Mark Adams' UAE Trip

A Historical (slightly hysterical) Blog of my U.A.E. Adventures...

Back in 2004 I wrote this blog like a personal diary so family and friends from around the world could share and participate in my trip to conduct intensive instructor training in the United Arab Emirates for the Higher Colleges of Technology. I hope you enjoy a very personal slice of life from a very crucial time period in the middle east. I continue to have hopes that our work will be a part of improving the lives of men and especially women in the middle east.

To start, click on map to enlarge and get a good idea of where it all took place. The posts are in chronological order, so continue scrolling to whatever entries look interesting, or scroll ALL the way down to start at the beginning.

Note there are links to short audio files within many of the entries--they really help give a flavor of "where it's at." There are also links to photo albums on the left, and if you click on the cover picture of a photo album, it will open up a new screen of photos. Click on the first one to enlarge it, then use the "next" link on the photo page to see the rest. Many photos have captions. When you want to go back to the main blog text, at the upper left of the photo album screens you'll find a rollover to click-- "facultytraining.typepad.com".

When you're done and want to return to the main facultytraining.net website, use the link on the left under "Return Link." And if you feel like adding a comment there are "comment" links at the end of every posting--please be my guest. I'll be automatically notified of your comments...Enjoy!

Home At Last...my journey's end

I'm back home, unpacked, and upstairs at my office. Did I really travel to the UAE for 25 days, or was that just a dream? I have this blog to remind me, thank goodness. I will keep it up for a few months at least just to be able to remind myself of the adventure just completed.

I have traveled far and wide in my 49 years, often solitary and in precarious environments, seeking the good and the true, and more often than not coming away with a feeling of tenderness toward the people and places I've visited. Tenderness is a good word for it-- it's a feeling that the thing or person you hold is fragile, delicate, and worthy of care. This trip was no exception. Along with that feeling of tenderness I have often felt a sadness, borne of the realization of the swift pace of my life, blurring past, my arms extended for a moment of connection, a brief but heartfelt smile, and then carried away by a life force never quite understood.

This trip for me re-awakened my love of travel, which I had submerged in exchange for the many benefits of a life lived closer to home--close friends, the comfort of peaceful surroundings, the joys of discovery in the everyday things that slower inspection can reveal to an interested participant in this world.

To have had this opportunity to not only visit but to work on a worthy project, with some of the best people I've ever met, has been a blessing I shall never take for granted. When I was young, I thought the opportunities to make these connections and experience these extraordinary adventures would be unlimited. Foolish boy--of course, they are not!

Yet my joy at returning home made me realize that the time away can never be retrieved either, and thus the dilemma of the traveler: you can only be in one place at any one time. You spend your minutes as you spend a fixed (but unknown in amount) inheritance, with but one certainty--once gone, it's gone forever. In the sharing of this blog, I tried to bridge the chasm between home and away, in at least a small way.

I want to thank all those who followed the entries and especially those who posted. I hope the blog contributed in some small way in breaking down the pre-conceptions unavoidably derived from these cruel times and the seemingly senseless events we witness daily in the media.

I've gained no great "answer" to many of my questions. But perhaps there is no better advice for us all than the simple words my grandmother spoke to me many years ago, when I would rant at the world for one mistreatment or another...Looking me straight in the eye, she would say, "Mark, just do what you can and don't make a fuss." I'll try, grandmother...I'll try...

(See final photo album "Adams Home Again" Then Click Here for Last Audio)

Waylayed and Quarantined--Still not home!!

PORTLAND, OREGON SUNDAY Sept 26

Reporters confirmed today that Mark Adams, recently back from 25 days in the United Arab Emirates, was waylayed unofficially and quarantined to Room 421 in the River Place Hotel, on the banks of the Williamette River in Portland, Oregon.

The admitted perpetrator, his wife Sandee, issued a statement saying, "I needed to make sure there was nothing wrong with him before I brought him back home..." At this moment, Mark has not been seen for quite some time, and has yet to check out and officially return home. But his wife reported on his condition-- "all is well, no worries." We hope to have further comments later when he is finally released to return home.

In the meantime, through sources wishing to remain anonymous, Mark asked that all those who have lurked on this blog to please post a note on what they liked best, what places looked most interesting, their own thoughts on the trip, or any other comments...and then in a day or two he will post a closing note and this blog will be history! (Check out photo album "Quarantine in Bliss") ...also, check out the comments from Alaa and Jihad in "Weekend Food, Fun ..." back a few days...

In Hong Kong Airport-- on way home...

I’m sitting in Hong Kong Airport, and according to my new Rolex, it’s 1 pm Hong Kong time on Sept 25. I think my new watch actually keeps good time, which is very nice but not guaranteed when you only spend $50 US…

Yesterday was a quite nice last day in Dubai. John and Connie were up at 5 am to play a game of tennis, believe it or not, while I slept in until the luxurious hour of 8. I was feeding the blog when I heard them come back, and by the time I closed out and walked downstairs, there was freshly ground French press coffee and several kinds of bread and cheese spread out, along with fresh orange juice. I could get used to living here!

After a quick shower, John and I went down to Paul’s bakery for a midmorning meeting with several HCT directors and a couple of young guys who had organized the “Insight Dubai” conference at Dubai Women’s College last week, which brought together women students from all over the world for a week of talks and activities designed to bridge cultures and form new networks through sharing. I had heard it went very well, with the keynote speaker Benizar Bhutto, former PM of Pakistan now living in exile in Dubai, talking about the myths of Islam in terms of women’s role in business and government. Local business women also spoke, pathfinders to a new world, role models for the possible…On the final day of the conference, the women kicked out any men in the room so they could dance. I can’t think of a better way to end the conference than with some good dancing! Bravo.

These two guys (I have their cards in my luggage otherwise I’d name them) have done a great job, and are continuing their work around the world. I hope to connect with them again. We spoke at length over cappuccinos and croissants, and then John and I left, talking about a dozen new ideas we had for enriching the educational experience in the UAE…

Later in the day, after packing and getting organized, I arranged to meet with Garry Hall who came over for a “last supper,” a fitting way to close the circle of my time in the UAE by ending with the person I started with. And then at midnight, I was off for Hong Kong.

So here I sit, waiting to board for my 13 hour leg to San Francisco, then a 3 hour layover, and a short 1.5 hr jaunt up to Portland and my sweetie awaits. I am smiling...

In a short time I will be back in the warm embrace of my family and friends, having returned from the other side of the world like the original Marco Polo with a wealth of new stories and new friends and new possibilities for trade and adventure ahead. In the next day or so I will close the loop on this blog from my home in Oregon, where my new friends can see me “in my natural environment” as they might say on a nature program…but now it’s getting near time to board… Oh, I just uploaded an audio file of Abdul the spiceman going over the spices in his shop from my blog yesterday--(click here for audio)

Chillin' in the Souks...

