Who said that Abu Dhabi Doesn't have a Sense of Humour?

So, I've been snapping random shots of things that have made me giggle in Abu Dhabi over the last few months.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Yummy!

So, this didn't make me laugh in a nice way... but I did find it really strange that Borders just opened here in Abu Dhabi Mall, but it went in to administration and closed everywhere in the UK.
We have Borders, we have Borders, nah, nah, nah nah, nah!

A great product to buy if you want to give your man some Nice Feelings.

Who wouldn't want a pair of these snazzy pyjamas. Apparently they have a magical power that makes your head just a little bit bigger than your body... attractive, I know!

This was just a PHENOMENAL typo to make... especially for a huge chain store like LuLu.

Well, we ordered Subway I think, they delivered - and were courteous enough to include the above instructions. Needless to say, they most certainly did not doorbell.

Top 10 Myths about the United Arab Emirates

I absolutely love all of your brilliant questions, and questions that I receive through friends I've moved away from.
Here is a list of the top ten myths that circulate about the UAE.

1. All people in the UAE are super rich
It is true that the brilliant rules of the UAE allow a tax free income, but truly, out here in the UAE, you see people from all walks of life, making all sorts of money. Maids who work in the homes of locals or expats can notoriously make as little as 1000aed a month (about £169.00 at the current exchange rate of 5.9). It is even common to see locals from all sorts of the financial spectrum, some seeming to have a very healthy income, and those who have a modest one.
The workers from the sub-continent are sometimes paid a third of what a westerner could make. There is most certainly money to be made here, but you still have to live to a budget as you would in any country, you've also got to really try to stick to it as there are far too many places to spend it here!

2. The UAE operates Shariah Law
The UAE does not have Shariah Law completely. It does though, have a system that is loosely based upon it; true Shariah Law that is, not the 'interesting' varieties you see in Saudi Arabia and Iran. Laws are particularly strict here regarding certain offences such as drug dealing and drug use, drink driving, adultery and rape, but to be honest, as long as you're not participating in such criminal offences you've really got nothing to worry about.

3. Women are oppressed
This is one myth that is widespread and comes to the forefront of most people's minds when thinking about Arab or Muslim-majority countries. 
The UAE is widely considered one of the most forward thinking countries with regards to gender relations in the Arab and Muslim world. Unlike the UAE's neighbour, women here are allowed to drive. Women also make up half of the university population and are full participants in the work force. 
Emirati women wear abaya (voluminous black gown) and shayla (a head covering) but unlike Saudi Arabia or Iran it is not enforced but more of a national custom. You will even sometimes run in to Emirati ladies who do not wear the shayla or even the abaya.
Expat women are not expected or asked to wear abaya or shayla and are pretty much allowed to wear whatever it is they like provided that it is modest i.e. no overt displays of cleavage or short-shorts (unless it is in the appropriate place like a beach). Of course is also truly depends on where you are in the Emirates. Dubai is a lot less conservative than Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi is less conservative than Sharjah. So, the best thing to do is to just adjust your clothing to wherever you're going in the Emirates so not to cause offence. 

4. Dubai is the capital of the UAE
This is usually the shocker to people. In fact, sometimes I'm even asked if Dubai is it's own country! Abu Dhabi is the official capital of the UAE. Dubai (the city) is much larger than Abu Dhabi city. 

5. The UAE is a no-alcohol zone
This is one of the greatest myths I've heard on my rounds. Alcohol is sold in hotels and in some stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (and other Emirates that have swanky hotels). Most other states allow the selling of alcohol, but like Abu Dhabi require a alcohol license (although, if truth be told, it is hardly enforced). Sharjah, I believe, is the only Emirate that is completely dry.
It is worth mentioning though, that during holy nights or special holidays within the Islamic Calendar hotels, bars and restaurants enforce dry nights.

6. Pork, what pork?
This seems like an obvious one but I do frequently get asked this question. Yes, pork and pig products are sold in the UAE. In Abu Dhabi Spinneys is one of the most well known establishments that sells pork. In fact, they even have a specific 'pork room' in the back of stores (quite like the back room in a video rental shop) which has a sign arching the door saying 'not for Muslims'. So if you're a non-Muslim, no problem at all, you'll be able to get your pork fix. Also, there are some restaurants that do have pork on the menu, but they're more upmarket restaurants. 

