Lazy weekend

It was 38c today and 46c yesterday.
However, a relaxing weekend with my daughter here.
We went shopping and then to see the Sheikh Zayed al Nahyan mosque which is costing about USD550 mio to build. How impressive it is with it's gold and white domes etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque

We had dinner Thursday night with most of the cost from a voucher.
The steak was unbelievable. I had American Ribeye with bone and my daughter and friend Paul had an Autralian steak called Wagyu which is sort of the Japanese special meat. It melted in your mouth and was very tasty.

Last night we had a buffet at the hotel which was lovely as well.

This morning we went basic and met Paul at a Lebanse bakery for Za'ataar and coffee.
Now Eleanor is hooked on it:

Recipe for Za'atar


Ingredients:
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons basil
2 tablespoons ground thyme
1 teaspoon whole thyme
2 teaspoons savory
2 teaspoons ground marjoram
1/2 teaspoons whole dry marjoram
1-2 tablespoons ground sumac berries
1/4-1/2 cup unhulled, toasted sesame seeds, ground coarsely
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1 tablespoon dried ground lemon peel or zest of two lemons, very finely minced

Preparation:
Ideally, this is a little coarse. First grind the sesame seeds then crush everything together with a pestle.

While it is fresh, dampen a few tablespoons with olive oil, and add some hummus or crushed chickpeas. Spread on pita or flatbread, and bake or broil until heated through.

Green zahtar variation: Omit sumac and replace with ground and whole thyme or marjoram, fenugreek leaf (exotic flavor) or dried parsley.

Not having any lunch I just had a snack on the terrace as the sun was going down. Still hot but with Earl Grey tea and a cigar it was bearable.
Now in my Air Conditioned room, waiting for the Champions League final to come on.

Yesterday my daughter and I was in a taxi going arouind Abu dhabi when we went to shop. Anyway, in a service road (as they have all along the sides of main roads here) we was waiting to get past 2 cars and another was reversing to come out of parking.It was like something from Mr Bean.

The first car in front sat there blocking the reversing car. The second car pulled over and parked right on the edge of the reversing car, but just enough for them to get out. We were the next car and about 6 behind all blowing their horns.
Of course it was a dumb woman driver in front. In the end I got out and shouted at the women to move and she said ' I want to park here! ( in the tongue rolling arabic accent)' I said ' No way you are blocking the guy trying to reverse'so she said ' you reverse' I said ' are you crazy, can't you see there are at least 6 cars behind all blowing their horns!' she huffed and puffed and decided to drive around the corner and lost her precious space!!!!

Another woman the other morning going to work turned left from the right inside lane across 4 lanes and not a care in the world!!!

I am sure they pass their tests by showing an ankle to the examiner!
Oh and it's best to be holding 2 mobile phones at the same time so you can call yourself ambidextrious and multi-tasking. Hey look no hands !!!!!

Alarm ready for 5.15am to go to work