Bye, Bye Dubai...

This is my 156th Blog since I started this little adventure back in the Summer of 2010. I have had an awesome experience, working for two different companies and interacting with hundreds of different people - some from places that I couldn't have found on a map just 3 short years ago. As of this morning, there have been 9,351 different visits to read what was on my mind, or to check out what I am up to (or in the case of a few to see if someone they know over here is behaving, or spending way too much time with my old friend Dominic (I have to admit - he had great parties, attended by mostly hot women from the former Soviet Block and gay men - kept the odds way in his favor - of course an old annoying American like me, (unlike his gay party attenders) wanted the same girls that he did, but had no chance - yes I too was part of the proper party demographics lol). I know a few of the very regular readers - sometimes I would even share their thoughts on the blog. I was often surprised by the people that I had no idea read this blog....I would be having lunch with a business colleague (like Fadi Selwan) and have them lean across the table and say that they enjoyed something on my blog. Or being on a date with a younger lady (Fred claims that I will miss dating the mid-20 cuties more than anything else in Dubai, because that fountain is not available for me to drink from in the States - sadly, the three words I hate most come to mind - Fred is right), and have her ask "how Rodz is?", sadly not a great dinner date conversation. I know there are a lot of one time readers, googling about "IHOP", "Nipples", or "SYSCO" and being led to this blog...And I am somewhat surprised from where people are reading my blog from...
Country Page views

1. United States 5,799 2. United Arab Emirates 1,369 3. Germany 623 4. Singapore 177 5. Russia 174 6. United Kingdom 150 7. Japan 63 8. France 54 9. Slovenia 46 10. Canada 33
It is interesting to me that strangers that never have met me, see this blog and send me a note, but more rewarding are those friends that have stuck with me, prayed for me, cried with me (OK maybe I am getting carried away), and laughed with me..... Thank you all....You have encouraged me through some very tough and lonely times, but man how I have prospered both literally and figuratively by this adventure... I shared with you a few weeks ago that when I knew for sure that I was leaving this Mid Eastern paradise, that I would share my views on "Peace in the Middle East". Most of us Americans view Peace in the Middle East as a Palestinian/Israeli problem. I would submit that you are only half right. The Arab Spring that has seen long standing Authoritarian regimes overturned is very unstabilizing in the Region, especially as it pertains to American Interests. This is related to the bigger Sunni/Shia Muslim Sect issues, and I don't even want to pretend to understand it. I do feel like I have a grasp on the part of the "non peace" here as it pertains to Palestine and the Jewish State of Israel. Let me try and give you a quick run down of the issues as I see them... As World War II ended, the Allies had to solve the issue, of what to do with the Jews (post Nazi Holocaust) in Europe. They decided to create the Jewish state of Israel in the Holy lands of the Mideast. Now it was mostly dessert inhabited by Bedouins, but there were lots of Palestinians in the area also (Palestinian is a nationality -I didn't grasp this til I lived here - not a religion, there are many Palestinian Christians, they are not all Muslims.) These displaced Palestinians feel that this is their land, and that the Jews need to leave. Now I can certainly sympathize with their viewpoint, and how many of them feel that this land was stolen from their Ancestors. It is the same argument that Native American Indians can make in the United States. The problem with this viewpoint now, here in this part of the World is it is unrealistic. I am 50 years old, and beginning the twilight years of my life. If I would have been born in Jerusalem instead of Ohio, I would firmly and understandably feel that my homeland would be Israel. These millions of Israeli citizens are not leaving voluntarily, and unfortunately for my Middle Eastern Arab friends, they aren't leaving by force either. The Israeli's have shown themselves capable of defending their homes and land by themselves, and yes the American people and our military stand firmly behind them.   They showed their military prowess by winning the wars with the surrounding countries in in 1948, and then the more well known 6 day war in 1967 (military action begun by Israel after numerous cross border attacks by Palestinians from Egypt, Syria and Jordan. - sounds familiar huh). After Israel successfully defeated their neighbors, they kept their spoils of war - (West Bank and Gaza) to create a buffer from the Palestinians that have continued to fight to reclaim their homeland. In a nutshell...