7. There are no churches. In fact, bringing or reading your Bible is a criminal offence
I have on occasion received questions a long these lines from frantic Christians. So please, don't worry your pretty little mind!
You can find churches out here in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai (I'm not sure about the other states as it'll all be dependent on whether there are large Christian communities in those areas that have a church). The royal family often gives gifts, funding or land to churches here. They're a monarchy that greatly encourages religious freedom as set out by their Islamic teachings and Shariah Law.
Having a Bible is also fine - so don't worry about that. You can wear crosses around your neck too. If you are worried about something it should be the proselytising law, where you could end up in hot water for preaching to those of another faith in order to convert them. The law stipulates though, that this does not mean talking about ones faith, or debating or discussing, but more like putting pressure upon, or trying to force somebody to your faith. Of course, this law also applies to Muslims who are trying to convert non-Muslims to Islam too. 

8. The Emiratis are the ruling class
Well, yes and no. The locals are most certainly the ruling class in that they are well taken care of by their government i.e. they can receive benefits, housing aid, free schooling, it is also mandatory that all companies reserve jobs for the locals.
But according to the law - on paper, everybody is equal before the law and all peoples are encouraged to report injustices or criminal activity even if the perpetrator is a local or an expat. 

9. Desert, desert everywhere
I was quite amazed to find that we were not actually moving to a desert. Abu Dhabi is surprisingly green, as is Al-Ain. The desert that surrounds Abu Dhabi city and Dubai is yellowish with lots of little plants growing all over. You've really got to drive out a little bit to find real desert.

10. If you move to the UAE, you must learn to speak Arabic
It's a really nice gesture to learn to speak Arabic if you're holidaying here, or living here, but to be quite honest there really is no need. The people who work in the shops, hotels, restaurants are usually Philippinos, Indians and Arabs - and they will all be more than proficient in English. We moved here thinking that we were going to be able to return to the UK fluent.... that has not happened. Not even slightly. 
It seems the only way we will be able to improve our Arabic here is to actually take a class (which they do have here!).


So that's my top ten myths about the UAE. Please feel free to add your own in the comment section. As usual, questions and comments are always welcome!

Have a good evening! 

Eid Holidays!

Recently it was the wonderful Eid holidays. It was great. We had a few days off, and decided to go to Fujairah. 

Fujairah is another Emirate. Remember, the Emirates are made up of seven states - including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah etc. etc. 

As you can see, Fujairah isn't a massive Emirate, but it has a lovely sea scape. We stayed in the city, which really seemed to me to be a pleasant, relaxed beach town. 

Now, we tried to organise this holiday back in September. We'd initially wanted to go to Dibba as that has a great reputation too. The only problem was, as early as mid-September EVERYTHING was already booked for the Eid weekend. All the hotels we were interested in any way.

So last minute.com CamelMan finds some hotel apartments. We'd never stayed in hotel apartments before so we were quite apprehensive. They were called Siji Hotel Apartments and as we drove up to them I was pleasantly surprised.

As we have an almost-two year old we were absolutely thrilled when we saw our room. It was a single bedroom, with a sitting area, dining area and a massive kitchen that had a washing machine, kettle, toaster, fridge/freezer and microwave... as well as all the relevant cooking pots, pans, plates etc etc. There was one bathroom, an en suite. They also have larger apartments in the hotel.

The usual hotel services are offered. They have a mini-bar, room service, cleaners come around, they have a restaurant and cafe, swimming pool and gym. What you would expect really, from any hotel.

We were only a few minutes from the beach, but not actually on the beach. 

On the way to Fujairah you have to pass through a mountain range. It's just so beautiful and such a change from the usual flat landscapes you get used to in Abu Dhabi. Don't expect the Alps though, the mountains aren't huge, they're large - but I think one could easily walk to the top of most of them.

The ocean is just beautiful - especially as you see these gorgeous mountains just running down in to the sea. The water is clean. As it was Eid weekend though, the beach was heaving - but we managed to find a semi-private area, where the little one could run around pretty freely.

Watch out for the crabs though! And by crabs, I'm not talking about those cute, tiny little friendly Little Mermaid crabs. I'm talking about massive, white, very over-protective crabs!  Luckily I had caught one out of the corner of my eye, all burrowed down in the sand - CamelMan would have maybe lost a little toe if not! Haha!

