Blogosphere: November 11

Gulf News deputy web editor Florence Pia G. Yu plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds

Love it or hate it, but Edward-mania has taken over Dubai and the rest of the world.

The young hero of Stephenie Meyer's emo vampire series is hitting the big screen after taking over bookstores, blogs and the heart of every book-loving woman you know.

Not to put too much pressure on the movie, but people are already writing about the way in which Twilight the movie unites women of all ages in their lust for the franchise, according to io9.com.

"They're naming themselves Twilight Moms (www.twilightmoms.com), Twilight Teens (www.twilightteensforum.com) and also Twilight20Somethings (www.twilight20somethings.com), just in case you don't fit into either of the previous two as well as Team Jacob, Team Edward, Team Switzerland and even Team Twilightist among many others out there, each one a demonstration of obsession with the novels' familiar tale of a boy, a girl and the unspoken love that dare not speak its name."

Another thing on everyone's lips? The grand opening of one of the largest malls on the planet: Dubai Mall. Or rather the delays and traffic snarls that came along with it.

Yahlam.blogspot.com said the mall's opening delays were because the mall "simply wasn't ready. They originally said August, then October 30, then November 4. So on November 4 we arrive around noon only to be told it doesn't open until 2pm! Craziness!"

Just say no

Over in Abu Dhabi, green is the word and the blogger from abudhabitales.blogspot.com said he is doing his share of the Go Green drive by giving up plastic bags.

"I think it is one of the easiest things that you can do for the environment. I am not a tree hugger and I don't drive a hybrid, but I try to do just a little bit. Saying no to plastic bags is a piece of cake and everyone in Abu Dhabi is helpful in this regard. Whether it's Magrudy's or your local grocery store, almost everyone has their own version of the green bag," he wrote.

Speaking of shopping, Fujairah's Masafi souk continues to impress residents and tourists alike.

Rdzcadventure.blogspot.com said the large souk offers "huge, open roadside shop after shop" of carpets, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

"There were some beautiful silk Persian rugs and runners of all sizes and cheesy touristy rugs. We ended up with two cushion covers instead! Part of the fun of the souk is negotiating the price. The first shop we stopped at wanted Dh200 per cushion cover. We ended up paying Dh165 for both — and the shop keeper threw in a coaster!"