Winter Solstice in the Mid East

i know it's winter already in dubai when:

1. the car dashboard thermometer says 13 deg celcius

2. the local guys use black kandura already

3. i can sleep without turning on my AC

4. i use the water heater when taking a bath, and

5. mall store displays boots, jackets and multi-layer clothings on the mannequins

when i came back last dec 27, at 2 am, the temp registered at 10 deg celcius! it is a nice yet equally disturbing feeling when it really goes under your skin as i do get very cold easily...

i usually keep now my window partially open in the evenings to let the cool breeze seep into my room... and so in the morning, not only the wind, but the chirping of the birds all around my room wakes me up! isn't that a wonderful morning? ;)

then when i drive to the office, i keep my window open and inhale the air as if i buy it for $100 a liter!!! haha! and i take the middle lane to just drive at 60kph and enjoy the sights and sounds of the road which i usually take for granted in summers! though the sky does not look blue (well, ive never really seen a blue sky here for a long time! usually, it's grey!!!) with dark heavy clouds, i try not be be psyched down with its gloom. instead, i just try to appreciate the little bits of ray of sunshine, in case some are able to peek thru the dark clouds!

in the office, people wear think clothes, boots and all sorts of body warmers. the best thing to behold are the cute kids running around our center in candy-colored jackets and nice warmers!

i guess i'd be doing evening walks now... to enjoy the season, and to lose the calories away... oh, i love winters here... if you've spoken with Europeans, the mid east winters are one of the best!

enjoy it while it lasts...