We visited one of the strangest and delicious restaurants there. It was called Al Meshwar - a Lebanese restaurant which stands in the middle of a green, completely detached from other buildings, and kind of has the shape of a large cardboard box that was lined with faux-rock, and crowned with pretend collapsing Roman-ruins (and yes, it does look as tacky as it sounds). And, though I snubbed it, the food was just amazing. In fact, I used to eat hummus all the time in the UK - but did not find a single hummus, in all the establishments I visited that I actually liked. BUT - oh my goodness me, the best hummus I've ever had in the UAE was from that tacky-looking restaurant! I ordered the hummus that was mixed with coriander and drizzled with pomegranate syrup. It was amazing. Enjoy!

Fujairah is great is you're in to water-sports, or just want to get away from the buzz of the city. I wouldn't recommend it if you like more of a party or a city that is more bustling. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and is lovely especially with children!

I will be updating this post with some more photographs.

Pearl and Caviar - A Review

It's most certainly all about Brunch here in Abu Dhabi. I find it is more popular here than in Dubai. 

We've been to quite a few, but I thought that I'd write about our most recent experience at the fabulous Pearl and Caviar, at the Shangri La Hotel, Abu Dhabi. 

This is a very small, very intimate little restaurant - it's chique and almost has a night-club like feel to it - apart from all the lovely natural light that envelopes you. By night-club, by the way, I really do mean that there is a live DJ, with his turntables, playing music and taking requests while you get your grub.

The food is delicious and to a great standard. The sea food, deserts, salad and roast station are to die for. You also have a nice selection of caviar, sushi and an awesome bread and cheese station. The drinks are great too - well, we don't drink alcohol but we do drink mocktails... so, we opted for those instead and they really were awesome. The best part about the day is that the waiters, quite literally, bring a barbecue to your table with seafood cooking over charcoal. You just pluck the calamari, king prawns, scallops, lobster etc etc, right off of it and on to your plate. It was scrumptious - they were just PERFECTLY cooked.  

I had initially been quite impressed with the staff and their attention to detail, but as the afternoon wore on and it got a little busier, I started to have to remind them top me up - they just kept kinda forgetting me. 

They have this beautiful little patio outside where you can go sit in the sun, have a drink, watch the jet skiiers go buy, oh, and just admire the gorgeous Shaykh Zayed Grand Mosque. The view  really is spectacular from there. 

And for those of you without children... well, you'll love Pearl and Caviar; no kids allowed (at brunch, anyway). 

My only bug-bear, if I'm going to be honest, is that for the amount we paid per head I was expecting a much more lavish variety of foods available. Sofra bld, which is just a few doors down is a little cheaper, but the food is as good, plus you have a much larger variety of foods from all over the world... plus beach and pool access. 

Pearl and Caviar is worth experiencing, and worth going to if you like a more intimate setting, good food... and no children!

Back to School... Back to Reality

Last week I and the little one went back to school. Baby Zanga was welcomed in to her new classroom, surrounded by new kids, and a new teacher. She took to it well, and seemed to thrive because she is no longer the youngest in her class.

I welcomed my new class, in to my new classroom (a fabulous classroom at that) which I am still frantically trying to finish decorating. A lot of the children in my class were in the year before luckily and so the English barrier is not dire... although there are a few who cannot understand me and I cannot understand a word they are saying. I've been assured though that by week six the children will be pretty much understanding most things and will be able to converse. It is quite a testament to a child's brain that they have the ability to pick up another language so fluently.

I received my last class at the end of January this year. The previous teacher had done all this hard work and I literally had just walked in to a classroom of children who had more or less become quite fluent. Both behaviour, commands, duties and instructions are all having to be communicated in a language that is so foreign to them. They're doing their best, and with little to no crying, so I am most impressed to say the least.

Camel man welcomed a new class today too. He is not seeming quite as positive. Haha!

Till next time!

Back and forth again...

After two months of being 'on holiday' it is now time to return to Abu Dhabi.

If I am honest, I am quite looking forward to it. Not because I did not miss the UK... as I certainly did. Not because we did not miss our family... because we certainly did. Not because we did not miss our friends... as of course, we most certainly did.
We miss Abu Dhabi because other than our friends and family, there isn't much for us here any more. It sounds quite melodramatic, haha, but what I mean is, we no longer, study, teach, work, or live here... our life, our work, our home, our things, our hobbies and past-times are now all situated in Abu Dhabi, and we have missed it.