Got in to Dubai in the afternoon yesterday, got organized, took a nice nap, and then John and Connie took me out to the most incredible Indian food place down near the abra stations in Dubai. John ordered a "thali" for each of us, with little metal cups all filled with various spicy and sweet and savory dishes, some made with chick peas and garbanzos, and all kinds of little things that made you sweat from the spicyness, all served with rice and vegetables and chapatis and fried round breads, topped off with a glass of pomogranite juice and a glass of buttermilk just for good measure--is your your stomach saying "huh???"

Well it went down well and stayed down just fine, thank you, and in fact was one of the best meals I've had in Dubai, and you KNOW I've had some pretty spectacular meals because I've shown you! Connie ordered a rice batter pancake, paper thin and crisped, with a curry potato mix in the middle and surrrounded by 3 different spreads with beautiful flavors, which we all dabbed up like wolves. They kept the food coming, adding to each tin that ran low, and even brought out 2 extra tins of a rice pudding desert we couldn't resist. The cost-- 35 Durhams, not even $10 US, for three, eating as much as we could (and more than we should!)...John knows the really good places and CHEAP ones at that, which I greatly appreciated.

Then we strolled down the shopping streets offereing ever sort of good and service, past the shops where I tried on a gold Rolex Oyster that was less than 200 Dh, (around $54), that was NOT a fake, because "...it has Seiko guts." See, only the front says Rolex, inside it's genuine! Then we went into the fabric souk, a very long outdoor alley where the shops are side by side and filled to overflowing with ...you guessed it, fabrics. John then took us down to the abra station--the water taxis that ply the "creek" as it's called in Dubai. The ride costs 50 fils (half a durham, of about 16 cents US). There are no guard rails, and they seat about 20, covering the creek in about 10-15 minutes.

On the other side, we walked for a couple of kms throught the back streets, the humidity increasing and the heat causing us all of sweat profusely, until we reached the gold souk. But alas, most of the stores by this time were closed down. I'm really hoping next time I visit to be able to buy my wife a nice gift...

Our last stroll was throught the spice souk, where Abdul, the spiceman, was glad to show us and name the spices from around the world in baskets in front of his shop... (Click here for Abdul audio)

One last trip back on the abra, and a little jaunt back to the car, and we went home, ready for a shower and a good nights rest. On the way home John said, "It's amazing to think you'll be home in Oregon in a couple of days, and all this will be just a dream..." See the photo album "Abra Cadabra"

Al Ain Adventures...

It’s Thursday morning around 9am , I just had breakfast at the Arabesque downstairs, had my coffee and read the Khaleej Times. Must tell the blog about my day and night yesterday here in Al Ain—the oasis city...

Duncan Murphy picked me up around 7:30, and when he came a bit early I was still on the blog and hadn’t yet uploaded the photo album over my 28.8kb hotel connection, so Sandee, now you know why it wasn’t there until a couple hours later when I completed posting it. Now I know the life of a reporter—always working to a deadline, juggling the need to be present in the experience with the need to be the recorder of the experience. Well worth the effort though—no question whatsoever about that in my mind.

The workshop session I did yesterday was specifically for the participants in the training course I am facilitating for Al Ain Men’s and Women’s Colleges starting mid October. (see new photo album “Al Ain Workshop Day” Out of 100 faculty, Gary told me around 50 had requested to be in the class, but we had agreed to set a limit to 12 for the first session, so they were all highly motivated interested faculty from a variety of disciplines, including English, engineering, e-commerce, network administration, and more.

It takes a bit of getting to know each other when first getting underway, as there are so many different perceptions and assumptions about blended learning, with some faculty being relatively new to the elearning field and others having masters degrees in online education from top programs around the world. So bridging that gap and providing a comfortable starting place we can build on was my goal for the day.

I decided to do a “greatest hits” approach, meaning I would take some of the best elements of the different workshops like “50 Tips to Reduce Stress of Teaching Online” and “Multimedia for Online Courses” and blend them with an orientation to the OIT course. I really think it went well. In the morning we did a bit of talking about eLearning and showing what’s ahead in the course, then had the faculty show some of the work they’ve already done on WebCT and in other formats so we could explore how to optimize it for our purposes. This is a super group of folks—dedicated, smart, and funny as well, which as you might imagine, brought out the ham in me just a wee bit…

The first hour or so we were kind of feeling our way rather than taking a more orderly approach, and I took questions on everything and anything. At the break, a really nice gentleman came up and shook my hand and said, “Well you’ve taken the shotgun approach so far, and now there’s not a single squirrel left in the tree, but I wonder if you might lead us back down to earth a bit…” We both laughed and I just felt a connection with him that makes this profession what I love. I told him I was going to use that expression from now on…

After the break I sensed we were starting to really relax with each other and feel free to open up about things, worries, concerns, etc, and then that most wonderful of teaching experiences began to take hold—that experience where you can laugh and enjoy each other’s company while still getting really good work done and quality learning and sharing—all the great things we aspire to in our classrooms. Good stuff! This was my last training day in the UAE, and after work, Gary and Duncan had arranged a sand duning expedition by 4x4s with a desert BBQ and re-hydration session. The combination sounded a bit dodgy, but after 20+ days of round the clock work all over the region, I was up for just about anything…

OK, it’s 9:35 am, time for a swim, as I’ve got to check out of here by noon to return to Dubai for one last night and then I’m off by magic carpet to the online education capital of the world—Beavercreek, OREGON!!!
So swim first, then I’ll get back to “feeding the blog”… good time to grab a cup, eh?

…Just back now from a delightful swim (see photo album “Al Ain poolside”) in the pool here at the Intercontinental hotel.

So after work yesterday, Gary Evans organized a desert BBQ and sand duning extravaganza. We first went to Gary’s house and I got a quick tour of the stables and 4 horses from his adorable children and wife Sue, then loaded up the Land Rover, changed into shorts and no shoes, and we were off, LITERALLY roving over the land as Gary paid no mind at all to the paved road out of town and went over curbs, through open desert lots—more like “as the crow flies” than driving. It was brilliant! When we got to the edge of the desert (hardly 5 minutes from his home), he pulled over and had son James drive (see photo album “Al Ain Garys Great Adventure”), which had me initially saying my prayers over, but soon found with dad shouting instructions from the back seat, James was cool as a cucumber, and a skilled desert driver.

The trail ended at a camel camp, where we took some photos, then went on making out own path through increasingly high dunes and gullys of fine red sand, until we reached our BBQ site. James and Gary got the flames going while Elizabeth, Mary Claire, Duncan, and 3 year old Max took to climbing the dunes nearby.

Then we were off with Gary at the wheel. I’ve only seen the kind of 4 wheel driving Gary does on television, and luckily I had my video cam with me so I can show people what it’s like. At first when Gary would gun the engine and crest a dune with only the sky to see before landing on the other side, I was a bit “heart in my throat”, but after a few more, I was totally into it, and as Gary went faster and at more angles and dips, we both laughed like the twin maniacs I think we truly are…that is 100% good fun, especially in Gary’s expert hands. This is a guy that more than one person told me could start a desert driving school tomorrow and make a killing. World class.

