Aussies Abroad Masquerade Ball

So, this show was kind of a big deal for the band. If we did well, then it could lead to other more elite gigs. As the guests were mingling in the lobby of the Beach Rotana Hotel, I was beginning to have bizarre visions of the Stanley Kubrick classic, Eyes Wide Shut. If you haven't seen the movie, then check out the masquerade scene. Creepy!

We weren't sure if this was going to be one of those boring parties where everyone just sits and stares at us and maybe gives us some golf claps or if they were ready to party. Well, everyone was up and dancing from the first song. At one point I looked towards the back of the room and I saw some people dancing on a table; then a bunch of people fell off of the table!

If there was any doubt left as to whether the crowd liked us or not can be summed up in this short anecdote: One of the men that was on the committee to choose the band pulled me aside and said, "Last year we had about 300 people come to the ball and about 100 people complained that they didn't like the music. This year 300 people came to the ball and only one guy complained about the music, and you know what? I told him to go f**k himself!" And then he tipped us 1000 Dhms.

Jebel Hafeet at Night

A night run to Jebel Hafeet.

Christchurch Benefit

Well, my alcoholism has finally paid off (just kidding). On Tuesday nights here in Al Ain, the Hilton Hotel has musicians' night. I drop by after band practice on some Tuesdays and sing a few songs. It just happened that a guy there that night was organizing a benefit for victims of the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand. He heard me sing and asked if our band would play at the benefit. We were going to be playing and important masquerade ball the following weekend anyway so this would be the perfect time to practice our new Aussie songs that we were learning.

At one point a bunch of Kiwis got up in front of the crowd and performed a version of The Haka. The only one brave enough to take his shirt off was an eight year-old boy.

According to a New Zealand tourism site:

The Haka

The origins of the haka are deeply rooted in the mists of time. It is a history rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage. New Zealand has grown up immersed in haka since first encounters between Maori and early European explorers, missionaries and settlers.
While recent tradition suggests the haka was the domain of men exclusively, legends and history reflects a different story. Indeed, the story of the most famous haka, Ka mate!, proves to be about the power of female sexuality.

History of the Haka

The first use of the haka in the natural world was attributed to the chief Tinirau and some of his womenfolk.
Tinirau desired revenge for the killing of a pet whale, so he sent a hunting party of women to find the man responsible, an old tohunga or priest called Kae. The women didn't know what Kae looked like, but they knew he had uneven teeth that overlapped.
When the women arrived at Kae's village they performed the haka to force a smile from the men in order to uncover Kae's identity.
Kae was captured and taken back to Tinirau's village where he was killed.

Meaning of the Haka

To most people, the haka is a war dance. This is understandable as many have seen the haka performed as a pre-battle challenge to their opposition.
But the word "haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance. While they are the correct terms to associate with the haka, they do not do justice to the life force, the actions, words, rhythm, themes, meaning, style or history that are the haka.

How the Haka is used Today

New Zealanders have grown accustomed to the use of the Haka by sporting teams. They thrill to the spectacle of the All Blacks forming ranks prior to kick off.
The modern All Blacks perform the Haka with passion and pride. They have reclaimed the dignity and mystique attached to this traditional art form and in the process, increased its recognition as an icon of New Zealand.
The Haka has come to symbolise the power of the All Blacks and their status in the world of rugby. The team leaves an impression of invincibility and ruthlessness.
Today, the New Zealand Army also has its own unique haka, opened and ended by female soldiers, acknowledging their special place in the armed forces.
Because there are tens of thousands of New Zealanders living overseas, it is highly likely they will engage in the performing the haka in the foreign locations.
New Zealand trade delegations and other official functions overseas are increasingly requesting haka groups to accompany them.

Traditional song

The Haka

Here is another version of the Haka: Kiwis vs. Tongans.

Dragon Mart

According to Time Out Dubai, Dragon Mart is:

the largest Chinese trading hub outside of China. Built like an enormous pink dragon, it includes showrooms, shopping areas, reataurants and warehouses that house no fewer than 4,000 enterprises dealing in Chinese products. Although it’s divided up into various sections such as clothing, hardware and furniture, often these are quite mixed up and you never know when you may stumble across a ridiculously cheap pair of comfy shoes, a slinky silk embroidered gown or an authentic-looking set of pearls.

Odometer hits 222222.2 kms on the ride to Dragon Mart

Theater seats anyone?

Hmmm...what's wrong with this picture?