So back to Abu Dhabi we go... we have a few more days of rain and then we will be back on the plane off to the sandbox. We'll catch you on the other side!

Bubbles, ungratefulness and rain (again)

Throughout the last 9 months I have consistently likened living in Abu Dhabi as living in a 'bubble'. This is true of course. The leering threat of a monetary meltdown, terrorism and full scale global rebellion barely even touched our Emirati bubble. Occasionally we would read the odd report of a maid falling out of the window, or murder, or massive car accident... but really, we lived in blissful unawareness.

I've now been back in the UK for almost two weeks. And I've found myself suddenly beginning to feel a little paranoid. I'm starting to leave my house feeling a tiny bit fearful... as if a 'yob' is about to jump out from around the corner, or that every major event I attend will be framed by a circumference of crazy terrorists trying to stop me having fun. It is wacky, and although I frequently digested the British news out in Abu Dhabi, the stories never quite touched me... they seemed so far away. It seems I have forgotten what it feels like to live in a constant subconscious state of fear. Just flicking through The Guardian today painted a very very grim picture of the future of Britain.... even with the impending joy of hosting the Olympics we are still being bombarded with the housing crisis, banks folding, conspiracies, child molesters, the threat of terrorism, 50 Shades of Grey (uh yes... bombarding indeed!), the Euro going under and of course the rising cost of petrol.

Ignorance is most certainly bliss.

It has rained the past fortnight. Quite literally. Occasionally we see a little sun - which is then followed by rain. I'm trying so desperately not to moan and gripe and be ungrateful, especially as I've lived in sunshine for 9 months (and will hopefully be returning to it in a few months time) but ... I mean.... really? 2 weeks of rain! Oh... and here is the punchline. They're predicting another 30 days of rain! Some families up north have really lost everything quite simply because flash floods are surprising regions. A day of rain passed last week, and it was estimated that we had the equivalent of one months rain in that single day.

I think we need to call the 51 weeks of rain we have year round 'monsoon season' - it'd then not surprise the tourists that come over to view our very great Britain!

The UK, Olympics, Rain and Rain....

We have now returned to the UK.

I most certainly love our life in Abu Dhabi - but one thing I missed most about the UK (other than missing family) was the idea of FRESH AIR! It's not that Abu Dhabi is lacking in oxygen; it's just that the air is not cool and therefore does not give your lungs that feeling of having inhaled 'fresh air'. In fact, the only time you may have that feeling in Abu Dhabi is when you go in to a room that has had the air-conditioning on for too long and at a ridiculously low temperature.

The flight back was okay. We took the crazy British Airways flight at 2.20am.... with a little baby, this proved quite exhausting. Whilst she knocked out in a blissful 50,000 feet sleep, I tossed and turned, dehydrated, exhausted, and far too sleepy to concentrate on 'How I met your Mother', 'The Big Bang Theory', or '21 Jump Street'. We flew on Qatar Airways before, and I have to give credit to Qatar Airways in that you have a choice in what you want to watch... with British Airways you have channels and you have to watch whatever is on at the time.... very annoying.

We're going through a very pathetic attempt at 'Olympic Fever' over here in the UK. It's very sad. Everyday we have an update as to where the Olympic torch has ended up... which little village, or town it is being run through and sadly... it keeps going out. Yes. The rain and wind here is that bad that it keeps going out... it doesn't bode well.

I had honestly thought.... honestly, honestly, honestly thought that having been in 45+C heat out in the desert that I would have missed the rain. Yesterday, I took the little one out with me to do some shopping and have some lunch... and it rained. Yes, it was grey skies, and rainy and horrible, and honestly, as I walked back in to the house at the end of the day, soaked through, lil baby soaked through, push chair and bag soaked through I could honestly, and truthfully say that I have not missed the rain one little bit. Not one bit! Roll on sunshine!

With hindsight on your side...?

I received awesome questions asked by a reader of this here blog last month and I thought I would take the time to actually answer the questions (and subsequent little questions too).

These were the questions:

With the beauty of hindsight on your side, is there anything you would do differently when migrating? Did AD meet your expectations? And has there been any unpleasant surprises?

I'll start with the first question.

