Just let it be a ‘long weekend’ (a few days holiday added to the weekend) —and the UAE transforms into a frenzied blur of hyperactivity. Except for old sloth bears like me, everyone else is suddenly ‘charged up and ready to go anywhere’ like there is no tomorrow.
Cars are fueled up and tire pressures checked. Essentials like tents, sleeping bags, weather-appropriate clothing, barbecue sets, sturdy boots, stoves, cookware, non-perishable food, water bottles, navigation tools, first aid kits, flashlights and emergency items, and hygiene basics like toothbrushes, soap etc. are all packed and secured. No time to be wasted at all.
Social media explodes with updates of people camping under the stars, driving over dunes, vehicles getting stuck in the sand, or families and friends barbecuing with such zeal you'd think they were auditioning for a steak commercial. There's jet-skiing in the morning, mountain climbing by noon, and hopping between parks, resorts, and shopping malls by evening. Some even manage to squeeze in a full-body workout on the beach while simultaneously planning a pub crawl. Impressive and invigorating? Sure. Exhausting? Definitely!!
And then there’s me, an unapologetic member of the Non-Extreme Weekend Society. While others are out conquering ‘wadis’, waves and mountains, I’m conquering the weeds in my garden—though they seem to win most of the time. My grandkids? Adorable little bundles of joy turn into tiny tyrants the moment I suggest a nap. “Play, Grandpa!” they demand, and by play, they mean testing how many ways they can climb me, force my eyes open, pull my toes and scream in my ear – you get the drift! And then there is the house cat and the stray to care of too !
When the family chaos subsides, I retreat to the couch, remote in hand, to watch what some might call the "idiot box." But hey, a little mindless TV never hurt anyone, especially when it’s paired with some nice wine and snacks I don’t have to share. I might even dabble in writing, reading, music, or engage in my favorite pastime: wondering why everyone else voluntarily exhausts themselves.
People say, “Get a life!” But I beg to differ. I have a calm, unhurried, beautifully boring life. While others spend their weekends recovering from their adventures, I start my week well-rested, with just a hint of smugness.
That’s just the way I like it !
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