Steps and Stuff

Steps, Fairmont Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



For a change of pace, this post shows hotel steps. If you wanted to see a gerbil who likes to macrame a loofah holder while eating apricot flavored sherbet, then today's picture will be a disappointment.

P.S. The English words gerbil, macrame, loofah, apricot and sherbet are all derived from the Arabic, jarbu, miqrama, lufha, al barqooq, and sharab respectively. 

Just needed to catch-up on our English/Arabic word lessons.

Alhambresque

Three Wooden Window Screens, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Although I have never been to the Alhambra of Granada, Spain, I imagine its design is rich in fanciful patterns, like these window screens in Sheikh Zayed's palace in Al Ain.

It maybe difficult to see at first, but this image actually shows three separate wooden window screens, on three separate planes, in three separate rooms and courtyards, all lined-up to make an intricate design within my frame.

Al Ain Oasis

Date Palms, Al Ain Oasis, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



Known as the "Garden City" of the UAE, Al Ain developed around a cluster of date palm oases in the desert. Becky and I walked the stone paved lanes of the largest of these havens from the heat, the Al Ain Oasis. 

It is divided into small farm plots, and is well watered by an ancient underground irrigation system called falaj. Dense shade provides habitat for birds which can be heard in abundance, especially Laughing Doves, Collard Doves, White-eared Bulbuls and Common Mynas.

Commonality

Emirati Woman, Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



At first glance it would seem I have little in common with this abaya clad woman. She and her female companions were on an outing exploring
 Al Ain's historic Al Jahili Fort.

I later learned, to my utter delight, the young Emirati is an aspiring photographer. Becky, and our UAE hosts Debi and Dale opened a conversation with her in this fortress courtyard. They noticed the women were toting camera gear and told her I was a photographer. When I walked-up to join the conversation, the young woman told me of her hopes to be a photographer one day.

I spoke with her briefly, explaining to her what I did as a commercial photographer in Charleston. With her face almost completely veiled, 
all I could see were her intense and curious dark eyes.
Their inquisitiveness gave me an idea.

I asked if it was permissible for me to give her my business card. She replied yes. So I did, showing her my website address on the card. She said that she and her companions would take a look. Her enthusiasm was touching to me. I hope sharing my images with her will be a small spark of inspiration to her, like other photographers were to me when I was at an impressionable age.

This was an extraordinary moment for me on our visit... knowing that two people who come from diametrically opposite cultures and life experiences could have photography as a mutual point of reference and connection.

It is important to note that although Arabic is the official language of the UAE, English is the most widely spoken. This made our communication possible.
And if Becky was not there, it would have been haram (forbidden by Sharia law, the moral code of behavior and religious dictates of Islam) for the woman to have any sort of exchange with a man she did not know.

Burj Al Arab

Night Lights, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



It was not long ago when Bedouin tribes were enduring a hard scrabble existence among the dunes and oases of the Arabian Peninsula. But the discovery of oil around 1960 and the birth of a federation of emirates in 1971 suddenly changed all.

Thanks to visionary leadership, the United Arab Emirates has aggressively invested its oil wealth in a western-style pro-consumer and tourist based economy. In a span of just a few decades the UAE has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world. 

Yet it has not forgotten its roots, its heritage. A prime example is the iconic Burj Al Arab, the world's only "seven star hotel". Designed in the shape of a billowing sail, it is a homage to the dhow, the traditional sailing vessel used for centuries for fishing and trading in the Persian Gulf.

This luxury hotel sits on an man made island which took three years to build. The building itself stands 60 floors high making it currently the fourth tallest hotel in the world. At top right one can see the Skyview Bar perched high over the water, which offers remarkable views of Dubai and the Gulf. 

The genie of Aladdin's Lamp could not conjure up a more astonishing hotel!

Amberous Light

Open Gates of a Villa, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Arabian desert air is often hazy with a layer of suspended particles of powdery sand which softens sunlight. This is especially true early or late in the day when the sun is low. Morning light is sometimes a translucent pale yellow, like the color of amber. In the above image, amberous light makes a warm background for a pair of villa gates in Al Ain.

As you might expect by now if you have been following our UAE posts, the English word amber has an Arabic derivation... anbar, meaning ambergris, the waxy substance from sperm whales once used in perfumery.

Algorithm Rhythm

Arches and Domes, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Imagine the algorithms that were needed to calculate the design of this perfectly coordinated rhythm of archways and domes at the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Whatever mathematical equations were used for the engineering, the beautifully aligned patterns of curves make a high visual impact on the viewer.

The Grand Mosque is one of the largest in the world, and can hold up to 41,000 worshipers at one time. It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the UAE, and driving force behind the mosque's creation.

Also, you might be pleased to know the English word algorithm drives from the Arabic al-khwarizmi. Khwarizmi was an influential mathematician and scholar of the 9th century who introduced the concepts of algebra to the western world.

An Elixir for the Heat

Ice Rink, Shopping Mall in Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




How do you find relief from the desert heat? The remedy is to head to the nearest shopping mall and ice skate beneath giant snow flakes!

Yes, the word elixir has an Arabic origin... al iksir, the philosopher's stone of alchemy, purported to cure whatever ails you, and even better,
to change base metals to gold!

In one sense, the UAE found its own version of the philosopher's stone...
its called oil.

In The Land of Serendip

Pathway of Umbrellas, Miracle Garden, Dubai, UAE  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



To make a long story short, the word Serendip is based on the Arabic name for the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where its people were fabled to always be happy... hence the birth of our English word serendipity.

So it was with pleasant surprise that I happened upon this photogenic walkway shaded by a canopy of umbrellas in Dubai's Miracle Garden.

