Concerts at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

Eric Clapton melted some faces at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre last month:



Who would have thought the old guy can still lay it down? 

I grabbed these tickets sort of on a whim because the concert was the day after my wife and I got back from a seven-day adventure in Sri Lanka. Plus, we had never been to the venue before so we didn't know what to expect.

It quickly become our new favorite place to see a show. Very intimate, not overwhelming and they served booze so you know I enjoyed it.

There is a great view of some nearby skyscrapers and the lawn seating reminded me of some chilled-out venues from back in the States. 

We're going back there tomorrow for the first day of the Blended Festival, which will feature a mix of blues, roots, jazz, soul and folk music. We're going to see Aloe Blacc, Joss Stone and Xavier Rudd. Pretty sweet lineup, huh? 

A lot of popular musical acts come through the UAE while traveling in from Europe or to Asia and why not? A huge pay day is always waiting for you in the desert. Just a word of advice for the rockers: don't disrespect your surroundings or you will find your ass in the slammer.

Check out this story published in The National yesterday about a heavy-metal drummer from the band, the Scorpions, who has been jailed in Dubai for the last month because he got drunk, ran his mouth about Islam and allegedly pulled down his pants and showed his ass to someone. In the article, they refer to it as 'his bottom', which I think is hilarious.

That may be a rockstar move back in the States but not here, buddy. 

So showing off your derriere to random folks on the street is against the law in the UAE (ahem, just like everywhere else in the world) but our common fix for good concerts is usually met. Just don't expect the Scorpions to be playing here anytime soon. 

Who listens to those guys, anyway?

Going to the top of Burj Khalifa

Hosting out-of-towners in the UAE, especially family, can be a delicate task.

Miranda's mother -- dubbed Mama K by her loved ones -- visited us for two weeks earlier this month and she brought a travel partner in tow, Ms. Mary Brooks.

These lovely ladies wanted to see the sights, have a few drinks and go back to snowy Wisconsin with a bronzed tan that would make all their co-workers crazy jealous.

Mission Accomplished.

Among the many awesome adventures they checked off their list during a brief 15-day stint was a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. It's defintely on the to-do list if you ever come visit this fair city known as Dubai.

If you are ever in Dubai and want to visit the Burj Khalifa, here are a few suggestions:

- Call and try to make an appointment a week in advance. Otherwise, the price doubles if you just walk up.

- Try the At.Mosphere Lounge, which is located at the top. To make reservation for a table, everyone in your party needs to eat/drink Dh150 per person. Just to go up to the observation deck, it costs Dh125, so this is a no-brainer. They have a full bar at At.Mosphere and the food is pretty good.

- Dress to impress. This is a classy joint. The actual reservation confirmation email I received asked that men and women not wear 'shirts with large/colorful prints' on them. You know, to keep out the riff-raff. Hilarious.

- Check out the Dubai Mall fountain show after you're done with the Burj Khalifa. They have fountain shows with music (very similiar to the ones you see in Las Vegas) every half hour starting at 7.30pm. Tourists go ape shit for that kind of stuff.

- And of course, bring your camera. Plenty of great photos to be had up there.

Time-lapse video filmed in UAE is amazing

Before we moved here, during our inital transition and after we established a home in Abu Dhabi, the misconceptions about living in the UAE that I heard from friends back in the States continued to mount.

When I first started this blog, it was to keep up with family and other well-wishers by documenting our travels and adventures here. But I find myself more and more trying to knock down the sterotypes that invitably come with living in the Middle East.

Yes, there is some crazy shit in this region that almost seems like it's right out of a movie. Just check out this story about a mother forgiving her son's killer while he is seconds away from his execution.

But that was in Iran, people. Very different place...

When it comes to the UAE, you can trust me on this:

1) There is plenty of ALCOHOL here to drink
2) My wife does wear a BIKINI to the beach
3) No one is going to CHOP MY HEAD OFF

These are facts. Life is good here.

But instead of trying to prove narrow-minded misconceptions wrong, this grand reminder came along and shed a little bit of light on how remarkable this place really is. Just hit play and prepare to have your mind blown:



Pretty amazing, right?

Filmmaker Beno Saradzic spent two and half years working on that film as it offers a brillant perspective of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Watching it makes me proud to live here and it proves that this is one of the most interesting places in the world right now.