Later we pulled back in to our BBQ spot, how he found it, I’ll never know, but it grew to be “magic hour” and as more friends arrived we munched on salad fixings, chicken, sausages, fish (for me), and plenty of hydrating fluids. Absolutely lovely! The kinds romped over the dunes, made marshmallows, and then Sue took them home and the adults just sat out talking under the desert sky, a warm breeze blowing softly, quiet all around us, digging our toes into the fine, clean sand at our feet.

When it was time to go, Gary asked very innocently if our other friends in another 4x4 might want to take a little more “interesting way home” and do a bit of “night duning.” It was on! THAT to me was the best of all—only the headlights to partially show the way blazing at speed up the front side, then straight down the back side, nearly vertical…whooping it up like two boys, we kept backtracking to dig the other 4x4 out of precarious positions—at each stop, more and more persistent inquiries about “Gary…perhaps there’s a more straightforward path home?”—oh…too much fun for any one to have, really.

Back at the hotel about 11 PM, I met up with Duncan at Shooters for a few quick games of pool and some more conversation. Turns out Duncan spent a year at Soon Mouk monastery in Thailand, which I also had been to, and we thus had a very rare connection to similar experiences…

Which brings me to the present, and time to upload this to the blog, pack , off again to Dubai…where, if my wife is reading this, I want to say I will do my best to find some nice “bling-bling”, modestly priced (hopefully) to bring back home…wish me luck! (and if I don’t get all the photos uploaded before I go this time, be patient and check them out tomorrow as well, when I may have more time…)

In Al Ain-- an oasis in the desert...

Got in last night to Al Ain last night after my day at Dubai Men's. Immediately rang up Gary Evans and Duncan Murphy, from the colleges, as we met on the balcony of the Intercontinental, under the moon, with a beautiful DRY breeze (no humidity!)...check out the new photo album "Al Ain by Night"... We sat out and re-hydrated (very important in the desert) then went into a pool pub...lovely! Right now it's 7:30 am on Wed, Sept 22, my LAST day of training on this trip. Looking forward to meeting the Al Ain faculty who will be in my OIT course in October, then after work we're off to the desert for a BBQ and some "sand-duning"...Gary says we'll be able to re-hydrate nicely while sitting atop a dune at sunset...hope to get the blog some nice look-ats...later!

Now on to Dubai Men's...

Seems like a good time to feed the blog. It’s about 8 am on Tuesday, Sept 21, and I’m in a car being driven from Ghassan’s home where I stayed again last night in Ras Al Khaimah, to Dubai Men’s College, which is a brand new college site about 30 kilometers outside of Dubai. Last night I took Ghassan out to dinner, and then we strolled in a mall and had a Frappacino at Starbucks. Exquisite! When we got home after 10 pm I went right in to the pool and floated for about 15 minutes, just unwinding under the crescent moon and sultry, desert night.

I felt very much at home with Ghassan, in his big house, though we come from very different backgrounds—he from Tripoli, Lebanon, me from Pico Rivera, California; me growing up Catholic and western, he Muslim and middle eastern. But as you might expect, those differences melted away with the passing of time, and we talked of so many things, each of us knowing that this time together was rare, and that work would always be work, but the personal thoughts and feelings on the world, relationships, ambition, wisdom, religion, and politics—these are the heart and soul of out lives.

When I described our life in Beavercreek, Oregon, he seemed to enjoy hearing about how we get together and do so many things, as his life is very much focused on work at the moment, but also, the culture is different, and many of the experiences we take for granted in Beavercreek are rare or non-existent here for him. Ghassan actually lived in the states for 8 years, going to school in Connecticut and Michigan (Lansing—where I worked with the Michigan Virtual University). So he has a multi-cultural perspective that allowed us to really explore topics in an interesting and unusual way. Again, I knew that if geography was different, we’d probably become close friends. I really hope that someday he comes to meet the “gang” in Beavercreek…

In terms of business—you may remember I am actually here on a business development mission—things are really looking good. The HCT system is moving forward in a big way with blended online learning, and they seem to be very interested in going further with both my current training course as well as “the next step” in the process. In fact, there is such a need and so many potential projects, I hope I am able to sort them out intelligently enough to propose the right solution for the right problem. In one way, my travels here have been like looking through binoculars—bringing many individual things up close but still requiring a look at things from a broader perspective, which I think I will need time to assimilate when I return home and do some reflection.

There is certainly no substitute for being here, experiencing things in person. This will allow me to understand and assist faculty with far more accuracy and precision. Yesterday in one of my workshops we had a really frank discussion about the role of online technology in entry level courses at Ras Al Khaimah (and actually, it applies to other colleges in the HCT). RAK students are generally from this rural area of the UAE, and come from a primary school system that still relies on drill and practice and memorization. Add to this the fact that many students are the first ones in their family to attend college, and that their parents may not speak English, or even may not have literacy skills, and you can begin to see the challenge teachers in the early part of the program are facing. Some are understandably skeptical of the role of technology, and thus see the effort being asked of them to learn and apply it in the classroom to be somewhat counterproductive. This is a challenge for me as well—to ask them to accept on faith that the efforts and time spent will be rewarded on two fronts—improved student performance—as well as a way to eventually (though certainly not at first) lighten their overall workload, through efficiencies possible by shifting some of the activities online and self-paced.

I’ve sensed a similar frustration and skepticism from ESL teachers all over the world—including the US, and I’ve seen good results after training, but I also know that the important thing is to get the instructors to experience the benefits—not be told about them. So patience and assurance is the prescription for now. Good stuff! I’m up to the task. Must go now, approaching Dubai Men’s College, and another whirlwind day. We’ve actually been stuck in traffic for the last hour, it’s now 9:02, I’m late, we’re still who knows how far from the college, I’m starving, need my first cup of coffee…you get the picture. But I’m smiling. Like I say in my workshop, you’ve got to be like a beach ball on top of the waves—rolling around but staying on top…sounded better on a full stomach…

End of Days in RAK...

6 pm on Monday--time to go home after the second day of training at RAK. Good folks here. Ghassan made sure I "stopped and smelled the camels" --see new photo album "Camels and Socks." Got an inter HCT mail package from John Mc Fayden today-- check out the story in that same photo album. Going at quite a clip now, everyday completely full from morning to night. Sorry I haven't been as faithful to the blog as I'd like, but I'm doing what I can...hopefully more tomorrow...

At Ras Al Khaimah...

More later, but for now, check out the new photo album, "Ras Al Khaimah Day One"...got to go eat (it's 6:35 pm on Sunday, Sept 19)...

