World cup and duty free...

Dubai International Airport, the airport that doesn't sleep! Its a little past midnight and there is just as much activity as there was when I first arrived here at 8pm. The duty-free shops are bustling with people! Candy, alcohol, cigarettes and fragrances seems to occupy most of the space in the stores. The world cup is everywhere here, people are congregating around TV's and big projection screens the size of a two-car garage. Brazil just won against Australia.

The trip form NY to Dubai wasn't bad, actually quite plush. We got 2.5 meals and very courteous service. And the planes are much more comfortable. I got morsels of sleep, a few hours at a time. Since every passenger gets their personal TV, I had to put it to good use! In addition to sleeping and eating, I watched Glory Road, The Arrangement and The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey! fun times...

The most annoying part of the trip was the guy behind me kept knocking into the the back of my seat. I'm usually patient with people like that, especially since he was a young kid who grew into a "camel" after his growth spurt. At one time, when I was enjoying an extended period of sleep, he jolted me awake and I turned around a glared at him, which provided about 15 minutes of relief. Of course, I tried to explain to him that he didn't need to tap the TV screen to play games and that he could use the remote control that was provided, however, that common sense was wasted on him. Either way, it’s over now!

It's finally beginning to sink in that I'm going to Pakistan. However, the first feeling I got was slightly unexpected. It wasn't of excitement; it was more nervousness and trepidation. Although it was only for a brief moment, I was wondering if I would run into roadblocks that I can't overcome since I am in a completely new environment. Obstacles make it fun though and Inshallah, things will work out and I will arrive safely into Islamabad.