PIck of the week
Charles bites off more than he can chew
The Mcrow
Prince Charles, who is on a Middle-East tour, may have ruffled a few feathers when he said yesterday: "Have you got anywhere with McDonald's? Have you tried getting it banned? That is the key." He was discussing children's eating habits with an Abu Dhabi nutritionist yesterday when he blurted this out. The news has already spread around the world, like in this article in the Daily Mail. Notice how they point out that a Duchy Original Cornish Pasty (whatever that is) contains more calories, fat and salt than a Big Mac. And incidently, Duchy Original is owned by Prince Charles! Woops...talks about putting your foot in your mouth! And what about the fact that Prince Harry was recently seen buying chicken nuggets and a burger...Hmm... Better watch what you're saying there Charlie...
http://dxbsunshine.blogspot.com/
Ban McDonald's?
Interesting to see Prince Charles calling for a ban on McFood as crucial for improving people's diets:
Charles made the comments while visiting the Imperial College London Diabetes Center in Abu Dhabi for the launch of a public health campaign, The Press Association reported. "Have you got anywhere with McDonald's? Have you tried getting it banned? That's the key," Charles was quoted as asking one of the centre's nutritionists.
Some years back the UAE health ministry actually did try to reduce the impact of McFood on children, by banning soft drinks from McHappyMeals. Children's portions of clown-meat could only be served with milk, water or orange juice.
The result? Kids bought adult meals instead, or got full-size full-fat cokes on the side.
http://secretdubai.blogspot.com
He's lovin' it
Prince Charles advocated banning McDonald's food today as he launched a public heath campaign. In its place, he suggested a steady diet of English cuisine such as Jellied Eels, Spotted Dick, Toad-in-the-Hole, and the divine Blood Pudding. The Prince of Wales said that if McDonald's is to stay in business, they'll need to offer McHaggis, the fast food version of the Scottish delicacy. Haggis, of course, is the sublime combination of sheep's heart, liver, and lungs that's boiled in the stomach, resembling stuffed intestines. Prince Charles then brought out a freshly made batch, bit into one, and said "I'm lovin' it," as onlookers threw up in their hands.
http://www.thisjustin.com/
Getting the goat
I have mentioned that, wandering about this Northern Emirate, one sees flocks of goats walking on two legs stripping the foliage off the lower parts of the trees and shrubs, or removing the top layer from the garbage bins.
Today, however, I saw my first goatherd. Rather than trudging along with a crook, he was mounted on an off-road motorcycle. Which is certainly a better way to herd the goats.
If rather less carbon-efficient.
http://dubaiatrandom.blogspot.com/index.html
The good old days
I remember being 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, running through the mall, looking at the grown-ups, wondering what world they were living in. I wondered how bored they must be, sitting down in one spot. Back then, mobiles weren't out. The only people I saw were walking round and round the mall. Lovely local ladies in golden burqas and plain black abayas; middle-class families roaming each corner of the mall...
http://desperateprincessdubai.blogspot.com/
On a leash
There are many aspects of this beguiling city that serve as a sharp reminder to a western expat that the Middle East really is different — not least the fact that there is sufficient business to sustain a veterinary practice specialising purely in the care of falcons... But came across one yesterday that rather took the biscuit. We were looking for a collar for a dog, and the search led us to one of the longer-established pet shops in Dubai. After pausing to admire the jewel-like colour of the iguanas on the counter, we found the canine section. All sorts of leads, harnesses and collars, including several large, macho studded things to properly reflect the savage nature of your beast. If that's your thang...
And there on the top shelf, was, well, what? Some sort of refugee from a dominatrix's wardrobe? Fetish gear for rottweilers? Bondage equipment for the more alternative amongst us? Not quite. On closer inspection (well, you would, wouldn't you?), these studded constructions in leather and bronze turned out to be just another piece of pet accessory. A walking harness for your panther, no less!
http://eyeondubai.blogspot.com
Sectarian contradictions
When I look at sectarian violence in Iraq I don't see it under a religious context any more. Sects have become a source of ethnic identity and religion doesn't seem to play much of a role at all. Sects are merely a way to identify people and it's historically now the easiest way to do so in Iraq.
I don't imagine the militia men and death squads actually practise Islam at all. I say this because I can't fathom that a group of men would grab a girl off the street and rape her because she wasn't wearing a hijab or because she belonged to another sect. It's the equivalent of saying one plus one equals forty three point two. That's how much sense that makes. Similarly I can't fathom that a group of "religious" men would grab a boy off the street and force him to convert at gun point. Or make a little boy of another faith jump into a bonfire.
http://www.black-iris.com/
Destiny
I have only been here four days and yet I felt the difference immediately. That dead look in their eyes. And when I say dead, I mean dead. It's even more noticeable now. That hunger for work is gone. That hunger for success has disappeared. They are tired. They are exhausted. They have given up. I know you're gonna say ‘but that's how it was before'. No, it's different this time. I dunno how to describe it. Their frail bodies says it all. Their empty hollow eyes tell of a story of hope that has long dissipated into thin air.
Even their desire of saving money to travel afar for a better life has gone. Just Gone. It's no more. No body wants us they tell me with their sad quiet voices. No body wants us. Where do we go? Where CAN we go, they ask. No where. We are stuck here, this is our destiny. Our destiny is to die alive here or is to live to die. That's what they say.
http://neurotic-iraqi-wife.blogspot.com/