4 Hours by car to Ras Al Khaimah...

[Written Saturday, Sept 18 evening] Long day, but a good day. Started early in my room. Got invoices prepared, materials ready, and still had time for a leisurely breakfast at 8 am. Abu Dhabi Women’s College had cancelled a morning workshop, so actually I had until 2pm when my afternoon session at Abu Dhabi Men’s College started. I decided to call Central Services for HCT, where the central administrators are located, to introduce myself to Beverly Simone, the Head of Academic Affairs. Though she didn’t know me, she took the call, and after I told her what I was doing around the HCT, she invited me to sit in on an e-Learning Task Force Meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Jim Horton.

Beverly sent over a driver to my hotel at 10:30, and Rob invited me to a short chat before the larger meeting, which gave me a chance to update them both on my activities. It was quite a stroke of luck that it all fell into place, as what the agenda items dealt with were the implementation of a new version of WebCT called Vista, the staffing and training issues around it, as well as a host of other issues dealing with eLearning that will impact future work with the HCT Colleges. (See new photo album “Central Services.”)

After a working lunch at the conference table, the vice-chancellor asked for my input, which I gave, and then was off to Abu Dhabi Men’s to give the 3 hour workshop. The faculty presented some excellent blended-online courses for us to evaluate, and we had a very frank discussion. Good stuff. Then I met Dr. Kamali, the Director of the College, and was off to Ras Al Khaimah (see photo album “Maps.”) I’m sitting in the back of a car writing this now, as it gets dark (around 6:30 or 7 pm) around me. It’s supposed to be about 3 hours away, quite far in the north, in a much more rural area of the Emirates. I am meeting Ghassan, my contact at RAK (as it’s known), at a mall in RAK, and then he will take me to his home, where I will be staying for the next 2 nights while I do 2 days of workshops at both the Men’s and Women’s Colleges.

Wish I had more interesting things to tell the blog, but though the day was quite productive from a business viewpoint, not much of interest I’m afraid from a story angle. I’m thinking it will be quite interesting to see the rural north, which they tell me is quite different than the Dubai-Abu Dhabi area.

Weekend: Food, Fun, Beach, and even some business...

I’m in a car to Abu Dhabi on Friday, Sept 17, the end of the weekend. Better tell the blob everything…After Dimitri and I had breakfast yesterday morning at the Al Bustan, he took me to a wonderful little tea shop in a modern shopping mall, where soon appeared the “Lebanese mafia”—self named, by the way—including Alaa, whom I had worked with over the summer online, and faculty members Rita and Jihad, whose class I had sat in on and described earlier. Over teas and espresso we shared our thoughts on everything, from the conflicts in the middle east, to the little favors and exchanges with wives …(Click here for Jihad’s Coffee story, followed by Alaa’s request…)

It was obvious that there were close bonds between each member of this group, with much kidding and many displays of delight in their friendship and appreciation for each other’s stories. To be with them was a privilege, and as we sat there enjoying the conversation and company, talking about love and war, and everything in between, Jihad created a love poem on the spot in Arabic, which was interpreted here by Dimitri (click here). Check out the new photo album “Lebanese Tea.” Wonderful!

We left shortly afterwards, and picked up Dimitri’s family—his wife Rania, daughter Celine, and son Joseph. Celine asked where we were going for lunch. When told we were going to a traditional Lebanese restaurant, she crinkled her nose and said in a sweet voice that I would have found nearly impossible to resist, “Can’t we go somewhere with food that kid’s like?” “What kind of food do you like?” I asked. “Junk!” she exclaimed brightly with a smile.

During our excellent meal, which included marinated green olives, hommas with olive oil, tabouli, spicy bread, pickles, and lemon sautéed grilled hammour fish, I asked son Joseph (age 9) about Spiderman—a request you may remember made by my little friend Nathan, to ask a fellow kid (in the middle east) about this potential common interest. (Click here) for the Joseph interview, followed by a spontaneous offer of friendship (click here). All I can say is, Dimi is a very lucky man. Now check out the new photo album called “Dimitri’s family.”

After lunch we went back to Dimitri’s place where several friends came over to look for a new apartment in the building. The three friends were entrepreneurs and businessmen, each with a great sense of humor, and one of them a fellow karaoke fan. Next time I’ve got big ideas for a night out! As the day turned into late afternoon, Dimi called John McFadyen to arrange a handoff (of me to him) for dinner and an overnight stay. But one last stop—an Indian “totally vegetarian all natural” ice cream shop, where I agreed with very little arm twisting, to have a fresh coconut ice cream cone. Delicious!

When I arrived about 5pm, Connie and John welcomed me and we quickly arranged to go eat at a local Indian restaurant, where we ordered chipati’s, dal, spicy vegetables, and mint tea. They quickly made me feel right at ease, and after the excellent meal, we walked past a favorite jewelry store, where I found 18 ct. gold necklaces and small pendants with diamonds and gold—gold jewelry being a specialty of Dubai. Very affordable. Darn it though if I didn’t forget my wallet…well, maybe I’ll be back here someday…

Then we took a leisurely drive by “al Burj” and on to “Internet City” and “Media City” and “Knowledge Village.” The scale of building here is mind boggling. The skyline is already crowded with new and rising skyscrapers, and Connie told me there were plans for 54 more in the next few years. CNN and Microsoft—many major players are here in what they call an enterprise zone, where there are no taxes, no restrictions on foreign ownership—it’s unbelievable, and goes a long way to explain the phenomenon of Dubai and the UAE.

Back at their villa, we talked for a while and then retired for a good nights rest. The next morning, Connie made my favorite—waffles—and John made French press coffee, and then we drove the block down to the beach and a very sweet late morning swim in the clear waters of the Persian gulf. (See new photo album “Life is a Beach”)

When it started to get hot, we went back and while Connie prepared lunch, john and I went for iced coffee in a recreated Venice-like mall. We talked business while sipping our cold drinks, sharing a vision and ideas of potential projects. John and I made a connection with our shared values on the uses of technology in education, and how we might proceed from the great start we’ve made.

After a healthy lunch of tuna and French bread, cheese, peppers, and beet pickle relish, we went upstairs to read the blog. John and Connie loved the pics of Oregon, and the more we talked, the more I realized that if geography was different, I know we’d probably become close friends—so many shared interests. Connie could especially identify with my description of Sandee and what she loves to do (everything creative, basically!). The time ended too soon, with a knock on the door—taxi waiting—and after some wonderful goodbyes, I’m off again in the taxi.

Time to get ready for an incredibly full week of training from one end of the emirates to the other. And to think I wondered if 25 days might be too much…!

4 Days of Training--Now R & R...

It's Thursday morning at 8 am (my time), the weekend in this part of the world. Sorry for nit posting the last three days-- it was basically up between 4-5am, check messages, prepare and fine tune for the day, Garry picks me up at 7am, then off for a whole day of training sessions, coffees, lunches, and then back to hotel--on one day not until 8:30 pm--back to he hotel, shower, and flop into bed by 9 pm. Ah, the glamorous life on the road!!