My hub left for Abu Dhabi a whole 10 weeks before we did. In that time he sorted all our papers (visa and what-not, waited for the company to pay for our air-fare). For 4 of those 10 weeks he was put up in a cushy hotel enjoying himself - whilst we were still in the rainy UK. That was the biggest regret, to be honest, regarding migrating! LOL!
Also, packing up the house was a real hassle. Luckily we employed a very efficient manager to look after our property and so we have not needed to worry in that regard either.

Abu Dhabi not only met my expectations but exceeded them... but it is not for everybody. There are people who moved here with us and left within 12 weeks. The name of the game here is FLEXIBILITY and a firm understanding and openness of the culture here. Unfortunately flexibility is a word that is thrown about, and people move here thinking that they have prepared themselves but they really haven't. The type of flexibility one needs here is one of a saint! You need to be willing to stay calm in irritating situations, and to always know that things will get better when they get a little sticky.

As for unpleasant surprises - there has only really been one major one (and one minorish one). The major one is that there really is a type of caste system here (according to race). It's not really discussed or even acknowledged but being from the UK where everybody is pretty much treated amazingly equal - I found it quite obvious here. Emiratis.... being the locals of course are positioned at the peak of society and then it just kinda goes down from there. This is something I still find a little difficult adjusting too - but really, I just make sure that I personally treat everybody with respect regardless of their race.

The minor unpleasant surprise is this... basically, when you buy something here, and you open it - i.e. take it out of the packaging but then realise it didn't go with your décor, or you just don't like it.... there are no consumer rights here (unless they're western stores [for example Matalan, La Senza]), in most stores you cannot just return something unless it has never been taken out of the box. This is an annoyance... a minor one, but a surprise none the less.

In conclusion. With complete honesty.... we really love it here. We love the weather, we love the amazingly FAMILY FRIENDLY atmosphere (it is quite normal to go to a nice restaurant at 8 at night and have families with small children sat at the table with them and nobody even bats an eyelid), we love that there are so many activities, sports groups, book clubs, art groups, knitting societies, Irish club, pottery groups, classes (both free and costly), Art and Literature festivals, a massive book fair, science fairs, Arab culture, Western culture, Islam, Arabic, book stores, Western stores as well as Arab stores, restaurants from all over the planet, supermarkets stocking food from our home countries, expats galore, an emphasis on culture, Dubai is just up the road... and of course SHOPPPPPPPIINNNGGGGG!!!
My life has been enriched dramatically, our lifestyle is much improved and the stress levels have dropped... we're happy, of course we miss our families very very much - but hopefully, a few more months and we'll be back in the rain and with our family for a few months.

I hope this has helped anybody looking to potentially move to Abu Dhabi. We love it here, and with an open mind, knowledge of the local customs, culture and religion as well as lots of flexibility, positivity and motivation ... you'll love it too!

Working, working and working!

Evening everybody!

We have been at the mercy of a sandstorm raging through Abu Dhabi the last few days. Yesterday was okayish, in that the sky had this yellow hue. Today though, it seems, there may have been a bit of fog in the air (YES I KNOW!) and so it has been dreadful!

I've now been working for 7 weeks. I've learnt so much about myself and the UAE and the variety of Arabs that live in the UAE.

It has been an eye-opening experience.

There has been quite a few complaints recently in the place that we live about spouses being unable to find/get jobs. I didn't know the first thing about getting a job and was just lucky that somebody pushed my name forward to the headteacher at the nursery I work at.

One thing that did occur to me - and that I think is important for people to know when moving out here is that finding a job doesn't seem to be that difficult - BUT - especially when employing westerners it is important to realise that they want people who have academic qualifications. This seems to be the recurring theme I've noticed when speaking to those who are looking desperately for a job. Without qualifications - a westerner is at the same level as the labourers here (only difference is, they'd be fluent in English). The problem is.... they cannot possibly pay a westerner the same money as a labourer - it would be unheard of, and this is where the problem comes. We (as Westerners) are not going to be ready and willing to work long long hours for a quarter of the money that we would deserve in the UK/USA/Canada... and so a lot of spouses end up without work.

I think - truly, it would be worth (if you're planning on moving to the UAE and you are a spouse) on getting some sort of formal qualification. Job hunting and potential employment is a lot easier if you're qualified. I know in the short term it would be expensive to just... go and get a qualification - but it'd be worth it in the long term.

