Veiled Beer,
Points of View.
The Thing No One Mentions
Drives Everyone's Investment.
The Fourth Letter
By Jack G. Vines
DATELINE:
Saturday, March 29, 2003.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
I survived the weekend. Week two of the Gulf War begins, but I hear very little mention of it on the streets. It is amazing to me that no one is talking about it. Are the people here already bored with the war, or are they forbidden to talk about it?
Life is normal in Abu Dhabi. The idea of the war is old — everyone is talking about summer vacation or the new car they hope to buy in the near future. I plan on buying very little of anything until I see the outcome of the events in Iraq.
I had a great weekend. Did I mention that the weekend falls on Thursday and Friday here? The Islamic holiday, or should I say holy day, falls on Friday.
Barbeque and Beer on the Beach.
After work on Wednesday I rented a few DVDs. On Thursday I went to the Abu Dhabi Hilton Hotel to eat sushi with a local Japanese family. I thought that I should eat some raw fish before the temperatures rise any higher. Finally, on Friday I jumped in a cab with a few friends and went to the beach. The great thing about Abu Dhabi is that the beach is just ten minutes away. We barbequed chicken and covertly drank some Amstel Beer.
At the beach, one thought kept going through my head: Jack, you have certainly changed in the past decade. Ten years ago I was entering university in the USA. Now I'm sitting on a beach in an Islamic-Arab nation, and not blinking an eye.
On one side of my little party of beachcombers were several Pakistani men, swimming with all of their pajama-type clothing on. On the other side, a group of Emirati women were sitting, singing, and clapping hands in their abayas (black robe and facial veil). There I was in the middle of it all, relaxing with a few guys, eating chicken, getting a buzz, and swimming with nothing but trunks on. Two years ago, I was required to wear a T-shirt while swimming in Abu Dhabi. Are you freaking out over the beer?
Most anything within reason is allowed in the United Arab Emirates as long as it is covered. I mean, drinking beer on the beach is not allowed — but it is. Just keep it quiet and don't make a scene. I kept my beer covered, or veiled! One day perhaps I will take the time to write about the alcohol trade, and even the prostitution that occurs here in ample quantity and variety.
Desensitized to War, Suffering.
However, the war in nearby Iraq is my central focus today. Truthfully, there is very little mention of it. Each day one or more of my students manage to show me a picture or two of an Iraqi baby minus a head. I'm used to it. For two years on a daily basis I've looked at what seems like thousands of pictures of Israelis waging war against the Palestinians. It has desensitized me to the whole ordeal of war and suffering.
I recall the Gulf War of ten-plus years ago when I was mesmerized by video imagery of all the missiles slamming into Baghdad. I loved it! I really viewed it as a video game. Now, I just refuse to watch television. I avoid the steady stream of anti-American, anti-Israeli, and anti-Western propaganda — believe me, it can become a torrent over here at times. I hate to see images of war.
All the same, war and all of its images are so very much closer to me now. I know many Iraqis in exile here. I have heard their stories. I have seen their pictures. Inside my heart, I really feel pain. I just hope this war ends soon. I am for a free Iraq.
Challenging Times,
Different Inventments.
In the final analysis, I realize that I am fortunate. I reside in the Middle East during the September 12th Era in challenging times. By being here, I am able to explore multiple points of view. Mind you, I have to search for a Western or an American point of view, but nonetheless, everyone seems to have a different investment in this war.
My friend the Iraqi doctor calls me every night. He wonders if he can take a road trip to Baghdad next week.
The Palestinian watchman at my apartment complex is praying for a recognized Palestinian state.
Members of the family from Kuwait are here on vacation. Like many other Kuwaitis, they decided to take an extended vacation in the UAE, especially when their country began to undergo its transformation into the front line. They ask, "Do you think we can return home soon?"
Soon, too, for me? I wonder if I may be asking myself the same question.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Mr. Vines is an instructor for the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. He has worked in Abu Dhabi since July 2001. Not yet thirty, he has also taught in Japan. We would tell you more about him, but it just wouldn't be prudent.
You can communicate with Mr. Vines by E-mail
through the webmaster at threadspinner@corndancer.com
*This is the logical next step
toward the NEW World Order.
Step Four: *Your exclamations tossed like missiles o'er the level shore!
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