But I can't begin to tell you how rewarding it's been, to finally meet so many of the people I've been working with through the internet, and to be back doing some face-to-face training/teaching again. I have really missed that element--being with people in the same room--much as I love my online work. It always comes back to that balance I seek--so elusive!

I really fine tuned the workshops once I was here. There is simply no way to really understand a place until you've been there. So I got to sit in on some classes here, and even interview some of the women in the college about how they found the technology. I got an earful! And it was just priceless. The input from the students, my work with the faculty, the little conversations I've had all over campus--all go into shaping how I might improve how to assist them in the training, and suggests new directions for the future.

I want to post his one now, but I have MUCH more to "tell the blog" a little later. I have to go eat now. Then I'll get back to you...Oh, what will I have? The most amazing buffet, fitr for a king. But Dave-- sadly, no soy. :-( You can't have everything... but one very interesting staple here is that bean concoction I wrote about way back when I first arrived? Found out what it's called, and I'll leave you to ponder it...it's called--no lie-- "Foul Madames." Bit your lips, some of you!

******

Ok…small change of plans, I have a few minutes before Dimitri comes by to join me for breakfast here at Al Bustan. We missed each other last night—our designated night out—when the gathering place was miscommunicated. Garry and I went to the “Irish Village” and had a pint with some very funny co-workers who I’ve asked to please comment to the blog. (In fact, I’ve started to ask everyone I’ve been working with in the workshops to please “tell the blog” a word or two as well, as I realized that was missing—hearing from my new friends here. So if you are reading this—here’s your cue!)

Anyway, by the time I got back to my hotel room I was pretty spent, so it was just as well perhaps in a way, but I’m hoping to make it up today and tonight, now that I am rested and refreshed.

Getting back to the events of the past three days…Tuesday night I was invited out for dinner with some of the heads at DWC, and they took me to “The Blue Elephant,” a Thai restaurant started in Paris, and as you might expect, totally 5 star in every way. (Check out the new photo album “Blue Elephant”). The interior was magical, with a bridge over a koi pond, jungle motif with soft lighting, ice sculptures, and an array of freshly prepared to order food that boggled the mind. I took small tastes of everything, from coconut milk soup through pad thai with fresh shrimp, and a whole table of vegetarian specialties made with exotic sauces and flavors.

We ordered Singha beers (alcohol being available in hotel restaurants), and spent a delightful couple of hours talking about future plans and their impressions about Dubai, the middle east, education, and many other topics. And of course, desserts and fresh coffee to top it off. Our toast was most appropriate “…here’s to living like kings!” A great and memorable evening.

The training sessions were really delightful. I purposely tried to keep the emphasis of what we did on how to improve the professional lives of the faculty—how to make teaching online fun—and how online technologies can do that while providing an excellent opportunity to improve student learning, and students enjoyment of learning.

That theme seemed to resonate with the participants, as too often professional development is offered as “here’s something good for you” –more like tips on diet and exercise and other “shoulds” then as techniques to make teaching more fun. All I know is that we had quite a few laughs mixed in with quite a few “ah-ha’s”—and in a nutshell, that’s not a bad days work…

First Training Day at Dubai Women's College

Long but good day! Garry came by the hotel around 7:15, but he immediately noticed I wasn't wearing a long sleeve shirt, which is required on the College grounds. I quickly jogged back to the room and changed into my long sleeved shirt and tie, but as I only have one of this combo, got to think fast what to do. Need to buy a couple of long sleeve shirts and ties, but no time to do so. I knew about not wearing short pants, but the long shirt was something I hadn't known about.

The sessions went really well. After an espresso in the cafe downstairs with Mark Karstad and Garry Hall, I went up and did the sessions, meeting several people I had worked with for many months-- that was really good fun. Can't take pictures of the women students, so I'm limited in what I can post to the blog. (See new photo album "First Training Day at DWC")

At lunch, in the super crowded cafeteria filled with black-clad women students, I saw Marion Bell again and without thinking, my instinct was to give her a hug, but when she saw me coming near, her eyes got big and she backed away, which immediately alerted me to the mistake I almost made--no shows of affection are allowed between men and women. Hard to believe I didn't remember that--thank goodness she did in time.

Other than that near faux pax, all went well, other than catching a cup of water on the water cooler and spraying myself...looked like I'd just been through the sprinkler for a few minutes till it dried, but hoped people didn't notice...jeez...

Luckily I was with a guy I've worked with for many months, and whom I've looked forward to meeting for some time-- Dimitri Chami. (click here for audio). I knew from reading his bio that he's seen the worse life has to offer, being in Lebanon during some very bad times, yet he's full of life-- and very, very funny. We have made a tentative date for after work tomorrow night, and I am very much looking forward to being able to speak with him.

As I was getting out of the car I asked if he would mind bringing some laundry detergent for me tomorrow, as the cost to do laundry here in the hotel is about $85 a load-- I kid you not. Found out the hard way. Anyway, he insisted I run up and get my laundry and give it to him, which I did. Good guy.

Gotta go. Work to do tonight to get ready for tomorrow. My time during working hours is now fully booked for the remainder of my visit, with only the weekends and after hours available. That is awesome. I've reached the halfway point of my trip...the cusp of day 13 arrives shortly.

Back from a Quick Tour...

...first Garry took me to see the Dubai Women's College. It was closed, so we had it to ourselves, and we looked into the different labs and areas and then talked through what we wanted to do for the training sessions. It really helped to see it and talk through some of the issues, like setting up websites, and exactly what we wanted to do. It was his day off of course, but he spent that time and then took me to the "Dubliner," a great Irish bar for a big heap of "fish and chips and mushy peas" as they called it on the menu. I just ducked the bill with a quick dash to the loo at the perfect time...but plan on making it up to him in the future, no worries!

Then Mike and Marion Bell arrived to take me around for a quick tour of the wharf and docks on Dubai Creek. Mike told me all about the building of the dhows, the traditional all wooden, hand made cargo ships that still ply the gulf from Kuwait to Mumbai (click here for audio). And Marion explained about the "abras"-- water taxis that for a few pennies supply the transportation up and down the wharf and across to Bar Dubai. In this clip, Marion describes the abras while in the background the "call to prayer" begins...(click here for audio). Let me know if it helps having a photo to look at as the audio clips play--I just thought I'd try that to see if it's worth the extra size of the file.

And check out the new photo album "My First Dubai Tour." I added lots of comments on each photo, so do click to full size and look for the comments. Now off to the pool for a refreshing swim (it's 7:30 pm on Friday night) and then back to work as long as I can tonight...want to be really ready to do a good job. I've got tomorrow as well, but will need it.

Jakarta bombing hits hard...

