Opec country? Desperately needed, that’s what.

Hot Bread – Bread Line and Mr. Copy.

Hot Bread’s cupcakes may be the most delicious, but only probably.

Evening Stroll in Fujairah

Posted by Kanga.

Here are a few sites from our evening stroll through one of Fujairah’s busy night scenes.

Decorative Fishes and Flower World

Silky Mart and Electronics Sales, Repairing & Cassette Recording shops

Smart Garments

New Vegetable Store and Al Falah Hair Cutting Saloon

The Sufi Bicycle Selling Shop has a lovely row of touring style bikes all equipped with bells.

Regal Vegetarian Restaurant & Sweets

Mars Trading

Nicy Roastery

Get Your Beasts Here

Posted by Kanga.

This sign caught my eye. That orange tabby looks like quite the beast.

Exploring Fujairah: Part 2

Posted by Kanga.

Here are the signs we saw on our road trip.

Surprisingly, we see more actual camels than these signs.

Hmm… red cars stay to the left? Red trucks, too?

There are a wide variety of speed bump warning signs. There are also a wide variety (and plethora) of speed bumps.

And the opposite of humps –