Just a few more days till the schools are out & Dubai shuts down.
Never thought much about it but, until fairly recently, the Life Punctuation Point known as:
"End of School / Summer Holidays" that dominated my world for so long, was dead to me.
But now, behold, the Resurrection!
I am a Phoenix, thrust back into the world which is dominated by the School Year.
Since that heady Summer when:
the jeans were still 501s,
and tights were still 50 denier.
When our boots were Biker & the trainers, Adidas Gazelles or Sambas.
AND ....... when that University coughed up that Degree so ferally clawed into existence laboriously achieved
....................................... the doors to 8-10 week holidays slammed SHUT!
For the next 15ish years, holidays were limited to 2-3 weeks A YEAR!!!
Pretty tough going when you live in a different country to your family, it has to be said. My Dad put it into perspective though by reminding me that when he first went overseas, he didn't return home for 3 years!!!
Let us pause a moment and think about that.
Yeesh.
......................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
But, now I have a kid. Things are different.
My life is back to being punctuated by School-Events (bloody Christmas concerts, sodding Dress-up Days, Leaving Presents for Teachers, school photos, holidays blah blah blah).
Especially the Summer Holidays.
Especially in Dubai.
It starts around April/May, people start announcing they will be leaving. Hate that. See Goodbyes Suck
Also, every conversation seems to take a "So, what are your plans for the Summer?" turn.
It is just a given that you will be going away.
'Where' and 'How Long For' are the only variables.
Some people literally, are on their way to the airport as the school gates close & stay away for, like a bazillion weeks.
And this is what I have noticed, for those of us who largely spend the bulk of the Summer here in Dubai, when we find someone else doing the same, there is a Comrade In Arms air of mutual respect that blossoms. A nod of respect.
Nice one.
We are in this together.
During the non-parent years, I delighted in the quiet roads of the Summer & the general calm that settles over Dubai.
I still do.
50+ deg heat notwithstanding, I like Dubai in the Summer.
Never thought much about it but, until fairly recently, the Life Punctuation Point known as:
"End of School / Summer Holidays" that dominated my world for so long, was dead to me.
But now, behold, the Resurrection!
I am a Phoenix, thrust back into the world which is dominated by the School Year.
*************************************
the jeans were still 501s,
and tights were still 50 denier.
When our boots were Biker & the trainers, Adidas Gazelles or Sambas.
AND ....... when that University coughed up that Degree so
....................................... the doors to 8-10 week holidays slammed SHUT!
For the next 15ish years, holidays were limited to 2-3 weeks A YEAR!!!
Pretty tough going when you live in a different country to your family, it has to be said. My Dad put it into perspective though by reminding me that when he first went overseas, he didn't return home for 3 years!!!
Let us pause a moment and think about that.
Yeesh.
......................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
But, now I have a kid. Things are different.
My life is back to being punctuated by School-Events (bloody Christmas concerts, sodding Dress-up Days, Leaving Presents for Teachers, school photos, holidays blah blah blah).
Especially the Summer Holidays.
Especially in Dubai.
It starts around April/May, people start announcing they will be leaving. Hate that. See Goodbyes Suck
Also, every conversation seems to take a "So, what are your plans for the Summer?" turn.
It is just a given that you will be going away.
'Where' and 'How Long For' are the only variables.
Some people literally, are on their way to the airport as the school gates close & stay away for, like a bazillion weeks.
And this is what I have noticed, for those of us who largely spend the bulk of the Summer here in Dubai, when we find someone else doing the same, there is a Comrade In Arms air of mutual respect that blossoms. A nod of respect.
Nice one.
We are in this together.
During the non-parent years, I delighted in the quiet roads of the Summer & the general calm that settles over Dubai.
I still do.
50+ deg heat notwithstanding, I like Dubai in the Summer.
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