(if possible) - there will not be peace in this region unless a Palestinian state is created. What the Palestinians don't understand or trust is that America (and Americans) backs their desire for a creation of a state for them to live in Peace and worship in their Holy land and raise their children without fear of the Israeli army killing them in a raid. The problem is that the pathway for this to happen is a recognizing of Israel as a nation, and the understanding that the Jewish state of Israel will be protected also. Many Muslim leaders in the region hate that the Jews are infesting their land. they want Israel to cease, and they encourage instability as a way to beat these Jewish squatters and the evil American empire that backs them. I don't feel that they care about the Palestinians, they are a vehicle to justify their hate and desire to see a Muslim dominated region. So in summary, I say, the West must realize that there will be no peace without a Palestinian country, and the Palestinians must understand attacking and not recognizing the State of Israel, will continue the absence of a Palestinian homeland. Until the maps and the people of the region recognize and understand Israel is here to stay, and the Israeli's realize that they need to help the Palestinians create and form a peaceful neighbor there will be no peace. I have virtually no exposure to Israeli's here, but after countless interactions with Palestinians (lots of moderate ones here) have left me not very optimistic.  I hope that now when you hear our American politicians pontificate about Israel/Palestine that now you will have a better understanding to form your own viewpoints. There, I said it, and it won't be popular here.   My flight home to the greatest country in the World is approaching, and I have had some goodbye lunches and dinners with some of my new friends. Juan took me to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. He is now that area sales manager for Transmed in Abu Dhabi, is a brand new dad (2 weeks ago) and is doing a great job. Vineet continues to call and encourage and almost always shares his pre missing of me (very sweet man). Suresh (Barakats Abu Dhabi Rep) reminds me of Vineet with his kindness. If I have truly had the impact on their lives as these two profess I have had a successful 3 years here.   Kelly is taking me out to dinner and to the airport Tuesday evening, and I can tell you that there is no way that I will be able to say goodbye to her with shedding some tears. I have grown to love her and her unwavering friendship, and I admire her professionalism in business and I am so proud that she views me as a friend and mentor. We will be friends as long as she desires, I would not have been successful here without her. Joseph worked with me at Transmed and Barakat, and continues to fascinate me. I hope that I can continue that relationship. Kumail has quickly become my best Muslim friend, and I believe God has brought to me a friend that has helped me grow in my beliefs, and develop an understanding of others that don't share the same views as me. I will miss Hayley, but in many ways I already do. Sometimes keeping a friend of the opposite sex is harder than it should be. My Palestinian American friend Reem, continues to grow as a professional in this world (now manages the catering segment at Transmed) and she has grown closer with me with time....(we have already had two goodbye lunches - lol).... I will miss some of the waiters and waitresses that have I have befriended (The Darjeeling gals at Texas Roadhouse (Bhupali, Nikky, Swevta, and Archon), EE at Royal Garden (Thai Restaurant)... I have so many friends that in a way I am leaving behind, I hope that in some way I have touched their lives in a meaningful way (Like Fathuma and Josie - My sweet Kenyon Customer Service reps that are still working hard hoping for a better opportunity, Anupama Nair, the QA manager at Barakat that has invited me to her wedding in India (I hope I can go next year). Muzzy who's career has flourished due to his hard work at Transmed. I chatted with Rodz last night, yes we are still friendly, just not that friendly...lol, and I don't think she has come to realize that this is goodbye with somewhat of a finality to it - to most of my friends here. Not a see you soon.... Well, I hope I will see all of you soon, next week in fact, as I blog from my parents house in Virginia...Lots of stuff going on, to get me out of here by next Tuesday evening...God Bless you for sticking with me....See you next Friday...