...coming the day after we had that party, the news of the bombing in Jakarta in front of the Australian embassy made the headlines. As you can imagine, it's a small, tightly knit community that works for any consulate and so there was a great deal of worry to hear the news here with my new friends. These folks have been through it before with the Bali episode a while back, but I'm not sure it ever gets easier to deal with. As they told me at the party, before the news had hit, "if you want to do this work and be out in the world to the best of your ability, you have recognize the risks, do what you can reasonably to minimize them, and move forward." I think perhaps these events are one of the reasons when they do get together, they pull out all the stops and totally enjoy each others company, as the precious but tenuous nature of life is all the more visible in their work.

Ok, I must take their advice and move forward as well. Garry Hall rang me last night and said he's like to take me to Dubai Women's College for a look around about 11:30 today (it's about 7am as I write this) so I've got to get cracking on my presentation.

Last night before I conked out I was clicking through the channels and of course most of the stations are in arabic, farsi, or another language, and from the call letters I think there are channels from Saudi, Lebanon, BBC, CNN World (a bit different than we get), sports, lots of soap operas which are a blast to watch in arabic, even an MTV type of station with arabic singers doing music videos surrounded by veiled ladies in front of the pyramids and minarets-- it's quite a juxaposition of images, sounds, and dancing. I watched a basketball game last night between Qatar and I think Kuwait. I think Scotty, Jack, Donna, Sandee and I could compete in this league! Say no more.... ;-)

One last thing-- I posted a new photo link with two maps--one of the the UAE that has the towns I will be visiting, and one of the middle east, so you can get a good persepctive of how close we are to Iraq, Saudi, Iran, etc.

Partying with the awesome Aussies...

Sherri knows me only too well (see sherri comment to last post). Not EVERY moment is spent working, after all it's very important for me to get a deep understanding of all aspects of the environment in which I find myself. So when Garry and Lea invited me to their home in Dubai last night, I thought it only right that I should go...and of course, as I expected, if you want to party, you can do no better than the awesome aussies.

The guests all pretty much knew each other from their work in the Australian government's International Education and other divisions. The dinner talk was outrageously interesting, as each one of the guests relayed a story about one exotic location after another-- Istanbul, Teheran, Nairobi, Jo-berg, and on and on-- it was truly amazing to listen to.

Of course they treated me as an old and dear friend right from the start, which began with french champagne followed up in true iconoclastic style by a half dozen Round Table Pizzas. Don't know if that is a staple here or ordered specially to give me a taste of home, but it worked! I recorded just a couple of snippets of conversation to give you a feel for this very special night.

First up is a part of a sad story of a co-worker who lost her young husband in a traffic accident, and reported to work in numb shock (click here).

The next story is about a father teaching her young daughter --here telling the story-- the perils of international travel, and how you have to be on guard...it's pretty funny (click here).

After several guests had to leave to catch a flight to Timbuktu or so other place (just kidding, I think it was only Stockholm or Vienna...) we all gathered around in the living room and talked about the middle east, culture, attitudes, Iraq and lots of very intensely interesting subjects. One guest was Jarrod Hingston, who was a young guy with an amazing knowledge of the history and culture of the region, as he not only has lived all over the middle east in his job with the Australian consulate, but he speaks arabic, and thus has a gateway to the culture that few westerners do. Great chap!

Between he and Garry and Lea, I learned so much in a short time. I really pressed them and challenged them because I knew this would be a rare opportunity to tap into this kind of insight and experience. I hope I didn't press too much--I wanted to hear each of their opinions and get what they know into my head, but I also wanted to make some points that they might not hear in their circle, so you know how I am, I can be a bit pushy...but they were just so forthcoming and totally at ease with our spirited conversation-- again, what a combination of fun and learning. These guys live it. I just want to say thank you to them for putting up with me. I have much food for thought, and lots of future conversation materials for my equally awesome friends back home...

OK, some last thought and then I have to get to work. I'll be working in my hotel for the next three days getting everything ready for the big push of training I'll be doing the next 2 weeks.

Some stats: so far, 752 hits on this site, averaging 83/day, but with 377 coming yesterday. I think it's picking up steam!

NEW PHOTO ALBUMS:
1) at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel gives a glimpse at where I am staying here in Dubai for the next week--it's a 5 star hotel that Garry found for me and negotiated a superb rate for through HCT (the Higher Colleges of Technology). Perfect working hotel for business and comfort.

2) Pizza and Moet Champagne Night-- a quick look at a wonderful evening with new friends.

Bye for now--will look for your comments--I LOVE to read them!

While being driven from Abu Dhabi to Dubai...

Noon—September 8, 2004
I’m in a car on my way back to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, so I will have lots of time to update the blog on the last two crazy days. Pace yourself…you can read this in sections! Think I’ll work backwards in time, for a change…

Just finished a meeting with Philip Milton and the 4 members of the Ed Tech team at Abu Dhabi Women’s College. Great group of folks—smart and funny (which is a very good combination!) and I say that not just because I know some of them are bloggers who will be reading these words! We had about a 90-minute meeting going over my training course and how it will fit in to their plans. I think they are likely to adopt it, and we’re going to make an excellent team.

It was quite a difference at the women’s college, just in terms of the dress and color. The women are dressed in all black from head to toe, and there are no pictures allowed. In the men’s college as you may have noticed, they are in all white, head to toe.

The facilities I saw were excellent in both. We met in a conference room that had flat panel displays all around and a huge SMART board up front that acts as a display monitor, whiteboard, and can even record the screen for later playback with sound. The network was fast and worked flawlessly.

At the conclusion of the meeting, without me even asking, Philip arranged for a car and driver back to Dubai, which is about 170 kilometers and takes 1.5 hours. I’ve got my laptop out in the backseat, with plenty of room in this very nice car, a new Mercedes. I finally got to use my universal adaptor, which has a car adaptor, and it works perfectly.

Before I left, I recorded a quick audio file of Philip (click here for audio) and took a shot of him recording into my handheld tape recorder in front of a beautiful Arabic mural. (Check out the new photo album “Abu Dhabi Women’s College.”) Oh, while I’m on the subject, I hope everyone knows you can click on the pictures in the photo albums and they will enlarge so you can see them better. The little ones are just thumbnails.

This morning I could have slept in for the first time, as my meeting wasn’t until 10 am. But for some reason I awoke at 4:30 am, so I just got up, showered and made myself a cup of tea. Good thing I did, because I needed all the time I had to answer emails and send emails to folks I met at the conference.

Then there were the logistical arrangements, which have become quite complex. Luckily Garry Hall has been working for me in the meanwhile, and has found a good hotel at a decent rate in Dubai. Dubai is about twice as expensive as Abu Dhabi, for some reason. I’ll be there from tonight (Wed, Sept 8) through Sept 15, conducting training for 3 days for DWC, and one day for the Library Services of Higher Colleges of Technology. The other nights are weekends or holidays, but I will need every minute of the to work. I’ve got 4-5 different presentations to do, so I’ll need to be very creative and efficient in the next few days. But I know what I’m doing, and thus can customize on the fly, after hearing exactly what they want and need at each school.