Henna

Becky's Hennaed Hands, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The tradition of decorating hands, arms and feet with ornate tattoos made from the reddish ink of the henna plant dates back thousands of years to the Bronze Age. This custom of applying body art is still practiced today. It is especially important for Emirati women in their preparation for the biggest of celebrations... a wedding.

Becky and Debi had a henna night of their own during our visit to Al Ain. Beautiful flora patterns were selected from samples hanging on the wall. Then a layer of henna paste was applied. When the paste dried, it crumbled away leaving a temporary tattoo which lasts several weeks before coming off completely.

In this image Becky is wearing a brightly colored kandora, a gift from our hosts.

Rebecca of Arabia

Becky on a Camel Ride, near Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Becky rides a camel during our desert safari on a calm and beautiful evening. The constant rhythm of the camel's up and down motion made it a challenge to take photographs, so I set the camera on continuous shooting and fired away.

The word safari is a wonderful description of our adventure. Coming from the Arabic safar, it means "journey." In fact our entire visit to the UAE was a journey never to be forgotten! Thanks again D & D!

Al-Ghattās

The Diver and Waterfall, Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE  
Image © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A diver plunges down a three story waterfall as part of an art installation at the Dubai Mall. The mall is the world's largest and is part of a 20 billion dollar downtown complex that includes the Burj Khalifa. If you are hungry, as I usually am because I eat like a Hobbit, you have about 120 restaurants and cafes from which to choose.

 The English word albatross (an oceanic diving bird) is a derivative of al-ghattās, Arabic for "the diver".

Zenith

View from Observation Deck, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This view from the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building) shows the downtown district of Dubai with the desert stretching far beyond. Immediately below you can see dots in the water that represent crews who are cleaning the fountain pools of sand from a recent sand storm.

The Burj Khalifa defies explanation... it is impossibly high in the sky, the stunning views make even the surrounding skyscrapers look like toys, and it is as solid as a rock. At 2,717 feet tall and 160 stories, it is simply an amazing work of human engineering! So if mankind can make this, why can't my local Pizza Hut make a decent pizza!?

Visiting the observation deck, on the 124th floor, was literally the zenith of our trip to the UAE. By the way, the word zenith is derived loosely from the Arabic samt arras, translated as "path over one's head."

Hoopoe

Fancy Bird, Miracle Garden, Dubai, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



When traveling to new destinations, I am often torn between taking lots of photos and looking at birds. After photography, birdwatching is my next favorite outdoor activity (well, add yodeling too). In fact both Becky and I enjoy birdwatching. So on trips such as this one to the UAE, I usually have camera in one hand and binoculars with birding guide in the other.

The odd fellow pictured above reminds me of the hoopoes we saw. If you have never seen a hoopoe before, it is categorically outlandish in appearance, at the very least cartoonish.

This image was made in the Miracle Garden in Dubai, an unexpected oasis of flowers. Of all the amazing places that we visited, this little Eden was one of my favorites. I loved its colorfully whimsical displays! 
Yes, I know, I am an odd bird too.

Camels

Camels and Dunes, near Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)



The desert is never far away in the United Arab Emirates  In fact it is usually just across the street, or even in your own front yard. And what would the desert be without camels? Camels seem synonymous with the landscape. I drove only a short way off the road to capture this trademark scene of the Arabian Peninsula... a loose caravan of dromedaries strolling around the dunes, herded by a 
cameleer (just out of the frame).

Although there are a lot of camels here, the UAE is not a Camelot for camels. Camels are a commodity. They are raised as livestock on farms for meat and milk. They are also raced, and used as beasts of burden to carry tourists like us 
for rides in the desert.

Not surprisingly, the English word camel comes to us from the Arabic word jamala, meaning "to bear".

Wasta

Gold Columns and Reflecting Pool, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In the United Arab Emirates, the concept of wasta is well known. It is an Arabic word roughly meaning "clout" and refers to the practice of receiving favors from influential people. It is much like the saying "it is not what you know, but who you know." Recently, Becky and I were fortunate to benefit from an extraordinary dose of wasta. Her cousin and husband work for the Abu Dhabi Education Council, and were generous enough to bring us over to the UAE for two weeks on an unforgettable visit.

Over the next several weeks I will share with you a collection of my photographs from our Arabian adventure. All these posts are dedicated to Debi and Dale... 
we can't thank you enough for your hospitality, 
offered in the true spirit of Bedu tradition!

Pictured above is a contemplative moment at Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque, one of the world's largest and one of the few where non-Muslims are permitted to enter. Just before I took this picture the call to prayer was sung by the muezzin. It echoed throughout the majestic courtyard and into the city... 
a beautiful and stirring moment.

Relics

Sunset, Charleston Battery Bench, South Battery, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Old mortars and cannons, relics from wars fought here in the past, are put on display along Charleston's South Battery. This area is also lined with ornate wrought iron benches. On the bench arm rest is a bird motif, symbolic of another relic from the past. It represents the Carolina parakeet, which once filled the skies of the Southeast U.S. but was hunted to extinction by the 1920's.

Twilight of the Tall Ships

Tall Ships at Dawn, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Velvia slide film)



Before the routine docking of cruise ships at our port, a cavalcade of tall ships came to Charleston every few years. It was one of my favorite events. Ships of various types from multiple countries would line-up along the harbor docks, like these masted beauties which I photographed early one morning.

Raised Brickwork

Old Brickwork, Biggin Church Ruins, near Moncks Corner, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The church ruins of Biggin Hill show three-dimensional brick work around what used to be one of its large windows. This rural parish church, attended by plantation owners, was burned during the Revolutionary War by retreating British troops in 1781. It is now protected as a National Historic Place.

The Remains of a Poster

Torn Poster Paper on Glass Window, Old Library on Marion Square, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



The remains of a dilapidated poster cast shadows on a curtain hung behind a window, creating a layered visual abstract.