For those in the UK - certain universities (even US universities do too) offer Long-Distance Learning - and so it could even be an option to move out here and go ahead with studying a chosen subject to get a degree. If you have a degree and would like to get in to teaching, it'd be worth getting a TEFL or CELTA. These are qualifications that are recognised in this country and can open many gateways.

I'm not saying that it will be impossible for a person without qualifications to get a job... that's not the case, but, in the best interest of you or family members it would be worth looking in to making some moves in that direction.

Interesting teacher-fact of the week...

Call me naive, but I hadn't realised until this week that...

Little children spend more time with their fingers up their noses than they do learning.

I just thought you'd want to know.

[This image does not belong to me - and you can find it right HERE]

A job... a job... and the first week at nursery!

Well a lot has happened in the last two weeks.

I have started a new job (I am now on day four) and my daughter has started at a new nursery (also day four) - oh - and it's at the same place! I'm not at liberty to share which nursery it is... after all, I work there. But she and I are settling in quite well.

Baby-Zanga has found the last few days very very trying indeed, bless her little cotton socks. And to be honest, I have just been really, really, really enjoying it PLUS during my break times I can go visit my little Baby-Zanga and give her some cuddles which are much needed (more for me than for her).

The kids in my class are just great. They're from every cultural background you can imagine! They keep my busy and in turn I keep them busy!

It. is. awesome. Tiring - but awesome!

The beautiful Abu Dhabi

I came across a beautiful selection of photographs of spots around Abu Dhabi. I think the photographs are amazing, so please, take time to go visit the site!

Stunning photograph collection here

I forgot to mention...

I guest-blogged

HERE

A book review of The Radleys! Go check it out - and give Mab lots of looove!

Volvo Ocean Race 2012

The past two weeks has seen Abu Dhabi hosting the Volvo Ocean Race.

Abu Dhabi truly did themselves proud and most certainly hosted a stop over that will be remembered both by the teams and crews but also all those who visited!

It was a small but beautiful and very clean area if I'm honest. Big screens, a tiny little harbour for the racing boats (which was cute and you could walk down and see the crew cleaning and getting things ready).

Abu Dhabi actually closed down the Heritage Village road for the whole two weeks!!! The organisers were in tune w

ith the needs of both the visiting crews, dignitaries and

just regular old people like me!
There were falcons (my favourite -_-), one of those 3D ride things that you usually find in fair grounds (it's like being in a spaceship, and you're watching a big screen and the whole ship-thing is moving about making you feel sick!), there was even a whole area just for children called the Junior area!

Well done Abu Dhabi - you executed the whole event beautifully.

On the Friday, after a friendly race by the teams, dignitaries parked up at the harbour and made their jolly way to one of the suave café's that had been built for the event.

Lo and behold - who walks out? Tony Blair... yes... the Tony Blair. He'd been out floating around after some boats (when in my honest opinion he should be on trial for crimes against humanity... but that's a whoooole different

post entirely). Also, Prince Andrew walked out and loads of different Shaykhs and their pals.

After the dignitaries had eaten their food, and the boaters had been welcomed back in to the bay, a nifty little awards ce

remony was held which finished with a brilliant aeroplane display. It was pretty awesome.

So this is a short but sweet post - I just wanted to once again congratulate Abu Dhabi on ANOTHER job well done.

There are some photographs of some of the dancers over at http://pic-challenge.blogspot.com (Enjoy!)

Christmas, Nadal and New Years

Happy belated holidays everybody!

I hope you're all well and sticking to your new year resolutions...

The last few weeks have been quite eventful indeed.

We don't celebrate Christmas in our home and so we did not have the worries and potential excitement of having to put up decorations, buy Christmas dinner ingredients or gather a sack of presents for Baby-Zanga... thank goodness. What we did do though is book ourselves in for a 'Christmas' brunch at the Holiday Inn just around the corner.

Well, let me tell you - it was pretty awesome. They had their usual array of foods, but also had some turkey with cranberry gravy and horse chestnuts (which were gross). They also had a pretty awesome ginger bread house... which was... well... awesome!!

There happened to be a hillarious Santa Clause wandering around who... having not found many children at all was lavishing strange gifts upon Baby-Zanga. Gifts such as a box of shuttlecocks, a gift with a police torch and whistle - and another one (which was