The hard part is not knowing what I’ll find until I get to some of these schools. Not that it won’t be good, just that it’s one more unknown, and thus, one more potential challenge. I have faith it will all work out, even if I do occasionally feel a bit overwhelmed at so much “new” combined with so much travel.

Then I will return to Abu Dhabi for two nights, do training sessions at both the Abu Dhabi Men’s and Women’s Colleges, tand at the end of the training day make the long trek to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in the very north of the UAE. That is going to be a long one!

Ghassan Frache of RAK has offered me to stay at his home for the 2 nights of my visit to RAK, which I accepted. I am really looking forward to staying in a real home for a couple of nights, and Ghassan seems like a great guy to get to know. That was very generous of him, and I know I will learn a great deal about life in Ras Al Khaimah by staying with him, as opposed to a being in a hotel.

After finishing the training day on Sept 20 in RAK, I will return to Dubai for one night, so I can be ready at 9am to conduct a training session for Dubia MEN’s College. Haven’t worked with them yet, so I am looking forward to getting to meet them.

At the end of that training day, I must travel to the oasis city of Al Ain, near the border of Oman. I will conduct a one day combined session with Al Ain Men’s and Women’s College. My new friend Gary Evans from Al Ain has promised to take me out into the desert for a BBQ one evening, which I am also very much looking forward to doing. He does motocross so who knows, I may be riding a motorcycle as well.

That brings me to the 24th, when I will return to Dubai, do some last minute shopping for gifts, and stay at Garry Hall’s place until about 8:30 pm, when I must leave for the airport and the long, long flight home, beginning at 12:05 am Saturday the 25th, 8 hours to Hong Hong, a 4 hour layover, and then 12.5 hours to San Francisco, a 3 hour layover, and then 1.5 hours to Portland International, arriving in the early evening of the same day (Sept 25th) due to gaining a day at the international dateline. It may be a small world, but it’s a bloody long way around it! (geez, I’m picking up an accent!)

Yesterday, Sept 7—after the presentation…

The presentation went well, but there were only about 20 people in the audience. Seemed almost anti-climatic. My deal was almost last in the conference, so many had left. But having a booth was excellent—met so many potential clients, who were quite surprised someone from Oregon was there.

It was funny though, I was showing the blog to someone (there is wireless internet connectivity through out the school) and a student in full Arab dress waited until I was finished off to the side, and then approached me and asked in a quiet accent and voice, “Did you say you are from Oregon?” “Yes,” I answered. “I lived in Portland for 3 years.” He was a very sweet guy who had gone to Portland Community College, and was now majoring in media studies at Abu Dhabi Men’s College. I showed him the blog pictures and he really enjoyed them and made me laugh. It was a wonderful connection to make at the end of a very long day…(see his picture in the album “Even More Presentation Day” )…

Tuesday, Sept. 7 PRESENTATION DAY

I missed yesterday's blog entry--things just came too fast. In fact I had a 3am wake-up call this morning to try to catch up. I splurged and ordered room service fit for a king! I'll post a new photo album "Morning of Presentation." May have other photos as well. I go on in 35 minutes. Finished my presentation an hour a go, in the booth. Glad I waited though--it will help me make it something not repeated. I have so much to tell the blog. (Strange expression that is--like out of Star Wars or is it Lord of the Rings?) If all verbal commitments come through, I am nearly fully booked already for the remainder of my trip! But my schedule is quite something, with lots of long car drives after working all day. Hope I find good places to stay and eat when I go out into the more rural colleges. I'll bet it will be great! Anyway, I'll "tell the blog" all about later--should more time after this day is done...enjoy the photos!

Evening (8:30 pm) Sunday Sept 5

What a day. I played the role of “mini-me” in Curt’s presentation and I think it went really well. We are two peas in a pod when it comes to being on stage, and as usual, Curt delivered the most informative overview of online learning on the planet.

I met many wonderful people, including Saleed, a Political Science student from Al Ain’s Men’s College. I really learned a great deal from him regarding some current views.

Also from Al Ain’s Men’s College I met Gary Evans and another great guy (I didn’t get his card but he’s from Al Ain’s Women College) and we hit it off right away at lunch talking about the training we’re scheduled to do for their faculty. We made arrangements for me to visit Al Ain, an oasis 160 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, on September 22, and after visiting the classroom and campus, they are planning on taking me out into the desert for a BBQ. I will spend the night (maybe two) and this will be my last few nights in the UAE.

I forgot to say I met Garry Hall and his lovely wife in the Beri-Bar (sp?) in the hotel near the gala last night. We hit it off right away, but our time was cut short by my need to get into the hall for the gala. I’m trying to make arrangements to meet this weekend (Thursday or Friday).

I have a booth at the conference, and have met so many wonderful and interesting people from all over the world, I can’t begin to describe them all. It’s 8:25 pm on Sunday Sept 6, and in a few minutes I have to go down and catch a cab to meet Curt and some other great folks at Hemmingway’s—don’t know anything else about that!

Oh on the way home a Kiwi (New Zealanders) and an Irish gentleman invited me in to the Rotana Hotel for a quick one, which turned into two. Really interesting chat with these blokes. Good fellas, no doubt, and I learned a lot from them.

Then while I was waiting for a cab, Ghassan Frache found me. He’s from Ras Al Khaimah, and we quickly made arrangements to speak tomorrow about arranging a visit in the few remaining days I have unscheduled.

I only had time for a quick dip in the pool and now I’m off. The pool is on the roof—22 floor, I think—and as I stood there looking out on the Abu Dhabi nightscape, feeling the warm wind dry me, I could only shake my head and smile. What a marvelous dream I am living. Overwhelmed only touches the surface.

Really should get something in me. I’ll sleep when I get home, I think! Bye for now…Check out the new photo album...

I'm writing this from the Abu Dhabi Crown Plaza Hotel. It's actually Sunday morning, Sept 5, but I wanted to keep up, as in a few minutes I will leave for the Rotana Beach Hotel and the first day of the conference. Met Curt last night and he asked me to play "mini-me" (the Austin Powers character) in his presentation this morning...he does a pretty wild presentation, and I will be quite interested to see the version that plays here!

It was incredible last night at the Jumeirah Hotel. It's beyond 5 stars--on a scale that my pictures do no justice. We had quite a night of entertainment as well-- two beautiful film stars from India were presenters of awards and there was a Cirque du Soliel type of acrobatic performance, indoor fireworks, and a laser show unlike anything I've ever seen (it was rumored to be straight from the Olympics).

The food was outstanding, and we all had quite the time! I met several of the keynote speakers and hitched a ride back to Abu Dhabi on their private bus. Ok--better get going. I'm trying to remember what mini-me says and does...may have to improvise...wish me luck that I don't make a complete fool of myself! (no comments please!) ;-) (SEE the Jumeriah Beach Photo Album link)

From Dubai...begins with a real adventure!

