"Du-To-The-Bai"

On two week's notice, I'm puttin' the cray in CRAY-ZEE and headin' to Dubai a week from this Monday. My friend, Burleise, is on scholarship in the MBA program at NYU making her way to Abu Dhabi and Dubai over spring break interviewing for potential, summer internships.

Just for fun, last Saturday morning, I played around on Kayak.com finding a roundtrip, Continental, codeshare flight on Virgin Atlantic by way of Orbitz.com for HELL-TO-THE-LO...$716! (By the way, as of this evening, Friday, the fare's dropped two bucks to $714).

I leave Monday evening the 16th nonstop to London arriving around noon. My friend, Ruth, just last month, moved from Denver to London so I selected an 8-hour layover at Heathrow where she'll be meeting me for lunch or a drink or drinks and lunch or what the hell...maybe just drinks!

Flying overnight on Tuesday, I arrive in Dubai Wednesday morning.

While obsessing over whether or not I should spend the money and make the trek, couchsurfing for a place to rest my head appeared to be a good idea; however, once I began maneuvering through the online, check-out process prior to throwing down my American Express card, I was offered several hotel packages (including the flights I'd selected) causing quite the quiver in my mouse-click finger.

It was at this point, staying home, surpassed optional!

Ultimately, I clicked on roundtrip airfare, a visit with Ruth, a visit with Burleise, 5 nights in an apartment hotel with all kitchen facilities and supplies including washer and dryer and, not to mention, near 18,000 Continental OnePass miles all for the price of $1266.00!

Can you say, "Stimulus Package"?

Mmhm...I knew you could!

In the interim, I've heard the downturn in the global economy along with debtor's prison laws have lead to 3000 automobiles left abandoned in the parking lot of Dubai International Airport. I have also learned one need be a resident of Dubai and in possession of a license to purchase alcohol over-the-counter.

On the upside, upon my arrival, I can purchase alcohol in the airport's duty-free shop and who knows maybe they'll come up with their own stimulus package between now and then sending me home with an abandoned Bentley!

I'll be keeping you in my thoughts...please keep me in yours.

My goal is to "backpack" to the Middle East so doubt I'll be bringing along my laptop relying on Internet access wherever and whenever available, but I'll plan on resuscitating www.thelarrychronicles.blogspot.com beginning with a copy of this email.

Viva la over 90% of Americans are still employed!

Larry