Yes got in last night. Had to push my luggage in a cart through a construction zone to get to the bus. When I got there, I realized I had lost my return plane tickets! I had set them on top of my luggage to show the luggage tags as I left the terminal, but then they never asked for them and I was out of it, I guess. I looked through everything, and then the bus driver said, "I'll go look," and retraced my steps. He found them! They must have fallen off at a particularly rough part of the path...That's pretty good, but I may have used up one of my cache of lucks...(or however you'd say it)

But now I have just had a very good breakfast with tons of coffee, vegetable quiche, fruit, and some other dishes that I think were made of beans. At least I sure hope those were beans... Now I am in the internet business center of the hotel. I tried from my room but could only get a 21k dial up connection. This one is at least 64k. I can live with that.

Tonight is the "Gala Dinner" at the Madinat Jumerirah Resort, and features "celebrities and a laser light show." It starts at 8 pm, so I am hoping to either get some work done or visit Dubai Women's College before hand. The gala is in Dubai, and my room for tonight (and for the conference) is in Abu Dhabi, so I have to figure out some "in between time."

Hope to take some pictures today to post for you all. Everyone here has been fantastic so far. Very welcoming. My main contact here, Garry Hall, has made everything easy for me, and I spoke with him for the first time by phone this morning. It's amazing to realize that that I have built this fantastic relationship and worked with him for more than a year based purely on email and the internet. Now we'll see how things go when in person--hope it doesn't ruin the illusion!

I've read all the comments--thanks so much--glad to hear your encouragement and will be glad to field any questions or ask others here for you. I'm your foreign correspondent! I tried sending some personal emails to Bob Bentley, John Rodgers, Cale--all of you who had comments, but for somereason it got returned. It seems I can only either reply in the blog or using Hotmail, but sometimes so far it's not been quite the right time. Just know that I read everything, even if I don't reply, and ytou have given me numerous smiles and "back at you's".

Special thanks to Jack for the spellink lessons. Suey, I went to the smoothy place and they rermembered you...at least I think so, they nodded yes and smiled when I mentioned your name... ;-)

Nathan, I will take some pictures of kids for you. Any questions for them?

Ok, got to get some work done.

Hong Kong September 3…

The Nyquil worked like a charm last night. I slept about 8 hours—a restless, fitful sleep, but I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Probably adrenaline. When I first sat down, I had that “closing in on me” panicky feeling and briefly wondered if I could do it. The economy seating is so cramped, and they didn’t have an aisle seat so I was crushed into a window seat on a very full 747. Got used to it. B r e a t he. R e l a x. Over the hump now—that first leg was 14.5 hours. Got into Hong Kong at 5 am, and took a train into the city. This is a very exciting city. (See the new photo album link "Hong Kong" on left) So much history, and a raw, almost primal energy, but so much first class modern technology as well. click here for audio

I took a ferry over to Kowloon, which has a great old shopping section mixed in with the most modern boutiques click here for audio . Found an internet café and checked messages.

Then met “Mr. Henry” and his very large extended family (who happened to run several shops—I’m SO lucky!!!) click here for Henry Sandee, don’t listen to this next audio if you want your Hong Kong gift to be a surprise! click here for Henry's "brother"

Now I’m in the airport using their wireless connection (at 40 Hong Kong Dollars per hour ($1US=$7HK). That works out to a little less than $6 US per hour—not bad, really for T-1 access. My 220 adaptor plugs work perfectly. My airline adaptor was a non factor, as first of all the plane I was on had no plugs in economy, and second, there’s no way you’d be able to open a laptop in the 6 inches of space in from of your face when the seat in front of you has reclined. An Indian flight attendant took me to see business and first class. Business class looks awesome—about 50% more per seat (~$3,000 vs, $1,400 I paid), and first class was said to be $10,000 or so. It’s awesome though—you can lay out flat, use a mini desk of burled walnut, sip champaign…quite nice indeed!

Next stop is Dubai. I’m really glad I got to stop here and start to get used to the humidity. I board around 4 pm Hong Kong time, it’s an 8-hour flight, and I arrive with the time changes at about 8:40 pm, if all goes as planned. This will have been a long couple of travel days. Can’t wait to meet my friends in the UAE!

Leaving in 2 hours...

Portland to LAX, then at midnight I take the red eye to Hong Kong (14.5 hours). Be looking for Nyquil Cold Medicine to help me sleep so I can be bright and alert for Hong Kong. Plan on checking out the shopping-- anyone need anything? Here's my first attempt at making a sound file click here for audio Let me know if there are any problems...

Tomorrow I leave Oregon...

So to help me remember where I come from I uploaded a few photos (see the "Oregon Home" album on the sidebar). I am going to the United Arab Emirates to give a paper Click here for paperin Abu Dhabi at the "Emerging Elearning and 1st Annual WebCT Users Conference." Then I'm booked to deliver a series of professional development days on a variety of subjects relating to "blended-online" teaching and learning. I'm already booked solid the first two weeks, and now am very glad I decided to add a week for opportunities that may arise from meeting many new people from the Middle East. I'll be sitting in on some classes and observing as well, the better to understand the context of how to best meet needs.

But I also plan on absorbing the culture, and to share what I see with you by taking pictures, recording audio clips, and making notes in this blog. You are invited to ask questions for me to ask my hosts, which I will try to accomodate time permitting. This is a public blog--so I ask that when you post a comment or question, please be respectful in your wording, and prudent, for obvious reasons.

I wrote a piece some time ago about the future of online teaching--a vision that included some of the technologies I'll be using in this blog. This is really like a dream come true for me. It's what I've wanted to do for a very long time, and I am so very grateful for the opportunity it presents. I actually owe this connection to Curt Bonk of Indiana University and one of the leading academics on the subject of distance and online learning. More on that later...time to eat dinner and open up a bottle of champaign to celebrate the launching of this ship!

The beginning of the blog...2 days 2 go

Two days left before I leave for the airport to begin my journey. This is not going to be an easy trip, for a lot of reasons. It's more than 25 hours in the air each way to the United Arab Emirates, with a stop in Hong Kong for about 8 hours. It takes about 3 days to get there, but I leave and arrive back home on the same day (September 25). I've travelled all over the world with a backpack, throughout Africa and Asia, so I'm not worried about the "newness" factor overwhelming me. I pretty much know what to expect.

There are some dangers but it seems acceptable. I've travelled thru a war torn country during a civil war (Mozembique) in a semi-truck caravan accompanied by Zimbabwean armored personnel carriers, over bridges so weak from being bombed that we could only risk one vehicle at a time. This is nothing like that in one way--where I'm going is at peace and wealthy. But Abu Dhabi is also only a few hundred miles from Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, so it makes sense to be prudent.

What drives me is the opportunity to assist in a remarkable, ambitious project, which I will relate to you more as the trip unfolds. It's late, and I've been working around the clock to prepare. Tomorrow I will take some pictures of my "world headquarters" so you can see the green paradise I call home.